Bears *BACK* to Arlington Heights again after public outcry?

Discussing the Chicago Bears new stadium development
My Twitter - / realpatrickmcl

[@krucible9369]

Arlington Heights is still the only spot that makes sense. Bears would need to pay more upfront but they would own EVERYTHING instead of having to lease a stadium. It makes so much sense for them to go to AH

[@retrowarehouse2554]

Except the Bears have to pay high taxes at AH, so the Bears aren't going to go there when they pay no taxes at Soldier Field. You really think the Bears are gonna pay taxes in the suburbs, you're dreaming.

[@coreyrowe4119]

The Bears new Chicago proposal was ultimately nothing more than a leverage move for a better deal in Arlington Heights imo.

[@spg5658]

The Mayor is worse than the previous one, if thats possible. Embarrassing

[@ichalid22]

When you elect based on race ONLY

[@retrowarehouse2554]

He is, but at least he wants to work with the Bears on a new stadium. Lightfoot is the main reason why they even made the empty Arlington threat.

[@GeraldM_inNC]

Anarchists are worse than Marxists.

[@spaceghost8995]

​@@retrowarehouse2554 Huh? Lightfoot had NOTHING to do with the Bears buying the Arlington Raceway property. Also, it was NOT an "empty threat". You are completely wrong on every level.

[@beaniemac]

Chicago resident here. I don't give a damn where they play. I just don't want my newly yelled property taxes funding this in any way shape or form.

[@chrancylewhern4443]

Arlington makes so much more sense. It's cheaper, it has better access to transit. Parking will be less of a nightmare. You can still dome it and it's close enough to city where it won't hurt them in terms of fan base. Go to Arlington! I don't want to pay for this.

[@ellislegato2238]

if you know anything about traveling that way it will not be easy with 70,000+ fans driving there at the same time & back, plus O'hare traffic arriving and departing. transit wise this is the worst decision ever and gas isnt cheap.

[@iap6647]

@@ellislegato2238 So true, Sunday return flights plus Bears fans….. No Thanks!

[@Steve-fx2fb]

​@@ellislegato2238Good! The 53/290 and 90 exchange needs a better design.

[@ellislegato2238]

@@Steve-fx2fb yea thats not the problem the bears or fans should deal with, your a tax payer, tell the city to fix the pot holes too while your at it. they might finish in 20 years if we're lucky.

[@Steve-fx2fb]

@@ellislegato2238 Wasn't that what the infrastructure bill was for? Lol.

[@ronniesouthern7829]

Everyone wants the Bears to have a new stadium, but no one wants to pay for it.

[@ronkali5365]

Let the Bears owners pay for it

[@zch7491]

I want them to stay in their historic stadium... for free!

[@Hkoehler17]

I live in illinois, our taxes are high enough. I dont want to pay for it.

[@andrebailey6676]

​@@ronkali5365with what money the bears ownership doesn't have a lot of money

[@andrebailey6676]

Did the bears ownership is not as rich as people may think that they are the bears are ownership is only worth $2 billion dollars

[@stevegungel787]

The Bears intended to move to Arlington Heights from day one. The current plan to build a stadium in the city is nothing more than a ploy to get AH to lower taxes.

[@retrowarehouse2554]

That was just a ploy to get what they wanted in the city, they never had any plans to move to Arlington, nor will they move there. They'll be on the Lakefront when it's all said and done.

[@michaelkawell3300]

They ain't moving to Arlington no way .They will sell the land to a NFL team like Jacksonville and will have a AFC team here also it's happening eventually

[@bearworldwide101]

Either way the taxpayers will fork over on both sites AH is expensive for them to be there while in Chicago the Bears didn't pay taxes to begin with.

[@Tank4Life]

Exactly. They didn't buy that land for nothing.

[@Tank4Life]

​@retrowarehouse2554 you don't buy land without a plan for it.

[@taker610]

Bears: Give us a rendering of what an Arlington Heights stadium could look like. Architect: Okay, here you go. Bears: Ummm, that's literally just a giant ice cube. Architect: Futuristic isn't it?

[@thesbytolbert7769]

Maybe that what the private $2.5B our Bears can pay for it! 😁😄

[@deco983]

Public money for construction of billion-dollar stadiums is immoral nowadays.

[@jvanaman1]

Public money for a publicly owned stadium is the only way it should work though. The park district (and thus the city) benefits from all non-Bears game events. The bears shouldn’t be responsible for 100% of the cost. Ultimately, it makes the most sense for the Bears to own their own stadium, which rules out any plans for the lakefront.

[@neneshubby]

@@jvanaman1 how about spending that money on something that has a little importance like say healthcare or homelessness? War veterans living on the street, but let’s give billions to billionaires

[@ReadIcculus93]

@@neneshubby I couldnt have said it better myself. That is the real issue here. Why are we investing in the wealthy while ignoring the sick, poor, and those who served?

[@jvanaman1]

@@neneshubby im not saying the money should be spent on a stadium. my first comment wasn’t clear - I think the Bears should go to Arlington Heights and own the stadium outright, no public funding. Just saying that if a new domed stadium on the lakefront is built, which can only be owned by the city, it’s unreasonable to expect the Bears to fund it 100% if the benefit of events like concerts, final fours, etc. goes into the city’s coffers.

[@Isaacsbased]

Morals left the Chicago area a long time ago

[@banditjimmy35]

10 home dates. They can play in Rockford and it would have zero effect in their brand or following. Hell, they sold out Champaign Illinois 2.5 hours away on the last stadium renovation. The days of "having to be downtown" stadiums are long gone. Follow the Braves model, build your own complex on your own land. It's not that difficult.

[@morriswatkins5667]

No one wants to be out in the sticks!

[@dwragsdale4172]

COBB COUNTY PAID $450 MILLIONS FOR THE BRAVES STADIUM, PLUS COBB COUNTY AGRRED TO PAY FOR SECURITY AND TRAFFIC CONTROL AS WELL AS FIELD MAINTENACE

[@tchomicz1992]

Spot on not to mention nearly 70% of the season holders live in the NW burbs.

[@michaelleroy9281]

The Rockford Bears 🐻?

[@marblox9300]

@@dwragsdale4172 Corn on the Cobb Braves. Not Atlanto.

[@jaywashington2196]

What’s interesting is O’Hare is a 30 minute drive from the Arlington heights site

[@billbeliakoff5589]

It's almost the same to downtown Chicago/Soldier Field. What's your point ?

[@josephmorabito6992]

Less traffic from ohare going to Arlington as compared to downtown.

[@avidsiman]

Actually, O'Hare is 15-20 minutes. If you take the Kennedy Expressway, you can do it in as little as 7 minutes during off peak hours.

[@bearworldwide101]

Traffic to the north gets hectic even the recent renovations on the Tri-State and Northwest Tollway it's still not enough help for the main and side streets also the Bears as t the time they were gung ho for AH they also wanted the governor to extend IL53 to the old plans to IL120 and US45 up north near Antioch as a way to help with 94 to the east and whatever planned tollways to the west that would of encircled the metroplex.

[@Tank4Life]

Not interesting at all.

[@Vortex1988]

Arlington Heights makes way more sense for the Bears ownership than any public partnership in the city. Not to mention that most season ticket holders probably live closer to Arlington Heights than the lakefront anyway.

[@retrowarehouse2554]

You do realize the Bears pay no taxes on the lakefront right? Why would they start paying high taxes to be in the suburbs? When they can be tax free on the lakefront. You guys always say the season ticket holders live closer when that's not true. Metro Chicago is huge, fans come from north, west, and south suburbs then you got the out of the towners from other teams who prefer to visit downtown Chicago before and after games with all the hotels nearby. Bears are staying in Downtown Chicago point blank period.

[@MercMadam]

The lakefront rendering was beautiful but it missed the most important thing. Parking for tailgating!!! You can’t take that from us. We already wanted a bigger space for it.

[@pfury67]

Soldier Field's current location is the antithesis of convenience. The amount of parking and access to public transportation is pathetic. Arlington Heights makes 100% sense. Would have endless parking, Metra stop is right there, it's right off of 53, and can build up a sweet spot outside of the stadium.

[@avidsiman]

@DepressedGinger: The reasons for pursuing Chicago instead of Arlington Heights is not what you think. 1) Owning a stadium comes with more legalities and liablities than leasing. Many NFL teams do not want that extra responsibility as they feel it's a distraction from fielding a competitive team. It would also force them to find additional sources of revenue to pay for it and keep the place busy. That's one reason why Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones does not own AT+T stadium. He is the primary tenant and has a lot of pull, but he does not own it, nor does he have the responsibility of maintaining it. His team shows up to play games and collect revenue. The rest is the responsibility of the city. The Bears wanted the same arrangement in Chicago as leasing a stadium is considerably cheaper. The Bears are offering $2 billion for Soldier Field replacement. If they build it themselves in Arlington Heights, it will cost more than that. Just because you can find $2 billion doesn't mean you can find $5 billion. Unlike the other NFL owners around the league, the McCaskeys do not have other forms of revenue to fund the project. 2) The demolition of the Arlington Racetrack has nothing to do with preparing the land for a stadium. The racetrack occupied the east and southeast corner of the property. The Bears plans show the stadium located in the northwest corner of the property. The reason it was torn down was to lower the property tax assessment. Churchill Downs purchased the property years ago at a much lower price and laws limit how much property tax can be increased year over year. The value of the property went up much faster than the property tax. When the property was sold to the Chicago Bears, it reset the entry point for property tax assessment bringing it back in line with the property's value. Since the Bears would be at least a few years away from having a functioning stadium ready for business, they needed to lower their tax liability, and the only way to do that was to reduce the property to a vacant lot. After demolition was completed, the city of Arlington Heights lowered the tax liability to be more in line with what the Bears were asking for. Unfortunately, it came too late as Keven Warren had already moved onto Chicago as plan A. 3) There is truth in using Chicago as a bargaining chip to get a better deal in Arlington Heights, but he reverse is also true. Chicago needs the Bears. If the Bears leave Soldier Field for Arlington Heights, then the city must find a new tenant to take over the lease so revenue continues to come in to help pay off $630 million loan used to pay for the 2002 renovation (REMINDER: the original amount of the loan was $290 million. It has grown due to accrued interest and issues with the city of Chicago being able to repay it). If the Bears' plan is approved as recently presented, it allows the IFSA bonds to be refinanced, which is important because the loan is currently set to expire in 2033, and the last years of the loan are balloon payments of nearly $50 million annually, with a final payment near $100 million. The hotel tax is supposed to pay the bill, but it has come up short 2 of the past 3 years forcing the taxpayer to make up the difference. Considering the loan hasn't reached the balloon payments yet, the problem will only get worse putting more onus on the taxpayer. If the IFSA bond is refinanced as the Bears proposed, then those balloon payments disappear, or get kicked down the road another 40 years leaving the present day payments very reasonable. That's why Mayor Johnson is embracing the plan. Otherwise, there's nothing else available to pay off the loan.

[@APHill-ip8qt]

Thank you Sir. Well stated.

[@ericcann9035]

You're analysis isn't wrong, but sometimes to be a big boy owner of a blue chip franchise you need to find a way to get to the $5B. Selling minority shares in the team to make up that difference is the much better long term plan than pumping $2B into a stadium you won't own, doesn't have parking (tailgating), only has access from 50% of its surroundings (horrible fan experience to and from the venue), and won't give the opportunity for ancillary revenue streams a la Wrigleyville, Atlanta, SoFi. If you can't stomach making that work then feel free to sell to a billionaire with vision and assets.

[@avidsiman]

@@ericcann9035 You can WANT $5 billion, but that doesn't mean you'll be able to get it. Banks can say no. shareholders can refuse to give up shares as you suggest. Many of the team's shares are spread amongst various members of the McCaskey family. Since those shares represent their liveliehood, it's understandable why they might not want to part with them should be they asked. There are very few shareholders outside of the McCaskey family. Two very long time shareholders hold a majority of the shares not held by McCaskeys. The recently deceased Andrew McKenna was one of them with nearly 20% of the team. Those shares are probably tied up in probate until his estate is settled. There's more to owning a team than wanting to do stuff. No matter which direction they turn, they have to work with communities and other entities to achieve their goals. Which means many elements are outside team control. so you can say sell to a big boy billionaire and all problems will be solved, but that's not true. Chicago presents resistance in forms that are not seen in other communities. Los Angeles doesn't have a Burnham plan protecting their land and enforced by a "Friends of the park" foundation, for example. Have money? then you can build SoFi stadium. In Chicago, you need more than money. You need to navigate the political environment. Having money is helpful, but it doesn't solve the political issues when interfacing with communities. If anything, it's a lightning rod.

[@garyoz]

No to the lake front!! More and higher taxes, no parking!! NO!!

[@Joelong579]

I think my Bears are gonna end up in Arlington Heights. I’d be happy with either option tbh just need to move on from Solider field

[@scotttild]

They can build it in their own dime . 49ers and Rams did .

[@markkeller9378]

The logical place for this stadium is Arlington Heights. With the airport, highways perfectly positioned to support year round major events. Build a village around it, rapid rail directly to O Hare, really state of the art area. There is nothing convenient about its location in Chicago. Its scenic, but Chicago, its politicians and its inability to eliminate violent crime in the city make it “just a stadium”. Build the village like other sports teams are doing.

[@GeraldM_inNC]

No more public money for stadiums please.

[@andrebailey6676]

You guys don't understand how this works

[@stanhry]

Street , intersection , sewer, water , and other public services the local government will need to handle those since they are public. Then the government taxes the businesses and property to pay off those debts. Solider fields debt should have been paid off all ready. City kicked that can back the road for to long.

[@michaelneuhaus4432]

So in end know your stuff one the city and park owns the whole stadium and park and get to rent from bears but if bears own all you get is taxes but no profits from rent for soccer or world cup games and I hope bears move away from idiots of Chicago to own there own no profits for the city

[@scotttild]

@@stanhryThat fine but the owners should not be handed free money to enrich their own pockets. The Raiders have doubled in value Davis could have simple got financing though a loan and the increased value of the Raiders In Min the city put up the bonds for the new stadium but the Vikings paid those bonds back with interest and Min is no longer obligated in any way to the Vikings and the Vikings own that stadium. That is how they should fund these projects not on the back of working class people with more taxes.

[@stanhry]

@@scotttild No the city should not pay for everything. But empty properties and land produces no tax revenue at all. Chicago also bought a Giant bean sculpture also. How much tax revenue does that generate? Maybe a parking fee or a bus ticket? I don’t know they don’t create a Stadium LLC to oversee and fund the project.

[@SteveGee1986]

Another great video. Moronic Metro Government officials panic when a team wants to move to the suburbs. Question: Where do the vast majority of season ticket holders live? The Suburbs. Get to a community where people can walk around without getting mugged or shot.

[@mjuang9]

Wait I’m confused and sorry if I missed it but why not just build the stadium and not develop the surrounding area?!

[@TwitchyMovies]

For fucks sake not again PLEASE just build at the lakefront and we can stop this whole stupid cycle I don’t even care anymore Bears

[@marvinwhittaker]

That's what I'm saying. I'm tired of this too. If they're gonna build the stadium build it. Stop flip flopping.

[@MercMadam]

Where are we gonna park and tailgate?! And we have to pay for it?? Lmao nope

[@marvinwhittaker]

@@MercMadam that's a good question.

[@marck717]

Hi, I was thinking that the Bears would end up building their new stadium on the Chicago Lakefront and build a new state of the art training facility on the Arlington Heights property. This would replace their existing training facility in Lake Forest. Would that work? Thanks, Marc

[@ReadIcculus93]

The govenor said that the deal was a non-starter, I'm not sure why people think Arlington Heights will be any different. The public money to go for the stadium on the lakefront will be from a 4.5% hotel tax that is currently in place right now. How in the world would Arlington Heights get that funding? I'm not even sure if Arlington Heights entire town's real estate taxes would be able to match the revenue of the 4.5% hotel tax from Chicago.

[@avidsiman]

The hotel tax is for Cook county. Arlington Heights is in Cook County just the same as the city of Chicago. However, the hotel tax has come up short 2 of the past 3 years forcing the taxpayer to come up with the difference. So it may be a moot point. Especially since the 2002 loan for the soldier field renovation is entering it's final payments, and those final payments are balloon payments. Which means the hotel tax needs to significantly overperform to keep pace with the balloon payments, otherwise the taxpayer has to make up the difference. The loan is due in 2033 and the balance currently sits at $630 million. Do the math.

[@ReadIcculus93]

@@avidsiman I can see something like this generating a lot of revenue for the city, a lot more than the current Solder Field ever was. I worked at Solder Field and in the winter, the only time its used is for football games. In the summer, there's events going on every weekend. Just last week they had a may the 4th star wars celebration there. They could have something that would host a super bowl, final 4, Taylor Swift shows in the winter, heck, even Phish could play there for NYE, give madison square garden a break. The fact that it could compete with places like the sphere, or MSG in the winter, makes it 100% worth the expense the hotels would have to cough up. Trust me, they wont be complaining about it when they triple their revenue.

[@avidsiman]

@@ReadIcculus93 Except that Cleveland, Kansas City, and other teams are also building stadiums too, often with the same blueprint as was proposed by the Bears. So what do the Bears offer with a stadium that would make Chicago more attractive than the other cities? That's the crux of the issue right there. Chicago is no longer a top destination for these events, not just because they don't have a stadium, but also because the city is finanicially in dire straits and more expensive than the competitors. Why spend out the wazoo to hold an event in Chicago when you can do the same for less somewhere else? When you build a more modern stadium, you have to raise the bar in order to stay with or ahead of the competition. That means huge expenses to build it, which in turn means you need bigger and bigger attractions to pay for and sustain it. The Final Four, Superbowl, Olympics, and other big time events are not things you can get every year. You get a superbowl maybe once. The NCAA basketball tournament you can get once every few years. What do you do all the rest of the time to bring in the money? The events you host have to be bigger. Small to mid size events will no longer pay the bills as there aren't enough days on the calender to host all of them to make up the revenue required. Yes, owning a stadium "could" generate more revenue, but you need to be able to attract the business to do it. Chicago has a wow factor that can compete for those events if it can solve the cost problem. Arlington Heights has to establish itself. Owning a stadium also brings a ton of new responsibilities that many team owners don't want to be burdened with. Owning your own facility is great for keeping a larger share of the profits and being able to do what you want. However, it also comes with more liabilities and responsiblities such as maintaining building code, property taxes will increase, liability to injury or other catastrophic events should something happen, and so on.

[@mb6381]

$2.4 billion just for a stadium in an ultra expensive city like Chicago is a joke lol. It’s easily going to be $3.5 billion just for the stadium alone. Especially it being on the lakefront. It’s time to embrace the future which is Arlington Heights. It’s going to be cheaper to build there, they’ll own and it will give the residents of Chicago a much non needed additional tax.

[@rondavis5012]

The Bears stadium is estimated to be 3.2 billion, not 2.2.

[@MrSimster]

And that's just the stadium the project as a whole would be double that

[@rondavis5012]

@MrSimster right. The whole project is projected to be about 4.6 billion, but now the state is saying that it can be close to 7 billion.

[@jburdorf]

The Arlington heights land is SIGNIFICANTLY more convenient. It was the old church hill downs. It has its own train stop on campus, close to an expressway and you can get to it from all directions.

[@sumyungchong]

Arlington heights is a great location. We'd have parking and wouldn't be stuck in bumper to bumper traffic getting to the games. The tickets might be cheaper. Not sure. But I'd assume without being over taxed like cook country does might save fans on ticket prices.

[@ssb163gp]

Like a ping pong ball. Lakefront, soldier field refurb, Arlington Heights, repeat repeat repeat

[@unclestinky6388]

The Bears are a lakefront institution, which is ironic because Soldier Field wasn't the Bears first choice and they initially didn't intend to stay there. The Bears have spent at least 2/3rd of their time in Soldier Field talking about getting out

[@marblox9300]

The Bears would probably still keep the Arlington Site because they can continuously use that as a bagain chip every 30 years to get a new Chicago Stadium. We the taxpayers need to subsidize the Billionairs.

[@common12]

The Chicago taxpayers will never go for a $2B contribution to the stadium.

[@tlb84gaming5]

First off they estimated it to be 4.7 billion. Second it’s not being paid by taxpayers. They have repeatedly said that they would use a ISFA (Illinois Sports Facility Authority) bond to pay for the costs while restructuring their current bond from the 2003 renovations. This bond is paid by a 2% increase on the hotel/motel tax that is paid predominantly by visitors staying at these establishments. State and city devote 60% of the tax to the ISFA.

[@thomasrobinson182]

As a Chicago area expat. I would love to see The Bears get out of that now-toxic city.

[@spaceghost8995]

They were ALWAYS going to move to Arlington Heights. Everyone but Mayor Johnson knew the lakefront idea was DOA. I just drove up LSD yesterday afternoon and the congestion was insane. NO ONE in their right mind would think a stadium there makes any sense. 😂

[@Kenadams240]

Unfortunately, tax payers are going to get stuck footing the bill for a stadium that is going to host games that the average person can’t afford to go to

[@richardsass5906]

Arlington Heights is the best option. The Bears can easily find a developer to join in on the project, with that amount of land. Yes, the state still owes a ton on the bonds for the last Soldier Field Renovation. But the state's pushing of the bonds down the road and letting it balloon. That is not the Bears problem. After all, the stadium is owned by the city. When they lose the Bears as a tenant, they will still have the upkeep and rapidly increasing cost to fix all of the issues they never addressed the first time.

[@Matthew6248]

Predicting one of the following happens: Solider Field lives to be 150 years old meaning renovations would be done. A multipurpose stadium is built for both Bears and White Sox (cheaper to build a multipurpose stadium than 2 seperate stadiums) Bears end up relocating

[@marblox9300]

F___ these expensive stadiums. Just set up stands like they did for the Montreal Expos at Jarry Park.

[@derekbrandell8520]

I can't imagine a reality where Chicago should spend any billion dollars on a football stadium with all the problems the state is facing...

[@baldisaerodynamic9692]

governments need to stop using taxpayer money for multi billion dollar sports ball teams.

[@johnmariotti8768]

Follow the money . The Bears own a huge chunk of land in Arlington. Chicago is just being used to get Arlington to negotiate the tax deal . Ultimately this will happen in Arlington Heights. Sports Books, Hotels ,Restaurants and merch stores all paying big bucks to the Bears to be located on their property. Not to mention Much better public transportation and parking facilities

[@randyshipp8343]

I prefer that the Bears stay in Chicago, but based on the architectural, where is the parking lot? Moving to Arlington Heights would not hurt the Bears at all. They could host Super Bowls and the NCAA tournament! Hurry and make a decision. But instead of a dome stadium, I would prefer a retractable roof. What is the price tag in Arlington compared to Chicago?

[@944clogue]

40 yrs of taxes, plus no idea on parking... The Bears, bought the land without any plans, growing up in AH, all the roads leading into the Park needs to be redone and enlarged.... NWHY is 2 lanes.... 53 is 3 lanes, Euclid in 1 lane in each direction... Lots of work needs to be done...

[@techi9]

The only people who want this on the lakefront are non-taxpayers, people not concerned about the decline of chicago and folks with egos wanting to make a legacy for themselves(especially when they suck as a mayor)

[@spg5658]

Exactly

[@ellislegato2238]

No one from Chicago wants to drive 2+ hours to arlington heights & back to watch the CHICAGO Bears play for 45 minutes.

[@_face773]

The stadium they showed us at the lakefront is the same stadium that was going to be built in Arlington

[@thephantomeagle2]

I think it's almost assured that they'll end up in Arlington Heights. They'll never get permission to do what they plan on downtown. As it is now the Bears have among the worst parking situation in sports. Not only is the amount of parking low, compared to what they need, they've also got to contend with The Field Museum, Alder Planetarium, Shedd Aquarium, and one of the most visited park districts in the country. They don't own Soldier field, or any of the land around the stadium. It's park district property and they are dead set against anything going up beyond Soldier Field, and even then they don't even like it. The city is also dead set against the loss of all the parking.

[@retrowarehouse2554]

Nope they won't end up there, they'll be in Chicago, it takes a while to get these things done. If Arlington was going to happen it would've happened 2 years ago.

[@stevelindstrom4830]

Convenience to stay downtown? Have you ever tried driving to a Bears game? They should pair up with the Sox and move to AH.

[@mumm-ra.the.everliving]

Everyone always says teams should play in the city they represent, but you see a lot of teams in all sports not following that & it doesn't really affect the teams at all. I love them in the city but really Arlington Heights offers a ton of possibilities. Besides, Soldier Fields location is terrible and putting right next door doesn't help that situation.

[@joecavin5500]

FYI 2.4 billon is 2 billion 400 million. Not 400 thousand.

[@KSheldonBailey1023]

I, like most Chicagoans and Bears fans, would like to see the team remain in CHICAGO. But if Arlington Heights want to resume talks it should be BEFORE the door closes on the Chicago stadium. If they wait until the door closes they won't have any leverage. And Arlington Heights knows that. So, talk now or forever hold your peace!

[@thesbytolbert7769]

The only problem about our Bears building a Stadium on the Lakefront are "Where is the parking and what about Talegating around this new Stadium?" It would be nice to a Dome Stadium in our Chicago but there is no room for it! Find another spot for this Stadium like outside Downtown! 🤔🤫😉😊

[@dmarshall5148]

The bears did this on purpose, they wanted the outcry over the stadium cost to be louder than the outcry over Arlington Heights to put the screws to Cook County on a tax break.

[@ericcann9035]

Convenient to be downtown? The team is already housed in a far north suburb in Lake Forest. The Lakefront property is the furthest thing from "Convenient"

[@Shilly_JD]

WIth the current Illinois/Chicago Governments in place - I am surprised that this discussion has been able to move forward with either local venue. If Chicago pulls Government funding, I think the Bears need to threaten to pull from Chicago. I know that St Louis would be interested, or maybe some other Major Metro Market... If this happens, my bet would be in favor of St Louis/San Diego/Orlando/San Antonio/Memphis/Austin/Louisville vs. Arlington, IL. The Bears need to be on the waterfront, or pull from Illinois.

[@cuz_i_sedso9574]

it would be less expensive to buy a boat and slip right next to it than to get a parking spot less than a mile away

[@jeffreyreyes6800]

The bears need to stick with the downtown stadium proposal without taxpayers paying for it

[@brandond8197]

Doesn’t matter what mayor says, the governor said hell no for taxpayers haven’t to front the money. Go to Arlington

[@milehighboost5521]

What should be a non-starter for all Bears fans is the proposed 65,000 capacity. Where’s Kevin Warren’s sense of pride? Packers have capacity of 81,400 so anything less should be considered a failure. Shouldn’t we be shooting for the most in the nfl since Chicago is the biggest market with only 1 team?

[@ronpeacock9939]

I've felt that the bears really want Arlington Heights... but Chicago wants something in Chicago... so I've felt that the stadium proposal in Chicage was for Shock value to try and get AH back in the mix.. and it sounds like it might have worked.

[@retrowarehouse2554]

Bears are never moving to Arlington, they'll be on the Lakefront, once everything is settled, the Bears will have their super stadium built in Chicago. Arlington was just a ploy for the Bears to get what they to get a new super stadium in the city.

[@jayperk5021]

A ploy that cost millions of dollars only for the governor to say it’s a none starter on the lake. That’s a really expensive ploy. 😂

[@keatonnorthcott7768]

@@jayperk5021 $200 million dollar ploy is the most insane thing to think considering the "$2 billion" the bears are saying they'll front for the lakefront is mostly financed..

[@robertstembridgejr7532]

I'm Telling you this would be the best option for the Bears! If the Bears stay in Chicago then somebody paid the President of the Chicago Bears a lot of money! Starting to think Kevin Warren is crooked as F!

[@garyphillips3552]

Why would you want to build a new stadium in the ghetto?

[@spg5658]

Exactly

[@kevinbell1899]

I think people forget the fact that Arlington Heights is a suburb of Cook County. The property taxes on that land after building a multi billion dollar stadium on it will be astronomical. They probably will need even more infrastructure money than what they’re asking for now. They also need public financing for the stadium as well. They tried to lobby for two forms of tax districts for the land. Tax increment financing (TIF) and payment in lieu of taxes(PILOT) both of which were shot down by the state. All in all they would need more public money from the state for Arlington Heights than on the lakefront. The real problem is the Bears and the McCaskey family can’t afford either project by themselves.

[@shooch9135]

Its not like the tax payer has an actual "say" where the money goes. AH residents will win on this stadium....the fans will win on the location, and businesses will WIN. 🐻 ⬇️

[@cyberlycans4191]

No faulty numbers. The Bears would come up with two, the NFL and other private investors are coming up with nearly a billion it would leave taxpayers on the hook for about $900 million, with time being spent now to look for additional private investors. Good luck suburbs, get your own s***

[@IMagnus123123123]

either location the same state not giving money

[@william7286]

This way, the Bears can say to Chicago - "you had your chance." Meanwhile, Arlington Heights is more willing to renegotiate taxes. Well played.

[@thomasfrench2012]

Let's say you want to buy a Porsche, but there are only two for sale in the entire world. One in Chicago and one in Arlington Heights. The one in Chicago gets wrecked and utterly destroyed. Do you really think that the price of the one in Arlington Heights is going to go down? With the plan in Chicago wrecked and utterly destroyed - and there is not doubt about that - Arlington Heights has the McCaskey's by the you-know-whats. Arlington Heights could double the taxes and the only thing the McCaskey's could do about it is to build the stadium in Chicago at their own expense. Yeah, really well played. But on the bright side, it is no worse than their usual eff ups. And let's not even get started on their attempt to steal the thunder of the guy who they want to be their franchise quarterback by announcing this mess the day before.

[@cyberlycans4191]

Well played my ass, Arlington Heights and any other suburb for that matter can get their own freaking teams, no way the Bears aren't going to end up in chicago, this dude's numbers are wrong also, the taxpayers will be on the hook for about $900 million and you spread that lease out for 90 years and it suddenly becomes palatable considering some of the other infrastructure deals the city takes on every year

[@cyberlycans4191]

​@@thomasfrench2012you say they messed up? Let's revisit this and put $50 on the table that they don't end up in Chicago over Arlington heights. This plan isn't screwed, the governor doesn't have to have anything to do with it the Chicago Park District is not under any jurisdiction from the governor of illinois. Plus taxpayers would be on the hook for about $900 million, not 2 billion, and 900 million spread out over 90 years is cheap compared to some of the infrastructure deals at the city takes on every year

[@Tank4Life]

​@@thomasfrench2012dumbest analogy of all time.

[@Tank4Life]

​@cyberlycans4191 in what universe can Arlington hts get their own team? That's not even a possibility. Don't say stupid things.

[@btbucks]

We’ll run organizations, lol.

[@jamesvokral4934]

Odds on favorite is the taxpayers are going to get screwed either way.

[@scotttild]

They always do.

[@mothealien]

Good F the city if they do not want help pay for a public stadium then go to Arlington Heights.

[@jeanmillburg3343]

Not surprised. No tax money to build the stadium only need little money for changing some roadways outside the stadium in Arlington Heights over City of Chicago.. Chicago Bears franchise would benefit the franchise they can own everything and built the stadium themselves with investors adding other things to this property. They have room to expand. Less unfractured cost needed to have a stadium in Arlington Heights. This would be the smartest business sense to build in Arlington Heights and give the fans the best parking, tail gaiting experience. The Chicago Bears needs to work with City of Arlington Heights. It would cost less in Arlington Heights. They cannot go by their feelings that if feels right to keep them in the City of Chicago but it getting financial support is not going to happen especially our tax dollars used. For an old property and sandwiched in it will be over 5 billion in the City of Chicago. The City should have the last renovation paid off and it is not they will just add that debt to the new stadium cost. Arlington Heights has so much more pluses and more tourism would visit the suburb of Chicago then in the City of Chicago. I hope they stay with their ordinal plan of Arlington heights and Bears, investors pay for everything except for outside of the stadium in Arlington Heights.

[@jayperk5021]

Building the stadium on the lake front solves none of the major issues the current stadium has which is lack of public transportation, lack of entertainment, lack of parking, and still dealing with the park district. So the people saying they aren’t moving to Arlington don’t realize how much more control and ownership they’ll have in Arlington or how much entertainment and public access they’ll be available to provide in Arlington.

[@VALxTheEpicGamer]

WTF are you talking about??? i go to Soldier Field to watch MY Bears games... the Bears ARE the entertainment... and who the heck drives to a Bears game??? I DON'T.. i take an Uber or a train... you don't know what you're talking about...

[@jayperk5021]

@@VALxTheEpicGamer yelling and cursing at a stranger shows your level of intelligence. And it’s not YOUR Bears because u don’t own them lol and how r u entertained by a team that hardly ever goes to the playoffs. 😂 The statement I made is about how practical it is for the owners to stay on in Arlington vs the lakefront and the fact that driving or public transportation isn’t an option is a huge deal. And the owners want entertainment on the site because that’s how u make money. Not just on Sundays but Sunday - Monday. Ask the Braves how their new ballpark location and they’ll tell u it was a hit. The owners will make less money on the lakefront and have less control with all of the same logistical issues that comes with being on the lakefront. Everyone wants to live on a lake until the mosquitoes show up. lol

[@piermariobarozzi]

so the Bears not only suck at the draft, suck at developing QB, suck at playing, also suck at negociating... Nice

[@OlinKreutzRules]

You can’t touch Soldier Field. It’s protected.

[@BrianBeau]

Not anymore since the space ship was added

[@ddddirge]

Hope they're going to AH but knowing the owners, they're probably gonna go into Lakefront harder 😞😞😞

[@DavidS-vt6jf]

You can't sell tickets to a rendering.

[@irongill20]

2:02 absolutely not convenient.

[@jackel99]

No taxpayer money, just increase the ticket/parking prices. Otherwise, let the Bears move and Chicago can then get the KC Chiefs to relocate into a new stadium.

[@ronkali5365]

Looks too much like Raiders Stadium

[@andrebailey6676]

No

[@_face773]

Bears need to just build Arlington

[@jamesfergus594]

Champagne taste on a beer pocket book….

[@kappaman1994]

Arlington Heights 🐻 2030 !!!

[@PredatorKingdom]

Chicago 2030

[@josephmorabito6992]

Gary, Indiana 2030

[@Eightball2516]

Tickets are at a ridiculous cost already imagine a new stadium what tickets will Cost it will be crazy I will never go to a game no matter where it is with the price of tickets and food they want a new stadium let the team and the owners pay for it not the tax payers ask the players for some money they make millions of dollars if they want to play in a new stadium they can donate to the stadium a 100k from each player that is peanuts to some of them making millions of dollars

[@jam3407]

It'll be more townhomes and apartments for suburban souls to rot

[@tinnelledwards6895]

I like Arlington Heights as the bears location it makes all the sense in the world and you dont purchase all that land and demo on it and then dont follow thru with it, just please go to AH so things go smoothly as planned, no sense to waste all that precious land who cares about being on the cold lake front you not going to be watching the lake you supposed to be watching the game!!!😂😂😂

[@MiggerPlease]

Big red gay daddy

[@michaelkawell3300]

They are not going to Arlington heights.They don't want to own there own Staduim.Virgina and George pass they don't have anyone to take over.The great grand kids don't want nothing to do with taking over the family own bears .So it makes a ton of sense why Kevin warren is keeping them here in the city and making it a public own Staduim.The land in Arlington heights they will sell to a NFL team when they put a AFC team there

[@maureencora1]

Stay in the City. I Love Downtown Lake Area.

[@spg5658]

Too much crime. Be serious

[@Hydra48]

@@spg5658 lmao

[@spg5658]

Nothing funny about the situation in Chicago. Was once a wonderful city and very safe. Not anymore. Tragic ​@@Hydra48

[@maureencora1]

@@spg5658 You Mustin' Be So Negative. (smile)

[@face9428]

Would you rather pay for a new bears stadium or migrants? I choose a new stadium. There's plenty of money that's being spent that we have absolutely no say so on.. Give me a new stadium

[@tood6459]

Negotiation tactic. Chicago-style politics. It'll get done, and taxpayers will be left footing the bill. So glad I don't live in Illinois.

[@CanadianChiGuy23]

Just move the White Sox and get a 2nd NFL team and build a stadium on both properties. Or call their bluff and see if we actually end up with no sports teams. They’re not gonna do it. Who cares at this point?

[@spg5658]

"The Chicago Police Department spent $293 million on overtime last year, 40% more than in 2022 and nearly three times the $100 million earmarked for police overtime set by the Chicago City Council as part of the city’s 2023 budget, according to data obtained by WTTW News." The City has no extra moeny, guys

[@billbeliakoff5589]

Police overtime money comes from a different tax. Supposedly.

[@spg5658]

​@@billbeliakoff5589From what I've read the overall City budget is in trouble. Many agencies already worried about full funding etc. I don't know how the taxpayers could support funding for a stadium. We'll see

[@louiscypher4186]

​@@spg5658 This will come down to the spite factor, nobody wanted the bears in downtown, in fact it was a major complaint about the stadium and the lack of public transport. Until they looked at moving to the suburbs then suddenly the bears "belong" downtown. Seeing how massive the turn around is I think I might agree with the ginger for once the bears never wanted to move and buying the land was just to get the city so angry with Arlington Heights that they would vote to go into debt to keep the bears. I'm not from Chicago so I have no clue why they are so bitter towards a suburb, but it's pretty hilarious from the outside.

[@johngoldsworthy7135]

Good. They should go to Arlington heights

[@jamesbarrick3403]

I get annoyed with many of you that think Bears "belong" downtown. It has been a horrible relationship with Cook County, and nobody should think it will get better. 95% of the people coming to the stadium are coming in from out of town - that includes the team and staff they live in the suburbs. Logistics are a mess for lakefront property. We know this. Arlington Hts is perfect for a real destination scene with plenty of land for hotels and casinos and restaurants, retail, etc. Bears will work out the best deal they can with this county or that county. I hope they go to the suburbs.

[@robertmiller2104]

Like they are playing musicial localities

[@myronlarimer1943]

In the end, the taxpayers and fans (through sky-high ticket prices) will pay for all these ridiculous circus-like monstrosities that will be, like Guaranteed Rate Field, obsolete before they are even paid for. All these new stadiums take the experience away from the actual game and put it on all the unnecessary bells and whistles…. Don’t forget, the price of any construction project in Chicago includes a huge mark-up, for, shall we say, questionable expenses to make the project happen…

[@Mr.E723]

Maybe they should go through with that proposal to put a dome on Soldier Field. Yes it would look weird, but it already looks weird, at least it would be unique and not a carbon copy of Allegiant