Bears would contribute $2 billion for domed lakefront stadium to replace Soldier Field, team president confirms
CHICAGO — The Chicago Bears are prepared to make a massive commitment to building a domed lakefront stadium to replace Soldier Field that would be a top location to host the Super Bowl, the NCAA Final Four and other major events.
According to multiple reports, including the Chicago Tribune, the Bears confirmed Monday they are planning to provide more than $2 billion in private funding to build a publicly-owned domed stadium and park space along the lakefront.
“The Chicago Bears are proud to contribute over $2 billion to build a stadium and improve open spaces for all families, fans and the general public,” Bears President and CEO Kevin Warren said in a statement.
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“The future stadium of the Chicago Bears will bring a transformative opportunity to our region — boosting the economy, creating jobs, facilitating mega-events and generating millions in tax revenue. We look forward to sharing more information when our plans are finalized.”
Mayor Brandon Johnson released a statement Monday morning in support of the Bears’ stadium plans. He affirmed his support later Monday during a meeting with reporters, as long as any plans have a proper public-private partnership.
“Any type of development in the City of Chicago has to have a public benefit to it,” Mayor Johnson said. “My administration has been in ongoing conversations with the Bears.
“Make no mistake about it: I made it clear from the very beginning … I want the Bears to stay in the City of Chicago.”
A source familiar with the team, according to the reports, says the lakefront site would replace Soldier Field and increase open space on the museum campus by 20%. The campus encompasses Soldier Field and three museums.
Though the Bears have not released renderings of the proposed stadium, the source says its location would be in the area of Waldron Drive, just south of the current site of Soldier Field, and would maintain parking in the south lot. The project would include open plazas, paths, landscaping and access to the lakefront.
According to the source, Soldier Field would be torn down, except for the famous colonnades in honor of veterans. The plan would then be to construct parks and athletic fields for public use on the site.
Mayor Johnson says all conversations with the Bears have been positive and that he’s been impressed so far. But he also reiterated his requirement Monday for a public-private partnership to build a stadium in the city.
“As far as the next steps or what will be the ultimate motivation for my administration to sign off on this, it’s — again — to make sure that there’s complete benefit and public use,” Mayor Johnson said. “We’re in conversations, of course, with the state as well, (and) other stakeholders.
“There’s a full operation here that’s critical to landing this, and my job is to make sure that everyone stays engaged, and we’re going to continue to do that.”
According to a McGuire Research poll — obtained by ESPN and other sources — of 500 registered voters living in the City of Chicago, 80% of those polled supported a domed stadium that would be able to host major events on the museum campus. Additionally, 77% supported the proposed location that would keep the Bears in the city, and more than 60% supported using public money to support a publicly-owned stadium.
State Rep. Kam Buckner (D-Chicago), who oversees the district that includes Soldier Field and the lakefront, has expressed support for a stadium project on the lakefront, but only if the plan is also good for taxpayers.
“I can’t underscore enough the fact that the people of Chicago, the people of Illinois, have to be at the heart of whatever this is,” Buckner told WGN-TV. “We cannot saddle them with any bad deal.
“This has to be intentional and inclusive in a way that they’re not getting the bad end of the stick in this conversation.”
Arlington Park plans
Just over a year ago, it seemed the Bears would move to the northwest suburbs of Arlington Heights, but these latest plans now make that appear unlikely to happen.
The Bears completed their purchase of Arlington Park, the former site of Arlington International Racecourse, for $197.2 million in February 2023 and subsequently began demolition on the site.
However, the Bears and local school districts have been unable to agree on the valuation of the property. A Tribune report last month said that while the Cook County Board of Review proposed cutting the Arlington Park property valuation, it ruled to keep the property’s tax rate unchanged.
Faced with a tax burden larger than hoped for on the Arlington Park property, Bears officials turned their attention to other locations for a new stadium, Warren saying the franchise had shifted its stance from Arlington Park being the sole focus for a new stadium to looking at a few options.
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A Crain’s Chicago Business report early last month said the Bears shifting their focus to a lakefront location was not a negotiating tactic with Arlington Heights, but rather the real goal of the team. Last week, Crain’s reported the Bears were close to revealing a plan for a new domed lakefront stadium, featuring hundreds of millions in private financing and public amenities.
Monday’s statement by Warren confirmed this plan, Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Jack Lavin telling the Tribune the proposal is “impressive and exciting.”
“This investment will enhance our reputation as a world-class city and tourist and convention destination,” Lavin told the Tribune.
Meanwhile, in a statement Monday regarding the Bears’ plans to pivot away from Arlington Park, state Rep. Mark Walker (D-Arlington Heights) said he’s always been open to the franchise moving to Arlington Heights, “but reaching a fair deal for all has always been the priority.”
“As I’ve said before, I trust the Bears when they say they’re exploring all options in the best interest of their company,” Walker said in his statement. “If they go forward with their lakefront plan, it’s our responsibility to make the best decision for Arlington Heights, Rolling Meadows and our neighboring communities, as well.
“I look forward to the many interesting proposals to come on the future of Arlington Park, like new business development, more affordable housing, or welcoming centers for new arrivals.”
Late Monday afternoon, the Village of Arlington Heights released the following statement:
The Village of Arlington Heights is aware of media reports regarding a proposed Chicago Bears stadium concept in Chicago. Village officials spoke with the Chicago Bears Football Club today, and while they are evaluating all of their options, they confirmed that their continued interest in Arlington Park has not changed.
The possibility that the Chicago Bears could find a different location has remained an option since day one and this project has never been considered a “done deal” in Arlington Heights. The ultimate outcome of their current discussions with the City of Chicago is unknown. What the Village knows is that the Arlington Park property provides the Chicago Bears with the unique potential to own and build a multi-use development on 326 acres, in a key location that is easily accessible by public transportation, and is centrally located for visitors and season ticket holders.
The Village remains committed to ensuring that any development of the former Arlington Park site, which is unmatched in all of northern Illinois, will provide broad benefits to our community and will create a new regional destination befitting the great legacy of the property. Village leaders will not approve any plan that does not meet these expectations.
The Village will continue to work with the team and school districts while advocating for fair solutions to challenges and the protection of our community’s best interests. While we are disappointed that the Chicago Bears and the School Districts have yet to resolve short-term property tax differences, we are confident that those issues can be resolved given how close negotiations have brought the parties to an agreement.
“We have all experienced the many twists and turns that this project has taken over the past three years and we find ourselves in a very similar situation today. The Village’s focus remains on finding a path forward to a successful redevelopment of the former Arlington Park site. The property remains a major asset to the community and region, and it has tremendous potential,” said Mayor Tom Hayes. “The Village has always acted in good faith and partnership with the Chicago Bears and the School Districts throughout this discussion, while protecting our community’s interests, and we will continue to do so as the process moves ahead.”
Village statement regarding Arlington Park
Stadium funding
The Bears’ commitment to provide more than $2 billion in private funding is, of course, a huge step toward a domed lakefront stadium coming to fruition, partly because one of the city’s MLB franchises, the White Sox, also wants to build a new stadium.
A recent Crain’s report said Illinois state legislators have told the White Sox and Bears that if they each want a new stadium, they would need to team up to make it happen. The White Sox have proposed to build their new stadium on a 62-acre parcel of land in the South Loop known as “The 78.”
According to a Sun-Times report last week, the developer that oversees “The 78” said he’s trying to create a “financing partnership” with the Bears that could open the door for Chicago to build two stadiums at once, addressing legislators’ concerns.
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According to the report, the developer said his company has spoken with the Bears about a possible financing partnership. A Bears spokesman refused to comment on a possible partnership with the White Sox, the Sun-Times said.
Either way, the Bears’ latest plan for a domed stadium on the lakefront — and their willingness to contribute over $2 billion to it, with plans for public use included — seems to be the type of partnership that city and state legislators need to move forward on any such largescale stadium projects.
“Obviously, the storied history of the Chicago Bears in the City of Chicago is one that is second to none,” Mayor Johnson said. “In the City of Chicago, we always win — we win particularly when we work together — so that’s what my commitment is.
“… I appreciate the leadership of Kevin Warren. He’s done an outstanding job. Our team remains engaged.”
Other groups
While garnering the approval of Mayor Johnson and other city and state legislators is necessary, the Bears may also need the approval of additional organizations to construct a new lakefront stadium.
The nonprofit Friends of the Parks issued a statement Tuesday regarding the Bears’ plans, saying, in part, FOTP is “proud to be known as defenders of our open, clear and free lakefront that serves public interests, not private enterprises” and that “what we need right now is ‘open, clear and free’ discourse driven by the public instead of private interests.”
In 2016, FOTP filed suit to stop plans by “Star Wars” creator George Lucas to build the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art on the lakefront by Soldier Field. Lucas dropped his plans to build the museum in Chicago and instead decided to build it in Los Angeles.
In Tuesday’s statement, FOTP addressed that situation, claiming, “We did not force Lucas out of Chicago. He left because he would not consider alternatives to building on the lakefront, on land protected by the Public Trust Doctrine, in an area already slated to be developed into a park.”
In its statement, FOTP acknowledged “no one wants the Bears to leave the city” but urged the franchise to do its due diligence and explore a range of options for a new stadium, in addition to the lakefront.
“We hope the Bears will show more vision and patience,” read FOTP’s statement, in part. “Instead of picking up their ball and going home, we urge them to toss balls around with stakeholders to find a way to stay home in a location that preserves our open, clear and free lakefront and is a boon for neighborhood development.
“… We look forward to courageous conversations ahead, including with the Chicago Bears.”
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