Kevin Warren has insisted for years now that his primary goal was ensuring the Chicago Bears built their new stadium downtown. It was a commendable idea. The franchise has played within the city limits for a century. It just didn’t feel right moving to the suburbs. Sadly, despite repeated efforts to engage the state for help from public funding, Warren hasn’t been able to get anything off the ground on this front. Governor J.B. Pritzker is steadfast in not paying anything, and activist groups aiming to protect the lakefront properties only make it harder. As a result, it has felt like the Bears have slowly pivoted back to Arlington Heights in recent months.
They resolved the persistent property tax issue that caused them to look elsewhere in the first place. More importantly, they appear to have found common ground with the local government. If you were still skeptical that the Bears were all but fully committed to Arlington Heights, a new story from the Daily Herald cements it. Recently, the township swore in new mayor James Tinaglia. Right before that happened, he took a meeting with Warren.
“An Arlington Heights architect who will help shape the future of the Northwest suburb — including the 326-acre property owned by the Chicago Bears on the west side of town — was sworn in as mayor Monday night.
James J. Tinaglia, a 12-year village trustee, took the oath of office hours after an introductory meeting with Bears President/CEO Kevin Warren.”
The Chicago Bears aren’t even hiding it anymore.
Warren may continue to deflect, but anybody with common sense sees the writing on the wall. When a mayor meets with you before even being sworn into office, that tells you how important the business is. There is no way that happens unless the Chicago Bears intend to push the stadium plans through. It is a matter of when, not if, the announcement comes. Warren stated his goal was to have shovels in the ground by 2025. That year has arrived. Perhaps they are merely waiting until Tinaglia gets settled in before moving things forward. No clear hurdles remain in the process. All the big negotiations were settled. The only thing left to do is for Warren and the McCaskeys to say yes. Barring a last-second shift, that press conference is likely coming within the next few months.
