The Chicago Bears stadium issue is reaching a boiling point. For three years, the McCaskey family and team president Kevin Warren have tried to find solutions with the Illinois state government on getting one built. They’ve agreed to finance the entire construction themselves, which is something no other teams are doing. All they require in return is help with infrastructure to make it viable and some clarity on property taxes. The state has done nothing but drag its feet on the issue, and the Bears have about run out of patience.
Arlington Heights Mayor Jim Tinaglia has been on the front lines of this issue for a long time. He’s worked tirelessly trying to find solutions that will ensure the Bears can move forward with their plan to build a stadium on the Churchill Downs property as originally planned. There is one big problem. The current property tax laws in Cook County make such a project impossible. Tinaglia explained on Waddle & Silvy that the setup for a $4 billion stadium would put them on the hook for at least $100 million in property taxes per year. Since it’s a commercial building, it would get up to $350 million.
No business entity on the planet can afford that, much less a sports team. For context, the highest property tax rate for an NFL team in the country is SoFi Stadium in California at $8.5 million.
The Chicago Bears have every reason to be upset with the state.
This doesn’t have to be a difficult situation. All they ask is that the government cap property taxes at a reasonable level. They wouldn’t mind paying the same rate as SoFi. Yet Governor J.B. Pritzker and his government continue to drag their feet, insisting they have other priorities and can’t be bothered to fit the Bears into their current schedule. These delaying tactics finally pushed the McCaskeys to break out the nuclear option, accepting inroads from the state of Indiana about possibly moving to the northwest region of the state.
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A bill has already passed the House that would give the Chicago Bears property tax breaks and additional funding to help with infrastructure at any site they wish to build on. It is a superior offer in every way to anything Illinois has done. From a business standpoint, the decision is easy. However, the Bears know the precedent they will set if they go down that path. The organization has called Illinois home since its inception way back in the 1910s. They’ve been in Chicago since 1920. They’ve made it clear they want to stay.
They just aren’t being given any choice.
Illinois has been given a deadline on this.
Based on the typical state protocol, the governor sets the budget for the coming year on February 18th. That means some sort of financial work must be done to help the Chicago Bears before then. They’ve made it known to the state that early March is the deadline for this. If Illinois tries another delaying tactic by insisting they need more time, that will be the whole ballgame. The McCaskeys will accept Indiana’s offer and begin the process of finding a new building site.
There is no shortage of viable options, too.
| Location | Incentive |
| West End Entertainment District (Gary) | 400 acres and access to Interstate 80/94 |
| Buffington Harbor (Gary) | Waterfront and close accept to airport |
| Miller Beach (Gary) | Immense 760 acres |
| Wolf Lake (Hammond) | Only 22 miles from downtown Chicago |
It all comes down to the team’s preference. Maximizing revenue generation is a big one. It is likely they would prefer to stay on the lakefront. Beyond that, it’s pure speculation. What we know for sure is the Bears have one foot out the door. Illinois has pushed them to this point. Neither side is innocent in this, but every detail shows the Bears have made more than enough concessions to deserve reciprocation.
They have received none. Now, Pritzker gets to decide what his legacy will be. Does he want to be known as the man who let one of the most storied franchises in professional sports leave the state after more than a century? He has at most three weeks to make that decision.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: How much would the new Bears stadium cost?
A: Projections have it being just over $2 billion
Q: Why hasn’t Governor Pritzker addressed this issue already?
A: Pritzker said he will not give any Illinois taxpayer money to billionaires for what he calls “vanity” projects
Q: How quickly can a stadium be built if a resolution is reached?
A: Estimates say it will take three years from shovels in the ground
