Bears' Push For Stadium Funding On Hold Until November
Audience members listen as representatives from the Chicago Bears present their concept for building ... More a stadium and entertainment district on the site of Arlington International Racecourse during an informational public meeting at Hersey High School in Arlington Heights, Illinois, on Sept. 8, 2022. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
For the second session in a row, the Illinois legislature adjourned without bringing the Bears' request for stadium funding to the floor for consideration.
After spending some of 2023 and most of '24 seeking help in constructing a state-of-the-art facility on the banks of Lake Michigan, adjacent to Soldier Field, the Bears shifted their focus to land they own in Arlington Heights, in Chicago's northwest suburbs.
The 326-acre site had been home to the Arlington (Park) Racecourse, which for years hosted the Arlington Million race. It appears in many ways an ideal location for a retractable roof stadium capable of hosting Super Bowls and non-football events like the Final Four. But the team's first choice was to stay in the city, with mayor Brandon Johnson and other Chicago politicians trying to put together public financing to help the team on the project.
Continuing opposition led to a recent pivot to Arlington Heights in the winter. Team president Kevin Warren confirmed that to reporters during the NFL meetings in May.
The franchise, which recently was formally transferred from the late Virginia McCaskey to son George McCaskey and her other heirs, has said it will build the $2 billion stadium with its money and a grant from the NFL but is seeking about $2.4 billion in public funding for both new debt and upgrades to infrastructure (mainly roads and the nearby Metra train station, a vital link to bring fans from downtown).
Warren has said he believes the issue can be addressed in time for construction to begin before the end of 2025. But the public shift in preference from a downtown stadium to one in the suburbs apparently happened too late for the measure to even be formally debated by the legislature.
'I don't know who works with the Bears on their timing, but I would say they've mastered the art of bad timing,' state Sen. Robert Peters told the Chicago Tribune in May. 'I wish they could master the art of having a good team instead of doing this.'
The spring session ended on Sunday, after approving a $55.2 billion budget submitted by Gov. JB Pritzker. State legislators will return to Springfield, Ill., in the fall.
'We were super close and just ran out of time,' Rep. Mary Beth Canty, who represents Arlington Heights, told the Tribune. 'We're going to keep working all through the summer.'
Pritzker has said his preference is for the team to remain downtown but has publicly remained opposed to state funding. The size of the state's budget has grown by about 38 percent since he took office without any new construction on sports facilities.
Chicago White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf is also seeking funding to build a new stadium. His effort to move the team to a location in the South Loop appears stalled.
One new element of the Bears' situation is how the Chicago faction in the legislature is openly working against the team's move to the suburbs.
'The Bears have made it clear — they no longer want to be in Chicago,' Rep. Kam Buckner told the Tribune. 'That's their decision. But if they want to leave and use state dollars or ask for special tax protections to do it, they'll have to come through Springfield. And in Springfield, that means facing the Chicago delegation directly.'
While no motions specifically addressing stadium funding were filed in the spring session, others involving taxing districts on so-called mega-projects, were introduced but did not come to a vote. The Bears successfully negotiated tax rates with village officials in Arlington Heights but are seeking assurances those rates won't be heavily adjusted in future years.
The Bears have played in Chicago since moving from Decatur, Ill., in the early 1920s. The team has never owned its stadium, playing mostly at Wrigley Field and Soldier Field. The lease on Soldier Field runs through 2033 but includes an agreement for the team to pay a penalty if it leaves earlier, with that fee decreasing annually until expiration.
The Bears agreed to purchase the Arlington Park horse track site from the Churchill Downs group in 2022 and closed on the $197.2-million deal in February, 2023. But the focused shifted back to downtown after Warren was hired away from his position as Big Ten commissioner later in '23. He orchestrated the Minnesota Vikings' downtown stadium project while working as their chief administrative (and later operating) officer in 2005-19.
The Bears' proposed downtown stadium came with an estimated cost of $3.2 billion when it was announced in April, 2024. The Bears offered to pay $2 billion, including an NFL grant, leaving public funding responsible for $1.2 million in construction costs in addition to infrastructure improvements.
Soldier Field was remodeled through public financing in 2002. The Illinois Sports Facility Authority still owes almost $600 million in principal and interest for that project.
The Illinois General Assembly's fall session typically occurs in November, with its primary charge being the consideration of the governor's vetoes of bills from the regular session. The Bears may seek to add a special session to consider stadium funding rather than waiting until the 2026 regular session convenes in January.
Bears' lobbyists, including a former Pritzker aide, have been quietly meeting with Prizker's staff and an outside advisor in recent months. The state hired Steve Argeris, a New York- and Washington, D.C.-based lawyer, as part of its due diligence on the stadium effort, according to the Chicago Tribune.
Argeris previously worked for the owners of the NFL's Carolina Panthers. His participation is a sign the state is gathering information and may be moving closer to formally considering funding measures.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
18 minutes ago
- USA Today
Eagles star Nolan Smith makes the expected claim in naming the top state for HS Football
Nolan Smith says Georgia produces the best football players One of the most enjoyable aspects of Howie Roseman's evolution has been watching him learn from the mistakes he made in the past. No one has ever accused the Philadelphia Eagles' general manager of being perfect, but have we seen another GM navigate the NFL's constant changes and do so any better? It's hard to think of one. Maybe you've never thought about the following statement this way. Then again, perhaps you have, but it feels like once Howie discovered the Alabama Crimson Tide and Georgia Bulldogs, things took off. It had been a while since the team plucked talent from two of the SEC's top programs. Before drafting Jalen Hurts in 2020 (and both DeVonta Smith and Landon Dickerson in 2021), the Eagles hadn't drafted a former member of The Tide since taking Freddie Milons in 2002. Before this recent and well-publicized run on UGA stars, the franchise hadn't raided the Dawgs since acquiring Brandon Boykin with a fourth-round pick in 2012. Sure, it may have taken a while, but once Howie caught on, the tidal wave began. Everyone is excited about seeing whether or not Nolan Smith can take another step in 2025, but for now, they'll have to settle for watching him on Exciting Mics. Nolan Smith unsurprisingly names Georgia as the best state for football It feels like this is restated every week now, but the 'exciting whites', Reed Blankenship and Cooper DeJean, may have struck gold with their Exciting Mics podcast. At the time of this story's release, they aren't even 20 episodes in, but something is already evident to everyone viewing. The guys have something special here. A recent episode features Nolan Smith. Everything was on the table, from the recruiting process and Super Bowl memories to his first impressions and the best football state. No one has to guess what his opinions are on the latter topic, do they? It's an interesting theory. Nolan is one of eight Philly Dawgs on the roster. Jalen Carter, Smael Mondon, Lewis Cine, Kelee Ringo, Jordan Davis, Nakobe Dean, and Azeez Ojulari are the other seven. The Birds are also pretty heavy with talent from South Carolina. K.J. Henry, Jeremiah Trotter Jr., Will Shipley, and Marcus Tate all played for the Clemson Tigers. However, it will be interesting to see how The Crimson Tide feels about his Georgia theory, considering Jihaad Campbell, Landon Dickerson, Cameron Latu, Byron Young, Tyler Steen, Eli Ricks, Jalen Hurts, and DeVonta Smith all had their start at Alabama at some point. Don't sleep on Pennsylvania, though, Nolan! That state has some ballers too, but again, we can all see why he'd be partial to Georgia.
USA Today
18 minutes ago
- USA Today
Rookie OT Aireontae Ersery compared to former Texans Pro Bowl star
Houston Texans rookie offensive tackle Aireontae Ersery could be the next breakout star in the AFC South. He'll need to be one of the better linemen in H-Town if the Texans plan on competing for a Super Bowl title this fall behind Pro Bowl quarterback C.J. Stroud. The second-round pick was drafted higher than any offensive tackle since 2019, when the Texans used a first-round pick on Tytus Howard. Houston liked him so much that there were rumors that the Texans were willing to move up into the top 40 to select him right after Jayden Higgins. FOX Sports NFL Draft analyst Rob Rang compared the Minnesota All-American to another great Texans offensive tackle who became a Pro Bowl talent, and it's not Laremy Tunsil. Instead, Ersey could be the next Duane Brown. "In the 23-year history of the Houston Texans, Brown is the only offensive tackle selected by the club to ever make a Pro Bowl," Rang wrote. "I'm dating myself with this evaluation, but I remember Brown as a highly athletic but very raw blocker and a surprising first-round selection out of Virginia Tech. Ersery slipped to the second round but offers a similar blend of size and agility. I think he's going to become a rock up front for Houston. " Brown, a first-round pick out of Virginia Tech, was considered the top offensive tackle for several seasons during his prime with the Texans. He carried on that success when traded to the Seattle Seahawks, earning an All-Pro nod in 2018. The hope for Houston is that the rookie can be the best of both worlds as a great pass protector and run blocker for the Texans. The team had a Pro Bowl talent on the blind side for six years with Tunsil, and Ersey could carry on his own path as the franchise's longtime homegrown talent at left tackle in H-Town.
CNET
36 minutes ago
- CNET
Early July 4th Deals: Save Hundreds at Amazon, Best Buy, Target and More Before The Holiday Weekend
Retailers like Best Buy, Walmart and Amazon are gearing up for the July 4th, even though we are still a few weeks away from the holiday weekend. But in anticipation of this occasion, some companies have already released some fantastic deals. If you're anticipating July 4th sales, you're probably also tracking Prime Day. This sales event also occurs in July, on July 8th, to be exact. So, there will be plenty of opportunities to snag all of the items on your summer wish list at a discount. These deals will save you tons on TVs, laptops and outdoor items. It also includes your favorite brands, like Apple and Anker. Just make sure to dive into the offers quickly because these pre-holiday sales may not last long. Don't forget to check back often because we're constantly updating this page as items sell out or new deals become available. Early July 4th tech deals These are the best tech deals we've found so far among the early Fourth of July sales. We've spotted deals on some of our favorite TVs, tablets and more. Insignia 50-Inch F50 4K Smart TV: $180 This TV has a great size, loads of features and a good picture. It's also 40% off right now, so getting it for $180 is a chance you shouldn't miss. Details Save $120 $180 at Amazon Close Apple M3 MacBook Air 13-inch laptop: $899 We named the M3 MacBook Air the overall best laptop of 2024, and this discount makes it even sweeter to upgrade to a model with a 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display, an 18-hour battery life, 256GB of storage and 8GB of RAM. Details Save $200 $899 at Best Buy Close More early July 4 tech deals: Early July 4th home and kitchen deals Dyson V8 Plus cordless vacuum cleaner: $350 Dyson has often earned spots on our list of best vacuums, and the V8 Plus model is perfect for tackling dust and debris. If you've been considering an upgrade, don't sleep on this vacuum deal -- the V8 is now just $350, the lowest price we've seen. Details Save $120 $350 at Amazon Close Ring Battery Doorbell: $50 The Ring Battery Doorbell is an excellent way to add a bit more security and convenience to your home. And it's now half off if you're a Prime member, which is a great deal. Details Save $50 $50 at Amazon Close Ninja Creami ice cream maker: $169 Make your own ice cream concoctions at home with the viral Ninja Creami, thanks to this rare discount. It's easy to use and makes restaurant-quality frozen desserts with the click of a button. Details Save $30 $169 at Walmart Close More early July 4 home and kitchen deals: Early July 4th mattress deals Now is a great time to upgrade your mattress and score a great deal. Here are our favorite mattress deals to shop during early Fourth of July sales. Nectar mattresses Score a new mattress for as low as $349, plus 66% off bundles. Choose from tons of styles and designs. Details Up to 50% off mattresses See at Nectar Close Mattress Firm You can get up to 20% off adjustable bases and up to 60% off Mattress Firm's bestsellers. Pillows and sheets are also 20% off. Details Save up to 60% See at Mattress Firm Close DreamCloud DreamCloud is offering some significant savings, offering up to 60% off mattresses. (So, you could potentially score a mattress for as low as $299) Plus, you can also save $599 with the included accessories and get 66% off bundles. Details Save up to 60% on mattresses See at DreamCloud Close More early Fourth of July mattress deals: Early July 4th outdoor deals Upgrade your backyard or prep for your next summer camping trip with these hot early Fourth of July outdoor deals. Solo Stove sales Solo Stove, which offers a wide selection of fire pits and accessories, is currently offering up to $230 off bundles. In addition to fire pits and accessories, the company also has pizza ovens and other outdoor goodies, including furniture. Details Save up to $230 bundles See at Solo Stove Close Christopher Knight 2-piece mesh chaise lounge set: $329 Reduced by almost $200, these Christopher Knight chairs are now a good 37% off. The clean lines of these lounge chairs will complement any outdoor decor, and they feature adjustable backs, so you can go from sitting to napping in seconds. Details Save $193 $329 at Amazon Close Anker Solix C1000 portable power station: $449 If you're going camping this summer, a portable power station is an asset -- coming in handy if you unfortunately lose power at home. This model has 11 versatile ports and is strong enough to keep an electric grill, projector or coffee maker powered up. It has a maximum rated power of 1800W, but can reach a peak power of 2400W. Details Save $350 $449 at Amazon Close More of the best early Fourth of July outdoor deals: When do July 4th sales start this year? Independence Day falls on July 4th every year. Fourth of July sales often tend to hang around for a few days before and after the holiday. Amazon also announced that its next Prime Day will take place from July 8 to 11, so the two sales may blend. Where are the best pre-July 4th sales? Fourth of July sales offer some of the best prices on tech, appliances, mattresses and fashion, making it a great time to snag stellar prices on must-have items, and there are a ton of retailers still participating in the holiday savings. Unsurprisingly, Amazon is usually one of the best places to buy since it sells products from almost all major brands across these popular categories, making it a tremendous one-stop shop for all of your Fourth of July buys. Outside of Amazon, we recommend checking out appliance and tech sales at Best Buy, Home Depot and Lowe's, as well as holiday sales on a large variety of categories at Walmart, Target and Nordstrom, among others. Should I shop July 4th sales or wait for Prime Day deals? There's no definitive way to say whether Fourth of July sales or Prime Day deals are best. Both sales offer plenty of deals, including some of the best prices we'll see all year. Plus, it's likely the two sales will blur into one big discount extravaganza, given their expected proximity. Fourth of July sales offer more variety in retailers, though much of your shopping may take place on Amazon anyway. There are also plenty of non-Amazon retailers that will keep their sales rolling through mid-July, often directly competing with Amazon Prime prices. Since you'll be able to shop so many Fourth of July sales in just a few weeks, grab what you need and then keep tabs on Prime Day deals later for anything you miss out on. How to keep up with the best July 4th sales There are a lot of ways to ensure you're getting the latest scoop on Fourth of July offers. The CNET Deals team covers all the best price drops, discounts and deals every day from across the web, highlighting the best offers. We'll be tracking all the major retailer sales following the Fourth of July holiday and sharing the promotions you need to hear about, and there are plenty of ways to hear from us. One option is to bookmark to check out our latest coverage. You can also follow @CNETDeals on X to see everything we publish or sign up for our CNET Deals newsletter for a daily digest of deals delivered to your inbox. Another great option is to sign up for CNET Deals text alerts for curated deals during major shopping events. Remember to install our CNET Shopping browser extension to help ensure that purchases you make all year round will be at the lowest price available.
