Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Chicago trying to block the Bears from moving to Arlington Heights?
Chicago stands to lose significant commuter traffic revenue if the Bears build in Arlington Heights. Politicians like Mayor Brandon Johnson are using their voting bloc to intercept legislation that would help the Bears get settled there, hoping to either keep a city site on the table or push the team toward Hammond, Indiana instead.
What is the current status of the Bears stadium search?
It's essentially a standoff between Arlington Heights and Hammond, Indiana. Arlington Heights has the property ready but lacks legislation to resolve property tax issues, while Hammond has the legislation in place but faces problems with its preferred property site.
What did Chicago Alderman Peter Chico say about the Bears stadium situation?
Alderman Peter Chico of the 10th Ward pretty much confirmed in recent comments to Paris Schutz that Chicago politicians are working to sabotage the Bears' Arlington Heights efforts.
Why did the Bears originally buy the Arlington Heights property?
The Bears purchased the Arlington Heights property after their relationship with Chicago deteriorated, with the Park District refusing to return their calls and the city dismissing their concerns. The relationship had grown especially frosty by the end of the 2010s.
What stadium proposals did Chicago offer the Bears before things got dirty?
Former Mayor Lori Lightfoot proposed putting a dome on Soldier Field, and Mayor Brandon Johnson pushed for a new downtown stadium on the museum campus. Neither plan worked out, with the museum campus idea blocked by activist groups and rejected by the state government due to lack of financial support.
Erik Lambert
I’m a football writer with more than 15 years covering the Chicago Bears. I hold a master’s degree in the Teaching of Writing from Columbia College Chicago, and my work on Sports Mockery has earned more than twenty million views. I focus on providing analysis, context, and reporting on Bears strategy, roster decisions, and team developments, and I’ve shared insight on 670 The Score, ESPN 1000, and football podcasts in the U.S. and Europe.
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