Goodell appears to emphasize two viable sites for new Bears stadium are Arlington Heights, Hammond
ABC7 is learning new details about the Chicago Bears' stadium plans on Tuesday. NFL owners and executives met in Orlando for a number of important decisions, including awarding the 2030 Super Bowl to Nashville. But with the Bears looking for a chance to host their own Super Bowl, they are focused on building a new domed stadium, and team executives provided a briefing to NFL owners at Tuesday's meeting.
ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch The NFL's chief spokesman told ABC7 that team owners are getting antsy for the Bears to decide on their future home. But the Bears are, in some ways, at the mercy of state lawmakers, who are still working out details of the so-called mega projects bill that would provide property tax breaks for a new stadium in Arlington Heights.
NFL owners and executives from all 32 teams held a one-day meeting in Orlando that included a briefing from Bears Chairman George McCaskey and Team President Kevin Warren. It was a chance for the team to update the league on its stadium and financing plans that are focused on only two sites: the 326-acre former racetrack property in Arlington Heights, which the team purchased three years ago, and a site near Wolf Lake in Hammond, Indiana, which would be a heavily taxpayer-supported project. Lawmakers are in the final two weeks of the legislative session but still have work to do to rework the mega projects bill that would provide property tax breaks for a new stadium in Arlington Heights.
"We are focused very much on what's good for the taxpayers when we're making decisions about whether and how we're going to incentivize the Bears to stay. We have a deal on the table with the Bears that works for the Bears and works for the taxpayers," said Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker.
While Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson continues to insist there is a way to keep the Bears at Soldier Field, the team has made it clear they have moved on from that site. Illinois state Rep. Kam Buckner, D-Chicago, said even though there has been a fight between the Pritzker and Johnson surrounding whether or not the Bears go to the suburbs or stay in the city, he has faith tgat the Bears will move in the right direction.