Chicago Bears release statement about stadium options
The Bears released a statement about their stadium options, where they officially confirmed two potential sites, which don't confirm Chicago.
The Chicago Bears ' stadium saga continues to be a grueling, never-ending process that's seen more discussion than actual progress. With the hope that the stadium situation is resolved in the coming months, the team released an official statement reiterating their plans to leave Chicago, while confirming Arlington Heights and Hammond, Indiana, are the only sites in consideration. "The Chicago Bears have exhausted every opportunity to stay in Chicago, which was our initial goal," the team said in a statement.
"There is not a viable site in the city. As a result, the only sites under consideration are in Arlington Heights and Hammond. " This statement comes shortly after Bears president/CEO Kevin Warren said the team was hoping to chose a new stadium site in Illinois or Indiana by late spring or early summer.
The Bears originally bought the Arlington Heights property six years ago, but it's been a long and arduous process marred numerous property tax-related roadblocks in the state of Illinois. Meanwhile, Indiana has done their best to court the Bears to Hammond, where there's a plan in place to finance and build a domed stadium near Wolf Lake. Since then, Illinois has countered with their own "megaprojects bill" that would give tax breaks to projects of at ;east $100 million, like the Bears' stadium.
, which would open the door for the Bears to build on their 326-acre Arlington Heights property. Follow Bears Wire on Twitter , Facebook and Instagram This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears stadium news: Team releases statement about site options