Bears reiterate plans to leave Chicago: 'There is not a viable site in the city'
The Bears have reiterated their plans to leave the city of Chicago and relocate to the suburbs after more than 100 years of playing in the city.
Soon enough, the Chicago Bears won't be playing in Chicago anymore. The Bears reiterated in a statement released May 21 they are planning to leave the city as they look to build a new stadium in either Arlington Heights – an Illinois suburb located 25 miles Northwest of Chicago – or Hammond, Indiana. "The Chicago Bears have exhausted every opportunity to stay in Chicago, which was our initial goal," the team said in a statement obtained May 21 by the Associated Press .
"There is not a viable site in the city. As a result, the only sites under consideration are in Arlington Heights and Hammond. " The Bears have been primarily located in Chicago since 1921, when the Decatur Staleys relocated to the city.
The franchise spent its early years playing at Wrigley Field – an arrangement that lasted through the 1970 season – before moving to Soldier Field. The Bears have played at Soldier Field for all but one NFL season since 1971. The lone exception was the 2002 season, when the Bears played at the University of Illinois' Memorial Stadium while Soldier Field underwent significant renovations.
The Bears do not own Soldier Field. The team leases the facility, which is owned and operated by the Chicago Park District. Currently, the Bears are locked into a lease agreement through the 2033 NFL season.