• Loading stock data...
Friday, November 22, 2024

Arlington Heights Looks To Break Stadium Logjam With Bears

  • Village board cites striking Bears deal as its top priority
  • NFL team continues to talk with cities and towns across the region
A Chicago Bears helmet.
Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports

Despite a “stalemate” now entering its fourth month, leaders in the Illinois suburb of Arlington Heights are still trying to work out a development deal with the Chicago Bears.

This month, the Arlington Heights Village Board unanimously supported a nine-point strategic priority list for 2024-25 — topped by creating a plan with the Bears to redevelop the Arlington International Racecourse.

The Bears purchased the racetrack property early this year and seemed to be on an inevitable path to a deal for a $5 billion mixed-use development, including a domed stadium. But a tax dispute significantly impeded negotiating progress, leading Bears president Kevin Warren to offer a grim outlook in June, when communication with the town largely stopped.

The team has since discussed a potential stadium development with cities and towns all over the Chicago area, but Arlington Heights hasn’t given up on completing a deal. While talks continue, prior structures at the racetrack have been razed.

The officially stated aim is to work with the Bears, “our residents and businesses, and all other local, regional, and statewide partners to develop a responsible, mutually beneficial, and one-of-a-kind redevelopment plan for the Arlington Racetrack that benefits our community’s interests and is worthy of the property’s legacy.”

“I want to assure the members of the community this is a very important step that the village board takes,” said Robin LaBedz, village board president pro-tem. “These aren’t just priorities that get put on a shelf and forgotten about for the next two years — they actually drive the work of the staff and the village.”

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Rays $1.3B Ballpark Plans Stalled by Bond Delays, Hurricane Fallout

St. Petersburg officials vote to delay bonds for a new ballpark.
Nov 16, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; McLaren F1 Team driver Oscar Piastri of Australia (81) during free practice at Las Vegas Strip Circuit.

F1 Welcomes Second Chapter of Polarizing Las Vegas Grand Prix

Both championship battles have yet to be clinched entering the Las Vegas race, which was not the case last year.

Old Rivals, New Stakes: Notre Dame and Army to Clash in Yankee..

The two schools are playing for the first time since 2016.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

What’s Next for Hapless Jets?

0:00

Featured Today

Nov 16, 2024; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Spirit forward Trinity Rodman (2) celebrates after defeating NJ/NY Gotham FC in a 2024 NWSL Playoffs semifinal match at Audi Field. Mandatory Credit:

The Washington Spirit’s Business Makeover Carried Them to the Finals

The team’s return to the NWSL championship looks a lot different from 2021.
Nov 18, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Williams Racing driver Logan Sargeant of the United States (2) during the Las Vegas Grand Prix at Las Vegas Strip Circuit.
November 21, 2024

F1 Grand Prix Upended Vegas Last Year. Stakes Are High for Its..

Stakes are high as F1 gears up for a successful second act.
Classic Football Shirts New York Pop-Up
November 18, 2024

Vintage Soccer Jerseys Have Found a Sweet Spot in the Lucrative U.S...

The money-making shirts are at the prime intersection of memorabilia and fashion.
Nov 13, 2024; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks guard Josh Hart (3) reacts after fouling Chicago Bulls guard Coby White (not pictured) during the second half at Madison Square Garden.
opinion
November 16, 2024

NBA Ratings Rorschach Test: Buy the Dip

Was it the election? Too many threes? Lack of storylines?
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) smiles while answering a question Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024, after an Indiana Fever practice at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

Caitlin Clark a ‘Vital’ Part of Cincinnati NWSL Bid As League Expands

The WNBA superstar has joined an NWSL expansion bid in Cincinnati.
Aaron Rodgers
November 19, 2024

Jets Clean House With Only Aaron Rodgers Remaining

Joe Douglas’s firing wasn’t a surprise, but the timing was.
Sep 29, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders owner Mark Davis acknowledges a fan before the start of a game between the Raiders and the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
November 21, 2024

Mark Davis to Unload More of the Raiders

He’s agreed to give 15% to new owners, shortly after the Brady sale.
Sponsored

How UBS Crafts Impactful Partnerships Across Sports, Arts, and Culture

As UBS continues to expand its impressive array of sports and entertainment partnerships, the company solidifies its position as a leader in wealth management.
Michele Kang
November 19, 2024

Michele Kang Drops Whopping $30 Million on U.S. Soccer

It’s the largest gift to the federation focused on girls and women.
November 18, 2024

Roaring to the Top: Lions Become Super Bowl Favorites for First Time

This is the first time in franchise history Detroit is favored to win the Super Bowl.
November 17, 2024

Dallas Wings Secure No. 1 WNBA Pick Projected to be Paige Bueckers

Bueckers has endorsement deals with Nike and Gatorade and an equity stake in Unrivaled.
November 13, 2024

NHL’s Smallest-Market Team Is Breaking Records, Securing Its Future

Both wins and attendance are way up for the often-overlooked NHL franchise.