• Loading stock data...
Saturday, July 5, 2025

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

3,000 Hot Dogs, $20K in Prizes: Behind the Nathan’s Eating Contest

Nathan’s serves up thousands of hot dogs and $20,000 in prize money.
exclusive

WNBA Players Reject League’s First CBA Offer

Players felt the initial proposal wasn’t “entirely responsive” to their request.

NHL to Rejoin Olympic Ice in Milan—and NBC Set to Cash In

NHL players last competed in the Olympics in 2014.

Commanders’ $3.8B Stadium Deal in Jeopardy? Mayor Sounds the Alarm

Political tensions rise about delays in stadium funding approval.

Featured Today

Baseball’s Celebrity Row: Behind MLB’s First-Pitch Ritual

Often planned, sometimes spontaneous, the ritual throw is baseball’s celebrity row.
July 3, 2025

Geoffrey Esper Can’t Catch a Break at Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest

“Hot dogs is not one of my favorite competitions of the year.”
June 29, 2025

The Battle Over Wimbledon’s Ambitious Expansion Plan

A classic NIMBY standoff on one of the most hallowed grounds in sports.
Seattle Rough & Tumble
June 28, 2025

Women’s Sports Bars Are on the Rise. Survival Isn’t Guaranteed

Some women’s sports bars are cashing in. Others are clawing for funding.

Rogers Takes Control of Canada’s Top Teams in MLSE Buyout

The Canadian media giant now has an arguably unrivaled sports portfolio.
Manchester City
July 1, 2025

Manchester City Pockets $50 Million for Early Club World Cup Elimination

Saudi side Al-Hilal will bank at least $35 million in its quarterfinal run.
Myles Turner
July 1, 2025

Pacers Sour on Paying Luxury Tax and Let Myles Turner Walk

The team had seemed willing to cross the threshold for their center.
Sponsored

Hottest Matchups Following NFL Schedule Release

The NFL released the 2025 regular-season schedule, and anticipation is already building in the ticket marketplace with four months to go.
July 1, 2025

Bucks Shock NBA World By Waiving Lillard’s $113M Deal, Signing Turner

Damian Lillard had two years left on his deal.
Jun 17, 2025; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Florida Panthers center Sam Bennett (9) hoists the Stanley Cup after winning game six of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final against the Edmonton Oilers at Amerant Bank Arena
July 1, 2025

Panthers Lock Up Stanley Cup–Winning Core With Long-Term Deals

Hours before free agency, Florida cemented terms with their essential players.
June 30, 2025

Nuggets, Rockets Make Aggressive Moves to Challenge Thunder

Denver took the Thunder to seven games in the conference semifinals.
June 30, 2025

Cohen’s $331M Mets Spiral Into June Swoon Despite Soto Surge

Frustrations rise as the high-spending Mets have lost 13 of 16 games.