That number is key, as it determines how much the Bears will have to pay annually for taxes on the land.

On Friday, “in an effort to address the ongoing property value concerns,” school districts in the northwest Chicago suburb announced they secured two independent appraisals by MaRous & Company that valued the property at $160 million, according to a press release.

Along with their new assessment, they also announced the Bears promised to submit an appraisal value of their own by the end of the year.

Previously, the property was valued at $33 million by Cook County. However, during a triennial reassessment, Assessor Fritz Kaegi’s office placed the value at $197 million. That six-fold spike naturally would send the Bears’ property tax bill through the roof.

Churchill Downs, who was on the hook for the increased tax bill in 2022, filed an appeal saying that the property value was $37.2 million. School districts in the area, which are funded by property taxes, countered with $150 million. The two sides eventually reached a settlement at $95 million, which took Churchill Downs’ tax payment from around $16.2 million to just under $7.8 million.

Whether or not the school districts agree to the value the Bears return with remains to be seen. The school districts are holding their ground for the community, but they said they remain open-minded about coming to an agreement on the property value.

“The school districts, like our neighboring school districts, routinely become involved in property tax matters to defend against unwarranted reductions in the assessments of significant commercial and industrial properties,” the school districts said in the release. “We do so because the reductions being sought on these significant properties increase the tax burden on homeowners and can reduce the amount of money available to fund education.

“The assessment cases in which the Districts become involved are normally settled through a compromise somewhere between the values in the appraisals submitted into evidence by the taxpayer and the Districts. This is precisely how we settled the 2022 assessment with Churchill Downs, Inc.”

As aforementioned, the Bears re-opened their stadium location options, despite purchasing the Arlington Park land in February 2023. Since reopening their interests, several municipalities have shown interest including Naperville, Aurora, Waukegan and the city of Chicago.

Speaking of the city, recent reports revealed the Bears are doing their “due diligence on the viability” of the South Lot of Soldier Field as a possible stadium location. They plan to use the same firm, Compass Land Surveying Aurora, that they used for Arlington Heights to survey the land.

Check back to this story for more updates.

Click here to follow the Under Center Podcast.

Where will the Bears build their new stadium?

On October 3, The Dailey Herald reported that a demolition at Arlington Park ordered by the Bears had been completed.

This, however, doesn’t necessarily indicate the Bears will reside there in the future. They’re currently at an impasse with Arlington Heights over property valuation, as it affects future tax bills for the Bears.

After deliberating with Arlington Heights — the 326-acre land the Chicago Bears bought for $197.2 million — about developing a stadium at Arlington Park, the Bears seemingly pivoted off the location when Bears’ CEO Kevin Warren stated publicly back in August that “everything is on the table.”

“We had that period where we were focused on Arlington,” Warren told Peter King on his podcast. “We have some issues to work on. There’s a possibility there. But one of the things I promised myself and promised the McCaskeys is that I would come in and take a fresh look at what’s the right thing to do.

“And if it turns out to be Arlington, it turns out to be Arlington.”

How did the Bears get here? What does the future look like?

Let’s take a look at how the Bears and their stadium endeavors have unfolded so far.

What has happened

On Feb. 15, the Bears released a letter saying they closed on the purchase of the 326-acre plot of land in Arlington Heights and the Arlington Park property “to secure the potential of beginning a new and exciting chapter for the Bears, our fans, the Chicagoland community, and the State of Illinois.”

The Bears first put a purchase agreement on the property in September of 2021. One year later, the Bears unveiled early plans to build a fully enclosed dome stadium on the property as well as a multi-purpose entertainment, commercial/retail, and housing district.

The Bears have said from the start of the process that they will fully fund the construction of the stadium, which is expected to cost between $2 and $3 billion. However, the team has said multiple times it will need help with the development of the other areas.

“We have publicly stated and repeat here again: If we construct a state-of-the-art stadium, we will not seek taxpayer funds locally or otherwise for the structure. If we proceed, however, this project would require assistance to ensure feasibility, including our securing property tax certainty and support for infrastructure commensurate with the public benefits the project will yield to the region,” the Bears said in a statement.

“For the development to move forward, and for this effort to be financially feasible, a public-private partnership addressing predictable taxes and necessary infrastructure funding for public uses is essential. Public funds for infrastructure will provide regional improvements such as roads for better traffic flow and water drainage for residents throughout the area.”

The Bears have said numerous times that the purchase and development of the Arlington Heights property was their sole focus as it pertains to a new stadium.

The Bears’ lease with Soldier Field is slated to end in 2033.

Tax issues cause change of course

The Bears have mentioned since the beginning they will need assistance with the infrastructure and property tax certainty. They seemingly lost sight of the latter over the summer.

The property was previously valued at $33 million by Cook County. However, during a triennial reassessment, Assessor Fritz Kaegi’s office placed the value at $197 million. That six-fold spike naturally would send the Bears’ property tax bill through the roof.

Churchill Downs, who was on the hook for the increased tax bill in 2022, filed an appeal saying that the property value was $37.2 million. School districts in the area which are funded by property taxes countered with $150 million. The two sides eventually reached a settlement at $95 million, which took Churchill Downs’ tax payment from around $16.2 million to just under $7.8 million.

However, that was just a one-year agreement between the two sides. With the Bears now taking over the tax bill, they will have to revisit the issue and try to come to an agreement. That $95 million number is the reason the Bears have started to look elsewhere, according to a team statement released over the summer.

“The Chicago Bears goal of building the largest single development project in Illinois history led by billions of dollars in private capital investment, and the jobs and economic benefits generated, is at risk in Arlington Heights. The stadium-based project remains broadly popular in Arlington Heights, Chicagoland and the state. However, the property’s original assessment at five times the 2021 tax value, and the recent settlement with Churchill Downs for 2022 being three times higher, fails to reflect the property is not operational and not commercially viable in its current state. We will continue the ongoing demolition activity and work toward a path forward in Arlington Heights, but it is no longer our singular focus. It is our responsibility to listen to other municipalities in Chicagoland about potential locations that can deliver on this transformational opportunity for our fans, our club and the State of Illinois.”

What Assessor Fritz Kaegi’s office said

“Our office’s mission is to assess property based on market value,” a spokesperson for the Cook County Assessor’s office said Friday. “The 2022 assessment of the former Arlington Racecourse site is consistent with both the 2023 purchase price of the property and the price per square foot of other similarly sized land in the area. The facts speak for themselves.”

Other municipalities make their pitch

With the Bears and Arlington Heights battling over taxes, Naperville Mayor Scott Wehrli sent Bears president Kevin Warren a letter offering Naperville as the potential new home for the Bears.

“The city would welcome the opportunity to review your business needs and our available properties,” Wehrli’s letter said. “Through prudent planning, Naperville is accessible via our region’s major interstates and Metra. We have several available or to-be-available sites that may fit the characteristics you are looking for in your future home.”

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Warren have had two separate meetings. Here’s their last joint statement.

“Today we met and discussed our shared values and commitment to the City of Chicago, the importance of deep roots and the need for equitable community investment throughout the city. We are both committed to the idea that the city and its major civic institutions must grow and evolve together to meet the needs of the future. We look forward to continuing the dialogue around these shared values.”

Ten days after Naperville attempted to enter the stadium discussion, another suburb tried to throw its hat in the ring. Waukegan Mayor Ann B. Taylor sent the Bears a letter asking them to meet to discuss the opportunities available for the franchise in the suburb.

“We believe that the Monsters of the Midway deserve the opportunity to continue the tradition of playing along the shores of Lake Michigan, with the market opportunity of having a year-round facility capable of hosting other major events, including the Super Bowl, the Final Four, and other events of an international scale,” Taylor wrote in her letter.

Aurora is the latest municipality to try their hand at convincing the Bears to come their way.

“. . . Welcoming a historic organization such as the Chicago Bears would enhance our bold vision for Aurora and will provide the Chicago Bears with a new home to begin the next phase of your storied history. We invite you to visit our great city to explore the exciting opportunity Aurora can bring to the world-famous Chicago Bears.”

Soldier Field South Lot

A report from 670 The Score surfaced in early December that the Bears had begun surveying the viability of Soldier Field’s South Lot as a potential new stadium site.

The Bears are using the same surveying company they used for Arlington Heights to investigate the potential of the South Lot land, according to the report. Does that mean the Bears are looking into building a new stadium on the lot? That’s unclear at this point.

Soldier Field lost its historical landmark status in 2006 after making major renovations. That means, in theory, the city could tear down Soldier Field in favor of building a whole new stadium. Seeing the history and value the stadium brings to the city, however, that seems like an impossible hill to climb.

All the report tells us, at this point, is the Bears are continuing to explore their options.

What’s next?

Warren told King he hopes to come to a decision on the location of the stadium within the next year. After that, he’s specific about the timeline of the actual construction.

“I’m hopeful that (decision comes) within the next 12 months,” Warren said. “I always go by when a shovel goes in the ground. I believe once a shovel goes in the ground, it’s probably three years.”

The Bears brought in Warren to do exactly that — plan and build a stadium. He’s done it once already. In Minnesota, he helped the Vikings construct U.S. Bank stadium, one of the most prominent stadium designs in recent history.

He’s also not naive to the politics that surround constructing a stadium, especially in Chicago.

“In regard to why I can get it done, one thing I found out, especially with stadium development projects, you have to create what’s the why?” Warren said. “And what’s the why for everyone? It can’t just be, what’s the why for the Chicago Bears, or what’s the why for this group or that group? One of the things I’ll really start thinking is, what’s the why? No matter what constituent group you put in front of me, what’s the why? The more common the why that you have, the more people will understand.

“With stadium development projects, and one of the many things I learned in Minnesota, is you have to create a compelling story of why it makes sense. I just believe at this point in time, where we are in our lifespan in the NFL of the Chicago Bears, that the time is right. I’ll need to study the project and understand and lean on other people, talk with Ted [Phillips] and other folks in the organization to come up with what that why is. But those are things that I love. To be able to walk the project and talk with constituents and groups and come up with why this makes sense. I’m confident with the intellectual talent in this state and in this city and all the people who love the Chicago Bears will be able to come together.”

Remember, the Bears paid a hefty price tag to own the land in Arlington Heights. The idea of selling it or developing it into something that isn’t a stadium doesn’t seem feasible.

The Halas/McCaskey family have their money tied up in the Bears, not external interests. Jerry Jones could eat the cost of this land and find a new location at the snap of his fingers. The Bears can’t.

According to Warren on King’s podcast, the Bears and Arlington Heights have a fall meeting to discuss the prospects of their tax bill once more. That meeting will be crucial in determining the real answer to the Bears stadium location.

Right now, it’s in flux. But it isn’t cemented. That’ll come soon enough.

For now, enjoy Soldier Field while you can. Because, either way it unfolds, the Bears are likely moving out.

Click here to follow the Under Center Podcast.

This, however, doesn’t necessarily indicate the Bears will reside there in the future. They’re currently at an impasse with Arlington Heights over property valuation, as it affects future tax bills for the Bears.

After deliberating with Arlington Heights — the 326-acre land the Chicago Bears bought for $197.2 million — about developing a stadium at Arlington Park, the Bears seemingly pivoted off the location when Bears’ CEO Kevin Warren stated publicly back in August that “everything is on the table.”

“We had that period where we were focused on Arlington,” Warren told Peter King on his podcast. “We have some issues to work on. There’s a possibility there. But one of the things I promised myself and promised the McCaskeys is that I would come in and take a fresh look at what’s the right thing to do.

“And if it turns out to be Arlington, it turns out to be Arlington.”

How did the Bears get here? What does the future look like?

Let’s take a look at how the Bears and their stadium endeavors have unfolded so far.

What has happened

On Feb. 15, the Bears released a letter saying they closed on the purchase of the 326-acre plot of land in Arlington Heights and the Arlington Park property “to secure the potential of beginning a new and exciting chapter for the Bears, our fans, the Chicagoland community, and the State of Illinois.”

The Bears first put a purchase agreement on the property in September of 2021. One year later, the Bears unveiled early plans to build a fully enclosed dome stadium on the property as well as a multi-purpose entertainment, commercial/retail, and housing district.

The Bears have said from the start of the process that they will fully fund the construction of the stadium, which is expected to cost between $2 and $3 billion. However, the team has said multiple times it will need help with the development of the other areas.

“We have publicly stated and repeat here again: If we construct a state-of-the-art stadium, we will not seek taxpayer funds locally or otherwise for the structure. If we proceed, however, this project would require assistance to ensure feasibility, including our securing property tax certainty and support for infrastructure commensurate with the public benefits the project will yield to the region,” the Bears said in a statement.

“For the development to move forward, and for this effort to be financially feasible, a public-private partnership addressing predictable taxes and necessary infrastructure funding for public uses is essential. Public funds for infrastructure will provide regional improvements such as roads for better traffic flow and water drainage for residents throughout the area.”

The Bears have said numerous times that the purchase and development of the Arlington Heights property was their sole focus as it pertains to a new stadium.

The Bears’ lease with Soldier Field is slated to end in 2033.

Tax issues cause change of course

The Bears have mentioned since the beginning they will need assistance with the infrastructure and property tax certainty. They seemingly lost sight of the latter over the summer.

The property was previously valued at $33 million by Cook County. However, during a triennial reassessment, Assessor Fritz Kaegi’s office placed the value at $197 million. That six-fold spike naturally would send the Bears’ property tax bill through the roof.

Churchill Downs, who was on the hook for the increased tax bill in 2022, filed an appeal saying that the property value was $37.2 million. School districts in the area which are funded by property taxes countered with $150 million. The two sides eventually reached a settlement at $95 million, which took Churchill Downs’ tax payment from around $16.2 million to just under $7.8 million.

However, that was just a one-year agreement between the two sides. With the Bears now taking over the tax bill, they will have to revisit the issue and try to come to an agreement. That $95 million number is the reason the Bears have started to look elsewhere, according to a team statement released over the summer.

“The Chicago Bears goal of building the largest single development project in Illinois history led by billions of dollars in private capital investment, and the jobs and economic benefits generated, is at risk in Arlington Heights. The stadium-based project remains broadly popular in Arlington Heights, Chicagoland and the state. However, the property’s original assessment at five times the 2021 tax value, and the recent settlement with Churchill Downs for 2022 being three times higher, fails to reflect the property is not operational and not commercially viable in its current state. We will continue the ongoing demolition activity and work toward a path forward in Arlington Heights, but it is no longer our singular focus. It is our responsibility to listen to other municipalities in Chicagoland about potential locations that can deliver on this transformational opportunity for our fans, our club and the State of Illinois.”

What Assessor Fritz Kaegi’s office said

“Our office’s mission is to assess property based on market value,” a spokesperson for the Cook County Assessor’s office said Friday. “The 2022 assessment of the former Arlington Racecourse site is consistent with both the 2023 purchase price of the property and the price per square foot of other similarly sized land in the area. The facts speak for themselves.”

Other municipalities make their pitch

With the Bears and Arlington Heights battling over taxes, Naperville Mayor Scott Wehrli sent Bears president Kevin Warren a letter offering Naperville as the potential new home for the Bears.

“The city would welcome the opportunity to review your business needs and our available properties,” Wehrli’s letter said. “Through prudent planning, Naperville is accessible via our region’s major interstates and Metra. We have several available or to-be-available sites that may fit the characteristics you are looking for in your future home.”

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Warren have had two separate meetings. Here’s their last joint statement.

“Today we met and discussed our shared values and commitment to the City of Chicago, the importance of deep roots and the need for equitable community investment throughout the city. We are both committed to the idea that the city and its major civic institutions must grow and evolve together to meet the needs of the future. We look forward to continuing the dialogue around these shared values.”

Ten days after Naperville attempted to enter the stadium discussion, another suburb tried to throw its hat in the ring. Waukegan Mayor Ann B. Taylor sent the Bears a letter asking them to meet to discuss the opportunities available for the franchise in the suburb.

“We believe that the Monsters of the Midway deserve the opportunity to continue the tradition of playing along the shores of Lake Michigan, with the market opportunity of having a year-round facility capable of hosting other major events, including the Super Bowl, the Final Four, and other events of an international scale,” Taylor wrote in her letter.

Aurora is the latest municipality to try their hand at convincing the Bears to come their way.

“. . . Welcoming a historic organization such as the Chicago Bears would enhance our bold vision for Aurora and will provide the Chicago Bears with a new home to begin the next phase of your storied history. We invite you to visit our great city to explore the exciting opportunity Aurora can bring to the world-famous Chicago Bears.”

What’s next?

Warren told King he hopes to come to a decision on the location of the stadium within the next year. After that, he’s specific about the timeline of the actual construction.

“I’m hopeful that (decision comes) within the next 12 months,” Warren said. “I always go by when a shovel goes in the ground. I believe once a shovel goes in the ground, it’s probably three years.”

The Bears brought in Warren to do exactly that — plan and build a stadium. He’s done it once already. In Minnesota, he helped the Vikings construct U.S. Bank stadium, one of the most prominent stadium designs in recent history.

He’s also not naive to the politics that surround constructing a stadium, especially in Chicago.

“In regard to why I can get it done, one thing I found out, especially with stadium development projects, you have to create what’s the why?” Warren said. “And what’s the why for everyone? It can’t just be, what’s the why for the Chicago Bears, or what’s the why for this group or that group? One of the things I’ll really start thinking is, what’s the why? No matter what constituent group you put in front of me, what’s the why? The more common the why that you have, the more people will understand.

“With stadium development projects, and one of the many things I learned in Minnesota, is you have to create a compelling story of why it makes sense. I just believe at this point in time, where we are in our lifespan in the NFL of the Chicago Bears, that the time is right. I’ll need to study the project and understand and lean on other people, talk with Ted [Phillips] and other folks in the organization to come up with what that why is. But those are things that I love. To be able to walk the project and talk with constituents and groups and come up with why this makes sense. I’m confident with the intellectual talent in this state and in this city and all the people who love the Chicago Bears will be able to come together.”

Remember, the Bears paid a hefty price tag to own the land in Arlington Heights. The idea of selling it or developing it into something that isn’t a stadium doesn’t seem feasible.

The Halas/McCaskey family have their money tied up in the Bears, not external interests. Jerry Jones could eat the cost of this land and find a new location at the snap of his fingers. The Bears can’t.

According to Warren on King’s podcast, the Bears and Arlington Heights have a fall meeting to discuss the prospects of their tax bill once more. That meeting will be crucial in determining the real answer to the Bears stadium location.

Right now, it’s in flux. But it isn’t cemented. That’ll come soon enough.

For now, enjoy Soldier Field while you can. Because, either way it unfolds, the Bears are likely moving out.

Click here to follow the Under Center Podcast.

That’s what Chicago Bears President Kevin Warren said about the team’s plan for a new football stadium back in August.

For months, the Bears had been solely focused on the site of the former Arlington International Racecourse with the intention of exploring building a closed-roof stadium. Demolition work was completed earlier this month, according to the Daily Herald. The team, though, is now at an impasse with Arlington Heights over property valuation, as it affects future tax bills for the Bears.

With Warren making it clear the organization was looking at multiple options, including remaining at Chicago’s Soldier Field, other municipals have thrown their hat into the ring as potential stadium sites.

These are the suburbs, so far, that have made an official pitch to become the Bears’ new home:

With the Bears and Arlington Heights battling over taxes, Naperville Mayor Scott Wehrli sent Bears president Kevin Warren a letter offering Naperville as the potential new home for the Bears.

“The city would welcome the opportunity to review your business needs and our available properties,” Wehrli’s letter said. “Through prudent planning, Naperville is accessible via our region’s major interstates and Metra. We have several available or to-be-available sites that may fit the characteristics you are looking for in your future home.”

Ten days after Naperville attempted to enter the stadium discussion, another suburb entered the chat. Waukegan Mayor Ann B. Taylor sent the Bears a letter asking them to meet to discuss the opportunities available for the franchise in the suburb.

“We believe that the Monsters of the Midway deserve the opportunity to continue the tradition of playing along the shores of Lake Michigan, with the market opportunity of having a year-round facility capable of hosting other major events, including the Super Bowl, the Final Four, and other events of an international scale,” Taylor wrote in her letter.

Aurora also tried their hand at convincing the Bears to come their way.

“. . . Welcoming a historic organization such as the Chicago Bears would enhance our bold vision for Aurora and will provide the Chicago Bears with a new home to begin the next phase of your storied history. We invite you to visit our great city to explore the exciting opportunity Aurora can bring to the world-famous Chicago Bears.”

Country Club Hills is the latest municipal to make an overture, according to a press release sent out Tuesday.

“In September, I sent a letter to Chicago Bears’ matriarch Virginia McCaskey and (President Kevin) Warren inviting them to consider a site in Country Club Hills,” commissioner Monica Gordon said. “Mayor James Ford and I also are imploring the team to look at the south suburbs as an opportunity to have a positive economic impact on a part of the Chicagoland area that is ignored all too often.”

The letter cited the success of the Los Angeles Rams and Chargers’ new stadium in Inglewood as a blueprint of a site “transforming a predominantly Black area into a thriving residential, business and entertainment district,” according to the press release.

Click here to follow the Under Center Podcast.

This, however, doesn’t necessarily indicate the Bears will reside there in the future. They’re currently at an impasse with Arlington Heights over property valuation, as it affects future tax bills for the Bears.

After deliberating with Arlington Heights — the 326-acre land the Chicago Bears bought for $197.2 million — about developing a stadium at Arlington Park, the Bears seemingly pivoted off the location when Bears’ CEO Kevin Warren stated publicly back in August that “everything is on the table.”

“We had that period where we were focused on Arlington,” Warren told Peter King on his podcast. “We have some issues to work on. There’s a possibility there. But one of the things I promised myself and promised the McCaskeys is that I would come in and take a fresh look at what’s the right thing to do.

“And if it turns out to be Arlington, it turns out to be Arlington.”

How did the Bears get here? What does the future look like?

Let’s take a look at how the Bears and their stadium endeavors have unfolded so far.

What has happened

On Feb. 15, the Bears released a letter saying they closed on the purchase of the 326-acre plot of land in Arlington Heights and the Arlington Park property “to secure the potential of beginning a new and exciting chapter for the Bears, our fans, the Chicagoland community, and the State of Illinois.”

The Bears first put a purchase agreement on the property in September of 2021. One year later, the Bears unveiled early plans to build a fully enclosed dome stadium on the property as well as a multi-purpose entertainment, commercial/retail, and housing district.

The Bears have said from the start of the process that they will fully fund the construction of the stadium, which is expected to cost between $2 and $3 billion. However, the team has said multiple times it will need help with the development of the other areas.

“We have publicly stated and repeat here again: If we construct a state-of-the-art stadium, we will not seek taxpayer funds locally or otherwise for the structure. If we proceed, however, this project would require assistance to ensure feasibility, including our securing property tax certainty and support for infrastructure commensurate with the public benefits the project will yield to the region,” the Bears said in a statement.

“For the development to move forward, and for this effort to be financially feasible, a public-private partnership addressing predictable taxes and necessary infrastructure funding for public uses is essential. Public funds for infrastructure will provide regional improvements such as roads for better traffic flow and water drainage for residents throughout the area.”

The Bears have said numerous times that the purchase and development of the Arlington Heights property was their sole focus as it pertains to a new stadium.

The Bears’ lease with Soldier Field is slated to end in 2033.

Tax issues cause change of course

The Bears have mentioned since the beginning they will need assistance with the infrastructure and property tax certainty. They seemingly lost sight of the latter over the summer.

The property was previously valued at $33 million by Cook County. However, during a triennial reassessment, Assessor Fritz Kaegi’s office placed the value at $197 million. That six-fold spike naturally would send the Bears’ property tax bill through the roof.

Churchill Downs, who was on the hook for the increased tax bill in 2022, filed an appeal saying that the property value was $37.2 million. School districts in the area which are funded by property taxes countered with $150 million. The two sides eventually reached a settlement at $95 million, which took Churchill Downs’ tax payment from around $16.2 million to just under $7.8 million.

However, that was just a one-year agreement between the two sides. With the Bears now taking over the tax bill, they will have to revisit the issue and try to come to an agreement. That $95 million number is the reason the Bears have started to look elsewhere, according to a team statement released over the summer.

“The Chicago Bears goal of building the largest single development project in Illinois history led by billions of dollars in private capital investment, and the jobs and economic benefits generated, is at risk in Arlington Heights. The stadium-based project remains broadly popular in Arlington Heights, Chicagoland and the state. However, the property’s original assessment at five times the 2021 tax value, and the recent settlement with Churchill Downs for 2022 being three times higher, fails to reflect the property is not operational and not commercially viable in its current state. We will continue the ongoing demolition activity and work toward a path forward in Arlington Heights, but it is no longer our singular focus. It is our responsibility to listen to other municipalities in Chicagoland about potential locations that can deliver on this transformational opportunity for our fans, our club and the State of Illinois.”

What Assessor Fritz Kaegi’s office said

“Our office’s mission is to assess property based on market value,” a spokesperson for the Cook County Assessor’s office said Friday. “The 2022 assessment of the former Arlington Racecourse site is consistent with both the 2023 purchase price of the property and the price per square foot of other similarly sized land in the area. The facts speak for themselves.”

Other municipalities make their pitch

With the Bears and Arlington Heights battling over taxes, Naperville Mayor Scott Wehrli sent Bears president Kevin Warren a letter offering Naperville as the potential new home for the Bears.

“The city would welcome the opportunity to review your business needs and our available properties,” Wehrli’s letter said. “Through prudent planning, Naperville is accessible via our region’s major interstates and Metra. We have several available or to-be-available sites that may fit the characteristics you are looking for in your future home.”

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Warren have had two separate meetings. Here’s their last joint statement.

“Today we met and discussed our shared values and commitment to the City of Chicago, the importance of deep roots and the need for equitable community investment throughout the city. We are both committed to the idea that the city and its major civic institutions must grow and evolve together to meet the needs of the future. We look forward to continuing the dialogue around these shared values.”

Ten days after Naperville attempted to enter the stadium discussion, another suburb tried to throw its hat in the ring. Waukegan Mayor Ann B. Taylor sent the Bears a letter asking them to meet to discuss the opportunities available for the franchise in the suburb.

“We believe that the Monsters of the Midway deserve the opportunity to continue the tradition of playing along the shores of Lake Michigan, with the market opportunity of having a year-round facility capable of hosting other major events, including the Super Bowl, the Final Four, and other events of an international scale,” Taylor wrote in her letter.

Aurora is the latest municipality to try their hand at convincing the Bears to come their way.

“. . . Welcoming a historic organization such as the Chicago Bears would enhance our bold vision for Aurora and will provide the Chicago Bears with a new home to begin the next phase of your storied history. We invite you to visit our great city to explore the exciting opportunity Aurora can bring to the world-famous Chicago Bears.”

What’s next?

Warren told King he hopes to come to a decision on the location of the stadium within the next year. After that, he’s specific about the timeline of the actual construction.

“I’m hopeful that (decision comes) within the next 12 months,” Warren said. “I always go by when a shovel goes in the ground. I believe once a shovel goes in the ground, it’s probably three years.”

The Bears brought in Warren to do exactly that — plan and build a stadium. He’s done it once already. In Minnesota, he helped the Vikings construct U.S. Bank stadium, one of the most prominent stadium designs in recent history.

He’s also not naive to the politics that surround constructing a stadium, especially in Chicago.

“In regard to why I can get it done, one thing I found out, especially with stadium development projects, you have to create what’s the why?” Warren said. “And what’s the why for everyone? It can’t just be, what’s the why for the Chicago Bears, or what’s the why for this group or that group? One of the things I’ll really start thinking is, what’s the why? No matter what constituent group you put in front of me, what’s the why? The more common the why that you have, the more people will understand.

“With stadium development projects, and one of the many things I learned in Minnesota, is you have to create a compelling story of why it makes sense. I just believe at this point in time, where we are in our lifespan in the NFL of the Chicago Bears, that the time is right. I’ll need to study the project and understand and lean on other people, talk with Ted [Phillips] and other folks in the organization to come up with what that why is. But those are things that I love. To be able to walk the project and talk with constituents and groups and come up with why this makes sense. I’m confident with the intellectual talent in this state and in this city and all the people who love the Chicago Bears will be able to come together.”

Remember, the Bears paid a hefty price tag to own the land in Arlington Heights. The idea of selling it or developing it into something that isn’t a stadium doesn’t seem feasible.

The Halas/McCaskey family have their money tied up in the Bears, not external interests. Jerry Jones could eat the cost of this land and find a new location at the snap of his fingers. The Bears can’t.

According to Warren on King’s podcast, the Bears and Arlington Heights have a fall meeting to discuss the prospects of their tax bill once more. That meeting will be crucial in determining the real answer to the Bears stadium location.

Right now, it’s in flux. But it isn’t cemented. That’ll come soon enough.

For now, enjoy Soldier Field while you can. Because, either way it unfolds, the Bears are likely moving out.

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The Daily Herald released photos of the scene at Arlington Park, amid a demolition ordered by the Chicago Bears in tandem with their stadium endeavors.

The Bears received a permit to conduct the demolition in May with the controlled dismantlement beginning last June. The project cost the Bears an estimated $3.8 million to execute.

However, demolition of the estate doesn’t necessarily indicate the Bears will reside there in the future. They’re currently at an impasse with Arlington Heights over property valuation, as it affects future tax bills for the Bears.

The property was previously valued at $33 million by Cook County. However, during a triennial reassessment, Assessor Fritz Kaegi’s office placed the value at $197 million. That six-fold spike naturally would send the Bears’ property tax bill through the roof.

Since then, the Bears have reopened their options, no longer considering Arlington Heights their “singular focus” for building a stadium. Municipalities such as Naperville, Waukegan and Aurora have made their pitches to the Bears for hosting their next stadium project.

As far as a timeline for everything to unfold, Kevin Warren has a rough idea in mind.

“I’m hopeful that (decision comes) within the next 12 months,” Warren told NBC Sports’ Peter King. “I always go by when a shovel goes in the ground. I believe once a shovel goes in the ground, it’s probably three years.”

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“Everything is on the table,” Kevin Warren told Peter King on his podcast. “We had that period where we were focused on Arlington. We have some issues to work on. There’s a possibility there. But one of the things I promised myself and promised the McCaskeys is that I would come in and take a fresh look at what’s the right thing to do.

“And if it turns out to be Arlington, it turns out to be Arlington.”

How did the Bears get here? What does the future look like?

Let’s take a look at how the Bears and their stadium endeavors have unfolded so far.

What has happened

On Feb. 15, the Bears released a letter saying they closed on the purchase of the 326-acre plot of land in Arlington Heights and the Arlington Park property “to secure the potential of beginning a new and exciting chapter for the Bears, our fans, the Chicagoland community, and the State of Illinois.”

The Bears first put a purchase agreement on the property in September of 2021. One year later, the Bears unveiled early plans to build a fully enclosed dome stadium on the property as well as a multi-purpose entertainment, commercial/retail, and housing district.

The Bears have said from the start of the process that they will fully fund the construction of the stadium, which is expected to cost between $2 and $3 billion. However, the team has said multiple times it will need help with the development of the other areas.

“We have publicly stated and repeat here again: If we construct a state-of-the-art stadium, we will not seek taxpayer funds locally or otherwise for the structure. If we proceed, however, this project would require assistance to ensure feasibility, including our securing property tax certainty and support for infrastructure commensurate with the public benefits the project will yield to the region,” the Bears said in a statement.

“For the development to move forward, and for this effort to be financially feasible, a public-private partnership addressing predictable taxes and necessary infrastructure funding for public uses is essential. Public funds for infrastructure will provide regional improvements such as roads for better traffic flow and water drainage for residents throughout the area.”

The Bears have said numerous times that the purchase and development of the Arlington Heights property was their sole focus as it pertains to a new stadium.

The Bears’ lease with Soldier Field is slated to end in 2033.

Tax issues cause change of course

The Bears have mentioned since the beginning they will need assistance with the infrastructure and property tax certainty. They seemingly lost sight of the latter over the summer.

The property was previously valued at $33 million by Cook County. However, during a triennial reassessment, Assessor Fritz Kaegi’s office placed the value at $197 million. That six-fold spike naturally would send the Bears’ property tax bill through the roof.

Churchill Downs, who was on the hook for the increased tax bill in 2022, filed an appeal saying that the property value was $37.2 million. School districts in the area which are funded by property taxes countered with $150 million. The two sides eventually reached a settlement at $95 million, which took Churchill Downs’ tax payment from around $16.2 million to just under $7.8 million.

However, that was just a one-year agreement between the two sides. With the Bears now taking over the tax bill, they will have to revisit the issue and try to come to an agreement. That $95 million number is the reason the Bears have started to look elsewhere, according to a team statement released over the summer.

“The Chicago Bears goal of building the largest single development project in Illinois history led by billions of dollars in private capital investment, and the jobs and economic benefits generated, is at risk in Arlington Heights. The stadium-based project remains broadly popular in Arlington Heights, Chicagoland and the state. However, the property’s original assessment at five times the 2021 tax value, and the recent settlement with Churchill Downs for 2022 being three times higher, fails to reflect the property is not operational and not commercially viable in its current state. We will continue the ongoing demolition activity and work toward a path forward in Arlington Heights, but it is no longer our singular focus. It is our responsibility to listen to other municipalities in Chicagoland about potential locations that can deliver on this transformational opportunity for our fans, our club and the State of Illinois.”

What Assessor Fritz Kaegi’s office said

“Our office’s mission is to assess property based on market value,” a spokesperson for the Cook County Assessor’s office said Friday. “The 2022 assessment of the former Arlington Racecourse site is consistent with both the 2023 purchase price of the property and the price per square foot of other similarly sized land in the area. The facts speak for themselves.”

Other municipalities make their pitch

With the Bears and Arlington Heights battling over taxes, Naperville Mayor Scott Wehrli sent Bears president Kevin Warren a letter offering Naperville as the potential new home for the Bears.

“The city would welcome the opportunity to review your business needs and our available properties,” Wehrli’s letter said. “Through prudent planning, Naperville is accessible via our region’s major interstates and Metra. We have several available or to-be-available sites that may fit the characteristics you are looking for in your future home.”

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Warren have had two separate meetings. Here’s their last joint statement.

“Today we met and discussed our shared values and commitment to the City of Chicago, the importance of deep roots and the need for equitable community investment throughout the city. We are both committed to the idea that the city and its major civic institutions must grow and evolve together to meet the needs of the future. We look forward to continuing the dialogue around these shared values.”

Ten days after Naperville attempted to enter the stadium discussion, another suburb tried to throw its hat in the ring. Waukegan Mayor Ann B. Taylor sent the Bears a letter asking them to meet to discuss the opportunities available for the franchise in the suburb.

“We believe that the Monsters of the Midway deserve the opportunity to continue the tradition of playing along the shores of Lake Michigan, with the market opportunity of having a year-round facility capable of hosting other major events, including the Super Bowl, the Final Four, and other events of an international scale,” Taylor wrote in her letter.

Aurora is the latest municipality to try their hand at convincing the Bears to come their way.

“. . . Welcoming a historic organization such as the Chicago Bears would enhance our bold vision for Aurora and will provide the Chicago Bears with a new home to begin the next phase of your storied history. We invite you to visit our great city to explore the exciting opportunity Aurora can bring to the world-famous Chicago Bears.”

What’s next?

Warren told King he hopes to come to a decision on the location of the stadium within the next year. After that, he’s specific about the timeline of the actual construction.

“I’m hopeful that (decision comes) within the next 12 months,” Warren said. “I always go by when a shovel goes in the ground. I believe once a shovel goes in the ground, it’s probably three years.”

The Bears brought in Warren to do exactly that — plan and build a stadium. He’s done it once already. In Minnesota, he helped the Vikings construct U.S. Bank stadium, one of the most prominent stadium designs in recent history.

He’s also not naive to the politics that surround constructing a stadium, especially in Chicago.

“In regard to why I can get it done, one thing I found out, especially with stadium development projects, you have to create what’s the why?” Warren said. “And what’s the why for everyone? It can’t just be, what’s the why for the Chicago Bears, or what’s the why for this group or that group? One of the things I’ll really start thinking is, what’s the why? No matter what constituent group you put in front of me, what’s the why? The more common the why that you have, the more people will understand.

“With stadium development projects, and one of the many things I learned in Minnesota, is you have to create a compelling story of why it makes sense. I just believe at this point in time, where we are in our lifespan in the NFL of the Chicago Bears, that the time is right. I’ll need to study the project and understand and lean on other people, talk with Ted [Phillips] and other folks in the organization to come up with what that why is. But those are things that I love. To be able to walk the project and talk with constituents and groups and come up with why this makes sense. I’m confident with the intellectual talent in this state and in this city and all the people who love the Chicago Bears will be able to come together.”

Remember, the Bears paid a hefty price tag to own the land in Arlington Heights. The idea of selling it or developing it into something that isn’t a stadium doesn’t seem feasible.

The Halas/McCaskey family have their money tied up in the Bears, not external interests. Jerry Jones could eat the cost of this land and find a new location at the snap of his fingers. The Bears can’t.

According to Warren on King’s podcast, the Bears and Arlington Heights have a fall meeting to discuss the prospects of their tax bill once more. That meeting will be crucial in determining the real answer to the Bears stadium location.

Right now, it’s in flux. But it isn’t cemented. That’ll come soon enough.

For now, enjoy Soldier Field while you can. Because, either way it unfolds, the Bears are likely moving out.

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According to the organization’s official brand guidelines, the Bears now list the mascot head as the team’s primary logo, while the wishbone “C” is listed as a secondary logo. Previously, this was reversed, with the wishbone “C” listed in the guidelines as the primary logo and the mascot head as the secondary logo.

This led to speculation that the Bears would be re-designing their uniform and field with the mascot head.

Here’s what we know about the switcheroo:

On Aug. 19 the Bears confirmed in a statement that the organization did, in fact, swap its primary and secondary logos. The team made it clear, however, that the change was strictly semantic.

“The Bear head has been a co-primary mark for many years,” the Bears said. “It is unique to the Chicago Bears brand. This minor change simply provides clarity for retail, media, and other team and league partners to start the creative process with the Bear head.”

The team confirmed that it will retain the traditional “C” on players’ helmets and at the 50-yard line.

A spokesperson for the Bears also stated that the minor change is unrelated to the team’s potential move out of the city of Chicago.

The wishbone “C” logo has been a staple of the franchise since 1962, and the team has kept the same structural uniform design for the last 50 years.

Even though the team put the hoopla to rest, fans still had fun letting their imagines run wild with custom redesign edits featuring the mascot head logo on helmets and painted on the field. We even compiled some of the best ones we saw from fans.

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Here’s what we know about the move that’s thrown Bears fans for a loop of speculation about team’s future:

On Wednesday, the Bears confirmed that the organization’s primary logo has been changed to the mascot head.

“The Bear head has been a co-primary mark for many years,” the Bears said in a statement. “It is unique to the Chicago Bears brand. This minor change simply provides clarity for retail, media, and other team and league partners to start the creative process with the Bear head.”

The semantical logo shift is stated in the team’s official brand guidelines, where the wishbone “C” is now listed as the organization’s secondary logo.

The wishbone “C” will remain on the Bears’ helmets and on the 50-yard line at Soldier Field.

According to a team spokesperson, the change is unrelated to the team’s potential move out of the city of Chicago.

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“We continued our productive discussion this week that began in early June,” the brief statement read. “We plan to have regular dialogue with each other, and across our respective staffs, as we work together to meet the needs of the citizens of Chicago and Bears fans.”

The development comes as the team, including Warren, have insisted a new stadium is necessary, which would all but ensure the Bears will leave Chicago. It also comes as other Chicago-area mayors try to lure the stadium and the Bears to their suburb as talks between the team and Arlington Heights hit a snag.

“We do need a new home for the Chicago Bears,” Warren said at an Arlington Heights community meeting last month.

Right now, the Bears are at a stalemate with Arlington Heights. Both sides are unable come to an agreement on a fair property assessment, leading to a difference in annual tax value.

Here’s a look at where things stand:

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS

When Warren held community meetings about the team’s future at Arlington Heights last month, he made some noteworthy comments.

“We have to figure out if Arlington Heights is legitimately a viable option or is it not. This has nothing to do with personal feelings. This is strictly business,” he said. “And I just want to make sure that we’re all on the same page and figure out if this is something that will work.”

The Bears paid just over $197 million to purchase the land earlier this year, but argue the value of the land should be assessed at $52 million. Churchill Downsー the former owners of the racetrackー and the local school districts reached an agreement for the value of the property to be set at $95 million for the 2022 tax bill. But that was a one year deal, so the Bears have to renegotiate to get the property assessment lowered again.

Still, the team has moved forward with demolishing the property, regardless of where talks stand.

“The demolition does not mean the property will be developed,” the team said in a release.

Demolition is expected to continue through the end of the year.

“This is not about the Chicago Bears trying to come in and take advantage of everyone,” Warren said. “It’s the opposite. It’s about the Chicago Bears finding a partner.”

“Once we have a legitimate partner, we will move forward,” Warren said. “If that’s in Arlington Heights, great. If it’s somewhere else, that’s great too.”

NAPERVILLE

The Southwest suburb was the first to jump at the chance to woo the Bears away from Arlington Heights. Mayor Scott Wehrli sent the Bears an open letter making a case for why Naperville would be such a great place for a stadium and Kevin Warren reportedly sat down to meet with Wehrli. The letter mentioned several “available or to be available” sites that may suit the Bears needs, but never specifically said what the town had in mind.

AURORA

The latest city to make a case to host the new stadium. In their open letter to the team, Aurora boasted that it’s the second-largest city in the state. They also pointed to their ability to work together with businesses on big developments like their $360M deal with PENN Entertainment to relocate Hollywood Casino.

WAUKEGAN

Waukegan pitched their town as a way for the Bears to stay close to the lake. The biggest sell may be that it’s close to Lake Forest where the Bears practice. Many players also live in the northern suburbs to be close to Halas Hall.

CHICAGO

Meanwhile, Chicago has tried to convince the team to stay at Soldier Field with fancy renderings of possible renovations. Johnson has also met with the team.

In addition to their latest remarks, Warren and Johnson also released a joint statement in June.

“Today we met and discussed our shared values and commitment to the City of Chicago, the importance of deep roots and the need for equitable community investment throughout the city.  We are both committed to the idea that the city and its major civic institutions must grow and evolve together to meet the needs of the future.  We look forward to continuing the dialogue around these shared values.”

RICHTON PARK

In a recent letter to Warren, Richton Park Mayor Rick Reinbold also made a pitch for the new stadium, according to the Chicago Tribune. The letter touted large expanses of available land and the south suburb’s proximity to highways and the Metra Electric Line.

“I understand how the complexity of completing a stadium deal at the former Arlington Park site can be frustrating,” Reinbold told Warren in the letter, which was reportedly sent last week. “Allow me to interest you in greenfield opportunities awaiting the Bears in Richton Park!”

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But as news on cities vying for the team’s future home begins to slow, where exactly do things stand?

Here’s a look:

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS

When Bears president/CEO held community meetings about the team’s future at Arlington Heights last month, he made some noteworthy comments.

“We have to figure out if Arlington Heights is legitimately a viable option or is it not. This has nothing to do with personal feelings. This is strictly business,” he said. “And I just want to make sure that we’re all on the same page and figure out if this is something that will work.”

Right now, the Bears are at a stalemate with Arlington Heights. Both sides are unable come to an agreement on a fair property assessment, leading to a difference in annual tax value.

The Bears paid just over $197 million to purchase the land earlier this year, but argue the value of the land should be assessed at $52 million. Churchill Downsー the former owners of the racetrackー and the local school districts reached an agreement for the value of the property to be set at $95 million for the 2022 tax bill. But that was a one year deal, so the Bears have to renegotiate to get the property assessment lowered again.

Still, the team has moved forward with demolishing the property, regardless of where talks stand.

“The demolition does not mean the property will be developed,” the team said in a release.

Demolition is expected to continue through the end of the year.

“This is not about the Chicago Bears trying to come in and take advantage of everyone,” Warren said. “It’s the opposite. It’s about the Chicago Bears finding a partner.”

“Once we have a legitimate partner, we will move forward,” Warren said. “If that’s in Arlington Heights, great. If it’s somewhere else, that’s great too.”

NAPERVILLE

The Southwest suburb was the first to jump at the chance to woo the Bears away from Arlington Heights. Mayor Scott Wehrli sent the Bears an open letter making a case for why Naperville would be such a great place for a stadium and Kevin Warren reportedly sat down to meet with Wehrli. The letter mentioned several “available or to be available” sites that may suit the Bears needs, but never specifically said what the town had in mind.

AURORA

The latest city to make a case to host the new stadium. In their open letter to the team, Aurora boasted that it’s the second-largest city in the state. They also pointed to their ability to work together with businesses on big developments like their $360M deal with PENN Entertainment to relocate Hollywood Casino.

WAUKEGAN

Waukegan pitched their town as a way for the Bears to stay close to the lake. The biggest sell may be that it’s close to Lake Forest where the Bears practice. Many players also live in the northern suburbs to be close to Halas Hall.

CHICAGO

Meanwhile, Chicago has tried to convince the team to stay at Soldier Field with fancy renderings of possible renovations. New mayor Brandon Johnson has also met with the team.

But if Warren’s latest comments are any indication, the team is all but gone from Chicago.

“We do need a new home for the Chicago Bears,” Warren said at the Arlington Heights community meeting last month.

Still, Warren and Johnson did release a joint statement following news of the potential Arlington Heights stadium woes.

“Today we met and discussed our shared values and commitment to the City of Chicago, the importance of deep roots and the need for equitable community investment throughout the city.  We are both committed to the idea that the city and its major civic institutions must grow and evolve together to meet the needs of the future.  We look forward to continuing the dialogue around these shared values.”

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When Bears president/CEO spoke on Monday about the team’s future at Arlington Heights, it underlined the arduous process ahead for both the team and the town before development begins in earnest at Arlington Park.

Right now, the two sides are in the middle of a public squabble over the property value of the Bears’ new piece of land, which has a big impact on how much the Bears will pay in property taxes. The Bears paid just over $197 million to purchase the land earlier this year, but argue the value of the land should be assessed at $52 million. Understandable, since they’ve already begun demolishing buildings on the property and won’t be able to use the land for any commercial purposes for years to come. Churchill Downsー the former owners of the racetrackー and the local school districts reached an agreement for the value of the property to be set at $95 million for the 2022 tax bill. But that was a one year deal, so the Bears have to renegotiate to get the property assessment lowered again.

It still makes the most sense for the Bears to stick in Arlington Heights since they already shelled out nearly $200 million to buy Arlington Park. If they decided to move and buy a new property, it’d be awfully hard to recoup the same value by flipping Arlington Park just a few years later, and with fewer buildings on site due to the demolition they’ve already begun. If Arlington Heights plays hard ball too hard and pushes the Bears out, then they’d also miss out on an incredible opportunity to raise the profile and values of properties and businesses in their town.

Not getting a deal done would be a colossal misstep for both sides.

And yet, other cities and towns have thrown their names in the ring as the Bears and Arlington Heights dig their heels in as part of negotiations. Here are those cities and towns who hope to take advantage just in case things really do fall apart.

NAPERVILLE

The Southwest suburb was the first to jump at the chance to woo the Bears away from Arlington Heights. Mayor Scott Wehrli sent the Bears an open letter making a case for why Naperville would be such a great place for a stadium and Kevin Warren reportedly sat down to meet with Wehrli. The letter mentioned several “available or to be available” sites that may suit the Bears needs, but never specifically said what the town had in mind.

AURORA

The latest city to make a case to host the new stadium. In their open letter to the team, Aurora boasted that it’s the second-largest city in the state. They also pointed to their ability to work together with businesses on big developments like their $360M deal with PENN Entertainment to relocate Hollywood Casino.

WAUKEGAN

Waukegan pitched their town as a way for the Bears to stay close to the lake. The biggest sell may be that it’s close to Lake Forest where the Bears practice. Many players also live in the northern suburbs to be close to Halas Hall.

CHICAGO

Meanwhile, the Bears have tried to convince the team to stay at Soldier Field with fancy renderings of possible renovations. New mayor Brandon Johnson has also met with the team. A deal shouldn’t happen unless the city decides to sell the team the land and the stadium. To give you and idea of how serious the Bears are about staying in Chicago check out the ENTIRETY of the team’s joint statement with Johnson about the meeting:

“Today we met and discussed our shared values and commitment to the City of Chicago, the importance of deep roots and the need for equitable community investment throughout the city.  We are both committed to the idea that the city and its major civic institutions must grow and evolve together to meet the needs of the future.  We look forward to continuing the dialogue around these shared values.”

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Here’s the letter Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin and the city delivered to the Bears:

“Aurora, the City of Lights, the second largest city in Illinois, is built on the unshakable foundation of its storied past. The opportunity to partner with the historic Chicago Bears as you search for the perfect new home is one we are eager to take on . . . . . . turning a vision into reality is not always easy. It requires the right resources to make dreams come true. Aurora offers unparalleled key resources to take a vision and make dreams come true. Our professional team of government and development professionals has a proven track record of getting big things done.“

“Recent high-profile examples include:
• Our nationally-recognized $360M development with PENN Entertainment relocates Hollywood Casino Aurora to a new site that will allow it to thrive and grow.
• Our redeveloped Fox Valley Mall that is being reimagined into a new mixed-use center.
• The newest Del Webb Retirement Community in our far southern section of the City.
• A variety of new downtown reinvestments that will add 500 new residential units and 10,000 SF of new retail space to our exceptional riverfront location.“

“Sitting in the cradle of the Fox Valley, Aurora is easily accessed by plane, car, and train. Located just miles from O’Hare and Midway Airports and our recently expanded Aurora Municipal Airport, Aurora easily satisfies any organizational supply chain requirements and visitor air transport needs. Easy access to all parts of our great city from four major interchanges off Interstate 88 makes getting to Aurora by car a breeze. Our two major stops along the BSNF Metra train line, the busiest line in the greater Chicagoland area, provide convenient rail access.“

“. . . Welcoming a historic organization such as the Chicago Bears would enhance our bold vision for Aurora and will provide the Chicago Bears with a new home to begin the next phase of your storied history. We invite you to visit our great city to explore the exciting opportunity Aurora can bring to the world-famous Chicago Bears.”

According to a press release delivered with the letter, the release states Irvin and the city are “throwing its proverbial ‘hat in the ring’ in the two-page letter.”

It also states the Bears not only received the letter but “responded quickly and positively.”

Aurora is the third known suburb to reach out to the Bears behind Naperville and Waukegan. Kevin Warren also met with Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, but the odds of the Bears returning to Soldier Field in the long-term outlook are small.

The Bears purchased the 326-acre property in Arlington Heights in February for $197.2 million. Arlington Park is home to the renowned horse track previously owned by Churchill Downs, Inc. The Bears purchased the land with building a new stadium in mind.

Recently, however, officials from three local school districts – Palatine, Northwest Suburban High School District 214, and Palatine-Schaumburg District 211 – and the Cook County Assessor set the value of the Arlington Park property at $197 million, a massive increase from the $33 million assessment in 2021.

That raised the Bears’ eventual annual tax bill to $7.9 million, well more than what they believe is a fair price to pay. They recently upped their assessment to $52 million in hopes of coming to an agreement on a fair property assessment.

Since the beginning of the debacle, the Bears announced Arlington Heights is no longer the organization’s “singular focus” for a stadium site. They opened the door to other municipalities around the Chicagoland area. The cities listed above have already contacted the Bears with their interest in hosting a stadium site for the team.

Check back to this story for updates.

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“The Chicago Bears’ goal of building the largest single development project in Illinois history led by billions of dollars in private capital investment, and the jobs and economic benefits generated, is at risk in Arlington Heights. The stadium-based project remains broadly popular in Arlington Heights, Chicagoland and the state. However, the property’s original assessment at five times the 2021 tax value, and the recent settlement with Churchill Downs for 2022 being three times higher, fails to reflect the property is not operational and not commercially viable in its current state. We will continue the ongoing demolition activity and work toward a path forward in Arlington Heights, but it is no longer our singular focus. It is our responsibility to listen to other municipalities in Chicagoland about potential locations that can deliver on this transformational opportunity for our fans, our club and the State of Illinois.”

Shortly after, the Bears began conversing with other municipalities outside of Arlington Heights. Naperville, Waukegan, Aurora and the city of Chicago entered the picture for hosting the Bears’ new stadium location.

Side note: as it stands with Soldier Field, it looks grim. Warren said Monday “We do need a new home for the Chicago Bears,” rendering the possibility of the Bears returning to their current home improbable.

MORE: Kevin Warren says Bears ‘need a new home,’ potentially ruling out Soldier Field’s future

As for the others, they’re all in the picture. At first, pundits chalked up the Bears’ reception for calls as a “negotiating tactic” to drive the property assessment down and influence a lower annual tax payment.

According to Warren, however, it’s not a tactic.

“This is not about the Chicago Bears trying to come in and take advantage of everyone,” Warren said. “It’s the opposite. It’s about the Chicago Bears finding a partner.”

“Once we have a legitimate partner, we will move forward,” Warren said. “If that’s in Arlington Heights, great. If it’s somewhere else, that’s great too.”

Officials from three local school districts – Palatine, Northwest Suburban High School District 214, and Palatine-Schaumburg District 211 – and the Cook County Assessor set the value of the Arlington Park property at $197 million, a massive increase from the $33 million assessment in 2021. This forced a higher annual tax payment than expected at $7.9 million per year.

This forced the Bears to look in a new direction, away from the property they purchased in February. Warren mentioned the Bears and those involved in the process in Arlington Heights have not spoken for some time, too.

Alas, the perceived “negotiation tactic” many of us believe Warren deployed is simply not a tactic, but a legitimate move. The odds of the Bears and Arlington Heights shaking hands on a property value, and thus a stadium, are seemingly low.

The Bears will entertain conversations with other municipalities simply because those who are interested potentially won’t create the obstacles Arlington Heights has. Naperville, Waukegan and Aurora have expressed their interest in the Bears, leading one to believe they could be better suitors for the Bears.

The Bears need to find a place where they’re wanted and won’t have to endure an arduous road of tax assessments and growing concerns from the municipality about traffic and public funding. No one place out there can provide a perfect setup for the Bears to come steamrolling in with a massive stadium.

But maybe there is a place out there that won’t provide as much trouble as Arlington Heights.

All in all, this is what good business people do, like Warren. They turn over every stone possible to make the correct decision for their business. Right now, Arlington Heights doesn’t appear to be their best option. Instead of sitting back, Warren took action.

In the end, Arlington Heights will determine whether Warren’s “negotiating tactic” really is that, or a real move to find a new home for the Bears.

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“Today we met and discussed our shared values and commitment to the city of Chicago, the importance of deep roots and the need for equitable community investment throughout the city,” the statement read. “We are both committed to the idea that the city and its major civic institutions must grow and evolve together to meet the needs of the future. We look forward to continuing the dialogue around these shared values.”

The statement raised eyebrows. It was released soon after the Bears declared Arlington Heights was no longer the organization’s “singular focus” moving forward as it pertains to a new stadium.

Could the Bears be interested in remaining at Solider Field? Warren destroyed the thought of that possibility Monday.

“We do need a new home for the Chicago Bears,” Warren said Monday night during an invitation-only meeting at the Metropolis Performing Arts Center in Arlington Heights (H/t NBC 5’s Evrod Cassimy). “We have to figure out if Arlington Heights is legitimately a viable option or is it not. This has nothing to do with personal feelings. This is strictly business. And I just want to make sure that we’re all on the same page and figure out if this is something that will work.”

The Bears are at a stalemate with Arlington Heights, as Warren alluded. Both sides are unable come to an agreement on a fair property assessment, leading to a difference in annual tax value.

Officials from three local school districts – Palatine, Northwest Suburban High School District 214, and Palatine-Schaumburg District 211 – and the Cook County Assessor set the value of the Arlington Park property at $197 million, a massive increase from the $33 million assessment in 2021.

That marks the Bears’ annual tax payment at $7.9 million, well more than they believe is a fair price to pay for the property. They see the property worth $33 million but recently compromised their assessment to $52 million.

However, Warren admitted Monday the Bears and Arlington Heights have endured a long stretch without communication. It’s reason enough for Warren and the Bears to continue their search for a new stadium home.

But not at Soldier Field.

While the joint statement from Johnson and Warren was head-scratching, the Bears will not relegate to Soldier Field, as Warren indirectly mentioned. Unless, as one would believe, the city of Chicago and the park district would be willing to offer ownership to the Bears. Then Warren might turn around and walk back into the room.

If not, consider the Bears long gone. The question of where the next Bears home is located is still unanswered. But one place we know for a certainty they won’t play long-term is Soldier Field.

Unfortunately, Soldier Field doesn’t offer the Bears the business opportunities building their own stadium could give them. Yes, the location of Soldier Field on the city’s lakefront is iconic and unmatched in professional sports venues. The fact of the matter is the Bears rent to play at Soldier Field. The Bears and the Packers are the only two teams in that boat.

A new stadium the Bears can call their own would open up innumerable doors for monetization. Naming rights, event hosting, parking, concessions, businesses in the surrounding area — you name it. At Soldier Field, the Bears do not have the chance to monetize the venue properly.

So, while it gave Soldier Field fans hope to see Warren and Johnson discussing, it will inevitably amount to nothing in terms of a new stadium.

Warren and the Bears will undeniably land somewhere where they can build a new home, not rent one.

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But what’s becoming clear, and what Bears president and CEO Kevin Warren brought into focus Monday night, is that any potential marriage between the Bears and Arlington Heights is a long, long way from becoming a reality.

“We do need a new home for the Chicago Bears,” Warren said Monday night during an invitation-only meeting at the Metropolis Performing Arts Center in Arlington Heights (H/t NBC 5’s Evrod Cassimy). “We have to figure out if Arlington Heights is legitimately a viable option or is it not. This has nothing to do with personal feelings. This is strictly business. And I just want to make sure that we’re all on the same page and figure out if this is something that will work.”

The Bears hope the Arlington Park Racecourse, which they recently closed on for $197.2 million, will be that “new home.” Clashes over tax issues, however, have caused the Bears’ discussions with Arlington Heights to reach a roadblock.

Officials from three local school districts – Palatine, Northwest Suburban High School District 214, and Palatine-Schaumburg District 211 – want the Bears to pay $7.9 million in taxes after the Cook County Assessor re-assessed the Arlington Park Racecourse property. That triennial re-assessment, which is in dispute, set the value of the Arlington Park property at $197 million, a massive increase from the $33 million assessment in 2021. That increase would raise the Bears’ annual property tax bill from $2.8 million to $16.2 million.

Churchill Downs, the Cook County Assessor, and the school districts reached an agreement for the former owner of the racecourse to pay $7.8 million in property taxes for last year based on a $95 million valuation. That deal will only last one year, and the Bears will have to negotiate it again. In a letter from Warren to the school districts obtained by NBC 5 Investigates, the Bears president called the $95 million number a “non-starter.” Warren countered with a $52 million value for the land, noting the tax bill would only increase once the stadium is built.

“Because we do not have property tax fairness,” Warren wrote. “We will not be moving forward with plans to develop the property at this time…”

The school districts did not counter Warren’s offer citing “the gulf” between their two positions.

On Monday, Warren said the Bears aren’t trying to “skirt” any taxes. He said they offered to pay the school districts $4.3 million in taxes. That’s $1.5 million more than Churchill Downs was paying.

These tax issues have led to a breakdown in talks between the Bears and the school districts. The two sides have not talked in a month, causing the Bears to no longer look at Arlington Heights as their “singular focus.”

“We were singularly focused on this development at Arlington Park,” Warren said Monday. “Since that time has come and passed, and we’ve had a stalemate and a lack of communication — and it sounds like it’s a little bit more convoluted at this point in time than I thought it would be — well, then we’re in a position to start exploring other places and opportunities. As any good business person would do, that’s what you need to do.

“I know if we’re not communicating, which we haven’t been in communication, there’s not going to be much progress made. And so what we’re hoping for is that we can sit down and continually have conversations, tell us what the concerns are and can we put our heads together, can we solve them?”

While the Bears have already started demolition on Arlington Park Racecourse, they maintain that doesn’t mean the site will be developed. The Bears have met with representatives from Naperville and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson. They also received a letter from Waukegan.

Warren, who helped the Minnesota Vikings build U.S. Bank Stadium and reshaped college football as Big Ten Commissioner, claims these meetings with other municipalities aren’t a negotiating tactic. He’s just trying to find the best possible “partner” for the Bears to work with in this endeavor.

“This is not about the Chicago Bears trying to come in and take advantage of everyone,” Warren said. “It’s the opposite. It’s about the Chicago Bears finding a partner.”

“Once we have a legitimate partner, we will move forward,” Warren said. “If that’s in Arlington Heights, great. If it’s somewhere else, that’s great too.”

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It would be easy to view the Bears’ “very early” flirtations with Naperville, Chicago, and other municipalities as saber-rattling by Warren. That was certainly my initial view on it. There’s no doubt he’s trying to create leverage out of thin air.

But from a pure dollars and cents standpoint, it’s obvious why the Bears have opened things up in their search for the stadium. The Cook County Assessor quintupled the property tax for a piece of land that, at the moment, isn’t commercially viable and won’t be for some time.

It’s fair for the Bears to look elsewhere for a “partner” that will give them “tax certainty,” as Warren calls it.

But the Bears aren’t a victim in this political game. Just another player.

The people of Arlington Heights and the surrounding communities want answers from the Bears. Answers on taxes they’ll have to pay to help support the infrastructure of this grand plan. Questions on traffic and the overall benefit this stadium will have for the area remain.

Warren dodged those questions with the nimbleness the Bears hope to see out of Khalil Herbert, D’Onta Foreman, and Roschon Johnson this fall. The Bears’ new president said the Bears will produce those studies “once we have clarity that we can work together, that this is a place that we can build a stadium.”

Back and forth they go. This dance will continue for some time and could perhaps go on so long that the Bears find a new partner and home for the 365-day entertainment district Warren and chairman George McCaskey envision.

Warren knows better than anyone how long the new stadium road is from inception to the first kickoff.

But for the Bears and Arlington Heights, that road now seems much, much longer.

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Residents submitted questions for Bears CEO Kevin Warren ahead of time, with topics ranging from the potential economic impact to tax breaks and which other cities are being seriously considered for a new stadium. Monday night’s meeting was hosted by Touchdown Arlington, which is billed as “a grassroots coalition of local community leaders and business owners that is advocating to make Arlington Heights the permanent home of the Chicago Bears.”

Community members gave Warren a warm welcome as he sat down for the conversation, covering everything from demolition progress at the site of the former Arlington Park racecourse to the amount of jobs the project could bring. Warren explained that around 48,000 new jobs could potentially be created during the construction process, and almost $10 billion in “positive economic energy” could be generated.

“Residents in the area are going to miss the revenue from the racetrack, so they need something coming back in and when you get a stadium that can be used year round, it’s a no brainer!,” said neighbor Duke Dynek.

Earlier this month, the team said its plans for a stadium in Arlington Heights were “at risk” due to a property tax dispute.

A recent property and tax assessment laid spikes in the road for continued progress at the site. The Bears assess the value of the land around $33 million. But during a triennial reassessment, Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi’s office placed the value at $197 million. Their valuation would stick the Bears with an expensive tax bill of around $16 million annually.

Many in attendance at the meeting, meanwhile, had hoped to get confirmation of a Bears move to Arlington Heights in wake of exterior demolition starting at the site of the former racecourse.

Some left with more questions than answers, while others remain hopeful.

“I think the overall answer is a generic one,” resident David Vega said. “There’s no specifics. Right now it’s a lot of overall discussion.”

Warren said that he has been talking with other cities about building a world-class stadium elsewhere. Leaders from Chicago, Waukegan and Naperville previously expressed interest.

“I feel a fiduciary responsibility to build a world class venue for all of our fans, for all of the citizens of the state of Illinois, something that we can be very proud of that we can host these major events year round,” Warren said.

Residents are hoping those year-round events, and of course Bears games, would be held in their town.

“It’s close to expressways,” resident Laura Bulat said. “It’s not that far from Chicago, so I think it’s a lot more convenient than Naperville.”

But shifting that desire into a reality will largely depend on if the Bears become comfortable with the tax bill there, which has been a point of contention.

Newly-obtained letters by NBC 5 Investigates underscore why the Bears may have said that the former horse racecourse site is “no longer their singular focus.”

In a letter sent May 4 to school districts that serve the northwest suburbs, Warren called the current $95 million valuation on the land a “non-starter.”

So how did we get here?

In early June, the site’s former owner Churchill Downs, still on the hook for last year’s tax bill, reached a settlement agreement with area school districts to pay taxes on the property now valued at $95 million.

The school districts had initially intervened in the re-assessment, arguing they have an interest because they rely so heavily on property tax revenue.

During the negotiations with the Cook County Assessor’s Office, the site’s former owner, Churchill Downs, along with three school districts, reached a settlement agreement that set the land value at $95 million.

But that deal is only good for one year – meaning the Bears will likely have to negotiate again and have already balked at the assessor’s previous valuation of $197 million – close to the same amount the Bears paid for the property.

In his May 4 letter to the school districts, Warren countered with a $52 million value for the land, alluding to the team’s fears that the tax bill would only increase as they build a stadium.

“Because we do not have property tax fairness,” Warren wrote. “We will not be moving forward with plans to develop the property at this time…”

In a May 12 response from the school districts obtained by NBC 5 Investigates, the school districts wrote back saying: “given the substantial gulf that exists between our positions, we do not see the need to make a counteroffer.”

Spokespeople for both the school districts and the Bears told NBC 5 Investigates the two sides have not engaged in any formal talks within the past month.

But the Bears have had discussions with other parties.

Waukegan, Naperville and the city of Chicago have all either expressed interest or at least engaged in talks with the Bears about the future.

And the developers of a section of land near the South Loop known as “the 78” say they are open to talks as well but remain focused on the first phase of their development plan.

Their statement provided read as follows:

“The 78 is a unique, 62-acre parcel of land in the heart of Chicago with the potential for an unprecedented level of development and economic opportunity in our city. The site features easy access via all modes of transportation and offers over a half-mile of riverfront that will be programmed with public spaces and retail outlets. Our plan is to bring a vibrant, mixed-use development with mixed-income residences, institutional users, office space, unique retail, open green space and an activated Riverwalk that connects to Ping Tom Park. While we are open to discussions around an iconic stadium and entertainment district, we remain focused on the first phase of the development plan, the Chicago Innovation District, anchored by the University of Illinois Discovery Partners Institute, which is slated to break ground in 2024.”

Sports consultant Marc Ganis spoke to NBC 5 Investigates about these recent developments, saying: “It’s not saber rattling by the Bears. What occurred was a change condition. The tax assessor quintupled the property tax to double digit millions from where it was with when it was on by Churchill Downs. And that’s with a piece of land that has no operating activity on it.”

Ganis said the Bears’ search for new suitors and new potential sites for a stadium is derived directly from the dispute over property taxes at the Arlington Heights site.

“… when you’re talking about investing $3 billion in a single building privately and you don’t have an expectation of what your property taxes are going to be you don’t have certainty. That’s a really difficult pill to swallow,” he said.

The story of where the Bears end up is still being written.

And who ends up being the other main character will largely depend, Ganis says, on what assurances the Bears can get on a tax bill.

Warren will join Touchdown Arlington for a discussion on the potential development of Arlington Park in the northwest suburb.

According to a release, “Touchdown Arlington is a grassroots coalition of local community leaders and business owners
that is advocating to make Arlington Heights the permanent home of the Chicago Bears.”

The discussion is set for Monday evening.

It follows the team’s start of demolition at Arlington Park, but also comes as Warren and the Bears begin exploring options outside of Arlington Heights due to a tax hiccup.

“The demolition does not mean the property will be developed,” the team said in a release earlier this month.

The Bears had already begun interior demolition at Arlington Park and had sought permission to do exterior demolition. The village of Arlington Heights said it approved the permits for the second phase, which will include demolition of the exterior buildings, including the grandstands at the park and isn’t expected to finish for several months.

“Demolition will take place in phases over several months and detonation will not be used,” the village said. “It is anticipated that demolition will be completed in December 2023. Increased truck traffic due to the demolition is possible in the area and the property will continue to be monitored by security 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.”

In a twist earlier this month, the team said its plans for a stadium in Arlington Heights were “at risk” due to a property tax dispute.

A recent property and tax assessment laid spikes in the road for continued progress at the site. The Bears assess the value of the land around $33 million. But during a triennial reassessment, Assessor Fritz Kaegi’s office placed the value at $197 million. Their valuation would stick the Bears with an expensive tax bill of around $16 million annually.

Since then, the Bears announced Arlington Heights was no longer their singular focus.

Other suburbs, including Waukegan and Naperville have reached out in hopes of luring the team to their cities.

The village of Arlington Heights released a statement after news of the Bears’ exploration first broke, saying it “has always expected that the club would explore any and all viable locations as part of their due diligence process.”

The village went on to tout the benefits of the Arlington Park location, such as having a dedicated Metra station and easy access to O’Hare Airport as well as Interstate 90 and Route 53.

“It is clear that the Chicago Bears Football Club understands the unique potential of this site, as evidenced by their recent purchase of the property,” the statement continued. “The Village is committed to work with the club and all other regional stakeholders to continue to explore the potential redevelopment of this site and to work through the inevitable challenges that come with any large development effort.”

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All the while, the Bears began external demolition at the Arlington Park Racecourse on Friday, but were sure to reiterate that knocking down the grandstands doesn’t mean a new stadium will be erected in its place.

The Bears’ about-face isn’t all that unexpected. Getting a new NFL stadium built is a long road filled with peaks, valleys, and countless deals between varying groups.

But the Bears’ search for a new stadium home can be boiled down to politics and a tax assessment that the franchise found unfavorable. The public about-face on Arlington Heights being the “singular focus” is a textbook play in creating leverage from Warren. The Bears are facing push back from the Arlington Heights school district and other suburbs that don’t want the tax assessment lowered.

So, how did we get here? What happens next?

Here’s a breakdown of the Bears’ stadium saga:

What has happened

On Feb. 15, the Bears released a letter saying they closed on the purchase of the 326-acre plot of land in Arlington Heights and the Arlington Park property “to secure the potential of beginning a new and exciting chapter for the Bears, our fans, the Chicagoland community, and the State of Illinois.”

However, the Bears re-iterated their stance that the $197.2 million purchase does not ensure they will develop the land.

“Finalizing the purchase does not guarantee the land will be developed, but it is an important next step in our ongoing evaluation of the opportunity,” the team said in a letter on Feb. 15. “There is still a tremendous amount of due diligence work to be done to determine if constructing an enclosed state-of-the-art stadium and multi-purpose entertainment district is feasible.”

The Bears first put a purchase agreement on the property in September of 2021. One year later, the Bears unveiled early plans to build a fully enclosed dome stadium on the property as well as a multi-purpose entertainment, commercial/retail, and housing district.

The Bears have said from the start of the process that they will fully fund the construction of the stadium, which is expected to cost between $2 and $3 billion. However, the team has said multiple times it will need help with the development of the other areas.

“We have publicly stated and repeat here again: If we construct a state-of-the-art stadium, we will not seek taxpayer funds locally or otherwise for the structure. If we proceed, however, this project would require assistance to ensure feasibility, including our securing property tax certainty and support for infrastructure commensurate with the public benefits the project will yield to the region,” the Bears said in a statement.

“For the development to move forward, and for this effort to be financially feasible, a public-private partnership addressing predictable taxes and necessary infrastructure funding for public uses is essential. Public funds for infrastructure will provide regional improvements such as roads for better traffic flow and water drainage for residents throughout the area.”

The Bears have said numerous times that the purchase and development of the Arlington Heights property was their sole focus as it pertains to a new stadium.

The Bears’ lease with Soldier Field is slated to end in 2033.

Tax issues cause change of course

The Bears have said all along that they require two things to move forward with the plan to build in Arlington Heights. The first is public funding for the infrastructure of the surrounding development and the second is property tax certainty.  

That second part has created an issue that the Bears now say has put their future in Arlington Heights “at risk” and had them meet with representatives from Naperville on Friday.

So, what’s the deal with the taxes?

The property was previously valued at $33 million by Cook County. However, during a triennial reassessment, Assessor Fritz Kaegi’s office placed the value at $197 million. That six-fold spike naturally would send the Bears’ property tax bill through the roof.

Churchill Downs, who was on the hook for the increased tax bill in 2022, filed an appeal saying that the property value was $37.2 million. School districts in the area which are funded by property taxes countered with $150 million. The two sides eventually reached a settlement at $95 million, which took Churchill Downs’ tax payment from around $16.2 million to just under $7.8 million.

However, that was just a one-year agreement between the two sides. With the Bears now taking over the tax bill, they will have to revisit the issue and try to come to an agreement.
That $95 million number is the reason the Bears have started to look elsewhere, according to a team statement released Friday.

“The Chicago Bears goal of building the largest single development project in Illinois history led by billions of dollars in private capital investment, and the jobs and economic benefits generated, is at risk in Arlington Heights. The stadium-based project remains broadly popular in Arlington Heights, Chicagoland and the state. However, the property’s original assessment at five times the 2021 tax value, and the recent settlement with Churchill Downs for 2022 being three times higher, fails to reflect the property is not operational and not commercially viable in its current state. We will continue the ongoing demolition activity and work toward a path forward in Arlington Heights, but it is no longer our singular focus. It is our responsibility to listen to other municipalities in Chicagoland about potential locations that can deliver on this transformational opportunity for our fans, our club and the State of Illinois.”

What Assessor Fritz Kaegi’s office said

“Our office’s mission is to assess property based on market value,” a spokesperson for the Cook County Assessor’s office said Friday. “The 2022 assessment of the former Arlington Racecourse site is consistent with both the 2023 purchase price of the property and the price per square foot of other similarly sized land in the area. The facts speak for themselves.”

Meeting with Naperville

With the Bears and Arlington Heights battling over taxes, Naperville Mayor Scott Wehrli sent Bears president Kevin Warren a letter offering Naperville as the potential new home for the Bears.

“The city would welcome the opportunity to review your business needs and our available properties,” Wehrli’s letter said. “Through prudent planning, Naperville is accessible via our region’s major interstates and Metra. We have several available or to-be-available sites that may fit the characteristics you are looking for in your future home.”

It is still unclear where Naperville hopes to put the stadium.

What Arlington Heights said

“It wasn’t totally unexpected and so we appreciate the heads up … this is just part of their due diligence and exploring all options,” Arlington Heights mayor Tom Hayes told NBC 5. “I would do the same as a business owner myself, I would do the same as a mayor of another community if I have property in my town that could hold an NFL stadium. And so, everybody is looking out for their best interest, but I’m confident that in the end, Arlington Heights will be determined to be the best piece of property for the Bears stadium for the next 50 years or more.”

“There are still hurdles to overcome with respect to the Arlington Park property,” he continued. “The tax assessment for the next two years, obviously, is the initial hurdle. And once that’s resolved, and we’re going to do all we can to encourage a settlement or resolution of that issue, then I expect we’ll move forward and see some more definite plans from the Bears.”

Meeting with Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson

Shortly after the Bears started their quest to create leverage over the tax issue at Arlington Heights, Warren met with new Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson about the possibility of the Bears staying in the city.

This meeting produced a gobbledygook statement and almost certainly will lead nowhere. From the Bears’ standpoint, Chicago theoretically poses the greatest threat to Arlington Heights.

Here is the joint statement released from both the Bears and Johnson:

“Today we met and discussed our shared values and commitment to the City of Chicago, the importance of deep roots and the need for equitable community investment throughout the city.  We are both committed to the idea that the city and its major civic institutions must grow and evolve together to meet the needs of the future.  We look forward to continuing the dialogue around these shared values.”

Waukegan attempts to enter the fray

Ten days after Naperville attempted to enter the stadium discussion, another suburb tried to throw its hat in the ring. Waukegan Mayor Ann B. Taylor sent the Bears a letter asking them to meet to discuss the opportunities available for the franchise in the suburb.

“We believe that the Monsters of the Midway deserve the opportunity to continue the tradition of playing along the shores of Lake Michigan, with the market opportunity of having a year-round facility capable of hosting other major events, including the Super Bowl, the Final Four, and other events of an international scale,” Taylor wrote in her letter.

A Bears spokesperson reiterated the teams positon on a search for the best possible new home, but did not address Waukegan specifically.

“We have a responsibility to listen to other municipalities in Chicagoland about potential locations that can deliver on this transformational opportunity for our fans, our club and the state of Illinois.”

Demolition begins

Despite all the saber-rattling done by the Bears, they already spent $197.2 million on the Arlington Park Racecourse property. The search for a better tax deal and more leverage hasn’t stopped the Bears from beginning demolition on the property.

The Bears got approval to begin demolition in May and started tearing down the interior late last month. On Friday, the Bears began external demolition of the grandstands. The interior demolition is expected to be completed by the end of the summer, while the structural demolition should be wrapped up by year’s end.

While demolition started Friday, the Bears reiterated that the “demolition does not mean the property will be developed.”

Could the Bears move to Naperville, Waukegan or another municipality?

It’s not inconceivable, but it still feels unlikely.

What makes the Arlington Heights property so attractive is the size (326 acres) and proximity to public transportation and the highway. Is there anything that checks those boxes in Naperville, Waukegan, or Chicago?

It’s doubtful. Even if there was, the Bears have already purchased the land in Arlington Heights for just shy of $200 million. Going through the process of finding and purchasing another plot of land will further delay their plans for a new stadium. That’s not something that’s going to appeal to Warren and chairman George McCaskey.

Until these municipal flirtations amount to more than a three-line statement, it should be assumed that the Bears will move to Arlington Heights. It just will take time to get all I’s doted and T’s crossed.

Potential legislation

During the final days of the spring legislative session, a plan appeared that would freeze the property tax for 40 years for the Arlington Heights stadium and create a $3 admission tax on all events held at the stadium. The measure would also set up a committee of state and local officials that will negotiate an annual sum of money the Bears must pay the surrounding local taxing communities to offset the loss of revenue from the frozen property taxes.

The bill would also have a 3 percent surcharge on sports betting revenue that would be split to help the communities pay for infrastructure.

The bill got its first hearing in Springfield on May 17 but has been punted to the fall session.

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What happens next?

The Bears will likely continue to talk to other municipalities about a potential new stadium while they try to find common ground on the tax assessment at Arlington Heights.

Warren was hired in large part due to his experience with helping get U.S. Bank Stadium in Minnesota built.

During his introductory press conference in January, Warren addressed the challenge of dealing with the politics in Illinois.

“In regard to why I can get it done, one thing I found out, especially with stadium development projects, you have to create what’s the why?” Warren said. “And what’s the why for everyone? It can’t just be, what’s the why for the Chicago Bears, or what’s the why for this group or that group? One of the things I’ll really start thinking is, what’s the why? No matter what constituent group you put in front of me, what’s the why? The more common the why that you have, the more people will understand.

“With stadium development projects, and one of the many things I learned in Minnesota, is you have to create a compelling story of why it makes sense. I just believe at this point in time, where we are in our lifespan in the NFL of the Chicago Bears, that the time is right. I’ll need to study the project and understand and lean on other people, talk with Ted [Phillips] and other folks in the organization to come up with what that why is. But those are things that I love. To be able to walk the project and talk with constituents and groups and come up with why this makes sense. I’m confident with the intellectual talent in this state and in this city and all the people who love the Chicago Bears will be able to come together.”

While the Bears have embarked on a seemingly backward odyssey to find a new home, it’s important to note that the Bears have already purchased the land in Arlington Heights. That’s $200 million they’d have to eat (until they sold it or developed into not a stadium) while spending more money on a different site. The Bears aren’t the Dallas Cowboys or Los Angeles Rams. The McCaskey’s don’t have other commercial interests like Jerry Jones or Stan Kroenke. The Bears are their lone business interest, so buying that land to not develop it wouldn’t make fiscal sense.

The Bears have also already created renderings of their plan for both the stadium and the surrounding area. They are a lot further down the road on this than “we bought the land but might not use it.”

Other municipalities can send letters and hold meetings, but there isn’t a race for a new stadium. There’s just Kevin Warren and the Bears trying to create leverage to get the deal they want to build the stadium where they want.

Now it’s up to Warren, the Bears, and the politicians in Illinois to find a way to make a deal that everyone can stomach. Politics can move at a glacial pace, so this process is unlikely to be resolved anytime soon. But until the Bears offer a concrete reason to believe they’ll eat the $200 million and build somewhere else, this feels like nothing more than an expected exercise in posturing and saber-rattling.

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While much has been said about the Bears’ decision to consider other locations outside of Arlington Heights for their new stadium, Friday’s demolitions show the wheels are very much still in motion at Arlington Park.

Demolition is expected to continue at the site through the end of the year.

“Demolition will take place in phases over several months and detonation will not be used,” the village said. “It is anticipated that demolition will be completed in December 2023. Increased truck traffic due to the demolition is possible in the area and the property will continue to be monitored by security 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.”

Although “external demolition” began at the site Friday, officials cautioned the move may not mean what some might think.

“The demolition does not mean the property will be developed,” the team said in a release.

In a twist earlier this month, the team said its plans for a stadium in Arlington Heights were “at risk” due to a property tax dispute.

A recent property and tax assessment laid spikes in the road for continued progress at the site. The Bears assess the value of the land around $33 million. But during a triennial reassessment, Assessor Fritz Kaegi’s office placed the value at $197 million. Their valuation would stick the Bears with an expensive tax bill of around $16 million annually.

Since then, the Bears announced Arlington Heights was no longer their singular focus.

Other suburbs, including Waukegan and Naperville have reached out in hopes of luring the team to their cities.

The village of Arlington Heights released a statement after news of the Bears’ exploration first broke, saying it “has always expected that the club would explore any and all viable locations as part of their due diligence process.”

The village went on to tout the benefits of the Arlington Park location, such as having a dedicated Metra station and easy access to O’Hare Airport as well as Interstate 90 and Route 53.

“It is clear that the Chicago Bears Football Club understands the unique potential of this site, as evidenced by their recent purchase of the property,” the statement continued. “The Village is committed to work with the club and all other regional stakeholders to continue to explore the potential redevelopment of this site and to work through the inevitable challenges that come with any large development effort.”

The team is set to begin “external demolition” at the site Friday, though officials cautioned the move doesn’t necessarily

“The demolition does not mean the property will be developed,” the team said in a release.

The Bears have already begun interior demolition at Arlington Park and had sought permission to do exterior demolition. The village of Arlington Heights said it approved the permits for the second phase, which will include demolition of the exterior buildings, including the grandstands at the park and isn’t expected to finish for several months.

“Demolition will take place in phases over several months and detonation will not be used,” the village said. “It is anticipated that demolition will be completed in December 2023. Increased truck traffic due to the demolition is possible in the area and the property will continue to be monitored by security 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.”

In a twist earlier this month, the team said its plans for a stadium in Arlington Heights were “at risk” due to a property tax dispute.

A recent property and tax assessment laid spikes in the road for continued progress at the site. The Bears assess the value of the land around $33 million. But during a triennial reassessment, Assessor Fritz Kaegi’s office placed the value at $197 million. Their valuation would stick the Bears with an expensive tax bill of around $16 million annually.

Since then, the Bears announced Arlington Heights was no longer their singular focus.

Other suburbs, including Waukegan and Naperville have reached out in hopes of luring the team to their cities.

The village of Arlington Heights released a statement after news of the Bears’ exploration first broke, saying it “has always expected that the club would explore any and all viable locations as part of their due diligence process.”

The village went on to tout the benefits of the Arlington Park location, such as having a dedicated Metra station and easy access to O’Hare Airport as well as Interstate 90 and Route 53.

“It is clear that the Chicago Bears Football Club understands the unique potential of this site, as evidenced by their recent purchase of the property,” the statement continued. “The Village is committed to work with the club and all other regional stakeholders to continue to explore the potential redevelopment of this site and to work through the inevitable challenges that come with any large development effort.”

The team is set to begin “external demolition” at the site Friday, though officials cautioned the move may not mean what some might think.

“The demolition does not mean the property will be developed,” the team said in a release.

The Bears have already begun interior demolition at Arlington Park and had sought permission to do exterior demolition. The village of Arlington Heights said it approved the permits for the second phase, which will include demolition of the exterior buildings, including the grandstands at the park and isn’t expected to finish for several months.

“Demolition will take place in phases over several months and detonation will not be used,” the village said. “It is anticipated that demolition will be completed in December 2023. Increased truck traffic due to the demolition is possible in the area and the property will continue to be monitored by security 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.”

In a twist earlier this month, the team said its plans for a stadium in Arlington Heights were “at risk” due to a property tax dispute.

A recent property and tax assessment laid spikes in the road for continued progress at the site. The Bears assess the value of the land around $33 million. But during a triennial reassessment, Assessor Fritz Kaegi’s office placed the value at $197 million. Their valuation would stick the Bears with an expensive tax bill of around $16 million annually.

Since then, the Bears announced Arlington Heights was no longer their singular focus.

Other suburbs, including Waukegan and Naperville have reached out in hopes of luring the team to their cities.

The village of Arlington Heights released a statement after news of the Bears’ exploration first broke, saying it “has always expected that the club would explore any and all viable locations as part of their due diligence process.”

The village went on to tout the benefits of the Arlington Park location, such as having a dedicated Metra station and easy access to O’Hare Airport as well as Interstate 90 and Route 53.

“It is clear that the Chicago Bears Football Club understands the unique potential of this site, as evidenced by their recent purchase of the property,” the statement continued. “The Village is committed to work with the club and all other regional stakeholders to continue to explore the potential redevelopment of this site and to work through the inevitable challenges that come with any large development effort.”

A property and tax assessment laid spikes in the road for continued progress at the site. The Bears assess the value of the land around $33 million. During a triennial reassessment, Assessor Fritz Kaegi’s office placed the value at $197 million. Their valuation would stick the Bears with an expensive tax bill of around $16 million annually.

Hence, the Bears declared to look elsewhere outside of Arlington Heights.

In return, the Bears received interest from Naperville Mayor Scott Wherli, Waukegan Mayor Ann Taylor and the city of Chicago and newly appointed Mayor Brandon Johnson. Are the Bears sincerely interested in any of the intrigued municipalities?

Maybe. Their offer to service the Bears’ land to pursue stadium construction almost certainly ascertains the Bears won’t run into any roadblocks like they’re seeing with Arlington Heights. But the burden of maneuvering out of the land they purchased in Arlington Heights and finding a new home would set them back greatly.

As aforementioned, the Bears paid a healthy $197.2 million to own the land at Arlington Park. They hired Hart Howerton to design the areas outside the stadium. They want to take advantage of monetizing the 326-acre land with lucrative businesses to supplement their ownership.

Warren and his staff would need to weigh the advantages of occupying a different municipality. Can Naperville or Waukegan offer the same, rare amount of land the Bears bought in Arlington Heights? Will the town accept the Bears’ stadium endeavor? Will they be apprehensive about the consequences of tax incentives?

If the Bears can get past the property and tax assessments with Arlington Heights, they most assuredly will find a way to build a stadium there. From what the Bears have said about the land, it’s unique and offers the chance to monetize their endeavor in a significant way.

For now, however, both sides await the tax assessment hearing scheduled for sometime this month. That will determine the next steps and paint a clearer picture surrounding the Bears’ intentions. It’s best to assume their involvement with other Chicago suburbs is simply the Bears playing hardball in the war room with Arlington Heights.

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It all started in September 2021, when the Bears placed a bid to purchase the land at Arlington Park. On Feb. 15 of this year, the Bears announced they officially closed on the land for $197.2 million. Since then, they’ve been making progress in hopes of constructing a new stadium in Arlington Heights.

Recently, however, the Bears and Arlington Heights reached an impasse. Both sides failed to reach an agreement on the property valuation, leaving the Bears with a massive annual tax bill. The two sides have yet to reach a deal, and since then, the Bears announced Arlington Heights is no longer their “singular focus” for the stadium.

Following the aftermath of the Bears’ announcement, Bears CEO/President Kevin Warren and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson released a joint statement about the future.

“Today we met and discussed our shared values and commitment to the city of Chicago, the importance of deep roots and the need for equitable community investment throughout the city,” the statement read. “We are both committed to the idea that the city and its major civic institutions must grow and evolve together to meet the needs of the future. We look forward to continuing the dialogue around these shared values.”

The statement piques the question — is Soldier Field on the table for the Bears’ future home?

For starters, the above statement shouldn’t set off the alarms that the Bears are interested in returning to Soldier Field.

They aren’t.

Yes, their lease runs through 2033, but a feasible exit fee of ~$84 million won’t raise eyebrows of the books in the accounting department, considering the benefits of owning a stadium greatly outweigh the cons.

Why? It’s because Soldier Field offers the Bears zero avenues for profitability. The Bears rent from the Chicago Park District to play at Soldier Fields. That’s right. Rent. The Bears are one of two teams in the NFL that do not own the stadium with which they play.

The Bears’ decision to peruse other stadium possibilities is well overdue. With a stadium to call theirs, the Bears will open up opportunities to profit via anything stadium-related (parking, concessions), naming rights, advertising sponsors and other events they can host.

Think about how much money the Bears would’ve made if they hosted Taylor Swift for her three-day concert at Soldier Field. They didn’t see a dime of it.

The tax assessment roadblock gave way for some to consider the Bears looking at Soldier Field as an option. Yet, the Bears’ involvement with the city of Chicago, Naperville and Waukegan — two suburbs that have contacted the Bears with interest in hosting their new stadium site — is simply a negotiating tactic for the Bears to use against tax assessors in Arlington Heights.

The land the Bears purchased in Arlington Heights outmatches the competition in the suburbs. It is rare to own 326 acres of land. That’s why they’ve continuously promoted the construction as Illinois’ largest construction project. The land’s unrivaled.

Arlington Heights gives the Bears the best chance at monetizing a stadium.

Hence, the Bears moving off Arlington Heights, nonetheless revisiting Soldier Field, is extremely improbable. If the Bears move off Arlington Heights, they most certainly will not return to Soldier Field. Owning is better than renting. And that’s why the Bears hired Warren, who spearheaded U.S. Bank Stadium’s construction, to deliver a new stadium for them.

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Seeing the Bears are without concrete direction for a new stadium plan, multiple municipalities have jumped to express their interest in hosting the Bears. A new suburb unveiled themselves as potential suitors on Tuesday, too.

The Bears are many steps away from actually moving off of Arlington Heights. But still, we can lay out the possibilities the Bears have in front of them, as it pertains to potential stadium locations.

Soldier Field

Let’s scratch the least likely option off the list, first.

Soldier Field will not be an option for the Bears’ long-term future. Yes, the Bears have run into a bump in the road recently with the $197.2 million piece of land they bought in Arlington Heights (more on this later). But that doesn’t mean they will pivot to Soldier Field.

Soldier Field offers the Bears zero benefits. The Bears don’t own Soldier Field; they are lessees from Chicago’s park district. This leaves them empty-handed from countless monetary opportunities that the city of Chicago reaps the benefits from.

A professional football team renting to play at a stadium is ludicrous. The Bears will have innumerable opportunities to monetize the next stadium they construct. None of that is feasible at Soldier Field.

Until the city of Chicago is willing to offer a transfer of ownership to the Bears — which they most certainly will not execute — the Bears will look elsewhere. Even if that means forfeiting one of the most iconic locations on the city’s lakefront, it will greatly benefit the Bears to move elsewhere.

Arlington Heights

Let’s make this abundantly clear from the get-go. Arlington Heights is the priority for the Bears to build a new stadium and a surrounding area to call theirs.

On Feb. 15, the Bears announced their purchase of the Arlington Park property for $197.2 million. They closed on a deal they entered the sweepstakes for in September 2021. It was a two-plus year endeavor for the Bears and Churchill Downs Inc. to shake hands on a deal for the land.

Recently, however, both sides reached an impasse. A triennial reassessment of the once $33 million property valuation multiplied six-fold. Assessor Fritz Kaegi’s office placed the value at $197 million — the price the Bears paid for it.

Churchill Downs Inc., which is on the hook for the 2022 tax bill, and the Arlington Heights school districts recently came to an agreed valuation of $95 million. That valuation decreases the tax bill from ~$16 million to under $8 million.

The deal is a one-year agreement, meaning the Bears and Arlington Heights will need to come to a consensus on the property value next year. The Bears believe the property is worth around $33 million, which would diminish their tax bill to about $4 million annually.

Until the Bears and Arlington Heights come to an agreement, the Bears will continue to look elsewhere. Their persistence to shop around should be chalked up as a negotiating tactic. Arlington Heights offers them the best opportunity to create the most profitability for a stadium. The Bears purchased 326 acres of land, a size unparalleled to surrounding municipalities.

Naperville

Once the Bears announced that Arlington Heights is no longer a “singular focus,” Naperville Mayor Scott Wherli immediately took to writing Bears CEO and President Kevin Warren a letter.

“The city would welcome the opportunity to review your business needs and our available properties,” Wehrli’s letter said. “Through prudent planning, Naperville is accessible via our region’s major interstates and Metra. We have several available or to-be-available sites that may fit the characteristics you are looking for in your future home.”

MORE: Could Bears actually move to Naperville? What to know as team explores options

Naperville was the first suburb to express interest directly after the Bears reassessed their intentions. This is convenient for the Bears, assuming Naperville wouldn’t provide any tax assessment issues and may be more inclined to provide tax support for infrastructure, unlike Arlington Heights, who has remained skeptical.

For Warren and the McCaskey’s, it’s comforting — and advantageous — that the suburbs are jumping at the chance to host their next stadium. For one, the Bears would not be without options if they improbably chose to move off Arlington Heights. And Naperville’s interest will serve strongly as a negotiating tactic for the Bears and Arlington Heights to shake hands on future property and tax value.

Naperville offers a comfortable backup plan for the Bears, should things improbably go south with Arlington Heights.

Waukegan

On Tuesday, Waukegan Mayor Ann B. Taylor sent a letter to the Bears expressing the town’s interest in inviting the Bears to the Northern suburb.

“Our City’s staff and I invite you and your leadership team to come to Waukegan to learn about the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity our City can offer the Bears,” the letter read. “We believe that the Monsters of the Midway deserve the opportunity to continue the tradition of playing along the shores of Lake Michigan, with the market opportunity of having a year-round facility capable of hosting other major events, including the Super Bowl, the Final Four, and other events of an international scale.”

MORE: Waukegan mayor sends letter to Bears in push for stadium consideration

In her letter, Taylor clearly laid out the advantages Waukegan can offer the Bears. One unique and pivotal detail Taylor added, was specific locations where the Bears can construct a new stadium.

“The City of Waukegan, located along Lake Michigan, has multiple large parcels, including lakefront property within 20 minutes of the PNC Center at Halas Hall, that could be developed into both the state-of-the-art stadium and entertainment district the team has publicly expressed interest in building,” Taylor said.

She also pointed out that Waukegan’s traffic devices “along Interstate 94 and U.S. Route 41, a major stop on Metra’s Union Pacific North Line, and is home to Waukegan National Airport” are easily accessible and useful for the Bears.

The pitch was well-rounded, checking off boxes the Bears need to construct a new home.

But will Waukegan, or any other suburb, win the war?

It’s not out of play, but the chances are minuscule at this point. Arlington Heights remains the priority. The Bears are knee-deep with Arlington Park. If the Bears feel they need to move off, they would have a whole other task on their hands dealing with the land in Arlington Heights that would seemingly render useless if the Bears shifted elsewhere.

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In a letter to Chicago Bears CEO and President Kevin Warren, Waukegan Mayor Ann B. Taylor touted the city’s many options for the team, including a lakefront site, which could be developed “into both the state-of-the-art stadium and entertainment district.”

“The City of Waukegan, located along Lake Michigan, has multiple large parcels, including lakefront property within 20 minutes of the PNC Center at Halas Hall, that could be developed into both the state-of-the-art stadium and entertainment district the team has publicly expressed interest in building,” the letter read. “In addition to the availability of land controlled by the City of Waukegan, the City also has excellent transportation infrastructure as Waukegan is located along Interstate 94 and U.S. Route 41, a major stop on Metra’s Union Pacific North Line, and is home to Waukegan National Airport.”

Taylor acknowledged the team’s “rich history in Lake County.”

“In addition to the current PNC Center at Halas Hall, the previous Halas Hall was also located in Lake County at Lake Forest College, a short trip down Sheridan Road,” the letter read. “Furthermore, the city of Waukegan was home to the Bears’ winter training facility in the early 1990s. For generations, Bears players have called Lake County their home, including the neighboring towns of Lake Forest, Lake Bluff, Libertyville, Gurnee, Vernon Hills, Mettawa, and others. Some members of the Bears organization currently live in my neighborhood in Waukegan.”

Calling Waukegan’s “working-class” and diverse residents “as tough as the 1985 Super Bowl-winning Bears,” Taylor also noted the city currently has “over a half billion dollars of economic development projects underway.”

“Our City’s staff and I invite you and your leadership team to come to Waukegan to learn about the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity our City can offer the Bears,” the letter read. “We believe that the Monsters of the Midway deserve the opportunity to continue the tradition of playing along the shores of Lake Michigan, with the market opportunity of having a year-round facility capable of hosting other major events, including the Super Bowl, the Final Four, and other events of an international scale.”

The Chicago Bears recently announced they would be exploring other options outside of Arlington Heights following a tax hiccup that the team said put their Arlington Park plans “at risk.” In a statement to NBC Chicago, the Bears said while they are still working on the Arlington Heights location, “it is no longer our singular focus.”

“The Chicago Bears goal of building the largest single development project in Illinois history led by billions of dollars in private capital investment, and the jobs and economic benefits generated, is at risk in Arlington Heights,” the team’s statement read. “The stadium-based project remains broadly popular in Arlington Heights, Chicagoland and the state. However, the property’s original assessment at five times the 2021 tax value, and the recent settlement with Churchill Downs for 2022 being three times higher, fails to reflect the property is not operational and not commercially viable in its current state. We will continue the ongoing demolition activity and work toward a path forward in Arlington Heights, but it is no longer our singular focus.  It is our responsibility to listen to other municipalities in Chicagoland about potential locations that can deliver on this transformational opportunity for our fans, our club and the State of Illinois.”

Outside of Chicago, a spokesperson for Naperville also confirmed Mayor Scott Wehrli “reached out to the Chicago Bears organization to introduce as a thriving community with multiple opportunities for business investment.”

“With economic development as one of his primary focuses, the mayor will continue to highlight Naperville’s benefits to businesses throughout Chicagoland and across the country,” spokesperson Linda LaCloche said in a statement, “These benefits include having the second largest economy in Illinois, along with a highly educated workforce, top ranked public safety, a vibrant downtown, excellent public transit and close proximity to major interstates, making it an attractive community for all types of business investment.”

Arlington Heights Jun 6

Naperville mayor specifies news surrounding attachment to Bears' stadium plans

Bears Stadium Jun 6

Could Bears actually move to Naperville? What to know as team explores options

In his letter to Warren, Wehrli touted the community’s accessibility and said there are several sites already available or soon-to-be available for the Bears’ future home, though the proposed locations have not yet been released.

“As a lifelong Bears fan, I respect that the team has decided that developing and operating its own stadium is essential for on-field success and pursuing championships,” the letter read. “On behalf of the City of Naperville, I would like to formally introduce our community to your organization as you consider or reassess your planned relocation. The city would welcome the opportunity to review your business needs and our available properties.”

The news also prompted both Warren and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson to issue a joint statement last week.

“Today we met and discussed our shared values and commitment to the city of Chicago, the importance of deep roots and the need for equitable community investment throughout the city,” the statement read. “We are both committed to the idea that the city and its major civic institutions must grow and evolve together to meet the needs of the future. We look forward to continuing the dialogue around these shared values.”

The team had most recently received sign-off to begin the initial phase of demolition plans in Arlington Heights.

The village of Arlington Heights released a statement after news of the Bears’ exploration first broke, saying it “has always expected that the club would explore any and all viable locations as part of their due diligence process.”

The village went on to tout the benefits of the Arlington Park location, such as having a dedicated Metra station and easy access to O’Hare Airport as well as Interstate 90 and Route 53.

“It is clear that the Chicago Bears Football Club understands the unique potential of this site, as evidenced by their recent purchase of the property,” the statement continued. “The Village is committed to work with the club and all other regional stakeholders to continue to explore the potential redevelopment of this site and to work through the inevitable challenges that come with any large development effort.”

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In a letter to Chicago Bears CEO and President Kevin Warren, Waukegan Mayor Ann B. Taylor touted the city’s many options for the team, including a lakefront site, which could be developed “into both the state-of-the-art stadium and entertainment district.”

“The City of Waukegan, located along Lake Michigan, has multiple large parcels, including lakefront property within 20 minutes of the PNC Center at Halas Hall, that could be developed into both the state-of-the-art stadium and entertainment district the team has publicly expressed interest in building,” the letter read. “In addition to the availability of land controlled by the City of Waukegan, the City also has excellent transportation infrastructure as Waukegan is located along Interstate 94 and U.S. Route 41, a major stop on Metra’s Union Pacific North Line, and is home to Waukegan National Airport.”

Taylor acknowledged the team’s “rich history in Lake County.”

“In addition to the current PNC Center at Halas Hall, the previous Halas Hall was also located in Lake County at Lake Forest College, a short trip down Sheridan Road,” the letter read. “Furthermore, the city of Waukegan was home to the Bears’ winter training facility in the early 1990s. For generations, Bears players have called Lake County their home, including the neighboring towns of Lake Forest, Lake Bluff, Libertyville, Gurnee, Vernon Hills, Mettawa, and others. Some members of the Bears organization currently live in my neighborhood in Waukegan.”

Calling Waukegan’s “working-class” and diverse residents “as tough as the 1985 Super Bowl-winning Bears,” Taylor also noted the city currently has “over a half billion dollars of economic development projects underway.”

“Our City’s staff and I invite you and your leadership team to come to Waukegan to learn about the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity our City can offer the Bears,” the letter read. “We believe that the Monsters of the Midway deserve the opportunity to continue the tradition of playing along the shores of Lake Michigan, with the market opportunity of having a year-round facility capable of hosting other major events, including the Super Bowl, the Final Four, and other events of an international scale.”

The Chicago Bears recently announced they would be exploring other options outside of Arlington Heights following a tax hiccup that the team said put their Arlington Park plans “at risk.” In a statement to NBC Chicago, the Bears said while they are still working on the Arlington Heights location, “it is no longer our singular focus.”

“The Chicago Bears goal of building the largest single development project in Illinois history led by billions of dollars in private capital investment, and the jobs and economic benefits generated, is at risk in Arlington Heights,” the team’s statement read. “The stadium-based project remains broadly popular in Arlington Heights, Chicagoland and the state. However, the property’s original assessment at five times the 2021 tax value, and the recent settlement with Churchill Downs for 2022 being three times higher, fails to reflect the property is not operational and not commercially viable in its current state. We will continue the ongoing demolition activity and work toward a path forward in Arlington Heights, but it is no longer our singular focus.  It is our responsibility to listen to other municipalities in Chicagoland about potential locations that can deliver on this transformational opportunity for our fans, our club and the State of Illinois.”

Outside of Chicago, a spokesperson for Naperville also confirmed Mayor Scott Wehrli “reached out to the Chicago Bears organization to introduce as a thriving community with multiple opportunities for business investment.”

“With economic development as one of his primary focuses, the mayor will continue to highlight Naperville’s benefits to businesses throughout Chicagoland and across the country,” spokesperson Linda LaCloche said in a statement, “These benefits include having the second largest economy in Illinois, along with a highly educated workforce, top ranked public safety, a vibrant downtown, excellent public transit and close proximity to major interstates, making it an attractive community for all types of business investment.”

Arlington Heights Jun 6

Naperville mayor specifies news surrounding attachment to Bears' stadium plans

Bears Stadium Jun 6

Could Bears actually move to Naperville? What to know as team explores options

In his letter to Warren, Wehrli touted the community’s accessibility and said there are several sites already available or soon-to-be available for the Bears’ future home, though the proposed locations have not yet been released.

“As a lifelong Bears fan, I respect that the team has decided that developing and operating its own stadium is essential for on-field success and pursuing championships,” the letter read. “On behalf of the City of Naperville, I would like to formally introduce our community to your organization as you consider or reassess your planned relocation. The city would welcome the opportunity to review your business needs and our available properties.”

The news also prompted both Warren and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson to issue a joint statement last week.

“Today we met and discussed our shared values and commitment to the city of Chicago, the importance of deep roots and the need for equitable community investment throughout the city,” the statement read. “We are both committed to the idea that the city and its major civic institutions must grow and evolve together to meet the needs of the future. We look forward to continuing the dialogue around these shared values.”

The team had most recently received sign-off to begin the initial phase of demolition plans in Arlington Heights.

The village of Arlington Heights released a statement after news of the Bears’ exploration first broke, saying it “has always expected that the club would explore any and all viable locations as part of their due diligence process.”

The village went on to tout the benefits of the Arlington Park location, such as having a dedicated Metra station and easy access to O’Hare Airport as well as Interstate 90 and Route 53.

“It is clear that the Chicago Bears Football Club understands the unique potential of this site, as evidenced by their recent purchase of the property,” the statement continued. “The Village is committed to work with the club and all other regional stakeholders to continue to explore the potential redevelopment of this site and to work through the inevitable challenges that come with any large development effort.”

“I’m committed to transparency. I wanted to share an update on an item that various media outlets recently reported (that) I, along with members of the Neighborhood Development Partnership, city staff, and city council representative have recently held conversations with the leadership of the Chicago Bears about potential business opportunities,” Wehrli said.

“These conversations are just that — they’re conversations. No development proposal was submitted to the city. No incentives were discussed or requested. In these meetings, no decisions have been made by anyone at City Hall. We will all have established procedures if that idea devolves into an official development proposal.”

“Our city applies the robust public input and review process including numerous opportunities for community input for review by relevance, more information, and ultimately a very public process before the city council.”

Last Friday, the Chicago Bears released a statement mentioning Arlington Heights is no longer their “singular focus” for constructing a new stadium. The Bears purchased the land at Arlington Park for $197.2 million in February in hopes of making the suburb its new home.

The Bears and Arlington Heights recently reached an impasse surrounding the property valuation. The Bears are fighting for a lower property assessment in hopes of relegating their annual tax payments. The schools of Arlington Heights, however, believe the land is worth what the Bears paid for it, not the $33 million they project.

A hearing is scheduled in June to assess the property’s value.

Once the Bears announced their decreasing interest in Arlington Heights, Wehrli jumped to the opportunity, emailing Bears President Kevin Warren to express his and Naperville’s interest in hosting the Bears’ new stadium site.

“We have several available or to-be-available sites that may fit the characteristics you are looking for in your future home,” the mayor said, in part, adding “…Being the home of the Chicago Bears would unlock tremendous economic benefits for our community.”

MORE: Bears Considering Naperville for New Stadium? Read the Mayor’s Letter to Team Leadership

There are a lot of moving parts to this debacle. The Bears are currently on the hook for the property, since they purchased the land in February. Churchill Downs, In.c is responsible for the first year of the tax payment, which is slated at $7.8 million after a settlement was reached last week.

As for the Bears, they aren’t looking to pay that much for the property in taxes. They attempted to execute demolition on the property to decrease long-term tax costs. But now, they’re re-opening their options and listening to other municipalities for interest in hosting a new stadium.

MORE: Could Bears actually move to Naperville? What to know as team explores options

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The hubbub began when Cook County jacked up their property value assessment for Arlington Park to reflect the $197.2 million price the Bears paid to buy it. Accordingly, property taxes went up considerably. The Cook County Review Board recently reached a tax deal with Churchill Downs for the 2022 bill, and now the Bears want a break of their own. Understandable, considering the Bears have just begun demolishing the interiors of some buildings at the old racetrack, and won’t be able to use the property for several years.

Regardless, it makes the most sense for the Bears to stick with Arlington Heights, since they already own the land. It makes sense for the local taxing bodies to reach an agreement too, since the Bears will bring in beaucoup bucks.

Wherever the Bears land, they’ll need a new name for their stadium. There will be a naming rights deal, but all new names are not equal. For instance, the Bulls and Blackhawks did a solid job partnering with United Airlines. The United Center just sounds good, and the airline has ties to the city as O’Hare is one of their hub airports. Along those lines, here are a few partnerships we would like to see for the next Chicago Bears Stadium.

VIENNA BEEF DOME

Pizza gets all the hype nationally, but Chicago is just as much of a hot dog and Italian beef town as it is a pizza town. And when you think Chicago dogs or beef sandwiches, you gotta think Vienna Beef. The company is the ubiquitous supplier for dog stands around the city and its roots date all the way back to the 1893 World’s Fair. Plus, think of all the outstanding free food giveaways that could be tied in for fans to enjoy.

KRAFT PARK

Kraft Heinz used to be in the naming rights game, with Heinz Field in Pittsburgh. That’s now called Acrisure Stadium, so maybe the food conglomerate wants a new sporting arena with their branding? Their long list of products also lend themselves to further branding opportunities. Who wouldn’t want to relax in the plush Velveeta Lounge or join the Ore-Ida Potato Sack club? The team could even replace boring remote parking shuttle buses with a fleet of Oscar Mayer Wienermobiles. Kraft has been in Chicago since 1903.

OLD STYLE STADIUM

Fun fact, when I was a little kid I used to think the Old Style logo was the Chicago flag from seeing the sign hanging over every bar throughout the city. Technically the brewers who make Old Style hail from La Crosse, WI, but Chicagoans have adopted the beer as their own. Hell, an Old Style is half of the classic Chicago Handshake. Extra points are awarded here because the Bears like to play an old style of football, which is to say they’re a defense-and-run first team.

OLD REPUBLIC FIELD

Insurance may not be as fun as hot dogs and beer, but Old Republic already has a landmark in the city with their beautiful building on Michigan Avenue. Insurance is also a very sensible industry and new Bears president Kevin Warren seems like a very sensible man. Old Republic was founded in 1923, and they bought the building in the city in 1956.

MORTON SALT STADIUM

No former salt warehouse has had a glow up quite like what the old Morton Salt Elston Dock accomplished when it reopened as The Salt Shed, a new multi-stage music complex. Why stop there? Morton Salt is nearly as old as the city itself. It began as a salt sales agency way back in 1848. The Morton Salt Girl is as iconic of a logo as you’ll find in the city, and their slogan, “When it rains it pours,” fits perfectly for how things have gone for the franchise over the past 40ish years.

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This unfolded in part because Assessor Fritz Kaegi’s office placed the property value at $197 million, the price the Bears paid for Arlington Park. That means the Bears’ annual tax bill going forward would rest at roughly $16 million. 

The Bears, on the other hand, assessed the value of the property closer to $33 million, which would have penned their tax bill closer to $4 million per year. They started demolition at the property in part to lower the land’s value and tax bill as a product. 

A hearing for the valuation is set for sometime in June. 

However, the Bears have voiced their dismay with the situation and are reopening their stadium desires to other geographical locations. With only statements from the Bears, Arlington Heights and the Mayor of Naperville as an interested suitor, here are questions left to be answered. 

RELATED: Bears’ stadium audible first deal-making move by Warren

Can the Bears ditch Arlington Heights?

This poses the largest question that needs answering in this whole debacle. Remember, the Bears have come a long way with Arlington Heights. 

They placed a bid on the land back in September 2021, nearly three years ago. They went through a long process before finally putting pen to paper and closing on Arlington Park last February. They agreed to purchase the land for $197.2 million. 

They staved off the attempts from the city to keep them at Soldier Field. They held a town hall meeting in Arlington Heights to address questions of the community members. And in November, they hired Hart Howerton to construct a full-scale design for the area surrounding the stadium. 

Recently, the Bears received approval to begin demolition on the property, one step closer to breaking ground on the entire thing. Can they throw that all away now?

Remember, they purchased the land. Presumably, if they embarked elsewhere to build a stadium, they would likely need to sell the land. From my eyes, the Bears are knee-deep with Arlington Heights. It’s best to look at the Bears’ move to expand their network as a tactic against tax assessors to help lower the property valuation. 

How did Naperville come into play?

A spokesperson for Naperville also confirmed Mayor Scott Wehrli “reached out to the Chicago Bears organization to introduce it as a thriving community with multiple opportunities for business investment.”

Wehrli sent an email to Bears President Kevin Warren, expressing his invitation for the Bears to set up camp in Naperville. Wehrli claims to be a lifelong Bears fan, adding personal interest in helping the Bears find a new home. 

Upon Warren seeing an email from Wehrli in his inbox while undergoing a chess match with Arlington Heights, Warren is gunning to checkmate the tax assessors by playing hardball.

Before Warren’s arrival as the new president of the team, one additional question comes to mind with Naperville’s emergence — was Naperville an interested suitor at the beginning of the process? If so, why did the Bears opt for Arlington Heights, potentially knowing there would be hurdles to jump along the way?

Naperville is also congruent with the Bears’ assessment of Arlington Park’s value, showing their compliance with whatever property assessment they can offer in their town. 

“The 2022 assessment of the former Arlington Racecourse site is consistent with both the 2023 purchase price of the property and the price per square foot of other similarly sized land in the area,” Scott Smith, a spokesman for the office stated. “The facts speak for themselves.”

Is there any chance the Bears resort back to Soldier Field?

Without any concrete evidence of the Bears’ thinking for the next steps, it’s safe to say they will do everything in their power not to return to Soldier Field. 

Soldier Field offers the Bears very few advantages outside of its location. 

For starters, and the most significant point, the Bears don’t own it. Unless a conversation of ownership transfer was on the table, the Bears would likely never aim to stay there. Without owning the stadium, the Bears miss out on an absurd amount of monetization opportunities. 

Take Taylor Swift’s sold-out, weekend concert at Soldier Field this upcoming weekend. The city of Chicago poses to make a lucrative amount from her presence at Soldier Field; but, the Bears won’t see a penny. It’s not their stadium. They have no skin in the game. 

If and when the Bears build a stadium to call their own, they’ll have a cornucopia of opportunities to monetize their stadium year-round. So, for that reason alone, and plenty of others, the Bears will likely continue their quest of finding a new stadium.

It’s a large reason the Bears hired Warren to become their President/CEO. His forte comes in stadium building, seeing as he spearheaded U.S. Bank Stadium for the Minnesota Vikings. 

Stay tuned as this everlong, yet captivating storyline treks forward. 

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MORE: Bears say Arlington Heights stadium ‘no longer singular focus’

A spokesperson for Naperville confirmed Mayor Scott Wehrli “reached out to the Chicago Bears organization to introduce it as a thriving community with multiple opportunities for business investment.”

Now that the Bears are opening their options for a new geographical location for the stadium plans, it begs the question — how did they get here? 

Here’s a look back at the Bears’ journey seeking a new stadium location dating back to their bid on Arlington Park. 

June 17, 2021: The Bears placed an official bid down for the land in Arlington Heights. The land is 326 acres large. 

Sept. 29, 2021: On this date, the Bears signed a purchase agreement with Churchill Downs Inc., agreeing to purchase the land at a high price of $197.2 million. 

July 25, 2022: Lori Lightfoot and the city of Chicago unveil three avenues the Park District could pave for Soldier Field. The most significant idea is to construct the aforementioned dome atop Soldier Field. The other options were making the stadium “dome ready” or converting the stadium into a multi-purpose field for their anchor tenant, the Chicago Fire. 

Sep. 8, 2022: The Bears hold a town hall meeting at John Hersey High School with the Arlington Heights community to discuss “one of the largest development projects in Illinois state history.”

Nov. 7, 2022: Hart Howerton releases a rendering of the stadium location and a full-scale design and plan for the surrounding areas. 

Nov. 10, 2022: Arlington Heights Village manager Randy Racklaus told NBC Sports Chicago “It is very possible there will be no additional information on this project until the Chicago Bears Football Club makes a decision and an announcement on whether or not they will purchase the property.”

Feb. 15, 2023: The Bears closed on the land in Arlington Heights for the agreed price. Their closure on the matter opened the team up to speaking with other municipalities about their stadium ventures and other opportunities. Most notably, the city of Chicago. 

Feb. 21, 2023: Lori Lightfoot voices her determination to speak with the Bears and persuade them to remain in Chicago. She admits she and George McCaskey have spoken on the matter. 

May 18, 2023: Bears fight to lower the assessed value of the land in an attempt to decrease their annual tax bill. As mentioned in the Bears’ most recent statement, the Bears and the schools of Arlington Heights were far apart in assessing the land. Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi’s office valued the land at $197 million, the price the Bears paid. That sets the tax bill at ~$16 million per year for the Bears. 

MORE: Proposed Bears stadium bills remain sidelined

May 26, 2023: The Bears received a permit to begin demolition at Arlington Park, in an attempt to drop the value of the land and alleviate their tax bill. 

June 2, 2023: The Bears announce Arlington Heights is no longer a “singular focus” for their stadium plans. They say the assessed property value “fails to reflect the property is not operational and not commercially viable in its current state.” In addition, a spokesperson for Naperville confirmed Mayor Scott Wehrli “reached out to the Chicago Bears organization to introduce it as a thriving community with multiple opportunities for business investment.”

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In a statement issued Friday, the team explained that its “goal of building the largest single development project in Illinois history led by billions of dollars in private capital investment, and the jobs and economic benefits generated, is at risk in Arlington Heights.”

A day earlier, a one-year agreement was reached in the property tax battle between Churchill Downs, the former owner of Arlington Park, and surrounding school districts who stand to benefit from an increased tax bill.

As part of a triennial reassessment, the Cook County Assessor placed the land’s value at $197 million, close to the amount the Bears paid for it in February. Churchill Downs objected – appealing the issue to the Cook County Board of Review.

Churchill Downs argued the property was worth $37 million while the area school districts – which stand to benefit from property tax revenue – had pushed for $150 million in assessed value. The Bears released the following statement regarding the settlement, explaining it is exploring additional options.

“The Chicago Bears goal of building the largest single development project in Illinois history led by billions of dollars in private capital investment, and the jobs and economic benefits generated, is at risk in Arlington Heights,” the statement reads. “The stadium-based project remains broadly popular in Arlington Heights, Chicagoland and the state. However, the property’s original assessment at five times the 2021 tax value, and the recent settlement with Churchill Downs for 2022 being three times higher, fails to reflect the property is not operational and not commercially viable in its current state.  We will continue the ongoing demolition activity and work toward a path forward in Arlington Heights, but it is no longer our singular focus.  It is our responsibility to listen to other municipalities in Chicagoland about potential locations that can deliver on this transformational opportunity for our fans, our club and the State of Illinois.”

A spokesperson for Naperville also confirmed Mayor Scott Wehrli “reached out to the Chicago Bears organization to introduce as a thriving community with multiple opportunities for business investment.”

In a statement regarding the assessment, the Cook County Assessor’s Office said, in part, “Our office’s mission is to assess property based on market value.”

“The 2022 assessment of the former Arlington Racecourse site is consistent with both the 2023 purchase price of the property and the price per square foot of other similarly sized land in the area,” Scott Smith, a spokesman for the office stated. “The facts speak for themselves.”

The Bears have already begun interior demolition at Arlington Park and have sought permission to do exterior demolition, but that has not yet been approved, according to Arlington Heights Mayor Tom Hayes.

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“Thanks to careful analysis and collaboration, this settlement ensures that the property value is assessed appropriately to secure tax funds that support local school districts throughout the community,” Steele said in a statement.

After initially being assessed a nearly $16.2 million tax bill, Churchill Downs now will pay just under $7.8 million. It comes to about $8.4 million in savings.

The tax agreement is for the 2022 tax bill only, which Churchill Downsー the previous owners of the racetrackー owes. The Bears will be responsible for paying the 2023 taxes.

Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi’s office set the value of Arlington Park at $197 million dollars, which was just shy of the $197.2 million price the Bears paid to buy the property. That was a massive increase from its $33 million assessment in 2021. Churchill Downs requested a market value of just over $37.3 million, “using a cost approach which incorporated the depreciation of the buildings on the site,” per Steele’s statement. After settling, the value of the property was set at $95 million.

It’s been widely reported that the Bears will look for a property tax reduction for 2023, since it will take some time for them to demolish the old buildings and begin developing the land for their own purposes. They will need to reach a new settlement for their tax bill.

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The team received permission from Arlington Heights on Friday to begin Phase 1 of the demolition of the old horserace track. Phase 1 includes interior demolition, specifically knocking down the grandstand, office and jockey building. The team confirmed to NBC Sports Chicago that work is scheduled to begin sometime this week, but there are conflicting reports as to whether that demolition has begun or not.

There are also reports that the demolition doesn’t necessarily mean construction is on the way soon. According to the Chicago Tribune, property taxes on the lot jumped significantly, and the Bears hope to knock down that tax bill along with the buildings.

The Bears are asking the Board of Review to reassess the tax value of the property and a hearing is expected to take place on the matter in June.

The Bears officially closed on Arlington Park in February and have reiterated that they have several hurdles to clear before deciding whether or not to develop the land, including needing property tax clarity.

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The Bears have received permission to begin demolishing portions of the grandstand and the office and jockey locker room buildings on the site, but while that work has begun, Mayor Thomas Hayes is urging residents not to count chickens before they hatch.

“It doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re going to build a new stadium, so we’re still a long, long way to go in terms of final plans,” he said. “But it is a step in the right direction, and we’re going to keep the ball rolling, so to speak.”

A purchase agreement was reached between the team and Churchill Downs to buy the site for $197.2 million. Since then, plans have been drawn up for what a stadium could look like, while the permitting process remains ongoing.

Currently, the Bears are still working to secure final approval from village and county officials to demolish the façade of the main grandstand, according to Hayes.

That is one of several hoops the team still needs to jump through in order to fully move forward with the stadium project. The two sides remain at odds over the property tax valuation of the site, with the Bears pushing for a lower bill and for legislators in Springfield to approve specific tax incentives due to the size and scope of the project.

The team also needs to work on ways to retire the state’s debt that was incurred during renovations of Soldier Field during the early 2000’s. One of the proposals involves a per-ticket tax revenue stream on the new stadium, but that would also have to be approved by state lawmakers.

Finally, there is the matter of the team’s lease in Chicago, which runs through 2033. The team can break that lease as soon as 2026, but it would cost approximately $84 million to do so.

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The Chicago Bears construction of a new $5 billion stadium at Arlington Park moved closer to reality on Friday as the village of Arlington Heights signed off on the initial phase of demolition plans.

The village posted on its website Friday that approval was given for Phase 1, which allows for interior demolition, specifically knocking down the grandstand, office and jockey building. With work expected to begin soon, the area might see an increase in truck traffic, according to village officials.

Earlier this month, Arlington Heights Mayor Tom Hayes stated the village received a number of questions about the team’s request to perform demolition work, and at the time, said the village board didn’t have the authority to approve or deny the request, according to the Tribune. With interior work set to begin soon, both the village and Cook County are slated to review and approve applications for demolition of the exterior buildings.

On May 3, the Bears filed paperwork in hopes of landing approval to begin demolition, the Chicago Tribune previously reported. In recent weeks, the potential move to Arlington Heights got a little more complicated after the Cook County Assessor hiked the assessed value of the team’s newly acquired land, meaning their property tax bill could be headed for a major increase.

The team closed on the purchase of the 326-acre site that held the former Arlington International Racecourse in February, paying $197.2 million for the property. The previous assessed value sat at roughly $33 million, but as part of the triennial reassessment, Assessor Fritz Kaegi’s office placed its value at $197 million. That increase could hike the property tax bill proportionally, spelling out a potential sixfold spike.

The Bears are asking the Board of Review to reassess the tax value of the property. A hearing is expected to take place on the matter in June. 

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“It is very possible there will be no additional information on this project until the Chicago Bears Football Club makes a decision and an announcement on whether or not they will purchase the property,” Village Manager Randy Racklaus wrote in an email to NBC Sports Chicago back in November. 

Since the leaves turned green, more ongoing developments have emerged surrounding the stadium. The primary, ongoing checkbox has been the Bears’ attempt at lowering the assessed value of the property in an attempt to lower their annual tax bill, as part of ongoing amendment hearings with the Illinois House’s executive committee. 

MORE: Proposed Bears stadium bills remain sidelined

A proposed 30 percent of ticket revenue and a $3 tax bill on all tickets will go to surrounding school districts in the area. Hence, the schools set a value of the property close to what the Bears paid for, at $197 million. That valuation would place their tax bill close to $16.2 million per year. 

Conversely, the Bears countered with a $52.5 million valuation, deflating their proposed tax bill to $4.3 million per season. They cited the extensive amount of work that needed to be done as part of their counterargument. 

Part of that work includes demolition, which the Bears filed the necessary paperwork for in early May. The destruction will cost roughly $3.8 million to knock the grandstand and necessary buildings at the racecourse. 

MORE: Report: Demolition at Arlington Park will cost $3.8 million

The wrecking ball will act literally on the current structure, and metaphorically on the Bears’ tax bill. Tearing down the active building will supposedly lower the property’s value and save the Bears tax money in the long run, despite forking up $3.8 million now. 

Moving forward, the Illinois House’s executive committee will hold hearings on several amendments to a proposed Chicago Bears stadium construction project. One of the amendments includes the valuation of the property. 

Expect to hear news of more amendment changes as part of developing stadium news. 

The citizens of Arlington Heights say the Bears have yet to construct thorough plans for controlling the high volume of expected traffic, as well as infrastructure strains around the area. 

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