The Chicago Bears’ plans to build a new stadium in the coming years were hit with some bad news after the governor of Illinois revealed the state will not foot any of the bills for the billion-dollar endeavor.
During an appearance in Peoria, Ill. this week, Gov. JB Pritzker was asked if the state would help pay for the team’s development plans in Arlington Heights. This is a common practice as organizations and local governments work together on new stadiums because of the mutual benefits of such a project.
However, Pritzker shut down that possibility when he said, “I am of the opinion that it’s not our obligation as the state to step in and provide major funding, and I certainly don’t want to burden taxpayers with major support for a private business.”
The news is a big hit to the team’s stadium plans after Sen. Ann Gillespie filed a bill recently that would allow up to 40 years worth of tax breaks to major organizations like the Bears in Arlington Heights.
Next year, legendary stadium Soldier Field will turn 100 years old. While it is one of the oldest active sports venues in the country, it does not have the same historic value and charm as classics like Wrigley Field and Fenway Park. That is why there have long been talks of the Bears looking to finally construct a new arena for Illinois’ most popular football team.
In 2021, the franchise set the wheels in motion for an eventual build when it paid $197 million to purchase the property the Arlington Heights Racetrack once sat on. Since then, the Bears have revealed hopes to construct a massive $5 billion entertainment district centered around what would be a $2.2 billion domed stadium.
Such a development would probably require some help from the state, but the top official in Illinois is not interested in giving a “private business” like the Chicago Bears assistance to pay for the project.
