Illinois lawmakers have adjourned before the potential new Chicago Bears stadium bill was passed. Here is what we know.
Well, here we are. Bill HB958, aka the new Chicago Bears stadium bill, did not pass in the Illinois House. At the May 31st deadline, lawmakers have adjourned and will now either have to call a special session this summer or wait until November. The pathway remains unclear for what the franchise has wanted all along: Arlington Heights. Hammond, Indiana, remains well in play.
As midnight approached, Senator Bill Cunningham said the bill that went to the Senate was “exactly” what the Bears had been asking for. Additionally, he believed this bill is the same framework as the one passed by the Indiana legislature for Hammond.
To skip the hypotheticals, this is all to ensure a new Bears stadium is built in Arlington Heights. The bill provides a legal loophole that will prevent the Bears from paying any property taxes. Basically, the stadium and the land it’s on would be turned over to a municipality, making it publicly owned. The Bears would then lease or rent the property.
What We Know About Proposed Bill for New Chicago Bears Stadium in Illinois.
- The Bears plan to pay for the new stadium privately
- The stadium and the land it is on would be handed over to the municipality, eliminating all property taxes
- The Bears would likely enter into a leasing agreement with the municipality
- If in Arlington Heights, the Bears would still control the property owned around the potential new stadium
There are obviously a lot more nuances and fine print that everyone will have plenty of time to dissect before anything becomes official. However, the above are the big takeaways that are the main focus points, trying to keep the Chicago Bears in the state of Illinois. What’s in between is something the common taxpayer will want to look into when and if that time comes.
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In a statement to the press, the Bears say, “We will finalize our evaluation of both Arlington Heights and Hammond, and remain on the late spring/early summer timeline that we have previously communicated. We will provide an update when we have a decision to share.
Kevin Warren and the Bears still have a lot of work to do (and a lot to learn). The saga of a new Bears stadium is far from over. After a long night in Springfield, we are no closer to a new Bears stadium than we were when the Arlington Heights property was purchased in early 2023.
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