The Chicago Bears are not prepared to divest their Arlington Heights property. What implications does this have for their stadium plans going forward?

The Chicago Bears seem to be primarily considering Chicago as the location for their new stadium, but they’re not completely ruling out Arlington Heights just yet.

There’s still a lengthy process ahead before any stadium construction begins, and it appears the team is keeping their options open for now.

Despite not being included in Illinois’ recent budget, Bears President and CEO Kevin Warren stated that two things are currently off the table: selling their Arlington Heights property and selling minority stakes in the team.

When asked about the possibility of selling minority stakes to attract more private investment for the stadium during a talk at the Union League Club, Warren emphasized the team’s focus on Chicago, noting that they currently own the largest portion of land in Arlington Heights.

The Bears had purchased 326 acres of land in Arlington Heights in February 2023, initially intending to build their new stadium there.

However, negotiations with Arlington Heights school districts over property valuation have hit a standstill. The schools argue for a valuation closer to the Bears’ purchase price, which would result in a higher annual tax bill for the team.