Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin believes that the Bears could encounter fewer tax, legal, and political obstacles in constructing a new stadium in Aurora compared to their previous attempts in Arlington Heights and on the Chicago lakefront.
According to Irvin, Aurora, the second-largest city in Illinois, presents a favorable option for the NFL franchise. Despite the challenges faced by politicians voting based on their district interests, Irvin emphasizes the benefits of a stadium in Aurora for the entire state of Illinois.
Irvin has proposed at least two potential stadium sites to Bears President and CEO Kevin Warren. While he has not disclosed the exact locations to prevent influencing sales prices, one site is close to the Hollywood Casino currently under construction. These sites offer accessibility to Interstate 88 and could attract fans from both northern Illinois and downstate.
Irvin plans to discuss Aurora’s potential with Warren during a Union League Club of Chicago luncheon. He highlights the city’s readiness to welcome the Bears if their plans in Chicago fall through.
The Bears remain focused on the Museum Campus site near Soldier Field, despite Irvin’s overtures. However, Irvin offers a tax revenue-sharing incentive to the Bears and envisions them as property owners in Aurora with a more favorable tax liability compared to Arlington Heights.
Irvin assures fair treatment regarding property taxes, citing good relationships with assessors in DuPage and Kane counties. He also pledges to address concerns from the six school districts covering different parts of Aurora, ensuring they receive their fair share of taxes from any new Bears redevelopment project.
Irvin emphasizes his commitment to facilitating the stadium project, drawing on his experience with the casino project to navigate regulatory processes and ensure the Bears can build a stadium in Aurora smoothly.
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