Aurora officials urge Chicago Bears to consider new suburban stadium

Another suburban player has joined the Chicago Bears in their bid to build a new stadium.

Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin this week told team president Kevin Warren that his multi-billion dollar dream dome would be Illinois’ No. Sent a “letter of interest” asking the city to be considered. On newly purchased land in Arlington Heights.

“We are excited to take on the opportunity to partner with the historic Chicago Bears in their search for the perfect new home,” Ervin said in a two-page letter, including one. The part was unveiled by Aurora officials late Tuesday. “Having a historic organization like the Chicago Bears reinforces our bold vision for Aurora and provides the Chicago Bears with a new home to begin the next phase of their storied history. I guess.”

Mr. Irvine — Seen as a strong candidate for re-election to Governor JB Pritzker last year, he won. Third place by a wide margin in the Republican primary — As part of “the exciting opportunities Aurora brings to the world-famous Chicago Bears,” he said his city is easily accessible from Interstate 88 and Metra’s BNSF line.

A spokeswoman for Suburban said team representatives “responded quickly and positively” to Aurora’s pleas.

Bears officials declined to comment, as did two other suburban invitations received this month, but it’s the Bears who listen to every pitch because of “this transformative opportunity for fans, clubs and the state.” of Illinois. “

Aurora will be a five-man front that has expressed interest in hosting the team long-term, including Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, and Warren has said he will keep the team within city limits. Negotiations have begun, but no specific details have been released. how will he keep them there. Team leaders have insisted they want a domed stadium much larger than the NFL’s smallest, Soldier Field, which has been rented from the Chicago Park area for 50 years.

Arlington Heights remains a favorite as the team’s future home after spending $197 million on the now-closed Arlington International Racecourse. Grand vision for mixed-use mega-development Located on 326 acres. But earlier this month, the team complained of high property tax assessments from Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi’s office, announcing that it was no longer “the only focus.” In the northwestern suburban school district, pushed back Opposed the team’s efforts to lower the bill.

This opened the door to attracting other suburban stadiums, first from Naperville, then Waukegan, and now Aurora.

This is not the first time the Bears have emerged as a new home, as the Bears have repeatedly threatened to relocate since they first moved from Wrigley Field to Soldier Field in 1971.

Former club chairman Michael McCaskey even suggested the Bears might leave Illinois altogether in 1995, the last time Aurora was considered a possible landing. At the time, the team secured an option for land along Interstate 88 near Eola Road, with Hoffman also hanging his estates and Warrenville as viable locations.

“If that doesn’t seem likely to happen in Illinois, or if we get a very attractive offer, we’ll look elsewhere,” George McCaskey said, adding about $185 million for new projects. said during the 1995 campaign to inject a dollar tax. outdoor stadium.

Current chairman George McCuskey made no such threats, but argued that the family team needed “property tax certainty” to enable new developments.

The Bears’ latest lakeside lease runs through 2033, but the Bears could break the deal for a fraction of the cost compared to the $5 billion initiative estimated for the Arlington Heights development.