Bears CEO: Arlington Heights only viable option for new stadium

The Chicago Bears will open their season on “Monday Night Football” against the Minnesota Vikings at Soldier Field, but the historic stadium’s days as the Bears’ home may be numbered.

In an open letter addressed to fans Monday, team president and CEO Kevin Warren said the Bears will move forward with plans to build a new stadium outside of city limits in Arlington Heights, Illinois.

The Bears purchased 326 acres of land in Arlington Heights two years ago while evaluating other options in Chicago. The team previously targeted the Chicago lakefront as a locale for their new home.

“In evaluating options for a new stadium, the focus of the McCaskey family has been clear: build a world-class stadium that requires zero money from the State of Illinois for its construction,” Warren wrote. “We are partnering with political, labor, business, and community leaders across Illinois to develop a plan for property tax certainty and a fair contribution toward essential infrastructure that will benefit the entire community. Arlington Heights is the only site within Cook County that meets that standard.”

Warren added that the Bears need to finalize their plans this year in order to bid to host a Super Bowl as soon as 2031.

As a cold-weather city, Chicago has never hosted a Super Bowl, but the Bears plan to construct a stadium with a fixed roof in order to pursue high-profile events throughout the year.

Soldier Field opened in 1924, making it the oldest stadium currently in use by an NFL team. The Bears began using it in 1971. It underwent renovations from 2002-03.

“For more than 50 years, Soldier Field has been our home. But so too were Wrigley Field, Memorial Stadium, and Staley Field,” Warren wrote. “We hope Arlington Heights will soon join that list — not because of its steel, brick or glass, but because it will house what is irreplaceable to this franchise: You. Our fans. Our family.”