Arlington Heights, August 13, 2025
News Summary
The Chicago Bears are advancing their plans for a domed stadium and mixed-use district on a 326-acre site in Arlington Heights. The team is targeting a 2026 groundbreaking, pending state approval of a crucial ‘mega-project’ bill. This initiative aims to stabilize long-term property taxes and potentially create thousands of jobs and significant economic impact during construction and operations. With municipal approvals and infrastructure studies underway, the Bears are committed to reshaping this prominent suburban location, while also navigating local interests regarding their future in Chicago.
Chicago Bears advance Arlington Heights domed stadium plan as state tax legislation looms
Team targets 2026 groundbreaking on 326-acre site, pending passage of an Illinois “mega-project” bill that would stabilize long-term property taxes
The Chicago Bears are preparing a new fixed-roof NFL stadium and mixed-use district on a 326-acre property in Arlington Heights, the former Arlington International Racecourse. The organization has completed its stadium design and is positioning the plan to move forward if state lawmakers approve a “mega-project” bill that would enable long-term property tax negotiations. With legislative approval targeted for October 2025, the team aims to begin early site work by year’s end and pursue a 2026 groundbreaking. The build-out is projected to take about three years, putting a potential opening within the latter part of the decade.
If authorized, the project could become one of Illinois’ largest privately-led construction efforts, reshaping a high-profile suburban site with a multi-venue, multi-phase program anchored by a domed stadium. The Bears acquired the property for $197.2 million in February 2023. Team projections estimate an overall $9.4 billion economic impact during construction and operations and about $3.9 billion in labor income. According to current estimates, the buildout could generate approximately 56,000 construction jobs and 9,100 permanent jobs.
The legislative piece is the immediate hinge. The contemplated bill would allow the team and local stakeholders to negotiate property tax terms for up to 40 years, replacing the prior tax structure tied to the former racetrack. State leaders continue to review the measure and have noted that it is being evaluated within a broader policy context, not solely around a single sports venue. While statewide officials have voiced a preference for the team to remain in the city, they have also emphasized that the ultimate decision rests with the privately owned franchise.
City and regional interests remain in play. Chicago’s leadership has expressed a desire for the Bears to stay at the lakefront, while the team underscores that a modern, all-weather venue is central to long-term operations and year-round programming. The franchise currently holds a lease at Soldier Field through 2033, yet that commitment does not prevent the start of construction in Arlington Heights if agreements are reached. Other municipalities have also signaled interest should the Arlington Heights plan stall.
On the ground, the entitlement path is still forming. The municipal approval process in Arlington Heights will require comprehensive traffic and parking analyses along with detailed economic-impact studies. An independent review of traffic and economic effects—funded by the team—is undergoing peer review to shape near-term infrastructure needs such as roadway improvements, transit access, utilities, and on-site circulation. Formal submissions to the village have not yet been completed.
Design leadership is split between two firms: Manica Architecture is leading the stadium design, while Hart Howerton is guiding the broader mixed-use master plan. The construction timeline is expected to mirror the pace of recent NFL venues, with the U.S. Bank Stadium schedule in Minneapolis cited as a comparable benchmark. With the stadium design declared complete and phasing mapped out, the next major milestone is legislative clarity.
In Springfield, team leadership is working to explain the project’s potential statewide benefits, including job creation, tax-base expansion, and long-term activation of a large, transit-accessible site. The governor has not committed to supporting the tax bill at this stage, but the administration continues to evaluate the measure alongside other priorities. Previous concepts for a publicly supported domed stadium downtown drew significant pushback, narrowing the current focus to a privately led approach in Arlington Heights with targeted tax-stability provisions.
Key near-term markers include the fate of the October 2025 “mega-project” bill, the outcome of peer-reviewed infrastructure studies, and the submission and review of local entitlement applications. If approvals align, early earthwork could begin before the end of 2025, followed by a 2026 groundbreaking and roughly three years of construction. If lawmakers withhold support or if reviews reveal major infrastructure hurdles, the timeline could shift and alternative locations could re-enter the conversation.
By the numbers
- Site: 326 acres, former Arlington International Racecourse
- Acquisition: $197.2 million (February 2023)
- Stadium: Fixed-roof NFL venue within a mixed-use district
- Legislation: State “mega-project” bill enabling long-term property tax negotiations
- Timeline: Targeted bill action October 2025; early site work by year-end if passed; 2026 groundbreaking
- Construction duration: Approximately three years
- Economic impact (team estimate): $9.4B total; $3.9B labor income
- Jobs (team estimate): ~56,000 construction; ~9,100 permanent
- Design team: Manica Architecture (stadium); Hart Howerton (master plan)
- Lease context: Soldier Field lease through 2033; construction elsewhere not precluded
FAQ
Where would the new stadium be built?
On a 326-acre parcel in Arlington Heights, the former Arlington International Racecourse site.
What is included in the plan besides the stadium?
A broader mixed-use development surrounding a fixed-roof NFL venue, with details to be refined through the local approval process.
What approvals are still needed?
State approval of a “mega-project” bill to enable long-term property tax negotiations, plus village approvals that will rely on traffic, parking, and economic-impact studies.
When could construction start and finish?
If the state bill is passed in October 2025, early site work could begin by the end of that year, with a 2026 groundbreaking and about three years of construction.
How would property taxes be handled?
The proposed legislation would allow negotiations on property tax terms for up to 40 years, replacing the old structure tied to the racetrack use.
What are the economic and jobs impacts?
Team estimates project a $9.4 billion overall economic impact, $3.9 billion in labor income, about 56,000 construction jobs, and roughly 9,100 permanent jobs.
Who is designing the project?
Manica Architecture is leading the stadium design and Hart Howerton is handling the master plan for the mixed-use district.
Does the Soldier Field lease block construction in Arlington Heights?
No. The current lease runs through 2033, but it does not prevent construction from starting elsewhere if agreements are finalized.
Chart: Key features at a glance
| Location | Arlington Heights, former Arlington International Racecourse |
| Site size | 326 acres |
| Stadium type | Fixed-roof (domed) NFL venue |
| Mixed-use scope | Surrounding district with multiple phases (details pending approvals) |
| Legislative trigger | State “mega-project” bill allowing up to 40-year property tax negotiations |
| Timeline milestones | Target bill action October 2025; early site work by year-end if passed; 2026 groundbreaking |
| Construction duration | Approximately three years (comparable to U.S. Bank Stadium schedule) |
| Economic impact (est.) | $9.4B overall; $3.9B labor income |
| Jobs (est.) | ~56,000 construction; ~9,100 permanent |
| Property acquisition | $197.2 million (February 2023) |
| Design team | Manica Architecture (stadium); Hart Howerton (master plan) |
| Lease context | Soldier Field lease through 2033; construction elsewhere still possible |
| Studies and reviews | Independent traffic and economic reviews under peer review; municipal submissions pending |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
Construction PA Resources
Chicago Bears Seek Property Tax Bill for New Stadium in Arlington Heights
Additional Resources
- NBC Chicago
- CBS News
- Front Office Sports
- Chicago Tribune
- Chicago Construction News
- Wikipedia: Chicago Bears
- Google Search: Chicago Bears stadium news
- Google Scholar: Chicago Bears Arlington Heights
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Chicago Bears
- Google News: Chicago Bears
