The Bears have changed stadium plans again, now saying they prefer to stay in downtown Chicago rather than move to the suburbs.
The new plan for a stadium would be taxpayer-funded and publicly owned, but the Bears would contribute $2 billion.
“The Chicago Bears are proud to contribute more than $2 billion to build a stadium and improve open spaces in the city of Chicago for all families, fans and the public to enjoy,” the team said in a statement. “The Chicago Bears' future arena will bring a transformative opportunity to our region – boosting the economy, creating jobs, facilitating mega-events and generating millions in tax revenue. We look forward to sharing more information as our plans are finalized.
The Bears previously agreed to purchase a racetrack in the Chicago suburb of Arlington Heights, Illinois, and build a stadium on it. But when the projected property tax bill for the stadium proved to be higher than the Bears expected, the team balked.
The Bears have played in Chicago for nearly all of franchise history. After their establishment in Decatur, Illinois in 1919, they moved to Wrigley Field in 1921 and remained there until 1971, when they moved to Soldier Field. They have been at Soldier Field every season since 2002, when Soldier Field was renovated, when they played at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Illinois.
