Timeline
The Latest
Currently, all parties continue to discuss the PILOT legislation, TIF districts and property tax issues in an effort to make a fair deal for all stakeholders.
July 12, 2023 | Kevin Warren says he hopes to make a decision on the stadium in the next 12 months.
June 18, 2023 | Aurora mayor Richard Irvin letter of interest invites Bears to look at Aurora as potential stadium location
June 26, 2023 | Kevin Warren speaks at forum hosted by Touchdown Arlington
June 16, 2023 | Demolition of Arlington Park Grandstand begins
June 15, 2023 | Board of Review accepts settlement between the school districts and Churchill Downs for the 2022 assessment
June 14, 2023 | State Rep. Dave Vella, D-Rockford, expresses interest in having Bears come to Rockford
June 12, 2023 | Waukegan Mayor Ann Taylor sends letter to Bears President and CEO Kevin Warren inviting team to consider Waukegan as possible stadium location
June 7, 2023 | Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson meets with Bears president
June 5, 2023 | Bears-Naperville conduct second meeting
June 2, 2023 | Bears meet with Naperville officials regarding possibility of building stadium in Naperville
May 31, 2023 | Districts 15, 211 and 214 endorse recommended property valuation of $95 million with Churchill Downs on the 2022 property tax bill
May 26, 2023 | Village of Arlington Heights approves demolition permits for phase 1 of the demolition of Arlington Park
May 18, 2023 | General Assembly session ends
May 12, 2023 | Letter from School Districts to Kevin Warren
May 11, 2023 | John Dunn, from Cozen O’Connor, gives update at D211 Board of Education meeting.
May 10, 2023 | Reps. Marty Moylan and Mary Beth Canty introduce new bill to freeze property assessment on Arlington Park, restructured oversight board, tweak on proposal to share revenue generated on the site from state sales tax, hotel tax and liquor taxes and a new 3% surcharge on sports betting revenue
May 4, 2023 | Kevin Warren letter to school districts
April 18, 2023 | School Districts, Bears, Village of Arlington Heights meets to discuss topics related to the redevelopment of Arlington Park
April 12, 2023 | John Dunn from Cozen O’Connor gives update at Palatine Community Consolidated School District 15 Board of Education meeting
March 9, 2023 | Churchill Downs and the school districts appeal the $197 million assessment.
March 8, 2023 | Senate Executive Committee convenes - SB1391 on agenda
February 22, 2023 | D15, D211 and D214 hire lobbyist Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies to represent their interests in Springfield
February 21, 2023 | D211 Board of Education votes to hire a lobbyist to represent the school district’s interests.
February 17, 2023 | HB 3565 (amending Property Tax Code) filed by Mark Walker (D-53rd District)
February 15, 2023 | Bears finalize $197.2 million purchase of Arlington Park
February 9, 2023 | District 214 Board of Education votes to hire a lobbyist to represent the school district’s interests
February 8, 2023 | District 15 Board of Education votes to hire a lobbyist to represent the school district’s interests
February 6, 2023 | State Sen. Ann Gillespie, D-Arlington Heights, files SB1350 (PILOT legislation) and SB1391 (TIF legislation)
February 2, 2023 | At District 214 Board of Education meeting, Attorney Ares Dalianis, from Franczek P.C., reviews the proposed Chicago Bears development for the empty Arlington Race Track property and the impact on District 214. Draft legislation for the “mega construction project” and PILOT (payment in lieu of tax) process also discussed
January 17, 2023 | Kevin Warren introduced by Bears, shares thoughts on Arlington Park
January 12, 2023 | Bears hire Kevin Warren as new team president and CEO
November 8, 2022 | Village of Arlington Heights approves Bears’ pre-development stadium plan
October 3, 2022 | Arlington Heights Village Board rejects ban on tax incentives
September 8, 2022 | Bears hold community meeting on Arlington Park development plans at John Hersey High School
September 6, 2022 | Bears share Open Letter Regarding Arlington Park along with Photo Gallery, Preliminary Master Plan and FAQs
July 25, 2022 | Chicago unveils three proposed renovations for Soldier Field
July 8, 2022 | Bears reject idea of Soldier Field renovations
July 6, 2022 | City of Chicago proposes dome over Soldier Field
March 17, 2022 | Bears hire architectural firm to help design potential new stadium
January 10, 2022 | Bears say sale is on track, could close by early 2023
January 1, 2022 | Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi values the property at $197 million
October 2021 | Bears begin zoning talks for stadium project
September 28, 2021 | Bears sign a purchase agreement to buy the former Arlington International Racecourse property
June 21, 2021 | Bears place an official bid down for land in Arlington Heights.
February 23, 2021 | Churchill Downs Inc. announces intent to sell Arlington International Racecourse property