On Thursday, Bears placed a bid to buy Arlington Park from Churchill Downs, Inc.. The Mayor of the Village of Arlington Heights spoke to the media about what it would be if the Bears moved to the Northwest Suburbs.
As the Bears navigate a long road to possibly moving out of Soldier Field and the city of Chicago, one hurdle— albeit a small one— was cleared. On Monday night, the Arlington Heights village board voted to approve an overlay zoning draft that would allow a football stadium to be built on Arlington Park.
Last week, Bears president Ted Phillips announced that the team had made a bid to purchase the property. However there has been some debate whether the Bears are serious about moving, or are using the bid as a negotiating tactic with Chicago, including Mayor Lori Lightfoot.
The Bears’ current lease runs through 2033, and if they broke that lease early they’d have to pay out the rest of their rent for the outstanding years.
Stay in the game with the latest updates on your beloved Chicago sports teams! Sign up here for our All Access Daily newsletter.
Soldier Field has been the home for the Bears since 1971. Arlington Park on the other hand has hosted horse racing since 1927.
Click here to follow the Under Center Podcast.
