Chicago is a sports city. So when the Chicago Bears announced their plan to move to Arlington Heights, it caused shockwaves within the city. 

Today, I will be discussing the Chicago Bears, their significance in Chicago, why they plan to move, and the implications of this move for Chicagoland’s economy and real estate development. 

Now let’s get started.

Sports are very important in Chicago’s culture. And the Chicago Bears are an icon in the football scene here. The Bears have won eight NFL titles and one Super Bowl, making them one of the most successful teams in the sport. Businessman A.E. Schwartz formed the Bears team. The Chicago Bears have called Chicago home for 100 years, and Soldier Field has been their home for half of that time.

There is indeed an intangible bond that keeps the team connected to the city. The Bears have always been one of the most successful and innovative franchises in professional football. They were the first team to purchase a player from another team, paying $100 for Rock Island's Ed Healey in 1922. In 1925, the Bears signed the famous collegiate All-America Red Grange and put him on display in front of the first large pro football fans.

So when Chicago Bears announced their plans to buy a large property in Arlington Heights, it sent the entire city buzzing with worry and trepidation.

Chicago Bears planned their move to Arlington Heights to build an exclusive stadium

The Bears aim to build a new stadium in Arlington Heights by buying and redeveloping the Arlington International Racecourse. The Bears began discussions with Arlington Heights officials in October 2021 about possible zoning for a new stadium proposal. Their intention to leave Soldier Field, a 61,500-seat lakeside stadium near Chicago's downtown, stems from a dispute between the team and the Chicago Park District, which owns the stadium.

The move has sparked debate among supporters and drawn the attention of city authorities, including Mayor Lori Lightfoot, who earlier stated that the city would not release the team from its lease at Soldier Field simply because the team's owners are unhappy with it. The Bears' lease at Soldier Field expires in 2033 and breaking it will cost them $84 million.

Why are the Chicago Bears moving out of Chicago?’

Chicago Bears Team President Ted Phillips said, “Our goal is to chart a path forward that allows our team to thrive on the field, Chicagoland to prosper from this endeavor and the Bears organization to ensure a strong future. We will never stop working toward delivering Bears fans the very best experience.”

The Bears have the option to end their current lease in about five years under current conditions but have been unable to find a solution to the stadium problem. Soldier Field has the smallest seating capacity in the NFL and is unable to expand. 

The Bears would also be permitted to develop the Arlington Heights region surrounding the stadium, perhaps creating a mixed-use and entertainment zone. They are in desperate need of the league's new standard facilities, which include more luxury boxes, corporate naming rights, a roof, a sportsbook, and a hanging Jumbotron the size of O'Hare International Airport. 

The stadium's status as a war memorial is complicated by Chicago's current budget deficit. So they really cannot accommodate the Chicago Bears’ demands 

What are the costs of this move?

The transaction price was $197.2 million, according to Churchill Downs Incorporated, which controls the facility officially known as Arlington International Racecourse. If the Bears relocate, they will be able to develop more than 300 acres surrounding the stadium with restaurants, shopping, and entertainment, as other clubs such as the Los Angeles Rams, Los Angeles Charges, and Las Vegas Raiders have done to increase revenue.

Mayor Lightfoot, who stated that the city is willing to work out a contract that maximizes revenue for both the club and the city, also stated that if the Bears do decide to relocate, the cost of the land in Arlington Heights may not be the only cost. She says that the two newest NFL stadiums — the Las Vegas Raiders' home and the stadium shared by the Los Angeles Rams and Los Angeles Chargers — were both "$4 billion-$5 billion ventures."

And of course, we cannot talk about the Chicago Bears moving without discussing the fans’ reactions. 

Sports fans reactions

Since the news broke in 2021 that the Bears were planning to move from Soldier Field, this has sparked a lot of debate and discussion. If the Bears relocate to Arlington Heights, supporters in Chicago will have a different degree of access. Arlington Park is around an hour away by car, while public transportation can take an hour and a half or longer depending on the fan's location.

Fans from the suburbs, like Arlington Heights, are already doing just that to attend Bears games at Soldier Field. There may be a loss of people from the city who do not want to go to Arlington Heights, but it provides those who reside in the suburbs with the opportunity to attend games they previously did not have easy access to.

Implications for Chicagoland residents

a. those living in Chicago

There may be a loss of city residents who do not want to go to Arlington Heights, but it allows those who live in the suburbs to attend games that they previously did not have easy access to.

b. those living in Arlington Heights and other suburbs

Definitely easier access for its fans in Arlington.

What is the City of Chicago doing to keep the Bears in Chicago?

Mayor Lori Lightfoot is still trying to persuade the Bears to stay in the city. She plans to discuss with the Chicago Bears how re-envision how that space from Shedd to McCormick Place is used. There are also government officials who are petitioning for the city to buy the Chicago Bears outright. But of course, with Chicago’s city budget problems, that is possible for the moment.

How Chicago Bears' move can spur development in Arlington Heights

When the Chicago Bears finally move to Arlington Heights, this will be a reinvestment into suburbia. The Chicago Bears will bring a lot of cultural and economic opportunities beyond Chicago. It will spur entertainment and nightlife districts — lots of bars, restaurants. The new Chicago Bears stadium will be more than football games. It will engage people with sports, music, and food. 

According to CoStar, there are over 2 million square feet of commercial property within a one-mile radius of the Arlington International Racecourse, with about 18 percent of it unoccupied. When the radius is increased to two miles, commercial property space increases to 9.5 million square feet, with around 13% of the space empty.

Conclusion

Chicago is undergoing wild changes in its real estate landscape. There are many mega-developments in the works. People are moving in and out of the city, often towards the suburbia.

And the Chicago Bears moving to Arlington Heights adds a new layer to the migration within Chicagoland. Many suburb residents are happy to get more access to sports events and welcome more investment into the community. 

On the other hand, Chicago is worrying about the loss of one of the icons of their city. For some Bears supporters, leaving Soldier Field and the thriving downtown area after more than 50 years would be a betrayal at a time when the city is still battling to recover from the pandemic's effects, which have harmed the accommodation, retail, and entertainment industries in particular.