Soldier Field and the Chicago skyline on April 26, 2023. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
By ROBERT MCCOPPIN | Chicago Tribune
The Chicago Bears are prepared to provide $2 billion in private funding for a new publicly owned enclosed stadium and park space in the city, the team confirmed Monday.
The lakefront site would replace Soldier Field and increase open space on the museum campus by 20%, and provide a prime location to host the Super Bowl, NCAA Final Four and year-round community events, a source familiar with the deal said.
A poll showed that 80% of Chicagoans support a museum campus location, and 77% want to keep the team in the city, the source said.
The poll of 500 registered voters by McGuire Research also found 60% of Chicagoans support using public money for a publicly owned stadium.
As proposed, the new stadium would be in the area of Waldron Drive, just south of the Bears’ current home at Soldier Field. The project would include open plazas, paths and landscaping, with access to the lakefront, and could include saving the Soldier Field colonnade in honor of veterans.
Bears President and CEO Kevin Warren issued a statement that the team is proud to contribute more than $2 billion to build a stadium and improve open space.
“The future stadium of the Chicago Bears will bring a transformative opportunity to our region — boosting the economy, creating jobs, facilitating mega events and generating millions in tax revenue,” Warren said. “We look forward to sharing more information when our plans are finalized.”
Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Jack Lavin called the proposal “impressive and exciting.”
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