Across Chicago’s northwest suburbs and the greater region, business owners, hospitality leaders and civic organizations share a common goal: building an economy that grows responsibly, creates jobs and strengthens our communities without placing unnecessary burdens on taxpayers.
I am proud to stand alongside a coalition of regional business leaders — including hotel, restaurant and attraction owners and managers and other community leaders — who believe the conversation around tax certainty for the Chicago Bears’ proposed Arlington Heights development warrants thoughtful public discussion.
The Bears are not asking for a taxpayer-funded stadium. They are not seeking tax abatements or exemptions. They will pay property taxes and contribute to local school districts, park districts and other taxing bodies. What they are requesting is the ability to negotiate directly with those entities to ensure their tax obligations are predictable and transparent — an approach commonly used in major developments across the country.
Tax certainty is not unusual. It is a practical requirement for projects of this magnitude — especially when private investors are prepared to commit billions of dollars in Illinois.
The proposed redevelopment of the Arlington Park site represents a capital investment of more than $5 billion for the stadium and adjoining mixed-use district, including over $2 billion from the Bears organization alone. Independent analysis projects the completed development would generate approximately $1.3 billion in net new annual economic activity across Illinois, supporting jobs, wages and business growth throughout the region.
That economic activity translates into significant public benefit. Over a 40-year period, the project is expected to produce nearly $2 billion in net new tax revenues for local, county and state governments, exclusive of property taxes, revenues that would not exist without this development.
Beyond job creation and tax base growth, a modern, enclosed stadium would allow Chicagoland to compete for major national and global events, including Super Bowls, NCAA championships, Final Fours, major concerts and other large-scale events. These events generate year-round visitation and drive spending on hotels, restaurants, retail and transportation that benefit communities throughout the region, including the city of Chicago, throughout Cook County and beyond.
The surrounding site will require public investment in infrastructure, and that reality should be acknowledged openly. However, infrastructure improvements — roads, transit access, utilities, stormwater management and public safety — are not giveaways. They are long-term public assets that improve daily quality of life for residents, support surrounding businesses and enable future development well beyond the stadium itself. Importantly, projected state tax revenues alone exceed the requested infrastructure investment by hundreds of millions of dollars over time, making this a fiscally responsible decision with a clear public return.
From a tourism and business perspective, this project strengthens, not diminishes, Chicago and the entire region. Visitors attending games and major events will stay in both suburban and Chicago hotels, dine in suburban and city restaurants, and visit the major cultural attractions. Events hosted in the northwest suburbs will drive new economic activity across the region.
Illinois has a rare opportunity before it: a transformational private investment that delivers jobs, long-term revenue, global visibility and modern infrastructure — without asking taxpayers to fund the stadium itself.
Granting tax certainty does not cost the state; it simply allows negotiations to proceed in good faith and provides the predictability necessary to move forward one of the most significant economic development projects in our region’s history.
On behalf of the many regional employers and business leaders, I believe this conversation should continue; thoughtfully, transparently, and with an eye toward what’s best for workers, businesses and communities across Illinois.
Heather Larson is president and CEO at Meet Chicago Northwest, a nonprofit marketing organization.
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