Chicagoans Want Bears to Stay, But Not on Taxpayer Dime
A recent survey reveals a clear message from Chicago residents regarding the future of their beloved Bears: they want the team to remain in the city, but they are largely unwilling to use public funds for a new stadium. This presents a significant challenge for city officials and the team as stadium negotiations continue.
The City’s Stance: Stay, But Pay Your Own Way
According to a poll commissioned by the Mansueto Institute for Urban Innovation at the University of Chicago, a strong majority of Chicagoans—68%—consider it important to keep the Bears in Chicago. However, an almost identical number, 65%, believe the local government should contribute no public money towards this effort. Only 28% supported moderate public funding, with a mere 7% open to significant public spending.
Professor Christopher Berry, faculty director of the Mansueto Institute, described the situation as a “lose-lose” for Mayor Brandon Johnson, highlighting the public’s conflicting desires. For the Bears, Berry noted, the poll serves as a “reality check” regarding their funding requests.
The Bears’ Arlington Heights Pivot
After being rebuffed by state officials regarding taxpayer funding for a Soldier Field replacement, the Chicago Bears shifted their focus to a new domed stadium in northwest suburban Arlington Heights. The team has already invested $197 million to acquire the former Arlington International Racecourse property and plans to spend over $2 billion in private funds on the stadium construction.
Despite their private investment, the Bears still seek legislative approval from state lawmakers to negotiate long-term property tax rates with local taxing bodies. Additionally, they are looking for public contributions of up to $855 million for essential infrastructure improvements, such as roads and Metra rail services, a common practice for large-scale developments.
Economic Impact: A Divided Opinion
The poll also delved into perceptions of professional sports teams’ economic contributions to Chicago. Respondents were almost evenly split, with 47% believing teams make a major economic contribution and 45% seeing a minor impact. This contrasts with the Bears’ consultants, who predict billions in economic activity from a new stadium, while broader economic research often suggests that tax subsidies for sports stadiums offer a low return on investment.
However, when it comes to identity, a majority of Chicagoans affirmed the importance of professional sports teams to the city’s character, with only 15% deeming them “not very important” or “not at all important.”
Chicagoans’ Views on Bears Stadium Funding
| Sentiment | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Important to Keep Bears in Chicago | 68% |
| No Public Funding for Stadium | 65% |
| Moderate Public Funding for Stadium | 28% |
| Significant Public Funding for Stadium | 7% |
A Call for Creative Solutions
Given the public’s clear preferences, Professor Berry suggests that officials need to explore creative solutions. He pointed to Illinois’s plan to spend $500 million on a quantum computing park as an example of significant state investment, implying that similar strategic, non-stadium-specific funding might be considered.
Berry also proposed alternative approaches, such as a public-private partnership where the Chicago Park District allows the Bears to manage Soldier Field. While acknowledging that negotiations might be “too far gone” for Soldier Field, he cautioned that Arlington Heights is “far from a done deal,” indicating that room for alternative outcomes still exists.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who conducted the recent poll on the Bears stadium?
The random survey of 1,361 adults in Chicago was conducted by NORC at the University of Chicago, commissioned by the Mansueto Institute for Urban Innovation. - What is the Bears’ current stadium plan?
The Bears have purchased the former Arlington International Racecourse in Arlington Heights for $197 million, intending to build a new domed stadium with over $2 billion in private funds. They still seek state legislative approval for property tax rates and public contributions for infrastructure. - Why is this situation challenging for Mayor Brandon Johnson?
Mayor Johnson faces a “lose-lose” scenario: residents want the Bears to stay but oppose using taxpayer money to keep them, removing a key negotiation tool for the city. - What kind of public funding are the Bears seeking?
Beyond tax rate negotiations, the Bears are looking for public bodies to contribute up to $855 million for infrastructure costs, including roads and Metra railroad improvements.
The future of the Chicago Bears’ stadium remains a complex issue, and the latest poll clearly signals that any successful resolution will need to reconcile the public’s desire to keep the team with a strong aversion to taxpayer-funded stadium projects.
Chicagoans want Bears to stay not on taxpayer dime
