Illinois Lawmakers Propose Property Tax Relief Package to Compete for Chicago Bears Stadium

Illinois legislators unveiled a new proposal on Tuesday that aims to keep the Chicago Bears in the state by offering the NFL franchise property tax certainty for a potential Arlington Heights stadium project, while also introducing a statewide property tax relief element to attract broader legislative support.

State Representative Kam Buckner, a Chicago Democrat leading the push, said he plans to brief Illinois House Democrats on the measure and expedite its path through committee in the coming days. Under the proposed "payment in lieu of taxes" (PILOT) arrangement, the Bears would be able to negotiate property tax payments with Arlington Heights, marking a shift in how major development projects are incentivized in Illinois.

In a move designed to broaden support beyond the Chicago area, the bill would dedicate a portion of incentives for statewide property tax relief. While specific details of this relief are still being finalized, Buckner indicated the mechanism could take the form of rebates or circuit breakers, with an explicit aim to benefit homeowners across Illinois.

Some Chicago lawmakers remain hesitant, citing concerns over the future of Soldier Field and potential impacts on city revenue if the Bears relocate. The discussion over Soldier Field's fate, including a $630 million funding request for upgrades and transit improvements, remains a separate topic lawmakers expect to address after focusing on the Arlington Heights initiative.

The urgency comes amid increased competition from Indiana, where Bears chairman George McCaskey and president/CEO Kevin Warren recently met with Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr. at the potential site of a new stadium near Wolf Lake. The Bears have stated their intention to decide between Illinois and Indiana by late spring or early summer.

The current proposal is viewed as a critical step to keeping the Bears in Illinois, with legislative leaders expressing optimism about garnering enough support for at least the initial phase. Discussions over broader infrastructure and Chicago-specific assurances are expected to follow as negotiations advance.

The measure's details, particularly around homeowner tax relief and the final structure of the incentives, remain under development. The legislative process and negotiations with the Bears are ongoing.