CHICAGO – Just hours before the Chicago Bears were set to kick off their 2025 season on Monday night against the Minnesota Vikings, team President and CEO Kevin Warren made a direct pitch to fans about plans to build a new stadium in suburban Arlington Heights.

What we know:

Warren said, “this is the year to finalize our stadium plans” with the aim of hosting a Super Bowl in the new stadium as soon as 2031, which would be a first in the Chicago area.

The comments were in line with what Warren said back in August about the team’s plans to build in Arlington Heights, which essentially appeared to shut the door on hopes for a new stadium in Chicago.

Still, Warren said the team does “not yet have all the answers” as it works with the village to “obtain necessary approvals” to begin construction. 

One of those answers is on legislation in the General Assembly that would allow the team to negotiate with local governments over property tax payments. State legislators did not approve the bill in the spring, but could approve it in their upcoming fall veto session. That would be more difficult in the veto session as the bill will require a three-fifths majority.

“We are partnering with political, labor, business, and community leaders across Illinois to develop a plan for property tax certainty and a fair contribution toward essential infrastructure that will benefit the entire community,” Warren wrote. “Arlington Heights is the only site within Cook County that meets that standard.”

Warren also added that the McCaskey family, which owns the team, aims to build the new stadium without taxpayer money, something that lawmakers at multiple levels have opposed.

The team estimates construction of a new stadium would create 56,000 construction jobs and 9,000 new permanent jobs. It will also result in $256 million in annual statewide new business and tourism.

In a statement, Arlington Heights Mayor Jim Tinaglia said, “We welcome this news. While there is still lots of work to be done. This helps to clarify that we are working toward the same end zone together.”

The Bears purchased the 326-acre Arlington Park property in 2023 and have since worked with Arlington Heights officials for agreements on infrastructure improvements and property taxes.

The team has played nearly all of its regular season home games at Soldier Field on Chicago’s lakefront since 1971. While Chicago leaders have vied to keep the team in Chicago, Warren’s message seemed to shut the door on that possibility.

“Moving outside of the city of Chicago is not a decision we reached easily,” he said. “This project does not represent us leaving, it represents us expanding.”

The Bears are set to take on the Minnesota Vikings at Soldier Field at 7:15 p.m.