Chicago’s Mayor Fights To Keep Bears At Soldier Field, Not In Suburbs

There have been no indications the Bears are wavering on their plan to build a new stadium in the suburbs but Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot hasn’t given up on convincing them to stay at Soldier Field.

In a pair of recent radio interviews, Lightfoot said she plans to present the team with a strong argument to stay in the city. The desire to prevent them from moving to Arlington Heights is so strong she said her staff is exploring the possibility of adding a roof to Soldier Field.

“We’re going to continue to do everything we can to keep the Bears in Chicago,” Lightfoot said during an appearance on WSCR-AM 670. “We’re working on some plans to present to them that I think will make a very, very compelling financial case as to why it makes an abundance of sense for them to stay in Chicago.”

She believes the Bears will lessen their identity by abandoning the city.

“(This is) a tier-one market, a tier-one audience, fan base, and I don’t think they can get that in Arlington Heights,” Lightfoot said.

The Bears have agreed to pay $197.2 million to purchase a 30-acre plot of land that house been the site of the Arlington Park horse track, which is being closed by its owners, Churchill Downs Inc. That deal was announced in September but isn’t expected to close until later this year or even into 2023, providing the city of Chicago with time to make its case more attractive.

With a seating capacity of 61,500, Soldier Field is the smallest of 30 NFL stadiums. It lacks the private clubs and other amenities that produce revenue and enhance the experience at the league’s new stadiums. 

The Bears have never owned their own stadium, leasing Soldier Field from the city of Chicago after playing at Wrigley Field. They seem intrigued by the possibility of having ownership interest in a venue that would include a retractable roof, allowing it to be used year-round for events like the Super Bowl and the NCAA Championship game. 

The city of Chicago ruled out a retro-fitted roof when Soldier Field underwent a $632-million renovation in 2002-03, which shrunk the seating capacity by more than 5,000. But Lightfoot said everything, including a roof, is on the table this time.

“I think (a roof is) something we have to explore,” Lightfoot said. “My bigger thing is, obviously the roof is an issue, but there are other things we can do to really make the amenities more hospitable (for fans).”

While Lightfoot did not name any potential stadium sites in city, she said there are “plenty of other spots” within the city that would be feasible if the Bears feel Soldier Field cannot be sufficiently improved.

Lightfoot stopped short of indicating the city would fund a stadium project. “I’m not for a 100% municipally funded stadium,” she said. “That model has failed all over again across the country but we’ve got to have a premier stadium to match our premier team.”