I am genuinely blown away with this morning's news. Even as a bluff or leverage attempt it is beyond what I thought the Bears were capable of. This level of incompetence has never been more open and public and Warren even seems proud of it. Did Warren actually get a stadium built in Minnesota or did he just make it seem like he did? He seems insane.

The future holds the possibility to be great or terrible, and since it has not yet occurred it remains simultaneously both.

Starting to think the real estate developer who owns the Vikings may have had more to do with the Vikings' real estate development than some guy who just goes to the gym and thinks about things.

Arlington Park Statement: March 11, 2024
March 11, 2024

The Village of Arlington Heights is aware of media reports regarding a proposed Chicago Bears stadium concept in Chicago. Village officials spoke with the Chicago Bears Football Club today, and while they are evaluating all of their options, they confirmed that their continued interest in Arlington Park has not changed.

The possibility that the Chicago Bears could find a different location has remained an option since day one and this project has never been considered a “done deal” in Arlington Heights. The ultimate outcome of their current discussions with the City of Chicago is unknown. What the Village knows is that the Arlington Park property provides the Chicago Bears with the unique potential to own and build a multi-use development on 326 acres, in a key location that is easily accessible by public transportation, and is centrally located for visitors and season ticket holders.

The Village remains committed to ensuring that any development of the former Arlington Park site, which is unmatched in all of northern Illinois, will provide broad benefits to our community and will create a new regional destination befitting the great legacy of the property. Village leaders will not approve any plan that does not meet these expectations.

The Village will continue to work with the team and school districts while advocating for fair solutions to challenges and the protection of our community’s best interests. While we are disappointed that the Chicago Bears and the School Districts have yet to resolve short-term property tax differences, we are confident that those issues can be resolved given how close negotiations have brought the parties to an agreement.

“We have all experienced the many twists and turns that this project has taken over the past three years and we find ourselves in a very similar situation today. The Village’s focus remains on finding a path forward to a successful redevelopment of the former Arlington Park site. The property remains a major asset to the community and region, and it has tremendous potential,” said Mayor Tom Hayes. “The Village has always acted in good faith and partnership with the Chicago Bears and the School Districts throughout this discussion, while protecting our community’s interests, and we will continue to do so as the process moves ahead.”

Looks like it worked!

It looks like they said, "WE don't fucking believe you."

While we are disappointed that the Chicago Bears and the School Districts have yet to resolve short-term property tax differences, we are confident that those issues can be resolved given how close negotiations have brought the parties to an agreement.

Honest question, what does the school board have to do with building a new stadium?

Hate to tell ya this "Amigo", but that is sort of the essence of how life works.

In most areas of the state, the local school boards are the largest taxing bodies for property owners. That’s why they get a say when the Bears try appealing their property tax.

The Bears don’t want to pay an incremental $5m - $10m annually on their tax bill for a $5bn construction project, so they’re saying they’ll borrow $2bn to pay for a dome owned by the park district.

In most areas of the state, the local school boards are the largest taxing bodies for property owners. That’s why they get a say when the Bears try appealing their property tax.

The Bears don’t want to pay an incremental $5m - $10m annually on their tax bill for a $5bn construction project, so they’re saying they’ll borrow $2bn to pay for a dome owned by the park district.

Honest question, what does the school board have to do with building a new stadium?

What a fucked up place.

You would be surprised how much taxes impacts development in Illinois. It goes so far as some towns resist things like a bank (no sales tax revenue) or a church (exempt from property taxes). When you have local taxing bodies that take massive amounts of revenues from sales and property taxes, almost all development is a big deal. That is why the tax increment financing districts are universally opposed by school districts. It eats away at the property tax base even though these areas are often dilapidated.

Illinois is about the highest sales tax area in the country (Cook and suburbs), and the second highest for property taxes last I checked.

The flip side of that is how much will they have to pay in property tax once a $5 billion stadium is put there if a vacant lot is set at $190 million.

Hate to tell ya this "Amigo", but that is sort of the essence of how life works.

A ton more but they have an income generating property that should theoretically cover those taxes.

A ton more but they have an income generating property that should theoretically cover those taxes.

Allstate knocked down that huge structure along 72 near Goeberts Farm in South Barrington to turn the property into vacant land…..the move was solely to reduce the valuation of a lightly used property. So you are right.

Hate to tell ya this "Amigo", but that is sort of the essence of how life works.

Allstate knocked down that huge structure along 72 near Goeberts Farm in South Barrington to turn the property into vacant land…..the move was solely to reduce the valuation of a lightly used property. So you are right.

I don't think you can just discount the massive tax bill that would be. The Cubs seemingly pay between $1.5 and $4.5 million a year based on whatever deals they are getting in tax breaks. Obviously, a much smaller overall property but if we are talking about a hypothetical tax bill in AH of $60 million a year after they build the stadium it still makes a massive difference.

Hate to tell ya this "Amigo", but that is sort of the essence of how life works.

assessors are starting to argue that intentionally leaving a property fallow (after a certain amount of time) should disallow the owner to claim vacancy

assessors are starting to argue that intentionally leaving a property fallow (after a certain amount of time) should disallow the owner to claim vacancy

Hate to tell ya this "Amigo", but that is sort of the essence of how life works.

Kevin Warren doesn’t do stadiums. Kevin Warren doesn’t do business. Kevin Warren doesn’t do revenue.

There isn't won major decision that the CFMB Football Guru's have advocated that hasn't turned out to be a damn flop.

Hate to tell ya this "Amigo", but that is sort of the essence of how life works.

Punishing property owners for inaction seems like a bad idea.

The victims are the American People and the Republic itself.

Cook County...IF YOU THINK THAT IDEA WAS BAD, WAIT UNTIL OUR NEXT ONE!!!!!!!!!!!

Hate to tell ya this "Amigo", but that is sort of the essence of how life works.