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Proposed $2B Arlington Heights Stadium Could Net Chicago Bears $39M Annual Tax Break

Proposed Illinois legislation could grant the Chicago Bears a $39 million annual property tax break for a new $2 billion stadium in Arlington Heights.

By Colin Percy · May 26, 2026

A pending 'megaproject' bill in the Illinois General Assembly would allow developers investing at least $1 billion, such as the Chicago Bears, to lock in property tax rates for 40 years. An analysis from the Cook County Treasurer’s office estimates this would reduce the team's annual tax burden by $39 million, totaling over $1.5 billion in breaks over the four-decade term. The team, which currently holds the 326-acre former Arlington International Racecourse site, has pledged to spend $2 billion on a 70,000-seat domed stadium and entertainment complex.

While Gov. JB Pritzker has expressed optimism regarding the legislation, the proposal faces scrutiny over its broader economic impact and requests for $855 million in public infrastructure funding. The project remains in the legislative planning stage as local officials and the team weigh options between the suburban site and potential alternatives in Indiana, while the future of Chicago's Soldier Field remains a subject of debate.

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