The board will resume work with an engineering firm to discuss the viability of a new stadium on the site of the old race course.
The Bears are moving forward with their own economic impact and traffic evaluations for the site.
The Bears have been publicly advocating for a new lakefront stadium downtown Chicago, but have kept the Arlington Heights option open, since purchasing the old racetrack property in 2023.
READ MORE | Chicago Bears considering South Side Michael Reese Hospital site for new stadium
On Tuesday, the gates to Arlington Park were locked, and there were warnings against trespassing. But there is renewed optimism among some Arlington Heights residents.
Neighboring communities are again taking a closer look, as well.
Palatine Mayor and former Bears player Jim Schwantz's office is filled with pictures and mementos from his football career, especially of his hometown team.
"I owe a lot of who I am to this day to the Bears. The Bears gave me my first shot," Schwantz said.
Schwantz grew up in Palatine, next to Arlington Heights.
Schwantz said Palatine officials are paying close attention on the impact a stadium would have on their town.
"As someone who represents 68,000 people and businesses, we have to take a hard look at what this will do to our village and the surrounding suburbs. And we've got to make sure it's done right," Schwantz said.
The Bears have demolished and removed the former Arlington Park racetrack. It's now just an empty field.
It's been more than two years since the Bears bought the property.
But now that the town and school districts have resolved some of the real estate tax issues, suburban stadium proponents are hoping to see some movement to actually start construction.
"I think the momentum shift is important to our community. I think it's going to drive economic development. I think you'll see a lot of improvements and infrastructure," Holly Connors said.
Arlington Heights officials said they are continuing to have discussions with the Bears, but there is still a lot of work to be done. A spokesperson for the Bears declined to comment.
The Chicago Bears say they are committed to breaking ground on a new stadium this year.
Bears President Kevin Warren says the team would still like to see that stadium built in Chicago.
Last year, the team unveiled plans for a new lakefront stadium but have faced problems securing financing.