Bears say they would set aside $25M for Chicago amid stadium move to suburbs

State rep. calls offer 'inadequate,' 'disrespectful'

ByABC7 Chicago Digital Team WLS logo
Thursday, October 30, 2025
Bears say they would set aside $25M for Chicago amid stadium move

CHICAGO (WLS) -- The Chicago Bears said in a letter to lawmakers earlier this month that they would set aside $25 million for Chicago and the Chicago Park District amid their stadium move to Arlington Heights.

The funds could be used for maintenance of Soldier Field, support of park district programs, paying any shortfall of Illinois Sports Facilities Authority bond payments or anything else, the letter said.

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State Rep. Kam Buckner called the offer not just "inadequate" but "disrespectful."

SEE ALSO: Illinois, Arlington Heights leaders discuss funding construction of new Bears stadium

"It reflects a longer pattern of tone-deafness from this franchise when it comes to its relationship with the city that made it," he said. "We're talking about a franchise valued at nearly $10 billion offering scraps to Chicago."

This is a developing story; check back with ABC7 Chicago for updates.

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