A rendering of an aerial view of the Chicago Bears property in Arlington Heights. (Courtesy of Hart Howerton / Chicago Bears)
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The Chicago Bears are on the verge of leaving its home of 51 years, despite efforts by Mayor Lori Lightfoot to keep the team in Chicago.

Chicago Bears new President & CEO Kevin Warren speaks during an NFL football news conference at Halas Hall in Lake Forest, Ill., Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2023. KP Photo / Nam Y. Huh)

A new suburban stadium could be on the horizon for the Chicago Bears and the team owns the No. 1 pick in the draft coming off one of the worst seasons in franchise history.

A rendering of a proposed dome on Soldier Field (Credit: Landmark Chicago Interests LLC)
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Mayor Lori Lightfoot and a prominent developer are trying to sell the team on some dazzling new changes to Soldier Field in a Hail Mary attempt to keep the team in Chicago.

An aerial rendering of a proposed Chicago Bears stadium and entertainment district in Arlington Heights. (Credit: Hart Howerton / Chicago Bears)

A trio of high-level renderings released by the team on Tuesday demonstrate the scope of the Bears ambition. More than just a new stadium, the team is aiming to turn the 326-acre Arlington Park property into "a multi-purpose entertainment district anchored by a new, best-in-class enclosed stadium."

Soldier Field. (WTTW News)
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The Bears announced “an informational community meeting” will be held Sept. 8 during which the team’s potential purchase and redevelopment of the former Arlington International Racecourse will be discussed.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker speaks as Illinois Democrats make their pitch to the national party while U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly, right, looks on. (WTTW News)

Debate over who should chair the Democratic Party of Illinois continues as Gov. J.B. Pritzker recruits state Rep. Elizabeth Hernandez (D-Cicero) to run against current chair U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly.

(WTTW News)

The mayor has a new proposal to upgrade Soldier Field, but can it really sway the Bears to stay? 

A rendering of the proposed renovation of Soldier Field. (Provided: Landmark Development)
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Mayor Lightfoot unveiled three options to renovate Soldier Field, ranging in price from $900 million to $2.2 billion. The mayor, who is running for a second term, declined to say how much public funding she was prepared to spend to prevent the Bears from leaving the city and moving to Arlington Heights.

Finding uses for Soldier Field's plazas beyond gameday was one recommendation from the Museum Campus working group. (City of Chicago)
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Vision includes ‘rewilding,’ creation of Climate Lab

The Museum Campus working group released its report Thursday and among the big wins for nature is a vision that includes establishing a Great Lakes Climate Lab on the city’s shoreline, positioning Chicago as a global leader in developing resilient solutions for urban areas. 

Skyline views from Northerly Island Park. (Chicago Park District / Facebook)
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Green space advocates are in agreement that the north star of a new working group tasked to "reimagine" the Museum Campus needs to be the Lakefront Protection Ordinance. In short: No new building construction.

(WTTW News)
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Delivering on a promise she made when the owners of the Chicago Bears announced their purchase of the Arlington International Racecourse property, Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced the members of a working group tasked with reimagining the city’s lakefront museum campus.

Mayor Lori Lightfoot had a lot to say about the Bears moving to Arlington Heights and the future of Soldier Field, Sept. 29, 2021. (WTTW News)

Are the Chicago Bears bound for Arlington Heights? The Obamas finally break ground in Jackson Park. Chicago R&B singer R. Kelly is convicted for sex trafficking. And two local media giants plan to merge.

Arlington International Racecourse (WTTW News)

Governor says city, team need to ‘work out their differences’

While Gov. J.B. Pritzker said he’d be disappointed if the Chicago Bears no longer played in the Windy City, he said the state isn’t planning on intervening and that city officials and the team need to “work out their differences.”

A rift between Chicago Bears leadership and the owner of Soldier Field — the Chicago Park District — may be brewing, as speculation swarms over whether the team is planning to relocate. (WTTW News)
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A Bears season ticket holder, Mayor Lori Lightfoot said she would approach negotiations to keep the Bears in Chicago not as a fan but as the steward of taxpayer funds and as a “business decision.”

In this Aug. 12, 2017, file photo, horses in the Bruce D. Memorial Stakes pass the grandstand at Arlington International Racecourse in Arlington Heights, Illinois. (John Starks / Daily Herald via AP, File)

The Chicago Bears took a major step toward moving out of their longtime home at Soldier Field — one of the most recognizable stadiums in the United States — and into the suburbs by signing a purchase agreement for Arlington Park.

A rift between Chicago Bears leadership and the owner of Soldier Field— the Chicago Park District — may be brewing, as speculation swarms over whether the team is planning to relocate. (WTTW News)
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A rift between Chicago Bears leadership and the owner of Soldier Field— the Chicago Park District — may be brewing, as speculation swarms over whether the team is planning to relocate.