Fact-Check: The Arlington Heights Proposal
The Bears' pitch for a new suburban stadium makes big promises. Here's what the facts actually support.
By Editorial Team · 2026-01-05
When the Chicago Bears unveiled their proposal for a new stadium complex in Arlington Heights, the presentation was slick, the renderings were impressive, and the economic projections were enormous. But how do those claims hold up to scrutiny?
We've reviewed the available documentation, compared the projections to independent research, and examined how similar projects have performed in other cities. Here's what we found.
The Jobs Claim
The Bears' proposal emphasizes significant job creation, both during construction and in ongoing operations. While large construction projects do create temporary employment, economists note that these jobs often go to specialized workers who travel from project to project, not local residents.
83% — Percentage of construction jobs that go to workers from outside the local area in typical stadium projects
The Events Promise
Stadium proposals often promise year-round event calendars: concerts, soccer matches, college football games, and more. But NFL stadiums face significant scheduling constraints, and the competition for touring events is fierce.
In practice, most NFL stadiums host fewer than 20 major events per year. The rest of the time, they sit largely unused — massive infrastructure investments generating minimal activity.
The average NFL stadium sits empty for more than 340 days per year.
Sports Business Journal
The Transit Question
One of the most significant challenges facing the Arlington Heights proposal is transportation infrastructure. The site lacks the public transit access that makes Soldier Field viable for fans without cars.
While the proposal mentions future transit improvements, these would require billions in additional public investment beyond the stadium itself — costs that don't appear in the project's economic projections.
Soldier Field, by contrast, sits on multiple CTA and Metra lines, within walking distance of downtown hotels, and adjacent to parking structures that serve multiple lakefront attractions.
The Bottom Line
The Arlington Heights proposal contains ambitious claims that deserve careful scrutiny. While a new stadium would certainly benefit the Bears organization, the broader economic benefits for taxpayers are far less certain.
Before committing billions in public resources, Chicago and Illinois officials should demand independent verification of these projections — and look carefully at how similar promises have played out elsewhere.
Trust, but verify. Especially when someone is asking for a billion dollars.
Common Sense