Bears Should Move To Arlington Heights, Build New Stadium: Poll

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL — Move over horses and make room for "Da Bears." A statewide Patch poll revealed nearly 75 percent of respondents think the Chicago Bears should move to Arlington Heights and build a new stadium at Arlington International Racecourse.

The nonscientific online poll, which was conducted over 24 hours and concluded Friday, received 6,031 responses. Last week, the NFL franchise submitted a bid to buy Arlington International Racecourse.

Of the respondents to the poll, nearly 92 percent identified as fans of the team. Online sports website Yardbarker recently ranked Chicago Bears fans as the No. 9 best fan base of all 32 teams.

As Arlington International Racecourse conducts what may be the final season of horse racing at 2200 Euclid Ave., owners Churchill Downs Inc. are currently going through proposals from interested buyers of the racetrack. The proposals were submitted to the Kentucky-based company by a June 15 deadline.

The Bears made public their proposal to buy the racetrack two days after the deadline, and fans who took our poll are hoping the team makes the move. Nearly 74 percent of poll-takers said they want the Bears to build a new stadium on the property.

Whether or not the Bears eventually move to Arlington Heights, our poll-takers think the team needs to build a new stadium. Nearly 72 percent of respondents want the team to abandon the NFL's oldest stadium in Soldier Field and build a new one. The Bears currently have a lease to play at Soldier Field through 2033.

Soldier Field, located in the Near South Side neighborhood of Chicago, opened in 1924. The Bears began playing there since 1971 after leaving Wrigley Field. It has a football capacity of 61,500 fans.

Many respondents said they would like the Bears to build a new stadium with a retractable roof for year-round use.

We also asked residents of Arlington Heights to note some of their biggest concerns about the Bears moving there. Potential increases in traffic congestion and crime were among the most common concerns listed.

"Traffic, crime, cost of properties will be raised, taxes will be raised, out-of-state travelers will cause trouble, accidents caused by traffic, public intoxication, loitering, curfew, congestion of traffic which will cause huge delays when traveling in the area. I don't want the Bears to move to my hometown, Arlington Heights," one poll-taker wrote.

Another person said, "The village will give away huge tax incentives that will create a huge drain on village resources for decades only to have the Bears walk away in 15 years leaving the village with a mess that the taxpayers have to pay for."

We also asked poll participants to write in what they would like to see at Arlington International Racecourse in the future. While the Bears were the top choice, keeping horse racing at the racetrack was also a popular answer. Many also would like to see a concert venue or a casino on the 326-acre property.

Other responses included:

• A forest or open park land
• Senior-assisted living center
• Tech hub
• NASCAR racetrack
• Temporary housing for veterans
• A facility similar to McCormick Place in Chicago
• Mixed-use development that complements the downtown area
• Amusement park

Thanks to all Patch poll participants.

RELATED:

• Bears Submit Bid To Buy Arlington International Racecourse
• Horse Racing Group Announces Bid To Buy Arlington Racetrack
• Village Votes To 'Keep Door Open' For Horse Racing At Racetrack
• Mayor Thinks Bears Could Be Good Fit For Arlington Racetrack
• 'Sad Day' In Arlington Heights As Racetrack Goes Up For Sale