Chicago Bears Aim To Add On To Halas Hall Practice Facility

LAKE FOREST, IL — The Chicago Bears intend to expand their Lake Forest headquarters at Halas Hall, with plans for two new practice fields, a training slope, a viewing suite and a new storage facility, the Lake Forester reports. The Bears don't need any special zoning or variance for the expansion from Lake Forest, city officials said. However, there are two wetlands at the site, so the construction must be approved by county, state and federal environmental authorities.

Representatives from the Lake County Stormwater Management Commission told the paper that when construction plans impact wetland areas, builders must buy "mitigation bank credits" to offset the loss of wetlands and restore other areas.

The project must also be approved by state and federal government, as some of the surrounding wetlands are under federal jurisdiction. A local representative of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers confirmed it is also reviewing the Bears' application for a Halas Hall expansion, according to the Lake Forester. (Get Patch real-time email alerts for the latest news for Lake Forest — or your community. And iPhone users: Check out Patch's new app.)

After the Corps completes its review, other agencies, such as the U.S. and Illinois environmental protection agencies, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and possibly others, will take a look.

» Read more from the Lake Forester

_{Top photo: Halas Hall in 2014 | Credit: Jim Larrison (CC)}