McHenry Times

In September 2021, the Chicago Bears purchased the rights to buy the land at Arlington Park. Ever since, there has been some significant pushback from organizations like Americans for Prosperity and Mayor Lori Lightfoot, a Democrat.

As discussions progress, the main concern for Lightfoot is keeping the historic NFL team in Chicago while others are concerned about the impact the new stadium might have on taxpayers.

“In the middle of a financial crisis, we need to be looking at ‘needs’ and not ‘wants,’" said State Sen. Craig Wilcox (R-McHenry), incumbent candidate in the 32nd district race. "I would love to see the Bears move their stadium to Arlington Heights. The economic impact would be tremendous. But this is not an appropriate use of taxpayer dollars. First and foremost, the state needs to address its own fiscal needs. Illinois taxpayers should not be responsible for helping pay for one of the NFL’s most valuable teams, owned by one of America’s richest families, to move to Arlington  Heights. I vehemently oppose any use of tax dollars to support this move.”

Bears team officials have stated the Arlington Heights project would be one of the largest the state has ever seen, having a $9.4 billion impact and creating 48,000 jobs, the The Center Square reported. Experts who have evaluated other NFL stadium projects have expressed their skepticism of the team officials’ projections.

The Bears stated in an open letter that they would not be seeking public funding for direct construction, however they may be looking for assistance for the surrounding district. 

“While the Bears will seek no public funding for direct stadium structure construction, given the broad, long-term public benefits of this project, we look forward to partnering with the various governmental bodies to secure additional funding and assistance needed to support the feasibility of the remainder of the development,” the letter stated.

Americans for Prosperity is an organization that “engages in broad-based grassroots outreach to advocate for long-term solutions to the country’s biggest problems that prevent people from realizing their incredible potential — unsustainable government spending and debt.” The organization drafted an anti-corporate welfare ordinance that states in Section 2: The Village of Arlington Heights would be prohibited from offering or extending any financial incentive to any  business or corporation to operate in the village.

Americans for Prosperity is petitioning to have this ordinance voted on at the next Village of Arlington Heights board meeting on Monday. The signatures needed are 1% of the registered  voters in Arlington Heights, The Center Square reported.

Wilcox is the current State senator for the 32nd district which encompasses much of McHenry County and the communities of McHenry, Woodstock, Antioch, Fox Lake, Ridgefield and others. Wilcox is running for re-election against Allena Barbato, a Democrat.