The assumption that Arlington Heights was the favorite to host the Chicago Bears' new stadium may have been premature. Several Cook County politicians have muddied the waters, attempting to bog talks down through a fight on property taxes. The organization isn't happy about this and has since decided to open up its options elsewhere. Team president Kevin Warren recently held a meeting with the mayor of Naperville about the idea of a stadium in their township.
Now it appears more competitors are starting to surface. According to Amanda Vinicky of WTTW, Mayor Ann B. Taylor of Waukegan has decided to enter the fray. She sent a letter to Warren detailing why her township would be an ideal location for the stadium and entertainment district the Bears want. For one, it's located only 20 minutes from the PNC Center at Halas Hall. She also cited her city's excellent transportation infrastructure along two highways, a major Union Pacific train line, and the Waukegan National Airport.
The property is located along Lake Michigan, meaning the franchise can continue the tradition of playing on the lake shore. It was a spirited pitch, to say the least.
It's a strong pitch from the Chicago Bears' perspective.
Waukegan is an hour-long drive from the heart of the city. It has a population of just under 90,000 people. It's also a somewhat poorer neighborhood. The average household makes around $53,000 per year. One can easily understand Taylor's intentions. The Bears coming to her town would bring jobs and tourists. That means money. Lots of money. It could put Waukegan on the map. From Taylor's perspective, it would be a huge victory for her political career. One can't fault her for smelling an opportunity.
The question is whether the Chicago Bears will listen. Warren has already proven more than open to hearing pitches. It won't be a shock if he sets up a meeting with Taylor at some point soon. There she can go into full detail about her plans. If she's smart, she'll have a pathway to favorable property taxes ready and waiting. Otherwise, she may run into the same problems as Arlington Heights. This is a scenario that is definitely worth watching.
