Arlington Heights Bears stadium heads into key Thursday hearing

Illinois' House Revenue and Finance Committee will hold a Thursday hearing on a megaproject bill tied to the Bears' Arlington Heights stadium; the measure would let projects worth at least $500 million negotiate tax payments with local taxing districts.

Lawmakers in Springfield are set to take up legislation this week tied to the Chicago Bears' planned stadium on the Arlington International Racecourse site. The matter centers on a broader "megaproject" bill that has been stalled and would provide long-term property tax arrangements for large developments. Gov. J.B. Pritzker and legal advisors have met with the Bears since December as details were worked out. The Bears purchased the Arlington property three years ago, and discussion of the project has included proposals from Indiana communities as alternatives. Key developments: - The Illinois House Revenue and Finance Committee will hold a Thursday morning hearing on the megaproject bill related to the Arlington Heights stadium. - The bill would allow projects valued at $500 million or more to negotiate tax payments directly with local taxing districts. - Gov. J.B. Pritzker and state legal advisors have met with the Bears since December to refine the proposal's specifics. - Indiana's Senate passed a separate funding plan for a stadium likely in Hammond; that state's process and competing proposals (including one from Portage) are creating parallel pressure on Illinois lawmakers. Summary: The Thursday hearing marks a renewed legislative push to move the long-stalled megaproject bill forward and address tax certainty for a potential Arlington Heights stadium. Further public discussion, testimony and committee action have been mentioned as possible steps before any votes, and the timing may be affected by parallel efforts in Indiana and remaining procedural work in Springfield.