SZALINSKI’S SUMMARY: The Chicago Bears could receive a nearly $40 million annual property tax break in Arlington Heights under the House-passed version of a megaprojects bill, according to an analysis by the Cook County Treasurer’s Office. The report also draws comparisons to other sports stadiums in Illinois and SoFi Stadium in California – the most expensive venue ever built.
TAX BREAK: A University of Colorado Denver stadium tax expert consulted by the treasurer’s office estimated a completed Bears stadium in Arlington Heights could be worth about $675 million. Based on current property tax rates in Arlington Heights, the team would pay about $53.2 million annually without tax breaks.
Under the proposal in Springfield, if the assessed value of the land is frozen, the team would be on the hook for a $4 million tax bill. If they negotiate a $10 million payment in lieu of taxes, or PILOT, the team would pay $14 million annually. That would equal a $39 million annual property tax break, or $1.5 billion over the 40-year lifespan of the megaproject.
COMPARISON: That tax bill would be comparable to what E. Stanley Kroenke, the owner of the Los Angelas Rams and SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, paid in 2025. SoFi Stadium’s bill was $14.3 million in property taxes last year, according to the L.A. County Treasurer, which is among the highest in the NFL. SoFi was built with private funds and cost more than $5 billion, making it the most expensive stadium in the country. The Bears are planning to spend $2 billion.
According to the Cook County report, SoFi is valued at $920.3 million. The report said the team would owe $72.5 million under Arlington Heights’ tax rates.
ILLINOIS COMPARISON: No stadiums in Illinois have property tax bills comparable to the proposed Arlington Heights project. Rate Field and Soldier Field are both publicly owned and exempt from property taxes. Wrigley Field received property tax breaks during renovations of the stadium about a decade ago because it is a federal landmark. It’s also smaller than an NFL stadium, and the Cubs paid $3.9 million in 2024. The United Center property also included the Advocate Center practice facility and paid $10.8 million in 2024.
OTHER POINTS: The treasurer’s office has several outstanding questions about the megaprojects bill, such as if the development would help spread out the tax burden in the area and if there will be enough money in local property taxes to cover increased police and fire service. It also observed that studies have shown stadium developments often don’t live up to their touted economic benefits. And even places like Arlington, Texas, that have two major sports stadiums on one site have budget deficits.
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