(The Center Square) – A Rockford-area lawmaker is encouraging the Chicago Bears to leave Soldier Field to Arlington Heights, but with no tax incentives.
State Rep. Joe Sosnowski, R-Rockford, has introduced a pair of resolutions, House Resolution 627 and House Resolution 742, in support of a new, larger stadium in Arlington Heights that could drive economic activity for the region.
“I think you've got an opportunity for ancillary private sector development to happen, which adds to the overall economic engine of what an NFL team can provide to a state,” Sosnowski said. “A stadium that can host a Super Bowl, the NCAA Finals, and other major events, that’s obviously something that is important.”
The resolution cites Arlington Heights’ location off a major highway, near O’Hare Airport and close to a dedicated stop on the Metra commuter rail line as additional reasons for its suitability.
At the same time, Sosnowski’s measure makes clear there’s no appetite for the kind of financial assistance that has been handed out elsewhere. New York lawmakers are considering a proposed deal that would give the Buffalo Bills $850 million in taxpayer funds to help the team build a new stadium.
