As the Chicago Bears move closer to relocating from Soldier Field, the Chicago Park District is presenting state lawmakers with a plan to keep the stadium operational as a year-round venue for concerts and events. Soldier Field, located at 1410 Special Olympics Drive, has served as the city’s largest source of non-tax revenue for the Park District. The funds generated support a range of services including lifeguards, camp counselors, park attendants, laborers, and maintenance staff.
According to a presentation reviewed by Block Club Chicago, “A lakefront stadium is critical to the Park District’s mission,” and it emphasized that maintaining such a venue is essential for supporting park operations and public services across Chicago while also contributing to local tourism.
The Park District’s proposed improvements include upgrades to public transit and pedestrian access around Museum Campus. Additional plans call for renovations to Soldier Field’s backstage area, locker rooms, practice spaces, and seating arrangements. The anticipated cost of these projects is $630 million, as first reported by Fox32.
If the Bears leave before their lease expires in 2033, they are required to pay nearly $90 million to the Park District according to information from the Sun-Times. The team is currently considering new stadium options in suburban Arlington Heights or Hammond, Indiana. Last week, Indiana lawmakers advanced legislation that would facilitate building a stadium just across Chicago’s southeast border in Hammond.
The possibility of moving has been welcomed by Bears management as it increases pressure on Illinois officials regarding public funding for a potential Arlington Heights project. Meanwhile, Mayor Brandon Johnson continues efforts to retain the Bears with a taxpayer-supported $4.7 billion domed stadium proposal on Chicago’s lakefront—a concept initially introduced by former mayor Lori Lightfoot but largely dismissed by state legislators. Governor JB Pritzker recently told reporters that he does not expect the Bears will build their new home within city limits.
“I still believe the best place for the Chicago Bears to be is in the city of Chicago,” Mayor Johnson said last week. “Arlington Heights and Indiana, it ain’t Chicago.”
Park District spokesperson Michele Lemons reiterated this stance: “The Bears still ‘belong in Chicago.’ At the same time, as stewards of public land and public resources, our responsibility is to ensure that Chicago’s lakefront stadium continues to serve as a strong public asset.”
Recent high-profile concerts have demonstrated Soldier Field’s economic impact beyond football games. The Park District highlighted $124 million in hotel revenue from Taylor Swift and Beyonce concerts held at Soldier Field in June 2023 and May 2025 respectively. Concerts and other events are currently restricted within five days of any Bears home game.
Lemons noted that football games account for less than 20 percent of Soldier Field’s revenue stream. In addition to potentially losing its NFL tenant, Soldier Field may also see changes with another tenant—the Chicago Fire soccer team—planning its own soccer-specific facility at The 78 development site in South Loop.
