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Arlington Park Redevelopment

This webpage is intended to house all updates and public communication related to the potential redevelopment of the 326-acre Arlington Park property. Information, presentations, and announcements will be shared on this page as they become available.

Tentative Upcoming Meetings and Related Topic (Subject to change)
There are currently no meetings scheduled with any agenda items related to this topic.


Updates To Be Posted On This Page (www.vah.com/arlingtonpark) 
The below list of notifications will be updated whenever this topic is placed on a public meeting agenda, or when potential permits are approved. 

Meeting Information, Related Documents, and Links

Village Manager Randy Recklaus provided an update at the Village Board Meeting on March 18, 2024. 

The Village of Arlington Heights is aware of media reports regarding a proposed Chicago Bears stadium concept in Chicago. Village officials spoke with the Chicago Bears Football Club today, and while they are evaluating all of their options, they confirmed that their continued interest in Arlington Park has not changed.

The possibility that the Chicago Bears could find a different location has remained an option since day one and this project has never been considered a “done deal” in Arlington Heights. The ultimate outcome of their current discussions with the City of Chicago is unknown. What the Village knows is that the Arlington Park property provides the Chicago Bears with the unique potential to own and build a multi-use development on 326 acres, in a key location that is easily accessible by public transportation, and is centrally located for visitors and season ticket holders.

The Village remains committed to ensuring that any development of the former Arlington Park site, which is unmatched in all of northern Illinois, will provide broad benefits to our community and will create a new regional destination befitting the great legacy of the property. Village leaders will not approve any plan that does not meet these expectations.

The Village will continue to work with the team and school districts while advocating for fair solutions to challenges and the protection of our community’s best interests. While we are disappointed that the Chicago Bears and the School Districts have yet to resolve short-term property tax differences, we are confident that those issues can be resolved given how close negotiations have brought the parties to an agreement.

“We have all experienced the many twists and turns that this project has taken over the past three years and we find ourselves in a very similar situation today. The Village’s focus remains on finding a path forward to a successful redevelopment of the former Arlington Park site. The property remains a major asset to the community and region, and it has tremendous potential,” said Mayor Tom Hayes. “The Village has always acted in good faith and partnership with the Chicago Bears and the School Districts throughout this discussion, while protecting our community’s interests, and we will continue to do so as the process moves ahead.”
An item on the August 21st Village Board Meeting Agenda includes a recommendation to hire a lobbyist to represent the Village as it relates to the redevelopment of the former Arlington International Racecourse Property. The project has already garnered legislative interest at the State level with proposed legislation that in some cases, has been drafted with little or no input whatsoever from the Village. A redevelopment effort of this size and complexity will require working closely with legislators and officials throughout the State to ensure the Village’s interests are protected. For these reasons, a lobbying firm has been selected to work with the Village on this project, in order to help monitor proposed legislation that could impact the redevelopment and also help provide meaningful input to legislators and other state and regional officials about the needs and perspectives of our residents, businesses, and community partners.
 
The Village remains committed to working with the Chicago Bears Football Club, our community partners, and all other stakeholders to explore this exciting opportunity for Arlington Heights and the northwest suburban region. While the Village has not yet received formal plans for the 326-acre property, which has been purchased by the Chicago Bears Football Club (CBFC), any redevelopment on a property of this size is a complex undertaking on many fronts. Once the Village receives formal plans for the project, Public Hearings will take place, and community member input will be highly encouraged. Just like any other project proposed within the community, the Village retains the right to approve or reject any plan submitted by CBFC, and Village leaders will not approve any plan where they believe the negatives outweigh the positives for our community. We will continue to share updates with the public when they become available.
 
We understand that rumors and misinformation can be expected as we continue to move forward with this redevelopment project. In efforts to quell confusion from spreading, we are fully committed to providing transparent and accurate updates in a timely manner throughout the duration of the project. We encourage residents to follow the Village on social media for updates and to find all related information and documents on this webpage, www.vah.com/arlingtonpark.

The demolition work at the former Arlington International Racetrack site continues.  The Village’s Building & Life Safety Department staff has performed 22 permit inspections, with no issues to report. Staff has also conducted eight on-site inspections targeted to ensure erosion control efforts continue to preserve the Salt Creek Watershed, with no issues to report. Monitoring by Village staff will continue on a weekly basis throughout demolition, which is still on target for completion in December 2023.

Over the past few weeks, the Village has engaged in active discussions with stakeholders regarding the redevelopment of the site with the goal of resolving current issues so that the process can move ahead. Ongoing communications with the Chicago Bears leadership has continued. In addition, Village representatives have been meeting regularly with leaders from local School Districts to help ensure that all perspectives are heard and understood in this process.

The Village is committed to working with the Chicago Bears Football Club, our community partners, and all other stakeholders to explore this exciting opportunity for Arlington Heights and the northwest suburban region.

The Salt Creek Watershed is an important piece to our local ecosystem and the Village places a high value on ensuring its quality. The Village has been in open communication with the Chicago Bears Football Club and their contractor conducting the demolition, and they are aware of the environmental benefits of the Salt Creek Watershed which is considered an amenity to the site. Extra efforts have been made to minimize potential impacts of construction on Salt Creek. Due to the phased approach of the demolition, which will last into December 2023, dust and debris will be naturally minimized, as opposed to other forms of demolition which produce much more dust. During phases throughout construction when dust may be created, additional water will be brought to the site for misting, in order to keep the dust from spreading.

The demolition plan includes a detailed erosion control plan to protect the watershed. With every application for a building permit that the Chicago Bears Football Club may seek through the Village, soil erosion and sediment control measures will be required. Throughout demolition construction, Village staff from Building & Life Safety and Public Works will be on-site intermittently to help ensure that the Salt Creek Watershed’s quality is maintained. Any area of land stripped of vegetation will be kept at a minimum and should uncovered land present an environmental hazard, immediate corrective action will be required. If the Village finds that non-conformity with the plan on file is causing, or is likely to cause damage, or require maintenance to downstream storm water facilities or other properties, the Village may issue a written order requiring immediate compliance. If that order is not complied with, the Village may issue an order stopping all work on such site or building and issue a citation.

Additional recycling efforts of materials removed from the site will also be made, in efforts to help reuse removed resources.

Please note that the Village fully understands the importance of protecting our natural ecosystems and that this issue will continue to be monitored throughout various stages of activity on the property.

The Village of Arlington Heights has approved demolition permits for phase 2 of the demolition of Arlington Park, which will allow for exterior demolition of buildings to begin, including the grandstand structure. These permits were reviewed and approved separately by both the Village of Arlington Heights and Cook County.

Demolition is anticipated to begin on June 16, 2023. Demolition will take place in phases over several months and detonation will not be used. It is anticipated that demolition will be completed in December 2023.  Increased truck traffic due to the demolition is possible in the area and the property will continue to be monitored by security 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

As future adjustments are proposed to the property, updates will be made on this page (www.vah.com/arlingtonpark).

The Village received word from the Chicago Bears Football Club today regarding their response to another municipality’s communications about alternative sites for a new NFL Stadium. The Village has always expected that the club would explore any and all viable locations as part of their due diligence process. However, the former Arlington International Racecourse site is a unique one-of-a-kind location with easy access to O’Hare Airport, I-90, and Route 53; includes a dedicated Metra Station and is located in the heart of the Northwest Suburbs. It is clear that the Chicago Bears Football Club understands the unique potential of this site, as evidenced by their recent purchase of the property. The Village is committed to work with the club and all other regional stakeholders to continue to explore the potential redevelopment of this site and to work through the inevitable challenges that come with any large development effort.

The Village will continue to update our Arlington Park Redevelopment page at www.vah.com/ArlingtonPark with meeting information, related documents, presentations, and FAQs. As with all projects, once formal plans are received, public meetings will take place and community member input will be encouraged. The Village always encourages residents to reach out with any questions by emailing [email protected].

The Village of Arlington Heights has approved demolition permits for phase 1 of the demolition of Arlington Park, which will allow for interior demolition to begin. Permits for exterior demolition of buildings will be reviewed and approved separately by both the Village of Arlington Heights and Cook County.  Increased truck traffic due to the interior demolition is possible in the area and the property will continue to be monitored by security 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

As future phases of the demolition are proposed and considered for approval by the Village, updates will be made here.

See Demolition Traffic Route Map 

Each year, Village departments present updates to the Village Board, over a series of evening meetings. Reports and presentations include information about: 
  • What are our Departments working on? 
  • What has been accomplished recently? 
  • What challenges do we see on the horizon? 
  • What changes might we have to consider in the near future to address those challenges?

This year, these presentations were expanded to include a Committee-of-the-Whole Meeting, which addressed each department's contributions to the Arlington Racetrack Development Project. 

Watch the Committee-of-the-Whole Meeting

The Village of Arlington Heights is very excited about this unique opportunity and appreciative that the CBFC has chosen to make such a major investment in our community. However, we have an obligation to ensure that any project proposed will be in the best interests of our residents before any approvals are granted. Over the coming months and years, we look forward to working with the CBFC, our residents, and all other stakeholders in an open and transparent manner, while we work to explore the potential opportunities this development could bring to our region. Our goal is to work together to create a new regional destination befitting of the great legacy of the property. 

While the CBFC’s purchase of this property is a major milestone, it’s important to remember that we are still in early stages of discussions about what will happen with this property. The next phase of this project will be to analyze the specifics of what they will propose for the land. As previously stated, even though the CBFC have now purchased the property, this does not necessarily mean that their proposed project will ultimately move forward. The Village and the CBFC have pledged to cooperate in good faith with one another, and with all stakeholders, to explore the development of the site.

The Village will continue to update our Arlington Park Redevelopment page at www.vah.com/ArlingtonPark with meeting information, related documents, presentations, and FAQs. As with all projects, once formal plans are received, public meetings will take place and community member input will be encouraged. The Village always encourages residents to reach out with any questions by emailing [email protected].

Village Board voted to approve a Pre-Development Agreement and Overlay District Zoning Amendment

Plan Commission Public Hearing to discuss Draft Overlay District Zoning Amendment to add Sports Wagering Facility as a Special Use
Monday, October 10th at 7 p.m.: Broadcast Live
Committee of the Whole to Discuss Draft Pre-Development Agreement which outlines a Roadmap for future discussions
View Agenda: Ordinance Review Committee to Discuss Draft Overlay District Zoning Amendment to add Sports Wagering Facility as a Special Use
The Village Board hosted a Committee of the Whole Meeting at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, September 12th. 

The Village of Arlington Heights will be hosting its regularly scheduled Committee of the Whole Meeting to discuss updates regarding Arlington Park, on Monday, September 12th, at 7:30 p.m., at Forest View Educational Center, 2121 S. Goebbert Rd in the Theater, with a public entrance through door #34. The meeting location has changed to a larger venue given the great amount of community interest on this topic. 

At the Sept. 12th meeting, Village staff will provide a summary of preliminary discussions that have taken place so far, discuss the development of a project roadmap, and will introduce some preliminary proposed zoning changes. At this meeting the Village Board will receive a presentation on the background on this project and an outline of the next steps. No decisions will be made at this meeting. All Committee of the Whole meetings are open to the public and provide an opportunity for public comment. The meeting will be broadcast live on the Village’s website at https://www.vah.com/your_government/agendas___minutes_ and on the Village’s YouTube page www.youtube.com/VAHBoardMeetings.     

Please note, this is a separate meeting from the community meeting that the Chicago Bears are hosting at John Hersey High School on Thursday, Sept. 8, 7 – 9 p.m. Representatives from the Chicago Bears will not be participating at the Village’s Committee of the Whole Sept. 12th meeting.
The Chicago Bears have announced that they will be hosting a community meeting at John Hersey High School (1900 E Thomas St, Arlington Heights) on Thursday, September 8th, from 7 – 9 p.m., regarding their potential purchase and redevelopment of the Arlington Park Property.

See Press Release
The Chicago Bears and Churchill Downs Incorporated recently executed a Purchase and Sale Agreement for the Arlington Park land parcel. The Village of Arlington Heights has been in communication with the Chicago Bears and Churchill Downs over the past summer to discuss the potential sale of the 326-acre Arlington Park parcel. The Village recognizes that many residents and stakeholders have questions about the potential redevelopment of this land and its impact. This will be a long discussion and there will be many opportunities for community stakeholders to engage in the process.  As with all development efforts, the Village will thoroughly analyze all proposals and make decisions based on what is in the best interests of the Arlington Heights community as a whole. 

While this process is in its initial stages, all parties fully respect and understand the challenging and complex nature of this effort and are committed to work through and fully explore the tremendous opportunities that this site presents. Further information will be made available as the process unfolds.
The Village of Arlington Heights was made aware that the Chicago Bears submitted a bid for the purchase of the Arlington International Racecourse Property site. The Village will be working with the property owner, broker, and all potential purchasers over the next several months to determine which uses would be best for the Arlington Heights community.