A coalition of community groups has come together to oppose the Chicago Bears’ plans for a new lakefront stadium.
The organizations planned to gather Wednesday outside Soldier Field to call for a halt to plans to build a new indoor facility just south of the current arena.
The gathering is being led by Friends of the Parks, the nonprofit group that waged a successful battle against Star Wars creator George Lucas’ plans for a museum on the same site.
Friends say dozens of groups representing the city’s racial, economic, civic and geographic diversity have come together to announce their opposition.
Attendees include speakers from the People’s Council of Southeast Chicago, People for Community Recovery and Landmarks Illinois. The environmental group Openlands has also come out against the new arena.
“The people you see here also represent city leaders – the grassroots taxpayers who keep this city running. That’s who we’re asking our elected officials to protect by ensuring that Chicago’s waterfront remains ‘forever open, clear and free’ for future generations,” said Gin Kilgore, acting executive director of Friends of the Parks in a statement.
The bears have suggested standing up $2.3 billion for the stadiumwhile seeking $1.5 billion in taxpayer funding and up to an additional $1.5 billion in public infrastructure.
The franchise previously spent nearly $200 million to purchase the former Arlington International Racecourse in Arlington Heights for a domed stadium and multi-use development. But the team turned its focus to the lake after a dispute over property taxes in the suburban area, with team president Kevin Warren saying the lake was the perfect location.
The Bears had hoped to get state lawmakers’ approval this spring to begin construction next year. But Gov. JB Pritzker and other top lawmakers have thrown cold water on the idea of subsidizing a multibillion-dollar private company, saying they have other, higher priorities.
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