Johnson Digs in Against Bears Stadium Tax Break

Mayor Brandon Johnson is drawing a hard line against a proposed property tax break tied to the Chicago Bears’ potential domed stadium in Arlington Heights, casting the subsidy as a giveaway to billionaires at the expense of city residents.

Speaking Tuesday ahead of meetings in Springfield, Johnson signaled he will use his political leverage to block the so-called megaprojects bill that would help finance the suburban stadium, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. The legislation cleared the Illinois House last month and is now before the Senate.

Johnson questioned why Chicago lawmakers would back tax relief for a franchise valued near $9 billion while the city faces affordability pressures and strained school funding. He framed the debate as part of a broader effort to generate “progressive revenue,” arguing public resources should prioritize working families over corporate interests.

The mayor’s stance puts him at odds with some members of Chicago’s own delegation. State Rep. Kam Buckner, who shepherded the bill through the House, said it includes minority contracting requirements, job creation and property tax relief provisions that benefit city residents, the outlet reported. He dismissed the focus on Arlington Heights as too narrow, pointing to broader economic development tools meant to aid major property construction projects that are embedded in the legislation.

Johnson, however, is emphasizing the geographic divide. He argued that subsidizing a suburban stadium would siphon opportunity away from Chicago workers, particularly Black contractors who have historically been excluded from large-scale projects. Creating jobs requiring commutes to sites outside the city, he said, undermines the economic case for public support.

Though the Bears have shifted their focus to Arlington Heights and have also explored a potential move to northwest Indiana, Johnson isn’t conceding the team. He reiterated interest in keeping the franchise in Chicago, hinting at alternative stadium sites without offering specifics.

Potential locations have circulated for months, including The 78, nearby railyard sites and the former Michael Reese Hospital property. None have gained traction in Springfield, where Johnson’s earlier proposal for a $2.4 billion publicly supported lakefront stadium stalled, the publication reported.

Even as he fights the suburban plan, the mayor acknowledged shortcomings of the current lakefront setup. He backed ongoing efforts to secure $630 million to renovate Soldier Field and improve access to the Museum Campus, calling current traffic patterns “brutal.”

— Eric Weilbacher