Chicago Bears’ new stadium would benefit city, state of Illinois

A fixed-roof stadium would allow Chicago to host major events throughout the year.

“It will put us in a position to bid for a Super Bowl—hopefully we’re blessed to host a Super Bowl—[and] to bid for a Final Four,” Warren said. “I mean, you look what is going on now these last couple of weeks with March Madness, Big Ten events, College Football Playoff events, concerts and all the other things … When you think about Chicago, how powerful that city is, to think it has never hosted a Final Four, has never hosted a Super Bowl—and until we get a fixed-roof stadium, it will not host it.”

In a statement sent to the media earlier this month, Warren revealed that the Bears are committing over $2 billion to build a stadium that will not only be capable of hosting mega events 12 months a year but also will increase green space and boost the economy, create jobs and generate millions of dollars in tax revenue.

“One of the things I have tried to explore is to really find another private investment in the City of Chicago over $2 billion,” Warren said. “I have not been able to do it. I have even tried to explore a private investment in the City of Chicago over $1 billion. I have not been able to do it. So when you have an opportunity to have an investment over $2 billion and also with the support of the National Football League, it is really special and unique.”

Warren believes that the Bears and the city deserve a state-of-the-art enclosed stadium on the lakefront.

“This also provides us a great opportunity to decide who we want to be not only in Chicago but in the Chicagoland area [and] the state of Illinois,” Warren said. “We are an incredible city, not only in beauty, but this is an excellent opportunity from a business standpoint for us to be able to come together and pull together.

“Our owners have committed to [making] over a $2 billion dollar investment into the City of Chicago in a building that will add so many public benefits. One, it will put people to work, which we need. Two, it creates an opportunity for our Chicagoans to come together to celebrate not only the Chicago Bears but other massive and major mega sports events.”

Warren revealed this week that the Bears are close to unveiling their plans for a new stadium.

“Our plan is here in the not-too-distant future to be able to get together and lay out a plan, not only with renderings but video, a financial plan, so we…