Arlington Heights mayor-elect floats the possibility of hosting both the Chicago Bears and the Chicago White Sox at the former Arlington Park site in Arlington Heights on Good Day Chicago with Roseanne Tellez (Fox 32 Chicago). YouTube Tips ⓘ
Jim Tinaglia, on his first full day as Mayor-Elect of Arlington Heights, announced a wish to have a conversation with the Chicago White Sox. That wish aligns with a rumor to be on the look for the Chicago White Sox to build a stadium alongside a Bears stadium that has been floating around since about the time that online subscription website The Athletic reported Tuesday night, September 28, 2021, that the Chicago Bears signed a purchase agreement for the Arlington International Racecourse property in Arlington Heights. The Chicago Bears announced the purchase agreement Wednesday morning, September 29, 2021.
Fast forward to Wednesday, April 2, 2025, Village Trustee and Mayor-Elect Jim Tinaglia, less than 24 hours after defeating fellow trustee Tom Schwingbeck and Arlington Heights Chamber of Commerce John Ridler, told Fox 32’s Roseanne Tellez that he hopes to have a conversation with the Chicago White Sox about the availability of the former Arlington Park site.
Regarding the Chicago Bears, Tinaglia said, “It’s the biggest thing in the region, and I would say, we haven’t had anything like this happen that I can remember, or anyone can remember, so we’re all excited for continuation of talks … and hopefully make some wonderful things happen together.
“I’ve been talking about this for six months, and probably before that, because we’ve been aware of this for a couple years. There are four critical issues that I hope that Kevin (Warren) and George (McCaskey) and I, and the rest of the crew can get together on this, and …
the first one is we want make sure everything that happens there is safe,
number two, I want make sure that everything happens there is economically wise and sound,
number three, I want make sure that the traffic is completely understood, and in control; and lastly,
the fourth item, just want to make sure our infrastructure is ready and prepared and not over overcharged so together I’m confident that together we’re gonna make some really good things happen.
“I know that Arlington Heights is open for business. We are on somewhat of a large stage right now and I hope that it’s the Bears, I really do. I’m going to make this official announcement right now and you’re the first to get it. I want to have a conversation with the Chicago White Sox. I would love. I’ve said this five years ago, I want this to be a wonderful entertainment, destination complex, so if we can get more than the Bears there, I’m all in, and I think our community would benefit from a year round entertainment destination. So, if it’s not the Bears, I’m hoping somebody will come, but we’re not gonna rush it. We’re going to make sure it’s done right and done well for our residents and everyone.
“I’ve been a trustee, a good listener, a good participant, but there are right now we’re going to be in a transition period for the next 30 days, and I hope to learn more, and find out what really is the potential of some of this stuff, so I’m going to be a sponge for a little while yet.
I love Tom Hayes. Tom Hayes has been a wonderful leader for 12 years, and before him Arlene Mulder as well. I feel a little bit like the Green Bay Packers coming in as the third quarterback here after a long successful run, and so I’ve got some shoes to walk in, and I think Tom knew that I was going to do everything I can to carry the ball in in a really honorable way, and respectful way.”
At the Downtown Arlington Heights Business Alliance Mayoral Forum at the Metropolis Theatre on March 4, 2025, Tinaglia said he did not want to see an Arlington Heights Downtown West at the former Arlington Park site. Instead he envisions an Entertainment Destination Complex. He also mentioned that by using Google Maps, you can drop images of the Kansas City Royals stadium and the Kansas City Chiefs stadium in just the infield of the former Arlington Park Racetrack, which demonstrates the capacity of the Chicago Bears Football property.
President and CEO Kevin Warren discussed the Chicago Bears’ new stadium efforts and more in a press conference from the NFL Owner’s Meetings on Wednesday morning, when he said the focus now is downtown AND Arlington Heights, which he described as a fantastic piece of land (FOX 32 Chicago). YouTube Tips ⓘ
Bears President and CEO Kevin Warren meets with Lou Canellis from the NFL Owner’s Meetings (FOX 32 Chicago). YouTube Tips ⓘ
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