The Bears have "received and responded" to a proposed settlement from Arlington Heights that “aims to resolve outstanding tax issues” on the suburban stadium site option, according to Christopher Placek of the Chicago DAILY HERALD. Arlington Heights Mayor Tom Hayes said, “We’ve worked very hard to come to an agreement with the school districts that I think the Bears can be comfortable with...” He added, “So I feel very comfortable that should the Bears reengage with us and continue to explore the Arlington Park site.” Arlington Heights officials have “spent nearly a year” drafting a memorandum of understanding that would resolve a dispute between the Bears and three Arlington Heights-area school districts about “property tax assessments and payments on the team’s 326-acre property.” Hayes “wouldn’t disclose all of the ins and outs of the settlement” but confirmed that some form of previous proposals “are still on the table.” Hayes said, “I feel really good that we’ve presented a proposal to the Bears that they can feel comfortable with, and we’ve communicated that to them, and they have responded, and discussions are continuing.” Bears President & CEO Kevin Warren in June said that he “isn’t ready to put the shuttered racetrack property up for sale,” despite an organizational shift “in focus to try to build a new stadium in Chicago” (Chicago DAILY HERALD, 6/28).
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