Good riddance to the Bears

First, the Bears bought the Arlington Park property for $197 million. Then, when Cook County valued it at $192 million and the resulting tax bill jumped to more than $10 million — more than triple what had been paid before. The Bears cried foul and challenged the assessment. Apparently, the property was worth every penny when they were buying it, but not when it was time to pay taxes on it.

Eventually, the Bears and local school districts agreed to a $3.6 million tax arrangement. Still not good enough. The Bears could have done so much more to achieve the same result. Do a deal with the school districts and give them $5 million a year in return for tax caps. Instead, they show us they are for sale to the highest bidder when they voted to “continue exploring” Indiana — a carefully crafted phrase that sounds decisive while leaving plenty of room to change course.

So what have we learned?

After 105 years in Chicago, history, tradition, and fan loyalty apparently mean nothing. All those fans wearing Bears jerseys? Irrelevant. The kids proudly sporting Caleb Williams jerseys? Doesn't matter. Kevin Warren, “Mr. Plastic,” spent months assuring everyone, “We love the city. We want to stay in Chicago.” Clearly, those statements were merely negotiating tactics.

There is a study from the University of Chicago that football stadiums never see a return promised by the teams and the municipalities. After all, there are only 10 home games a year with preseason games. So Illinois, Arlington Heights, and the fan base, let’s throw in the towel. If loyalty is a one-way street, let’s stop begging them to stay. Let's help them pack. Open the gates, point them toward the highway, and give them a shove. After all, if money matters more than a 105-year fan base, then we shouldn't feel obligated to care where they go.

Jim Gallo

Elk Grove Village