Mayor of Arlington Heights Advocates for Stadium Move
Jim Tinaglia, mayor of Arlington Heights, is actively involved in efforts to build a stadium for the Chicago Bears in his city. Beyond his mayoral role, Tinaglia works as an architect, and he expressed strong reservations about constructing on an alternative site in Hammond, Indiana. He highlighted the potential contamination from previous industrial uses, stating, “I would throw up the red caution flags immediately.” Tinaglia mentioned his experiences with locations previously occupied by gas stations or dry cleaners to emphasize his concerns about hazardous materials affecting the ground.
Historical and Environmental Concerns in Hammond
The proposed site in Hammond has a controversial environmental history. Area residents previously campaigned for its cleanup, which led to the creation of a golf course built over slag, a byproduct of steel production, covered with treated bio-solids. It is located near hazardous waste sites and across from an oil tank storage complex. The Midwest’s largest oil refinery is also nearby. Despite these concerns, Bears officials remain comfortable with the site and are conducting soil tests to ensure its viability.
Financial and Legislative Aspects
Indiana lawmakers have already authorized a substantial budget, with $1 billion from the state and $2 billion from the Bears, for building an enclosed stadium in Hammond. The site’s main advantage is its proximity to Chicago, being about 30 minutes from downtown. Illinois lawmakers are contemplating a proposal to provide long-term property tax breaks to project sponsors like the Bears. Additionally, the Bears have requested state support for significant infrastructure costs at the Arlington International Racecourse site.
Environmental Group Reactions
Environmental groups have largely remained silent on the Hammond project, though some express relief that development isn’t interfering with nearby Indiana Dunes National Park. Michael Boos, from the Association for the Wolf Lake Initiative, voiced concerns about the potential impact on the Wolf Lake watershed.
The Bears would make things a little overwhelming, and I’m not sure it wouldn’t affect the lake.
Local officials, however, maintain that the site’s environmental cleanup has been adequately addressed. Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr. defended the site, noting, “The Bears know far more about environmental concerns in that area than any of us.” He emphasized the area’s extensive cleanup efforts over recent decades.
Ongoing Environmental Issues
The area still faces environmental challenges. The EPA is engaged in cleanup efforts at the Superfund site and the Grand Calumet River, dealing with pollutants including heavy metals and PCBs. A recent $200 million project focuses on removing contaminated sediment. Despite the refinery’s size and emissions, McDermott assures that these sites are not directly adjacent to the proposed Bears location.
Future Prospects
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker expects the state legislature to pass legislation before the session ends on May 31, potentially further incentivizing the Bears’ move to Arlington Heights.
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