Arlington Heights Mayor Jim Tonalia and local leaders on Friday urged the Illinois General Assembly to pass a proposed "mega projects" bill they say is necessary to keep the Chicago Bears and other large private developments in the state.

Speakers at the village press conference said the legislation would create a predictable, negotiable property-tax framework for multibillion-dollar private projects and give affected taxing bodies — including school districts — a formal role in setting long-term tax structures. "This is not a Bears bill," Tonalia said. "This is a tool that will exist in the Illinois governmental toolbox to attract major projects across Illinois."

The mayor and other presenters emphasized that the Bears have not requested public funds to finance stadium construction. "The Bears have not asked anybody for money to build their stadium," Tonalia said, adding that public money would be needed only for infrastructure around any large site, as is common for major developments.

Why it matters: Officials said the proposed redevelopment of the Arlington Park site could generate significant economic activity but that uncertainty in Illinois property-tax law risks sending the project to another state. Tonalia cited projections that the development could produce roughly $10.9 billion in one-time economic activity, about 1,800 permanent jobs and about $2 billion in new tax revenues over 40 years.

How the bill would work: State Sen. Mark Walker, who identified himself as the bill's initial sponsor, said the measure is designed so construction of a privately funded stadium would not be paid for with taxpayer dollars. Walker described the proposal as an updated version of tax-increment financing that gives the taxing bodies most affected — for example the school districts — seats on a governing board to negotiate rates and long-term commitments. "The thing that makes it special is that the taxing bodies themselves have a hand in developing the plan and signing off on it," Walker said.

School-district concerns: School superintendents at the event stressed safeguards they want in the negotiating process. Lori Hines, superintendent of Elementary District 15, said the parcel sits entirely in her district and pointed to a memorandum of understanding the districts negotiated over two years that, she said, would ensure schools are "made whole": per-pupil expenditure assurances for any students generated by new housing in the mixed-use portions and commitments to help cover capital costs if new classroom space is required. "We want a seat at the table," Hines said.

Tax comparisons and estimates: Village officials and the village manager, Randy Reckless, provided tax-history context: Arlington Park paid about $3 million in property taxes when it operated as a racetrack; the property was assessed at roughly $16 million after it became vacant. Officials warned that under current assessment rules a redeveloped privately owned stadium could face annual tax liabilities on the order of $100 million to $200 million unless a negotiated structure is adopted. By comparison, Reckless cited other venues' reported taxes: SoFi Stadium (about $8.8 million), Wrigley Field (about $2.7 million) and the United Center (about $6.1 million). He noted Soldier Field and Guaranteed Rate Field are publicly owned and therefore do not pay property taxes in the same way.

Q&A and political hurdles: Reporters pressed for concrete numbers that might persuade skeptical Chicago-area legislators. Walker acknowledged that the Chicago delegation could be a pivotal vote and that political negotiations are ongoing with the governor's staff. When asked whether Indiana's recent actions changed the local timeline, Tonalia said the community's planning preceded that activity but acknowledged competition from other states.

No formal action taken: The press conference was a public appeal and did not include any formal vote or adoption of legislation; speakers urged lawmakers in Springfield to pass the proposed framework during the legislative session.

Next steps: Officials said the process now moves to negotiations in Springfield and among affected taxing bodies to finalize a structure that school districts, municipalities and developers can accept.