Arlington Heights

Arlington Heights is considering expanding its pandemic-era outdoor dining initiative, known as 'sip and stroll,' to include to-go cocktails in designated alfresco zones. The proposal aims to build on the success of the summer staple outdoor dining solution.

Arlington Heights has implemented a short-term rental ban, but it is encountering local opposition and legal challenges as enforcement begins.

The Chicago Bears are advancing exploration for a stadium in Arlington Heights with new soil testing. The team is awaiting a stadium deal from Illinois lawmakers for land it already owns in the area.

The Chicago Bears are testing land at Wolf Lake Terminal in Hammond, Indiana, as part of their evaluation of potential sites for a new stadium near Wolf Lake. While the team has an existing option, they continue assessing additional parcels and have not yet committed to building the stadium. Indiana lawmakers established the Northwest Indiana Stadium Authority to support construction and funding efforts.

An Arlington Heights man was charged with distributing and possessing child sex abuse material. Ian Stehmeier, 32, faces charges following an investigation that began on Dec. 5, with search warrants executed for his phone service.

A Chicago-based State Representative proposes the former South Works site on the southeast side as a potential location for a Bears stadium. The suggestion comes amid discussions about the team's possible relocation to Hammond, Indiana, or Arlington Heights.

Brian Urlacher opposes the Chicago Bears leaving Soldier Field, criticizing Illinois lawmakers' immigration spending and property tax funding. The Bears are considering a stadium in Hammond, Indiana, but continue discussions with Illinois politicians. Urlacher claims $2.5-$3 billion in state funds for immigration could instead support keeping the Bears in Chicago.

A teen girl was sexually assaulted in the Eastman Parking Garage in Arlington Heights on Saturday afternoon at approximately 3:30 p.m. The incident occurred on the top level of the garage located in the 100 block of East Eastman Street, near Arlington Heights Road and Miner Street. Authorities are investigating.

A man is accused of sexually assaulting a teenage girl in Arlington Heights after luring her into his SUV with a request for help. Police are actively searching for the suspect.

A suspect asked a teenage girl for help with a car before sexually assaulting her in a parking lot in Arlington Heights. Police are searching for the suspect.

Caleb Williams, the Bears quarterback, expressed indifference to the team's stadium location, stating he will play anywhere that meets standard field dimensions. The Bears are exploring stadium options in Hammond, Indiana, and Arlington Heights, with their board continuing discussions on moving forward with a potential site in Hammond. Political discussions involve Illinois lawmakers and Gov. JB Pritzker considering tax breaks to secure a stadium location.

Gov. JB Pritzker stated he would call a special session if Illinois lawmakers reach a Bears stadium deal before their fall return. The Bears are considering a move to Hammond, Indiana, where lawmakers proposed a tax-funded stadium near a site with toxic waste issues. Previous Illinois legislative efforts for stadium funding failed in May.

An Illinois lawmaker's proposal for a Chicago Bears stadium in Arlington Heights includes $2.5B from the team and $1.3B from the state. The plan is part of a broader development initiative in the area.

A woman was attacked by a male bicyclist while walking in Arlington Heights, according to police. The incident occurred Sunday night.

The Chicago Bears are considering moving to Hammond, Indiana, a decision driven by cost-saving motives similar to Macy's rebranding from Marshall Field's. The author reflects on a brief visit to Hammond and critiques the trend of prioritizing financial efficiency over local identity.

The Chicago Bears advanced their stadium project in Hammond, Indiana, but key details remain unresolved, including site selection and environmental assessments. Illinois remains a potential contender if lawmakers provide political support, though the Bears and NFL emphasize Arlington Heights as the preferred Cook County location.

Chicago businesses and community organizations expressed disappointment over the Bears' plan to leave Soldier Field for Hammond, Indiana, citing economic losses, reduced tourism, and fewer jobs. The move, approved by the Bears' board, includes $2 billion in team investment and tax incentives from Indiana, while local businesses like Reggies Chicago and Miller’s Pub highlight the financial impact of losing game-day traffic.

The Chicago Bears, a founding NFL franchise with over 100 years in Chicago, are advancing a stadium development project in Hammond, Indiana, sparking backlash from fans. The team’s statement emphasizes the project’s potential to connect regions, but critics question the feasibility of relocating a team so integral to Chicago’s identity. The Bears’ board of directors recently voted to prioritize the Hammond site over existing plans in Arlington Heights.

The Chicago Bears' board of directors voted to pursue building a stadium in Hammond, Indiana, potentially making it the first out-of-state home for the team in its 106-year history. The project involves a $2 billion commitment from the Bears, with revenue retained by the team and a 40-year buyback option after Indiana taxpayers cover bonds. The decision shifts focus from alternatives like Arlington Heights and a failed Lakefront plan in Chicago.

The Chicago Bears have advanced their stadium plan in Indiana, prompting a response from Arlington Heights' mayor, who expressed disappointment but reaffirmed the village's commitment to community priorities. Illinois lawmakers continue efforts to secure the team in the state despite the Bears' shift, citing a focus on taxpayer relief over stadium funding.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson admitted leaving a Bears game early to avoid traffic at Soldier Field, highlighting concerns about stadium accessibility. The Bears are considering moving to Arlington Heights or Hammond, with a decision expected by summer, despite Johnson's efforts to keep the team in Chicago.

The Chicago Bears are adhering to their stadium site selection timeline despite uncertainty over Illinois state legislation that would provide tax incentives. The Illinois Senate passed a bill to create local stadium authorities, but the House did not act before the legislative session ended. The Bears are evaluating sites in Arlington Heights and Hammond, Indiana, with a decision expected in late spring or early summer.

The Bears' proposed stadium bill stalled in the Illinois House, which adjourned without voting after the Senate passed a version at 3:39 a.m. The team remains undecided between Arlington Heights and Hammond, Indiana, while a source claims Illinois is challenging the Bears to move to Indiana. Governor J.B. Pritzker stated he would not allocate taxpayer funds to a billionaire-owned team.

Arlington Heights criticized Illinois lawmakers for failing to pass a stadium bill for the Chicago Bears during the spring session, calling the inaction a 'fumble.' While the Illinois Senate approved a modified bill, the House did not vote, and the Bears remain undecided on their stadium location, considering both Arlington Heights and Hammond, Indiana, which offers up to $1 billion in relocation incentives.

The Chicago Bears issued a statement following the passage of Illinois' $55.9 billion budget without a stadium bill, confirming they will continue evaluating locations like Arlington Heights and Hammond. The Illinois Senate passed a modified stadium bill overnight, but the House did not vote before adjourning, leaving the team's future in the state uncertain.

The Illinois legislature passed a $55B budget without including a Chicago Bears stadium bill, leaving the team's future in the state uncertain. The Senate approved a modified bill allowing Cook County municipalities to create local stadium authorities, but the House has not yet voted. The Bears stated they will continue evaluating locations like Arlington Heights and Hammond.

Illinois lawmakers passed a $56 billion state budget with new taxes and tax reliefs but failed to pass legislation related to the Chicago Bears stadium. Governor JB Pritzker and House Speaker Chris Welch acknowledged the stalled efforts to retain the Bears in Illinois amid Indiana's competing proposal.

Illinois lawmakers are proposing a new stadium-financing framework to attract the Chicago Bears, allowing municipalities to create financing authorities similar to past projects. The plan would have the Bears build a stadium on publicly owned land without paying property taxes, addressing their concerns about potential $100 million tax bills in Arlington Heights.

The Illinois General Assembly is holding its final session day to pass critical legislation, including the 2027 state budget featuring a social media tax and casino tax changes. Lawmakers also face decisions on a potential bill to retain the Chicago Bears in Illinois and other measures like AI regulations and housing development laws.

Illinois lawmakers introduced a new bill to keep the Chicago Bears in-state, proposing a publicly-owned stadium model similar to Soldier Field. The plan replaces an earlier PILOT concept that failed due to opposition from Chicago Democratic state senators. The Bears have not publicly commented on the proposal, while Indiana offers up to $1 billion to relocate the team to Hammond.

Illinois lawmakers are crafting a 'plan B' to prevent the Chicago Bears from relocating by creating a municipally-owned public stadium authority in Cook County. The original 'megaprojects' bill, which would have allowed the Bears to pay reduced fees instead of property taxes, failed to pass, prompting new negotiations. The Bears have not responded to the proposal, while Indiana offers up to $1 billion in incentives to relocate.

The Bears’ megaprojects bill lacks sufficient Senate votes to pass before the legislative session deadline, with concerns over tax revenue uncertainty complicating negotiations. Alternative proposals focusing on tax certainty for the Bears’ Arlington Heights development are being discussed, but a final agreement remains unresolved.

Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas released a controversial analysis of the state megaprojects proposal, including a Bears stadium complex, which critics argue relies on unrealistic assumptions. The report focuses on potential tax savings for the Bears if they relocate to Arlington Heights, but Rep. Kam Buckner criticized it for ignoring the uncertainty of project approval and legal challenges.

State Rep. Kam Buckner predicts Illinois lawmakers will approve property tax relief for the Bears to build a stadium in Arlington Heights and address Chicago traffic issues. The bill, sponsored by Buckner, includes tax breaks for homeowners and economic incentives for Chicago development projects. State Sen. Bill Cunningham is negotiating Senate changes to finalize the deal.

Illinois lawmakers in Springfield are considering major decisions on new laws, including a Bears stadium project and AI legislation, as the legislative session approaches its May 31 deadline. A PILOT bill to secure property tax rates for the Bears stadium in Arlington Heights faces political and logistical challenges, while AI-related bills are part of a broader legislative package.

Illinois lawmakers face a Sunday deadline to pass a PILOT bill to secure the Chicago Bears' stadium project in Arlington Heights. Opposition from Chicago lawmakers and internal Democratic Party disagreements have complicated negotiations, with a potential special session requiring a higher legislative threshold if no agreement is reached by the session's end.

The Chicago Bears have confirmed they are leaving the city and will build a new stadium in either Arlington Heights, Illinois or Hammond, Indiana, with a decision expected by early summer. However, Chicago politicians are attempting to delay the Arlington Heights project legislation by promoting a lakefront stadium option in Chicago to keep the franchise in the city.

Governor JB Pritzker criticizes Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson for lacking a plan to keep the Chicago Bears in the city, while Johnson's office proposes a publicly owned stadium. Pritzker wants a fair deal for taxpayers and the state of Illinois. The team's relocation is still uncertain.