West Side Voters Oppose Public Funding for Bears Stadium

A ballot referendum in Chicago’s 29th Ward has shown clear opposition to public funding for a proposed new stadium for the Chicago Bears. 

• With five out of eight precincts reporting, 79 percent of voters cast their ballots against the idea of taxpayer subsidies for the stadium, highlighting widespread resistance to the use of public funds.

Policy View: The non-binding referendum, driven by former Gov. Pat Quinn, appeared on ballots in various precincts across Austin, Galewood, and Montclare. Voters were asked whether Chicago should provide taxpayer subsidies for a new Bears stadium, with a majority rejecting the idea. Quinn, a vocal proponent of taxpayer rights and transparency, has positioned the vote as a way for citizens to express their stance on the potential use of public dollars for stadium developments.

Context & Background: The Chicago Bears have been exploring options for a new stadium, with proposals for a lakefront site requiring up to $1.5 billion in public funds. While the lakefront proposal remains on the table, the Bears have also considered relocating to Arlington Heights, where they own the former Arlington International Racecourse property.

The West Side referendum is part of a broader trend, as public sentiment across the country has increasingly leaned against taxpayer-funded stadium projects. Earlier this year, Kansas City voters similarly rejected a sales tax proposal to fund new sports venues, setting a precedent that local leaders, including Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, have referenced in their own discussions on stadium financing.

A Broader Message: Although the referendum is non-binding, the outcome sends a strong message about taxpayer priorities in Chicago, especially as debates continue over public versus private funding for major developments. As the Bears weigh their options, West Side voters have made it clear they prefer other uses for taxpayer dollars, echoing national skepticism toward public subsidies for stadiums.