Richton Park offers 1,000 acres to Chicago Bears in bid for new home

CHICAGO - As the Chicago Bears weigh their options for a building a new multi-billion dollar stadium, one south suburban mayor is throwing a Hail Mary pass.

Richton Park is now the fifth suburb vying to become home of the Bears.

Richton Park Mayor Rick Reinbold sent a letter this week to Bears team president Kevin Warren, inviting the Bears to look south for a new home — way south.

"Some people would say why Richton Park? My response is why not Richton Park? We have the land, we have the location, we have access to transportation. So there's everything you need right here in Richton Park. And for those organizations that value diversity, equity and inclusion, there's no better place to stick that stake in the ground than Richton Park," Reinbold said.

The Mayor points out that Richton Park is 85% African American.

Reinbold said the community of about 13,000 people on the far southern outskirts of the Chicago area owns about 1,000 acres of farmland just west of I-57, off of Sauk Trail Road. And he says that would be a perfect location for a new Bears stadium because it’s close to two interstates and two Metra Electric stops.

"There would be very little site prep that is needed," said Reinbold. "The majority of it is farm field at this time, so you’re not having to tear buildings down."

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The Bears have already plunked down close to $200 million for the Arlington Park racetrack property in Arlington Heights, and began demolishing the old racetrack last month.

But they’ve also been exploring other options since last June, when a property tax assessment on the Arlington property came in much higher than the Bears liked. So far, the Bears have heard from Naperville, Aurora, Waukegan, and now Richton Park.

Mayor Reinbold said it’s important for the Southland to have a seat at the table.

"What we have to look at on the bigger picture is, what would something like this mean in terms of additional development for the region, which would generate revenue and income for the village. But also, what does it generate in terms of jobs for the community?"

Reinbold said he hasn’t heard back from the Bears yet. But the team released a statement Tuesday saying they owe it to their fans to continue exploring all options.

So what would you call the storied franchise if they move 32 miles south of Soldier Field?

"We’d be more than willing to let the Bears continue to be called the Chicago Bears," Reinbold said with a laugh. "Richton Park Bears kind of has a nice ring to it."