Aurora becomes latest municipality to court Bears
AURORA, Ill. (CBS) -- The City of Aurora has now joined the municipalities courting the Chicago Bears.
Aurora officials said they sent a letter of interest to the Bears, asking them to consider Illinois' second-largest city as a viable relocation option.
"The opportunity to partner with the historic Chicago Bears as you search for the perfect new home is one we are eager to take on," Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin wrote in the letter. "Turning a vision into reality is not always easy. It requires the right resources to make dreams come true. Aurora offers unparalleled key resources to take a vision and make dreams come true. Our professional team of government and development professionals has a proven track record of getting big things done."
Specifically, Irvin pointed to plans for a new $360 million Hollywood Casino Aurora, redevelopment of the Fox Valley Mall, and construction of new housing and retail space along the Aurora riverfront downtown.
The letter comes after Bears Chief Executive Officer Kevin Warren on Monday called the Bears' plans to move to Arlington Heights a "stalemate."
Since the Bears bought the old Arlington Park in February for just under $200 million, Naperville and Waukegan have entered the discussion on housing the new stadium. The Bears have met with officials from Naperville to discuss their pitch for a possible stadium. Meantime, leaders in Rockford also have thrown their hat in the ring, although there have been no formal talks.
As new Mayor Brandon Johnson has also signaled, there also could be new life in keeping the Bears in Chicago.