More Police, New Fire Station? Arlington Heights Ramps Up Planning for Bears Stadium Development
As the Chicago Bears shift their stadium development focus back to Arlington Heights, local officials are intensifying planning discussions to determine what infrastructure and resources will be needed to support a potential NFL stadium in the northwest suburb.
The Bears confirmed on Friday that they are once again prioritizing redevelopment of the 326-acre Arlington Park property they purchased in 2023, after plans for a new lakefront stadium in downtown Chicago stalled due to lack of state funding and political support. Now, with the Bears appearing more committed to their suburban vision, Arlington Heights is reassessing what it would take to safely and efficiently host NFL game days — including significant upgrades in public safety and emergency response.
Village leaders have long anticipated this possibility. As far back as 2022, officials from the Arlington Heights police and fire departments were dispatched to cities with NFL stadiums — including Inglewood (home of the Rams and Chargers), Foxborough (home of the Patriots), Arlington, Texas (home of the Cowboys), and Las Vegas (home of the Raiders) — to study operations during large-scale sporting events.
But with the Bears’ latest announcement, those early fact-finding missions are now turning into actionable planning. Among the chief concerns is whether the village’s current public safety infrastructure can meet the demands of hosting up to 70,000 fans on game days, along with additional events throughout the year.
“We’re looking very closely at staffing, traffic management, emergency services, and potential upgrades to our facilities,” one village official noted. “This is no longer theoretical — we have to be ready if and when this development becomes reality.”
One of the most likely outcomes is the construction of a new fire station closer to the stadium site to ensure rapid response times. The village is also considering the need for expanded police personnel and increased traffic control capabilities, particularly around major roadways like Route 53 and Northwest Highway.
In the meantime, working groups within village hall continue to meet regularly to review everything from public transportation options and crowd control measures to noise ordinances and community engagement.
The Bears’ renewed focus on Arlington Heights signals a major shift in the region’s sports and entertainment landscape — and for village officials, the time to prepare is now.