Environmental Concerns and Plans for New Bears Stadium

As the mayor of Arlington Heights, Jim Tinaglia is pushing forward plans for a new Chicago Bears stadium in the area. While serving as an architect, Tinaglia expresses caution about the rival proposed location in Hammond, Indiana. He points out the potential contamination from hazardous materials, raising serious concerns about the site’s suitability.

Local residents have previously advocated for cleaning up the area near Wolf Lake in Hammond. This resulted in a golf course atop a slag heap, a byproduct of steel production, covered with treated biosolids. The site is surrounded by hazardous waste areas, near an oil tank storage facility, and close to the Midwest’s largest oil refinery.

Though the Bears organization has not commented, they have conducted soil tests to assess land viability for the stadium. The site’s industrial history places doubt on its fitness for such a large complex. These environmental issues have not been part of the official discussions about the Bears’ potential relocation.

Early this year, Indiana lawmakers approved funding of $1 billion plus $2 billion from the Bears for a stadium in Hammond. Its key advantage is proximity to Chicago, located just over the border, about 30 minutes from downtown.

Illinois legislators are deliberating on whether to present a counterproposal that might permit sponsors to negotiate property tax reductions. Additionally, the Bears request state funding for approximately $855 million in infrastructure costs earmarked for roads and sewers at the Arlington International Racecourse site.

Environmental entities approached for comment appeared mostly silent, with some relief the site isn’t near Gary, thereby protecting the Indiana Dunes National Park. Michael Boos, from the Wolf Lake Initiative, expressed that the stadium proposal conflicts with conservation goals for the watershed, including fish and wildlife habitat.

Local officials remain confident about Hammond. Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr. represents the site as a model for environmental remediation, stressing that the Bears possess extensive knowledge of the local environmental conditions, backed by their significant financial commitment.

McDermott argues that public perception of the area might be outdated, referencing improvements after the closure of the State Line Generating coal plant in 2012, which positively impacted emissions and air quality.

The federal EPA continues handling hazardous waste sites, including the former Federated Metals facility known for lead and arsenic contamination. Current efforts include a $200 million cleanup project in the Grand Calumet River area, targeting pollutants such as PCBs, heavy metals, oil, and grease.

While BP’s Whiting refinery, the largest globally, remains a significant industrial presence, McDermott assures the refinery is not adjacent to the Bears’ proposed site. He emphasizes the area’s recreational benefits despite lingering industrial challenges. Fish, biking, and cultural events are regularly hosted near Wolf Lake next to the Bears’ location.

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker anticipates legislation before the session ends May 31 to promote the Bears’ stadium in Arlington Heights.