A general view of the exterior of Soldier Field Jon Durr-USA TODAY Sports

Chicago mayor wants dome at Soldier Field

By Chelena Goldman | Last updated 7/6/22

The plan for the Bears to leave downtown Chicago and move to Arlington Heights feels like a done deal even though construction on a new stadium out in the suburbs hasn't broken ground yet.

Chicago mayor Lori Lightfoot is still trying to find ways to keep the team from leaving town, proposing that Soldier Field get a makeover instead and have a dome added to the roof.

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(@AlliedFirst) https://t.co/f8GaNu3J4j
— WGN Radio 720 (@WGNRadio) July 6, 2022

This isn't the first time Lightfoot has suggested putting a roof on the old stadium in an effort to keep the team from moving. The Bears finalized a deal last fall for land in Arlington Heights and can leave their lease at Soldier Field in 2026, so it would have to take a massive proposal to get them to stay.

Lightfoot's dome proposal has been met mostly with criticism, especially since putting a new dome on the 98-year-old stadium will cost taxpayers a boatload. There is also the issue with the current downtown location not offering the capacity and resources that a suburban location can offer.

If the city of Chicago wants to keep the #Bears from moving, they’ll need more than a dome on Soldier Field.

Arlington Heights gives them potential for more seats, more parking, stadium ownership rights and outside revenue opportunities. A dome alone won’t fix the big issues.
— Jacob Infante (@jacobinfante24) July 6, 2022

Soldier Field is exploring adding a dome, which could cost between $400m and $1.5bn. No guarantee the Bears would stay. https://t.co/Bs7UaHZQt5
— Bob Williams (@WilliamsBob75) July 6, 2022

Soldier Field was last renovated in 2002. It currently has the lowest capacity of any stadium in the NFL at 61,500.

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