Here’s the part I cited. I guess they feel if the give the Bears control and favorable terms it will be better for them than the lot and tax bill the county has assessed.
Article says the Bears are working with Goldman Sachs and Sidley Austin on this so it sounds to me like they are serious.
Johnson has also signaled to the team he’s amenable to the project and wants to keep the team in the city. The city, through the Chicago Park District, is also willing to provide better lease terms to the team to make renting, rather than owning in Arlington Heights, more attractive — including stadium naming rights, revenue sharing and a sportsbook that the Park District blocked at Soldier Field.