Bears achieve lower costs in tax dispute until approval

The Bears’ major tax dispute with three Arlington Heights-area school districts was settled for about the annual cost of a starting center.

The Bears will pay $3.5 million from their salary cap this year for center Coleman Shelton, and the settlement of their Arlington International Racecourse property dispute with the three taxing districts will amount to $3.6 million a year in taxes.

The settlement is ongoing and won’t be finalized until next week, when Northwest Suburban High School District 214, Palatine-Schaumburg School District 211, Palatine Elementary District 15 and Arlington Heights itself consider it for a vote in separate meetings.

The property is valued at 10% of fair market value rather than the usual 25% Arlington Heights Daily Herald. The racetrack’s grandstand and offices were demolished, reducing its market value. The Herald report said they had sought a rate with a payment of about $1.7 million, but the districts’ demands would have put it at just under $9 million.

When can we expect the Bears to start coaching and the NFL rules for it?

CHICAGO GOES INJURY REPORT FRIDAY WEEK 14

HOW THE FEELING OF LIBERATION CAN WORK TO BEARS’ ADVANTAGE

WOULD BEARS EVEN BE ON BEN JOHNSON’S RADAR?

The Bears have said they are still seeking a stadium in the south parking lot of Soldier Field but are considering the Michael Reese Hospital property south of McCormick Place.

The Arlington track site was their original plan for a $5 billion stadium and was put on hold while they pursued a lakefront stadium.

A final decision has not been made on any of these potential sites as state funding remains an issue. The Bears have said they are willing to commit about $2 billion to the lakefront project.

According to the Herald, the tax agreement reached also states that they will all lobby Gov. JB Pritzker for a 23- to 40-year state tax break.

The deal doesn’t necessarily mean a stadium will be built in the northwest suburbs, but it remains a possibility.

Twitter: BearsOnSI