It's gone. For anyone who grew up in the northwest suburbs of Chicago, driving past the intersection of Wilke and Euclid Roads feels... wrong. The massive, cantilevered roof that once defined the skyline of Arlington Heights is a ghost. It’s basically a flat expanse of dirt and broken dreams now. Arlington International Racecourse wasn't just a place where you'd lose twenty bucks on a horse with a funny name; it was arguably the most beautiful horse racing venue in the world. Even the people at Churchill Downs knew it.
The story of the Arlington race track Arlington Heights Illinois is honestly a bit of a tragedy, depending on who you ask. Some blame the "greed" of corporate ownership. Others point to the dying interest in horse racing among younger generations. Then you've got the Chicago Bears fans, who are caught in this weird limbo of wanting a shiny new stadium but realizing that the math doesn't always add up. It’s a mess. A very expensive, 326-acre mess.
From the Ashes of 1985
You can't talk about Arlington without talking about the fire. On July 31, 1985, the original grandstand burned to the ground. It was a massive disaster. Most people thought that was the end. But Richard Duchossois—a man who basically embodied the phrase "old-school stubbornness"—refused to let it die. He held the "Miracle Million" just weeks later using temporary bleachers. People sat in the dust and heat to watch horses run because the spirit of the place was that strong.
When he rebuilt it, he didn't just build a track. He built a palace.
The new six-story grandstand cost about $200 million. In the late 80s, that was a staggering amount of money. It featured a world-class paddock, a balcony that made you feel like royalty, and a turf course that was frequently cited as the best in North America. By the time the Arlington Million—the first million-dollar race in history—was back in its proper home, the venue was the gold standard.
The Numbers That Drove the Exit
Why did it close? If you listen to Churchill Downs Inc. (CDI), the owners who eventually pulled the plug, it was about "economic viability." But the stats tell a more complex story. In its final years, the track was struggling against the rise of "racinos." In states like Indiana and Pennsylvania, tracks were allowed to have slot machines and table games. That revenue subsidized the purses, which attracted better horses.
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Illinois was late to the party.
By the time the state finally passed legislation in 2019 to allow Arlington to have slots, CDI did something that shocked the racing world: they passed. They didn't want the slots. Why? Because they also own a majority stake in Rivers Casino in nearby Des Plaines. They didn't want to compete with themselves. They basically owned a monopoly on gambling in the area and didn't see the point in investing millions into a racing facility when they could just sell the land for a massive profit and keep the gambling revenue at Rivers.
- Final Race Date: September 25, 2021.
- Total Acreage: 326 acres.
- Purchase Price by Chicago Bears: $197.2 million.
It’s kind of a gut punch when you look at those numbers. The track was sold for less than the price of a mid-tier NFL quarterback's contract extension.
The Bears, The Taxman, and The Gridlock
So, here we are in 2026, and the site is a wasteland of stalled negotiations. When the Chicago Bears bought the property, everyone assumed the shovels would be in the ground by now. But the Arlington Heights race track site has become a case study in "be careful what you wish for."
The main sticking point hasn't been the football; it’s been the property taxes. The local school districts (Districts 15, 211, and 214) and the Bears have been in a literal cage match over the valuation of the land. The Cook County Assessor’s Office initially valued the property at a level that would have cost the Bears about $16 million a year in taxes. The Bears argued that since the grandstand was demolished and the land was vacant, it should be taxed at a much lower "junk" rate.
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It’s a classic standoff. The Bears threatened to look back at the city and the lakefront. The suburbs threatened to leave the land empty. It’s honestly exhausting to follow the back-and-forth.
The Culture We Lost
What the spreadsheets don't show is the lifestyle. Arlington was where you went for Mother's Day. It was where you had your corporate Christmas party in July. There was a specific dress code for the Million—linen suits, big hats, and overpriced mint juleps. It felt like Kentucky, but with a better skyline view and easier access to the Metra.
The demographics of the track were fascinating too. On a typical Saturday, you'd see:
- The High Rollers: Sitting in the Million Room, eating prime rib, and betting thousands on "exactas."
- The Families: Kids running around the park area while parents tried to keep track of a $2 win bet.
- The Die-Hards: Guys who had been sitting in the same seats since the 70s, clutching their Daily Racing Form and smelling faintly of tobacco and desperation.
It was one of the few places in the Chicago area where these worlds actually collided. Without it, there’s a massive hole in the summer social calendar of the northwest suburbs. Hawthorne Race Course in Cicero is still hanging on, but let's be real—it’s not Arlington. It doesn't have the same soul.
Misconceptions About the Land
There’s this weird rumor that the land is "tainted" or that there are environmental issues preventing the Bears from building. Mostly, that’s nonsense. The demolition was handled pretty efficiently. The real "taint" is purely financial and political.
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Another misconception? That the track was losing money hand over fist. While it wasn't the cash cow it was in the 1990s, it was still a functioning, profitable enterprise for much of its life. The decision to close it was a strategic move by a corporation that decided land development and protected casino interests were more valuable than the sport of kings.
The Arlington Race Track Legacy (Simple Explanation)
Basically, the track died because the world around it changed. Horse racing is a hard sell to Gen Z. It’s slow. It’s controversial from an animal welfare standpoint. And when you can bet on a basketball game from your phone while sitting on your couch, the appeal of driving to Arlington Heights to watch a three-minute race every half hour starts to fade for the average person.
But for those who loved it, it wasn't about the gambling. It was about the sound. If you ever stood near the rail when a pack of twelve thoroughbreds thundered past at 40 miles per hour, you felt it in your chest. It was a physical vibration. You can't get that from an app.
What Happens Now?
If you're looking for the Arlington race track Arlington Heights Illinois today, you’re looking at a fence. The Bears have finished the major demolition work. The site is "shovel-ready," but the money isn't moving.
What’s the most likely outcome? Eventually, a deal will be struck. The Bears aren't going to sit on $200 million worth of dirt forever. Whether it’s a domed stadium, a massive mixed-use residential district, or a combination of both, the site will eventually become something else. But it will never be a race track again. The permits are gone, the infrastructure is pulverized, and the "palace" is a memory.
Actionable Steps for the Curious
If you’re interested in the history or the future of this site, here is what you should actually do:
- Visit the Arlington Heights Historical Museum: They have a dedicated collection of memorabilia from the track, including old programs and photos from the 1985 fire. It’s the best way to see what the place actually looked like in its prime.
- Monitor the Cook County Board of Review: If you want to know when the Bears will actually start building, watch the tax appeals. When the tax number gets settled, the construction announcements will follow within weeks.
- Check Out Hawthorne Race Course: If you need a horse racing fix, this is the last stand for thoroughbred racing in the Chicago area. Support it now, or it’ll likely meet the same fate as Arlington.
- Search for "Arlington Million" archives on YouTube: Watch the 1981 race (John Henry's win). It explains everything you need to know about why this place mattered to the world of sports.
The era of big-time racing in Illinois has largely passed. We’re in the era of "multi-use developments" and "sports entertainment districts" now. It’s more efficient, sure. It’s probably more profitable. But it’s definitely a lot less beautiful than a summer afternoon at the track.