Park District seems ready to punt, with expected departure of Chicago Bears

Soldier Field entrance
Crews clean metal detectors at the gate 0 entrance at Soldier Field before the game between the Chicago Bears and the Miami Dolphins. Photo credit Jon Durr-USA TODAY Sports

(WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- The Chicago Park District may be on the verge of losing its biggest renter -- the Chicago Bears -- and now officials want to hire consultants to help set a course for the future.

The Park District says it wants to "reimagine its purpose" with a multiyear strategic plan.

That reimagination may include life without the Chicago Bears, the Park District's No. 1 tenant, which seems inclined to leave Soldier Field for life in the suburbs.

The Park District has put out a Request for Proposals "for qualified consultants to develop and support a new strategic plan."

The Chicago Park District wants to put some distance between its new incarnation and the past: a sex-abuse scandal involving teenagers who worked as lifeguards and the ouster of the CEO from that period.

The proposals are due in about a month.

Listen to our new podcast Courier Pigeon
Listen to WBBM Newsradio now on Audacy!
Sign up and follow WBBM Newsradio
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Featured Image Photo Credit: Getty Images