With the Chicago Bears leaving Soldier Field, two alternative sites are in Naperville, but city planning consultant Joe McElroy, along with many others, thinks the NFL team is simply trying to gain leverage with Arlington Heights, where the Bears have purchased a former horse racing track.

“Even so, the nibble from the Bears demonstrates that Naperville should consider developing small area plans for the large campuses once occupied by Bell Labs and Amoco, once the city’s biggest employers. Recent zoning changes should preclude high density warehouse facilities, but other land uses should be examined.

Then Naperville can help the property owners find the highest and best use for the properties, according to McElroy.