SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WLS) — The race to secure the future home of the Chicago Bears is heating up across the Illinois-Indiana border. Leaders from both states confirm that discussions with the team are ongoing, as new potential locations emerge in the competition.
On Tuesday, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker confirmed that talks with the Bears remain active. The team has been in contact with his office as they scrutinize various options in Illinois. Meanwhile, officials in Hammond, Indiana, also report a sustained interest from the Bears in land there.
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Hammond Mayor Tom McDermott took to his “Left of Center” podcast this week to announce that he is in regular communication with the team.
“I had a conversation with Kevin Warren and interacted with the Bears’ lobbyists and public relations team this week,” McDermott shared.
He further mentioned that the Bears have investigated two locations with as much diligence as they are dedicating to a third prospective site, stating that the team is extremely familiar with that area of the city.
Even as Indiana pitches multiple sites, including golf course property and nearby land for parking, the Bears continue to explore development of the former Arlington International Racecourse property they purchased in Arlington Heights.
Pritzker said his administration and state lawmakers have been providing input as the team reviews two separate stadium-related bills considered this spring.
“They’ve asked for advice. And so our staff, as well as legislators, have offered them that,” he said. “I think they’re looking at both of the bills that passed, the one in the House, the one in the Senate, hoping to put the provisions of each of those together in a form that they think will pass.”
The governor said he remains open to calling a special legislative session this summer if a proposal gains enough support. He also downplayed the idea that Indiana has pulled ahead in the stadium sweepstakes.
“I don’t think Indiana is a whole heck of a lot closer than we are. But, you know, it’s up to the Bears to make a decision about where they want to be,” he said.
New Illinois options continue to emerge.
Last week, the village of McCook delivered a letter to Halas Hall proposing a stadium on 150 acres at a quarry that is being filled in.
“We have a legit pathway to keep them in Illinois that we, we feel we don’t need Springfield for any of it. And we’ll be able to keep the taxes where they want them,” McCook Mayor Terry Carr said.
Chicago-based state Rep. Curtis Tarver has also floated the former U.S. Steel South Works site on the city’s Southeast Side as a potential location.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson reiterated his desire to keep the team near Soldier Field.
“So I think anything that we do to leverage. To keep the Bears in the city of Chicago is something that’s good for the entire state of Illinois,” Johnson said. “But again, keep in mind the only site that the Bears expressed interest in, in Chicago, with the plan, was at the lakefront.”
The Bears did not respond to a request for comment. With multiple proposals in play, the team has not indicated when it expects to make a decision, leaving state and local leaders waiting as the process continues.
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