Hammond Mayor Tom McDermott said Bears President Kevin Warren visited the city again after the team announced Friday that its Board of Directors voted to advance a stadium development project there. McDermott said the Lost Marsh Golf Course near Wolf Lake is one of a "few" properties under consideration.
A longtime Bears fan, McDermott said he is eager to make Hammond the team's new home, pointing to the relative value of the golf course compared with the scale of a potential stadium project.
"The Bears are going to do what they think is best. And if you know, if that means they want to put the stadium on top of the Lost Marsh golf course, they could do that because the Lost Marsh Golf Course is probably worth $25-30 million. And this stadium is going to be worth $5 or $6 billion when it's all said and done," McDermott said.
The renewed attention on Hammond comes as several Illinois Republican lawmakers drafted separate bills aimed at keeping the Bears in Illinois. The proposals would incentivize the team to build a stadium in Arlington Heights, which the Bears have said was the only other property they were considering. One measure mirrors legislation that passed the House before the session ended and would allow the team to make special payments in lieu of property taxes.
State Rep. Dan Ugaste, whose district includes parts of Kane and DuPage counties, said his proposal includes protections for local taxpayers.
"My bill, though, would also contain property tax protections for all local taxpayers, so that they are not shouldered with an extra tax burden because of the development, as well as the fact that it will provide property tax relief for all people statewide," Ugaste said.
State Rep. Martin Mclaughlin's proposal would set benchmarks for the team to meet that he says would benefit both sides.
SEE ALSO: Green Bay radio host sings parody Bears fight song: 'Hammond, Indiana'
The Republican from Barrington says his plan calls for around a $2.5 billion investment from the Bears in Arlington Heights.
The state would be on the hook for about $1.3 billion in infrastructure improvements.
He says his plan could lead to $5 to 6 billion return on investment.
Despite the legislative efforts in Illinois, McDermott said Hammond remains optimistic about its chances.
"So, this is their decision. It's exciting, though. It really is exciting. I like, Kevin Warren called me up the other day with a different thought, and I love it. I love it. I think it's excellent, and I hope it works," McDermott said.
Gov. JB Pritzker said the state has received calls from the Bears and has told the team it needs to clarify its priorities. He said he is willing to continue working with the organization as long as taxpayers are not on the hook.
"I expend political capital all the time. I'll continue to do so to get things done on a priority basis. I will continue to work with the Chicago Bears and anybody who wants to make sure that we provide them with what it is they need, that isn't going to cost taxpayers money," Pritzker said.
Asked how confident he is that a stadium deal could be reached in Illinois, the governor struck a cautious tone.
"I don't know how to characterize my bullishness. Here's what I know. We would like them. I love the Chicago Bears. I want them to be in Illinois," Pritzker said.
The governor said he would be willing to call a special legislative session this summer if lawmakers can reach an agreement on Bears-related legislation. The Bears said they have no updated information to share.