Pritzker, Indiana officials say talks with Bears remain active as new stadium sites emerge

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WLS) -- The competition to land the Chicago Bears' next stadium is intensifying on both sides of the Illinois-Indiana border, with leaders saying conversations with the team remain ongoing as new potential sites surface.

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker said Tuesday that discussions with the Bears are "still alive," noting that the team has reached out to his office for guidance while evaluating options in the state. Meanwhile, Hammond, Indiana, officials say the team continues to show strong interest in property there.

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Hammond Mayor Tom McDermott said on his weekly "Left of Center" podcast that he has been in frequent contact with the team.

"I spoke with Kevin Warren this week. I spoke with the Bears lobbyists and their PR team this week," McDermott said.

He added that the Bears "have looked at two locations with the same intensity that they're looking at this third location," saying the team "knows everything about that part 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.