Chicago Bears executives say they still have significant work ahead before choosing a location for a new stadium, but their latest update has fans and officials in Hammond feeling increasingly optimistic about the team's future across the state line. The Bears emphasized they are not rushing a decision. Though Hammond Mayor Tom McDermott said the team's comments and the sites under review suggest positive momentum for Indiana. At Frankie V's Bar in Hammond, longtime fans said the developments feel like a win for the city.
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"I believe they're ready to move here, definitely," Bears fan Mark Morario said. Bears President Kevin Warren said Thursday that the Lost Marsh Golf Course site has been deemed a viable option for a new stadium. The team is now awaiting results from environmental and soil studies at a second location at the Wolf Lake Terminals. McDermott said he believes the Wolf Lake site is the preferred option, noting the Bears initially proposed it. "You're literally on a little peninsula that have a 110-acre island that goes out into Wolf Lake," McDermott said. "And if you're doing blimp shots of the game and you want to get Chicago in the background, you'll see the stadium, Wolf Lake, and the city of Chicago. And it's beautiful." The Bears have not ruled out the former racetrack property they own in Arlington Heights. But discussions with Illinois lawmakers appear to have stalled. Gov. JB Pritzker said the team must clarify what compromises it is willing to make if it wants state support. "And so the question really is, what is it that they're willing to compromise on to make sure that the state government, the legislature, the governor can support it?" Pritzker said. More than two months ago, the Bears' board of directors voted to focus their efforts on Hammond. McDermott said Thursday's update seemed to resonate more with the public than with him, noting he saw a shift immediately after Warren announced the team would concentrate on Hammond. Still, part of the Wolf Lake Terminals site is owned by the Department of Defense, creating a hurdle that Indiana leaders are working to address. "And if this was me alone, Mayor Tom pushing for this, there's no chance that could happen," McDermott said. "But with the help of our U.S. senators and our Congressman Frank Mrvan and the governor, and you know, I think they have a lot more pull with President Trump than I do." Pritzker downplayed the growing excitement in Hammond, saying, "I do believe they would like to stay in the state of Illinois." But in Hammond, optimism continues to build. Frankie V's owner Martina Krstic said the latest update strengthened her belief that the Bears may ultimately choose the city. "Definitely better, reassuring that they are definitely coming. I believe highly," she said. The Bears must still complete environmental and site studies to determine whether the Wolf Lake Terminals location is feasible. McDermott said that if those details can be resolved, he believes Hammond could become the team's next home.