Ex-Bear makes it official: He's running for Palatine mayor

Former Chicago Bear Jim Schwantz hopes his longevity in Palatine will make him a good candidate to lead the suburb.

On Monday, he formally announced his intentions to run for mayor in the April 2009 election.

"I'm a product of Palatine," said the former NFL linebacker, who is 38. "I think it's time to give back."

He and about 50 supporters gathered at the Metra station for the event. Even his kindergarten teacher was there.

Schwantz said he's announcing early because there's a lot of work to do on the campaign.

"I have ideas and visions," he said, "and I want to meet and talk to many Palatine residents."

The ex-Bear went to Fremd High School, was active in local park district programs as a kid and frequented the Palatine library.

Schwantz now works at a local moving company and is a sports radio broadcaster on WBBM 780-AM.

There are no top issues he's running on and he doesn't have specific criticism for the current mayor or village council, he said. He's never run for a political office before.

"I am kind of green at this," he said. "I am little bit unique because I have a different background."

Incumbent Mayor Rita Mullins has held the office since 1989. She said last week that it's too early to announce whether she will run again.

So far, the only other candidate to throw his name into the ring is former Councilman Warren Kostka.

Schwantz started playing for the Bears in 1992 and was traded to the Dallas Cowboys in 1994, where he spent three seasons and played on the winning Super Bowl XXX team.

He signed with the San Francisco 49ers in 1997 and, after one season, came back to the Bears for his final season. He also played at Fremd and at Purdue University.

Jim Hader, a 31-year Palatine resident, says Schwantz is an "outstanding" person who can be trusted with anything. He says a change is needed.

"I don't feel this village is moving ahead at all," Hader said.

From NFL to politics

For some reason, more pro football players have ventured into the political arena than those from any other sport. Among them, according to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, which keeps track:

• Miami Dolphins defensive back Dick Anderson (Florida state senator)

• Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Steve Largent (Oklahoma congressman)

• Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Lynn Swann (ran for governor of Pennsylvania)

• Washington Redskins and New Orleans Saints quarterback Heath Shuler (North Carolina congressman)

• Buffalo Bills quarterback Jack Kemp (New York congressman, Republican vice presidential candidate nominee)

Source: Pro Football Hall of Fame