A former linebacker and special teams player for the Chicago Bears has announced plans to tackle a job now held by one of the northwest suburb's longer serving mayors.
Jim Schwantz, a linebacker for the Bears and the Dallas Cowboys during his six-year NFL career, said Monday that he would run next year for Palatine mayor.
"I'm a product of Palatine," Schwantz said. "For the better part of 30 years, I've taken advantage of everything Palatine offers. I felt at this point, it's time for me to start giving back."
He said he has respect for incumbent Rita Mullins. But he said he thought he could bring a new energy to Village Council meetings.
Schwantz, a football star at Fremd High School in Palatine and later at Purdue University, is a radio co-host of Chicago Bears pre- and postgame shows on WBBM-AM 780.