Officials said Cardillo will make the ultimate decision on relocation. A preferred location is expected to be announced on April 1.

Durbin, D-Ill., said on Friday he has spoken to President Barack Obama about the project. Obama once represented Scott Air Force Base and the Metro East in the U.S. Senate.

Durbin wouldn’t characterize his conversations with Obama, but said the final decision is up to Cardillo, the NGA director.

“I think we made a powerful case today,” Durbin said.

Durbin stressed Scott’s importance to the St. Louis region, with the base being one of the region’s 10 largest employers. Officials believe NGA would further block the base from future closure threats.

In 2005, Durbin noted, top Pentagon leaders looked at moving NGA to Scott during the Base Realignment and Closure Commission proceedings. The military later scrapped that plan, but Durbin says it showed the value of the St. Clair County location.

Illinois still faces stiff opposition from St. Louis.