New Delhi, June 6 -- The Chicago Bears moved closer to potentially leaving Illinois on Friday. Their board of directors voted Thursday to advance plans for a new stadium in Hammond, Indiana, with the exact site still undecided. This marks the first time the board has voted on any specific stadium location.

The Thursday vote signals serious momentum toward building a domed stadium in northwest Indiana. It comes just days after Illinois wrapped up its spring legislative session without securing a deal. The Bears have stated that Chicago-area options are exhausted and expect to make their final stadium choice in late spring or early summer.

Bears chairman George H McCaskey and CEO Kevin Warren laid out their vision clearly. "We believe a w...