Chicago Bears take major step toward leaving city after more than a century as franchise makes Indiana plans

We could be seeing the end of an era unfold in real time as a legacy NFL franchise with a century of history in its signature American city is moving forward with plans to leave town: The Bears are advancing their stadium development project in Hammond, Indiana.

The team announced Friday afternoon that it has taken this significant step toward pulling up stakes from Chicago and even the state of Illinois.

The Bears' board of directors met on Thursday, into the evening, and voted to...