The Bears aren't officially gone yet, but after Friday's vote, Indiana appears to have the momentum in the race for the team's future home

The team's board of directors voted Friday to move forward with plans for a potential new stadium in Hammond, Indiana. While a final agreement has not yet been reached and a specific site has not been selected, the vote marks the strongest indication yet that the franchise could eventually leave Illinois after more than a century.

The move comes after Illinois lawmakers ended their spring legislative session without approving a package of tax incentives that team officials said would help support development of a new stadium in Arlington Heights. The Bears own property in Arlington Heights but have argued that long-term tax certainty is needed before construction can move forward.

Indiana officials have aggressively pursued the project, reportedly offering up to one billion dollars in incentives to help bring the team across the state line.

Governor JB Pritzker has continued to downplay suggestions that the Bears are definitely leaving Illinois. Earlier this week, Pritzker said a stadium deal remains possible and noted that discussions with the team are still ongoing. However, he has also acknowledged that Illinois will not simply hand over taxpayer dollars to keep the franchise.

If the Hammond project ultimately moves forward, it would mark the first time in the Bears' 106-year history that the team plays its home games outside Illinois. The Bears currently remain under lease at Soldier Field through 2033.