Crews work to remove snow from the field before Saturday’s game at Gies Memorial Stadium.
Players get a first look at Saturday’s playing conditions. Fans, meanwhile, will be limited to sitting in the west stands.
Crews work to remove snow from the field before Saturday’s game at Gies Memorial Stadium.
Saturday’s snowy scene.
Saturday’s snowy scene.
Former Illini Patrick Rouse and family tailgated in a wide-open Lot 31 before tonight’s game.
Saturday’s snowy scene included a few brave tailgaters in Lot 31.
Facilities worker Rian Jones clears the way outside Gies Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
Voice of the Illini Brian Barnhart and Co. prep for tonight’s broadcast.
Saturday’s snowy scene.
Saturday’s snowy scene.
Saturday’s snowy scene.
Saturday’s snowy scene.
Players get a first look at Saturday’s playing conditions. Fans, meanwhile, will be limited to sitting in the west stands.
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The latest as snow blankets East Central Illinois:
— Snow has made a mess of things at Gies Memorial Stadium.
Crews continue to clear snow from the playing field ahead of the Illini’s 6:30 p.m. kickoff against Northwestern.
Tailgating lots are basically empty save for a few, brave fans.
The Marching Illini plan to perform, Director Barry Houser said, although the band members will remain in the stands.
ARound 4:15 p.m., the Illini arrived by bus from their team hotel. However, instead of the usual Illini Walk through Grange Grove, the team arrived on the north side of the stadium and walked directly to the locker room.
The Fox TV crew — Connor Onion and Mark Helfrich — are on the field to inspect playing conditions.
In other news:
— Champaign’s Public Works has declared that the sidewalk snow and ice removal requirement in the Downtown, Midtown, and Campustown areas is in effect.
— The Urbana Free Library and two Chamaign public libraries are closing at noon today.
— The City of Monticello has declared a snow emergency, effective at 11 a.m. Snow routes will be activated at that time. Parking is prohibited on the designated routes lisetd below to allow for snow removal.
Seating for fans will be available only the west side of the stadium.
Residents and visitors should remove their vehicles from these routes so city staff can safely work.
Snow routes are:
— Marion St., from Piatt St. to Allerton Rd.
— Center St., from Market St. to Buchanan St.
— Buchanan St., from Center St. to Marion St.
— Kratz Rd., from Market St. to Hillside Dr.
— Charter St., both sides, between Livingston St. and Lafayette St.
— State St., both sides, between Livingston St. and Lafayette St.
— Main St., both sides, between Market St. and Independence St.
— Washington St., both sides, between Market St. and Independence St.
