On Saturday, the Evanston Fire Department rescued two dogs from the ice shelf at the dog beach. If a dog ventures onto an ice shelf during the winter, the animal's owner should not go out for a rescue — as the owner could also be at risk. A 911 call is the right way to go in such a situation, the department said.

Here are some parting thoughts as the 2024 college football season officially came to a close for the major programs around Illinois.

Northwestern and Rutgers both occupy the bottom third of the Big Ten as the Wildcats prepare to host the Scarlet Knights on Wednesday in Evanston, Ill. The schools also share

just east of downtown Evanston and south of the Northwestern University campus. The dog beach will reopen once it is safe, the department said.

Rutgers Scarlet Knights (10-10, 3-6 Big Ten) at Northwestern Wildcats (12-8, 3-6 Big Ten) Evanston, Illinois; Wednesday, 9 p.m. EST BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Wildcats -6.5; over/under is 140.5 BOTTOM LINE: Rutgers faces Northwestern after Jordan Derkack scored 26 points in Rutgers' 81-74 loss to the Michigan State Spartans.

The Illini crashed the boards and hit the floor to scrap their way to an 83-74 win over the Wildcats in Champaign

Illinois men's basketball is looking to avoid a three game losing streak as they welcome Northwestern to the State Farm Center Sunday Jan. 26.

No. 17 Illinois plays a rematch against Northwestern on Sunday in Champaign without sophomore center Tomislav Ivišić.

Northwestern hasn't won at Illinois since January 2013 -- two months before Chris Collins became the Wildcats' head coach. Collins has led Northwestern to the first three NCAA Tournament appearances

It was the Illini's ninth straight win at State Farm Center against the Wildcats, who haven't swept a season series since 1966.