For Illini fans in Chicago, yesterday’s announcement was a dream come true: On Sept. 14, 2013, Illinois will host the Washington Huskies at Soldier Field.

It doesn’t matter who the opponent is really, all that’s important is that the Orange & Blue will be heading to Soldier Field!

“This is a great opportunity for our football team to play in one of the most historic football venues in the nation,” Director of Athletics Mike Thomas said. “Soldier Field is in an incredible location that will allow our fans in the Chicagoland area and from around the state an opportunity to watch the Fighting Illini take on an outstanding Pac-12 opponent in Washington.”

The Fighting Illini hosted current Pac-12 member Washington State at Soldier Field on Sept. 1, 1994, with what seems to be a typical Illinois/Pac 12 score of  10-9 in favor of the Cougars.

I’ve been hearing that some fans down south are a little upset that the Illini have given up a home game to play in Chicago, but they seem to be missing the point! Soldier Field is a historic venue, and with such a large conglomerate of fans in the Chicago area it’s great to have the opportunity to see them play close to our home. I can’t even count how many trips I’ve taken to Champaign over the years; I could get there on I57 in my sleep.

What I’m upset about is that Sept. 14, 2013 is Yom Kippur, which means unless the game is after sundown, I can’t go. I missed the game at Wrigley Field two years ago because I was watching the basketball team play in Madison Square Garden. I don’t regret that decision, but I will say I had those basketball plans made way before the Wrigley announcement was even made, so-.

Point is, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE schedule this game for the evening! It’s still going to be a stretch to make it work, but if they play during the day I’ll miss yet another exciting Illini visit in the Chi, and I’m not going to be happy.