In January 2025, the University of Illinois System launched a new partnership with travel industry leader Anthony Travel. Since then, we've received positive feedback about the enhanced services. In addition to our dedicated travel consultants, we now have a hotel program manager, Chicago native and UIUC alum Matthew Blume, focused on supporting our university community.
Matt has been building a portfolio of contracted hotel room rates for University System employees, visitors, and guests in Chicago, Peoria, Springfield, and Urbana-Champaign for business or personal travel. These contracted rates provide a 15-35% discount off standard retail rates.
Please note, while some of the contracted hotels have blackout dates for football/special event weekends or city-wide conventions, many still provide a percentage off retail during these high-demand times.
All the contracted hotels provide a 24-hour cancellation policy, and prepayment is not required.
The contracted hotel rates have been added to the iTravel online booking tool and are also listed under the Hotel Discount Programs page of the Business & Finance website, with booking links to the discounted rates. For assistance with room requests of 9 rooms or fewer per night, please email UITravel@anthonytravel.com.
For group events at a hotel, Matt will handle the sourcing, contract negotiations, and payment for meeting space (with or without catering), and/or guest room blocks of 10 or more rooms. Instead of spending hours or days researching potential hotels, let Matt use his expertise to do the work for you. Units may complete an Event Questionnaire or contact Matt at matthewblume@anthonytravel.com or by phone (708) 348-1270. Matt is also available to meet with your unit to discuss the new U of I System Hotel Program and the services he can provide for your upcoming events.
Contact
If you have questions, please email the UPAY Travel Management Office at tmo@uillinois.edu.
