CHAMPAIGN, IL (Chambana Today) – A major construction milestone was reached at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC).
The Illinois Capital Development Board (CDB) in partnership with the UIUC, state and local officials, and members of the campus community, celebrated a milestone for the Illini Hall Replacement and Altgeld Hall Renovation Project. The third phase has begun on the Illini Hall Replacement and Altgeld Hall Renovation Project. This involves constructing a new academic facility that will replace the former Illini Hall.
The new facility will house the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences’ Departments of Mathematics and Statistics. It will feature lecture halls, classrooms, research labs, collaboration spaces, student organization meeting areas, faculty offices, and special program rooms. The second floor will house a data science center, as part of the University of Illinois hub of the Illinois Innovation Network. The facility will also prioritize modern sustainability practices throughout construction.
“This milestone highlights the state’s commitment to strengthening the University of Illinois’ efforts as they modernize their campus to meet the workforce needs of tomorrow,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “With a state-of-the-art data science center, new lecture halls, and classrooms, this project not only provides students with the spaces they need to learn but also creates lasting opportunities for Illinois’ future leaders.”
Phase 1 began in 2023, which included the demolition of the original Illini Hall. The final phase will focus on interior renovations to Altgeld Hall.
“These state-of-the-art, tech-enabled spaces will rejuvenate the core of campus and become home to current and future generations of Illinois students and faculty pursuing innovation and excellence in data sciences and advanced analytics,” said University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Chancellor Robert Jones. “It will reinforce our state’s reputation as the center of the industries that will define the 21stcentury.”
“As a graduate of the University of Illinois and a longtime Champaign resident, I’m proud to see the future of our campus taking shape,” said State Senator Paul Faraci (D-Champaign). “The new Illini Hall will be a hub for innovation in data science and a great resource for students and faculty across disciplines. Investing in projects like this – and the renovation of Altgeld Hall – shows a strong commitment to the university’s growth and its long-term impact.”
The Illinois CDB will continue to oversee the project, which is anticipated for completion in 2027.