Altgeld and Illini Halls

With its iconic tower and pink sandstone construction, Altgeld Hall is one of the most easily recognized buildings on campus, and Illini Hall, its neighbor across the street, has served a variety of important purposes over the past century.

Give to the campaign

Campaign for Altgeld and Illini Halls

The University of Illinois has embarked on a project to restore and renovate Altgeld Hall and replace its neighbor across Wright Street, Illini Hall, with a new building. Funds from the state, campus, and private donors will support the cost of the project. We invite you to partner with other alumni and friends to build the future for our campus and its students, as well as for these important campus buildings.

An investment in these spaces will directly benefit thousands of students and faculty members. The renovation of Altgeld and a new Illini Hall will provide students and faculty collaborative spaces that are essential for learning and discovery in the 21st century and make both buildings accessible to all students.

Make an impact

Altgeld Hall rendering

Project details

This project will renovate Altgeld Hall and replace Illini Hall with a world-class facility for learning, innovation, and discovery.
Illini Hall rendering

Construction live stream

See the steps being taken to create a building full of collaborative spaces that are essential for learning in the 21st century.

Altgeld and Illini Halls news

Read the latest news about the Altgeld Hall and Illini Hall project.

A worker removes one of the Altgeld bells
A temporary farewell to the Altgeld bells
A large crane is parked on the north side of Altgeld Hall on this sunny and mild mid-December morning. As I watch from near the Alma Mater statue, the arm of the crane that extends far above the scaffolding surrounding Altgeld’s bell...
Rendering of Altgeld Hall's library and dome
A fond memory of Altgeld Hall leads to a brighter future for the building
Greg Dobbins (MA, ’73, mathematics) fondly recalls his time studying at the University of Illinois. His memories have led him to support the future of mathematics and other disciplines on campus. Dobbins has pledged $1 million to the...
Old University of Illinois Bulletin
What was found in the Illini Hall time capsule
It’s been almost a year since workers lifted the cornerstone of Illini Hall. It was a momentous event, occurring during the building’s demolition that marked the opening phase of the Altgeld and Illini Hall Project. A crowd of onlookers...
Workers renovate the roof of Altgeld Hall
A closer look at the Altgeld Hall exterior renovation
The slabs of sandstone that make Altgeld Hall one of the most recognizable buildings on the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus have been covered in scaffolding for months. But the results of the renovation work going on there...
Worker cleans the exterior of Altgeld Hall
Altgeld glow-up
When you’re as old as Altgeld Hall, you deserve a nice cleansing scrub. The stony skin of the building dates to as far back as 1896, after all, and a lot of history, and other gunk, has built up on the stone. Even a U of I student’s thesis from more than 50 years ago notes the coloration change....
Mary and Matthew Deady
Making space for exploration and connection
When Matthew Deady (BS, ‘75, mathematics and physics; MS, ‘77, mathematics) remembers his time at the University of Illinois, Altgeld Hall stands out as a friendly, inviting place. “Anything I was interested in, someone would tell me, this is who you talk to about what course to take or book to...

Support the project

An investment in Altgeld and Illini Halls will have direct influence on thousands of students and faculty members.

See how you can give