Illini Tower

I have been living at Illini Tower for the past 3 years and it is safe to say that the place keeps improving as...

I have been living at Illini Tower for the past 3 years and it is safe to say that the place keeps improving as the years go by. The staff pays attention to the residents' needs, and fixes whatever problem they might have, all while doing such an amazing job. The dining hall food can get repetitive, but we do have the option to cook our own meals at our own apartment and if you ask the dining staff nicely, they do take recommendations. As a business student, the location of Illini Tower is the best. The college of business is nearby so literally, I only have to walk for 5 minutes to get to my classes. Illini Tower is always hosting events throughout the year to try to build a better community for the residents to get them to interact with each other and participate in fun activities. If you're looking for a great place to live at during your college years, Illini Tower is an excellent option to consider.

Amazing staff! They have Resident Appreciation Week but lowkey every day feels like Resident Appreciation!!! The staff throughout the building is so attentive to...

Amazing staff! They have Resident Appreciation Week but lowkey every day feels like Resident Appreciation!!! The staff throughout the building is so attentive to the needs of the residents and anyone else that passes through their doors. You get that sense of freedom and responsibility better than in dorms/University Housing, yet it is still so family oriented. Great alternative to expensive University Housing pricing and more diverse food options! They also have a really rad movie theatre in the basement--Check it out!

Illini Tower is a great place to live. I have only lived here this semester and my time here has been very eventful. For...

Illini Tower is a great place to live. I have only lived here this semester and my time here has been very eventful. For the past two years I lived in University Housing and I loved those past two years. I made a lot of friends and I loved my RA. However, Illini Tower does offer more than University Housing. It is a central location on campus and is a few minutes away from the quad and green street. Illini Tower offers apartment style layouts with a living room, kitchen, and private bathroom. Also the dinning hall is great, they have many food options, offer the skillet in which dinning can make whatever you would like and there is a suggestion board in which you can put what food items you would like to see in the dinning hall. Illini Tower's staff is very friendly and always helpful. One thing that I love is they always have events going on for the residents, whether it is a movie night with free insomnia cookies or midnight pancakes in the dinning hall. It is a wonderful place to live and would highly recommend living here.

I lived at Illini Tower last year and loved it so much I returned this year. The location is great, I never have to...

I lived at Illini Tower last year and loved it so much I returned this year. The location is great, I never have to walk more than 5 minutes to get to class, grab food, or meet up with friends. Along with the location, the staff is great and is always helpful and kind. The community that is fostered in this building is what really makes me want to return here for a third year.

I couldn't have chosen a better place to live. With great staff and better rooms, I would recommend this place for anyone who wants...

I couldn't have chosen a better place to live. With great staff and better rooms, I would recommend this place for anyone who wants a home away from home. Centrally located, every class is a max of 5 minutes away and keeping up with social life on the UIUC campus is so easy! I love living here and I can't wait to renew!

This is a good place to live. The resident assistants are always having fun programs every month. I get to meet people from my...

This is a good place to live. The resident assistants are always having fun programs every month. I get to meet people from my floors and make friends. I really like the building wide programs because I meet students from every floor. The rooms are a nice size and we even have a bathroom in our room.

my friend goes to u of i and i came to visit her this past weekend for their homecoming im giving 5 stars bc...

my friend goes to u of i and i came to visit her this past weekend for their homecoming im giving 5 stars bc im super jealous she lives here. i go to SIUC and my room is trash compared to hers also the staff here is really nice and helped me figure out stuff for my bus home and she printed my ticket for me. theres also a movie theater in the basement

When my daughter brought up Illini Tower as an option in her search for housing I will admit I was extremely worried. After reading...

When my daughter brought up Illini Tower as an option in her search for housing I will admit I was extremely worried. After reading countless reviews online that detailed horrible leasing experiences I was positive this would not be a good choice for her. However, all it took was one quick tour to prove that most if not all of the reviews I had read were incorrect. I am so relieved I agreed to let my daughter live here this year! The staff was so amazing and helpful throughout the entire process and my daughter and her roommates all got apple watches after leasing. They also waived a lot of fees for us at the beginning as well. I was worried about security and safety of the building but there are head office staff on-site 24 hours a day. A lot of the freshman dorms are on the outskirts of campus whereas this dorm is RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE. When moving her into the building in august we were able to walk to pretty much everything within 4-5mins which was really nice. I was also very worried about the condition of the room since I saw a lot of people saying that their room looked nothing like the model apartment. My daughter lives in a 2 bedroom standard suite and it has been re-done with new furniture (they are the first residents to use it) and new flooring. It is significantly nicer than regular dorms and absolutely bigger. (i certainly did not have a full kitchen, full bathroom, and a furnished living room my freshman year in college) I don't worry about her staying fed because there is a dining facility on site and meal plans are included in her rent. I have not personally eaten there but she says she loves it and so do her roommates. Overall Illini Tower has completely exceeded my expectations as a parent. I appreciate the transparency and understanding that comes from the office staff and would definitely suggest this to anyone looking for safe and secure options for their kids. I have another one starting college in 2018 and we will definitely be looking at Illini Tower as our first option!

My son spent there his freshman year and survived so I guess 1 star is a given. Parents what you see while touring the...

My son spent there his freshman year and survived so I guess 1 star is a given. Parents what you see while touring the facility is nothing like the actual room you are paying for. Layout of the rooms is exactly the same but the condition is horrible. The tour room looked really good but my son's room looked almost like a 3rd world apartment. Beware of the extra fees and something that is called a security deposit at the beginning of the lease and non refundable fee at the end. I wish I'd save my receipts but oh well I lost it and there goes my $350. I guess the place is liveable and if you decide to go with them make sure to keep a copy of your contract and all receipts. Good luck but I wouldn't recommend it.

Illini Tower has greatly impacted my college experience. I have lived here for 2 years and made life long friends that I would not...

Illini Tower has greatly impacted my college experience. I have lived here for 2 years and made life long friends that I would not have met otherwise. The cafeteria has great staff and many options even when you don't like whats on the main menu. The rooms are spacious compared to other living options for Freshman. The new furniture is a great addition and adds a clean look to the building as a whole. I would recommend this building to anyone looking for an apartment style dorm for a GREAT price. I pay less than my friends who live in basic university dorms. Don't trust the old reviews. Visit IT

Staff is great. They were attentive to our needs and friendly. The rooms are nice for a college place &clean- they have living rooms...

Staff is great. They were attentive to our needs and friendly. The rooms are nice for a college place &clean- they have living rooms and kitchens- which were a perk. Would visit again next year. Thanks.

I just lived here the past year and it was spectacular! This is hands down the best place to live as a freshman for...

I just lived here the past year and it was spectacular! This is hands down the best place to live as a freshman for many reasons. The first is that Illini Tower has the best location in terms of classes. Plenty of my friends in other dorms have to wake up way earlier to get to class on time, and I leave significantly later than them and still beat them there. That being said, you get way more time to sleep. In addition, this tower has way better food than anywhere else for sure. They even have a suggestion board for food, so you typically find something you like in the Diner. Moreover, people will say it is not social due to tons of international kids, but there are still TONS of residents form the Chicago land area. I have tons of friends here, you just have to put yourself out there. Lastly, they give out tons of free stuff. Who doesn't like that? To be exact, I got 10 free frisbees, 4 t-shirts, 8 pairs of sunglasses, 12 necklaces, 12 plastic cups, 3 Starbucks gift cards, and a $150 VISA just in my second semester living here! Illini Tower is the BEST.

Did not personally live here, but I stayed there every weekend! IT was one of the few dorms that actually allows guests to stay...

Did not personally live here, but I stayed there every weekend! IT was one of the few dorms that actually allows guests to stay with you. They have a place to actually study and the rooms are nice. Illini Tower food is good and it has everything you need to study so you don't have to make late night trips to the library!

i really liked living at Illini Tower because of the location. it is very close to almost everything. there is also bus stops right...

i really liked living at Illini Tower because of the location. it is very close to almost everything. there is also bus stops right outside of the building. i liked our apartment because of the kitchen and air conditioning in each room [in living room and both of our bedrooms] because most of the options for me as a freshman do not have that. the food is just okay thats why i picked 4 stars instead of five but it was no problem since we have a full kitchen. you do not have to eat at the dining hall every day and you can cook in your apartment with roommates. i also really like the events that u can win stuff at. they have parties for residents with food and prizes and music that are fun. i see a lot of posts from ppl complaining about how this place is not very social. i believe your dorm housing should be peaceful and sort of lowkey so that u can get a good focus on studies and classes. i did not mind that the building is mostly pretty quiet. besides they say ur time in college is what YOU make it. i do not think i would have had less or more fun living somewhere else. i also appreciate the RAs and the office people a lot. they are friendly and always say hello to my roommates and i when we walk inside the building even at night. they are also always working at the desk because it is open 24 hours and it is safe to live here because they keep doors locked for security at night. i would definitely recommend this place to others

The Cons: Social Environment: Illini Tower is not social at all. As a student coming fro Chicago I thought this place would be more...

The Cons: Social Environment: Illini Tower is not social at all. As a student coming fro Chicago I thought this place would be more socially interactive. There are around 60-70% international students that live here. I wish I knew this before deciding to spend my freshman year living here. Its hard to interact with them because they come from a different culture, a different way of working, and cleaning. Which brings me to my next point Worst administration: I have complained so many times about my roommate issue. I have sent emails to the RD, but nothing seems to happen. That is the main problem every time you have a problem and you go to the front desk all they would say is email info, and than never get back to you. When I came for a tour I was told the building has these amenities and etc. My lounge only has 8 channels. The theatre room which they will show you and youll think woahh, that theatre room has been broken for half the semester. The lounges have ripped couches and thy would not replace it. Of course when your on tour they wont tell you all, which is how they fool you to pay $1000 a month. Renovations: I was one of those people that was asked to move during FINALS weeks because the renovations on the top two floors could begin. Guess what? They still havent. I dont think they ever will and even if they do its not a full renovation. From the email it looks like a replacement of some furniture and that about it. Theres no solution to the internal problems like the toilet, air conditioning, broken desks. It is upsetting as a student trying to focus and spend time on studying I had to spend more time time trying to move from one floor to the other because of these so called renovations that never happened. Broken Elevators: The elevators always break down, and its not because the residents do something to it its because they are already broken. There are 4 elevators but only 3 work, and out of those 3 sometimes theres only 2 working. Today I had to submit my final paper to my professor and I couldnt make it on time because of the broken elevator. Its upsetting because I am paying $1000 for broken elevators, bad food, bad room conditions. RAs I dont have an RA on my floor and I never knew what happened to him. Although we had 1-2 programs and that was about it I at least knew that as a freshman there was somebody I could talk to. Now theres no one besides the 1 or 2 friends on my floor. Some of the RAs are nice and like to talk, but there are some who show that they dont want you to bother them. As an example this weekend I was walking past the desk and lights were off and the two RAs at the desk gave me the dirtiest stare like they didnt want me to be there. I didnt understand why they gave me that look. I stood by the coffee section and an international resident walks up to get his package. He had an accent but I understood that he wanted his package. The RA working stated you need to say you WANT your package with an aggressive tone and disgusting look. I was disappointed questioned is this how a Resident advisor suppose to act? As I was sitting for lunch last week minding my own business all I hear is cursing. I turn around to see and its the RD. Yeah cursing is not a big deal, but I would assume that working as a Resident Director she would be more professional, but unfortunately not. It isnt just with that I have complained multiple times about some of my floor mates who smoke. The Ras said they reported it and the Rd will take action, but nothing happens after that. I suffer from asthma and with the amount of smoking that happens her I can have an attack. It has caused several breathing problems for me and only made it worse. You would expect something to be done about your complaints but nope. They will say good things about the deals, the rooms, the amenities, but dont be fooled.I just wanted to give you a honest review try to help out.

1 start too many for this place. Living here hasn't been the best experience, and here's why: 1. To get to your room, you...

1 start too many for this place. Living here hasn't been the best experience, and here's why: 1. To get to your room, you will spend at least 6 minutes....

To Whom This May Concern, My name is Chan Woo and I was a Resident Assistant at Illini Tower last year during the 2014-2015...

To Whom This May Concern, My name is Chan Woo and I was a Resident Assistant at Illini Tower last year during the 2014-2015 academic school year. Though I have nothing to say about my living experience, I will comment on the honest and highly professional support I received from one professional staff member my entire time I was a Resident Assistant from beginning till end and that gentleman is Eric Kappelmann: the Assistant General Manager at Illini Tower Campus Living Villages. As a college student who identifies himself through the various (recreational) mediums of diversity on campus, Mr. Kappelman truly accommodated to the residents and Resident Assistants in a highly professional manner while also identifying with the fact that the majority of the residents at Illini Tower are (undergraduate) students. Never once did I feel as if he compromised his professionalism and did quite the opposite. As an accomplished college graduate himself, Mr. Kappelman not only takes care of the financial responsibilities at Illini Tower, as the Assistant General Manager, but also engages with the residents and Resident Assistants with respect whether its through friendly conversation or leasing/financial matters. I believe Mr. Kappelman is an honorable asset at Illini Tower, and to Campus Living Villages as a whole, and would personally encourage all future Illini Tower Residents to in as much familiarize themselves with Mr. Kappelmann. As a college professional himself, he answered any and all questions I had regarding the print I found within my lease and guided my understanding and practice as a Resident Assistant. Though I will not speak on the behalf of all professional staff members, Mr. Kappelmann is more than just an exception. I have found that he encourages diversity and makes an incredible effort through his professionalism and means to support those who live at Illini Tower whether its financial or academic. Mr. Kappelman gave me an incredible amount of perspective when approaching my resume and my professionalism within a job interview. If and or when you get the chance to familiarize yourself with him, please treat Mr. Kappelmann with a high level of respect and manners because he can accommodate to your living at Illini Tower and give you the living experience you truly want as a team member at Illini Tower. I wish the best for all of those who choose to stay at Illini Tower. Go Illini!

This is a pretty decent place for freshmen to stay at. The amenities are nice, they've got theaters, billiard pools, and gym, and the...

This is a pretty decent place for freshmen to stay at. The amenities are nice, they've got theaters, billiard pools, and gym, and the food is far from horrible, as I've been told. I'd recommend this place to incoming freshmen.

Living at Illini Tower has been an enjoyable experience, and I would recommend it. From the easily accessible accommodations such as the printers in...

Living at Illini Tower has been an enjoyable experience, and I would recommend it. From the easily accessible accommodations such as the printers in the think lounge, and the new washers and dryers that are available in the building to the fully capable staff it is a great place to live especially for those first adjusting to campus. The resident assistants are great about putting aside time in their busy schedules to plan floor events, and they also help and encourage residents in their academics.

I highly recommend Illini Towers as a home away from home for your child. The General Manager of the facility, Roy, is a major...

I highly recommend Illini Towers as a home away from home for your child. The General Manager of the facility, Roy, is a major reason for my recommendation. On move in day, Roy introduced himself personally to our family and explained to our daughter that he was available. Before we left, we did need his attention to repair some minor but important mechanical issues. Even though it was move in day and with the chaos just that brings, Roy had our issues addressed. He followed up with our daughter the following day to make sure that she was settled. He made himself visible throughout the semester in the hallways, always a friendly face. On several other occasions, Roy and the staff at Illini Towers went out of their way to ensure that our child had what was needed. Wed already had two very successful years with other children living in the facility, but Roy has ensured that this year would be great. Needless to say, Roy has endeared himself and Illini Towers to us. He continually has guided us through some hurdles of the first year away from home. He has provided a safe, comfortable and friendly place to live and study in Champaign.