University of Illinois System

Holidays

The Board of Trustees determines the University recognized holidays and delegates authority to the President of the University of Illinois System to determine other such days to be designated.

The President shall determine or may delegate to the university Chancellors/Vice Presidents the authority to determine the facilities to be open for the University recognized holidays.

Select one of the following links or scroll down for specific information:

Eligibility
Recognized Holidays
Schedules
Usage
Benefits Continuation
Compensation
Resources


Eligibility

Civil Service employees in a trainee, apprentice, provisional, learner, or status appointment, and all academic staff members are eligible for holiday benefits.

Civil Service employees must have worked as scheduled on their last scheduled workday before and the first scheduled workday after the University-observed holiday, or be on an approved leave.


Recognized Holidays

The University recognizes 12 holidays for all employees, including:

  • New Year's Day
  • Martin Luther King Day (President delegated)
  • Memorial Day
  • Juneteenth
  • Independence Day
  • Labor Day
  • Thanksgiving Day
  • Christmas Day

The President has delegated to each Chancellor/Vice President the authority to designate the remaining four holidays to be observed at each university.


Schedules

Holiday schedules are designated by the President and Chancellors/Vice Presidents. Select the location for the appropriate schedule: Urbana FY 2024 | Chicago FY2024Springfield FY2024 |Springfield FY2025 System Offices FY 2024 | System Offices FY 2025


Usage

The calendar holiday shall be observed as the University holiday when it falls on a weekday (Monday through Friday). When a holiday falls on Saturday, the preceding Friday will be treated as the holiday; when a holiday falls on Sunday, the following Monday will be treated as the holiday.

For full-time and part-time employees who work Monday through Friday, a holiday will always be a scheduled workday for eligible employees.

For employees who work schedules other than Monday through Friday, the calendar holiday will be observed as the holiday for both full-time and part-time employees who work other than five days a week, Monday through Friday schedules.

When a shift bridges two calendar days, one of which is a holiday, the shift that begins on the calendar holiday will be recognized as the holiday shift.


Benefits Continuation

While observing a designated holiday, employees continue to receive the same State and University benefits as when actively working. All State-paid contributions continue.


Compensation

Civil Service and Academic Employees

Full pay is received for the designated holidays. Employees with less than 100 percent appointment will receive a pro-rated share based on their appointment.

Prevailing Rate Employees

Prevailing rate employees are compensated in accordance with provisions of the appropriate multi-employer area agreement for any of the six University-wide holidays, which may be specified in such multi-employer agreement.

Prevailing rate employees will be paid as other eligible University employees for the five days designated holidays. They will receive no holiday compensation for any of the six University-wide holidays unless such University-wide holiday is specified as a paid holiday in the appropriate multi-employer area agreement. Such employees shall be extended the option of charging any unpaid holiday to earned vacation and personal leave.


Resources

Additional Gift Day 2021 - System Communication

Select the appropriate university and/or employee group for specific policy information.

University System Policies

General Rules Concerning University Organization and Procedure, Article IV

Policy and Rules for Civil Service Staff

Holidays
Holiday Pay
Holiday Pay while on Jury Duty

University Policies

Urbana: Please refer to General Rules above.
Chicago: Currently under review.
Springfield: Contact the campus Human Resources Office.