Section 3000.300 of the administrative rules of the Travel Regulation Council require that all travel be by the most economical mode of transportation available considering time, costs, and work requirements. For instances when air transportation is the most economical mode of travel, United Airlines has announced new State Government fares.

United Airlines is currently the only carrier to offer non-stop commercial air travel between Springfield and Chicago. United Airlines offers five flights daily between Springfield's Abraham Lincoln Capitol Airport and Chicago's O'Hare International Airport. (See schedule below).

Effective October 24, 2005, employees of the State of Illinois, while traveling on official State business, are eligible to utilize the following state fares:

VCAIL : $140 (This fare is capacity controlled)

YCAIL : $204 (This fare is always available as long as seats are available)

Each fare is a one way, fully refundable fare that includes normal taxes and fees.

State Employees are required to present a State of Illinois Employee Identification Card when checking in. If the State Employee Identification Card does not include a picture, a second form of identification will be required (such as a Driver's License). Reservations can be made by calling (800) 241-6522. The State of Illinois fare cannot be booked on the internet at this time and must be booked by phone . When making flight arrangements, employees should ask for the lowest fare and should not assume that the “State” rate is automatically the lowest fare.

Please remember that when traveling by air, it is imperative that employees arrive at least one hour before departure. Approximately 30 minutes before departure, the ticket counter is closed and available seats are given to passengers flying “stand by”.

If you have questions, please contact Kelley Shaw, State Travel Coordinator, at (217) 782-4705 or by e-mail at Kelley_Shaw@cms.state.il.us .