Travel Update 20-04

TO: Agency Travel Coordinators

FROM: Anthony Pascente, Chairman

DATE: March 16, 2020

SUBJECT: ​Blanket Waiver for Cancelled Travel Reimbursement

Some individuals may be required to make payment for late cancellations (ex. purchase of non-refundable airplane tickets) as a result of the State suspending travel or conference host canceling the event due to COVID-19. In all such instances, consider this memo as blanket approval for reimbursement of such expenses without the need to apply for an exception from the Governor's Travel Control Board. This blanket approval for reimbursement shall be effective for cancellation costs incurred through April 30, 2020.

If travel related businesses, such as airlines, hotels or auto rental companies subsequently decide to reimburse State employees for cancelled travel after having initially denied reimbursement, those employees shall refund the State in an equal amount to that which the State reimbursed the employee for the cancelled travel expense.

Employees are advised to attach a copy of this memorandum to their travel vouchers prior to submitting for reimbursement.

If you have questions, please contact Kelley Wells, State Travel Coordinator, at Kelley.wells@illinois.gov. As the appointed Travel Coordinator for your Agency, it is your responsibility to disseminate this information to all appropriate personnel within your Agency. If you have questions, please contact me at (217) 782-4705 or by email at Kelley.Wells@illinois.gov.