Millennium Garages in the South Loop will offer Columbia students and employees a free 24-hour parking pass to use through the end of the month and discounted parking rates for the fall semester.

The details: The pass can be used at the Grant Park South garage, located at 325 S. Michigan Ave., and at the Millennium Park garage, located at 5 S. Columbus Dr. Students and employees can access the deals by filling out Millennium Garages’ form with their Columbia emails, according to an email from the college.

The pass can be used through Thursday, Aug. 31, which is the day before Connections for new students and Convocation in Grant Park.

Columbia U-Passes will activate on Aug. 31 and be available until Dec. 21 at the end of the Fall 2023 semester. 

U-Pass distribution will run Aug. 28 through Sept. 8, at the Student Center. Distribution hours are between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. U-Passes are $153 per semester and gives students unlimited rides on the CTA. U-Passes do not include access to the Metra. 

What else: The Chicago Hilton at 720 S. Michigan Ave. near Columbia’s campus also offers discounted parking.

Patricia Olalde, vice president of Human Resource, said SP+ operates the Hilton’s garage, and to park there, employees should go to the garage’s office at 720 S. Michigan to get a permit. 

Employees will need to show a Columbia ID to get a code for a discounted rate. Olalde said after receiving the code, employees can download the app or use a website to start using their discount. 

Olalde said parking for up to 16 hours is a $9 rate. Beyond that, increases to $28 for daily parking. She said the garage is not currently accepting monthly parking applications, but the rate usually is $213 per month with in and out options. 

Columbia employees are not permitted to park at the Hilton when the hotel is hosting an event.