The Illini Union Hotel is completely booked for Mom’s Weekend taking place April 16 through 18. Reservations occurred one year in advance, and the hotel is preparing to announce winners for next year’s Mom’s Weekend Friday.

“We’ve been booked for one year,” said Alethea Merelos, student desk clerk at the Illini Union Hotel. “For major events, we always book one year in advance.”

Students and families eagerly await the 4 p.m. lottery drawing, which determines 51 moms that will receive priority to book a room next year at the Illini Union Hotel room. After the private drawing, winners will receive a letter of confirmation.

Illini Union Hotel manager Wally Lotz said every year, the hotel accepts mail-in letters or postcards from applicants that want to book a room for the following year’s Mom’s Weekend.

“Every year we have mail-in letters,” Lotz said. “The information (for reservations) is available to people at the front desk, by phonecall and through our Web site. It’s just a drawing. They send us a letter with their name and phone number.”

He added that the number of winners depends on the number of available rooms because administrative units book hotel rooms, too.