Union League Club of Chicago facts for kids
Logo of the Union League Club of Chicago
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| Formation | December 19, 1879 |
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| Type | |Private social club] |
| Headquarters | 65 West Jackson Boulevard |
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President
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Robert Ryan |
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1st Vice President
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Frank DeVincentis |
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2nd Vice President
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Robert Kreisman |
| Affiliations | Union League, International Associate Clubs |
The Union League Club of Chicago is an important club in Chicago, Illinois. It was started in 1879. The club's building is located at 65 West Jackson Boulevard in the Loop neighborhood. It is known as one of the most respected clubs in Chicago. It ranks very high among clubs in the United States.
Other clubs called Union League clubs are in New York City and Philadelphia. These clubs are separate but share similar backgrounds. They also allow members to visit each other's clubs.
Contents
Club's Interesting History
The Union League Club of Chicago began in 1879. Its roots go back to an older group called the Union League of America.
Supporting the Union Cause
The Union League of America was formed during the American Civil War. Its main goal was to support Abraham Lincoln and help keep the United States together. The first group started in Pekin, Illinois, in 1862. Soon, similar groups spread quickly across the northern states. The first Chicago group formed in August 1862.
After the last Chicago group of the Union League of America closed in 1877, a local politician named Orrin H. Salisbury had an idea. He wanted to create a new club that would continue the tradition. This new club would help shape local, state, and national politics.
He talked to John Wentworth, also known as "Long John." Wentworth liked the idea. He saw it as a way to support Ulysses S. Grant's try for a third term as President. Even after Grant did not win, Wentworth worked hard to get people to join the new club.
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Founding the Club
The club officially became the Chicago Club of the Union League of America on December 19, 1879. Later, its name was changed to The Union League Club of Chicago. Some of the first leaders included James B. Bradwell, John Wentworth, William Penn Nixon, and John H. Kedzie.
The club's main goals were to:
- Encourage loyalty to the government.
- Protect the United States.
- Teach good citizenship.
- Make sure all citizens are treated equally.
- Keep elections fair.
- Fight against corruption.
- Ensure honesty in government at all levels.
At the same time, some members wanted the club to also be a fun social place. They wanted it to have nice dining areas. Today, the club is both a place for important community action and a social club. It offers many chances for fun and learning, including fine dining.
Making a Difference
The club's Public Affairs Committee works on many important public issues. They help the club get involved in community matters. Some of the issues they have worked on include:
- Making elections better.
- Helping to create the Chicago Crime Commission.
- Supporting the 1970 Constitutional Convention.
- Helping with the Harold Washington Library Center.
- Helping to stop the death penalty in Illinois for a time.
The Union League Club of Chicago is recognized as one of the top city clubs in the world.
The Club's Building
The club's current building is a special place. It was designed by Mundie & Jensen. The building has many rooms for meetings and guest rooms for people to stay overnight. It also has five dining areas, a swimming pool, and places to work out.
Amazing Art Collection
The club has a very large collection of art. The Chicago Tribune newspaper even called it "The other art institute in Chicago." The article said the collection has many works by Chicago artists, both old and new.
The George N Leighton Library
The club's library is one of its oldest features. In 2019, it was renamed to honor George N. Leighton. He was a long-time member and a judge. The club works with Chicago Collections to share its historical records more widely.
Famous Members
Many important people have been members of the Union League Club. Here are a few:
- Dankmar Adler: An architect who designed the Auditorium Theater.
- Daniel Burnham: A famous architect who directed work for the World’s Columbian Exposition.
- Charles G. Dawes: He was the 30th Vice President of the United States.
- Marshall Field: He founded the famous department store, Marshall Field and Company.
- Charles L. Hutchinson: A business leader and the first president of the Art Institute of Chicago.
- William Le Baron Jenney: An architect who designed the Home Insurance Building.
- Julius Rosenwald: A leader and part-owner of Sears, Roebuck and Company.
- Louis Sullivan: A well-known architect who designed the Auditorium Theater and the Carson Pirie Scott Store.
- John Wentworth ("Long John"): A former Mayor of Chicago and a member of the U.S. House of Representatives.
Helping Others and Supporting the Military
Foundations that Help
The club supports and helps manage three non-profit foundations. These foundations do great work:
- Union League Boys & Girls Clubs: This group offers after-school programs at 21 locations in Chicago. They also have a summer camp in Wisconsin. They started in 1919.
- Luminarts Cultural Foundation: This foundation began in 1949. It helps young artists, writers, and musicians in Chicago. They choose "Luminarts Fellows" each year.
- The Chicago Engineers’ Foundation: This group grew from the Chicago Engineers’ Club, which started in 1903. It helps engineers in Chicago.
Supporting Our Military
The club also supports the brave men and women in the armed services. They do this through several groups:
- American Legion Post #758: This group was started by the club in 1934.
- The Chicago 502: Formed in 2001, this group supports soldiers and their families from the 502nd Infantry Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division.
- The 721 Club: This club supports the crew and families of the USS Chicago (SSN-721) submarine.
- The 786 Club: This club supports the crew and families of the USS Illinois (SSN-786) submarine.
- The club also helped with the start of the USS Hyman G. Rickover (SSN-795) submarine.
See also
- Union League
- Union League of Philadelphia
- Union League Club of New York
- Union League Golf and Country Club
- List of gentlemen's clubs in the United States
