The Union League Club of Chicago is a prominent civic and social club in Chicago that was founded in 1879. Its second and current clubhouse is located at 65 W Jackson Boulevard on the corner of Federal Street, in the Loop neighborhood of Chicago. The club is considered one of the most prestigious in Chicago, ranking fourth in the United States and first in the Midwest on the Five Star Platinum Club list. Union League clubs, which are legally separate but share similar histories and maintain reciprocal links with one another, are also located in New York City and Philadelphia. Additional Union League clubs were formerly located in Brooklyn, New York and New Haven.

History

Founded in 1879, the Union League Club of Chicago (the Club) traces its roots to the earlier Union League of America. The Union League of America was founded during the American Civil War to support Abraham Lincoln and preserve the Union. Its first council was founded on June 25, 1862, in Pekin, Illinois and spread rapidly across the North with the first Chicago council formed on August 19, 1862. After the last Chicago council of the Union League of America disbanded in 1877, Orrin H. Salisbury, a local politician and former member, conceived an idea of a new club in the same tradition that would influence local, state and national politics. He approached John Wentworth ("Long John") who saw in the idea a "marching club" to specifically support Ulysses S. Grant's bid for a third term as President. Even after Grant lost his bid for a third term, Wentworth recruited heavily for the Club. The Club was incorporated as the Chicago Club of the Union League of America on December 19, 1879. It was later renamed The Union League Club of Chicago. The first directors included, among others, James B. Bradwell, John Wentworth, William Penn Nixon, and John H. Kedzie. The Club had two sets of officers its first year: James B Bradwell and Lewis Larned Coburn, both elected as President of the Club. In the Articles of Association, the Club's primary objectives are to (paraphrased): encourage loyalty to the Federal Government, defend the Union, inculcate good citizenship, maintain equality of all citizens, assure the purity of the ballot, oppose corruption, and secure honesty in the administration of National, State, and Municipal affairs. At the same time, some members, led by R. S. Critchell, wanted the Club to have the amenities of a social club including fine dining. Today, according to the Club's website, it is both "a catalyst for action in nonpartisan political, economic and social arenas" and a social club with "an array of unique opportunities for entertainment and personal growth" and fine dining. The Club's website states: "the Public Affairs Committee and its various subcommittees address a wide range of public policy issues and serve as the conduit for the Club’s involvement in civic affairs". Some of these issues have included: The Club is one of The Top 100 Platinum City Clubs of the World for 2020/2021.

Building

Clubhouse

The Club's first clubhouse was designed by William Le Baron Jenney. The current clubhouse, built on the same site as the first, was designed by Mundie & Jensen. The building houses meeting rooms, overnight guest rooms, 5 dining areas, a swimming pool and workout facilities.

Art Collection

The Club’s art collection is extensive prompting the Chicago Tribune to call the Club “The other art institute in Chicago” The same article discusses the depth of the collection in historic and contemporary Chicago artists.

The George N Leighton Library

According to the Club's website, the Library and Archives are one of the oldest amenities of the Club. The Library was renamed in 2019 to honor long-time member and jurist, George N. Leighton. The Club is a Partner Organization with the Chicago Collections in order to share its archives more broadly.

Notable members

Foundations and military support

Foundations

The Club sponsors and houses the administrative staff of 3 non-profit foundations, according to the Foundations' websites,

Military support

According to the Club's website, it supports the men and women of the armed services through the following groups: