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Union League Club of Chicago

ULCC Platinum Club

Behind these doors lies a sanctuary that feels like a second home, one where fine art, dining, community connections, work, play and friendship all come together.

A fireplace lounge hung with paintings inside the Union League Club of Chicago

Be Part of Something Bigger

Behind these doors lies a sanctuary that feels like a second home, one where fine art, dining, community connections, work, play and friendship all come together.

The Film
Universal Recognition

The Union League Club of Chicago (ULCC) is known around the world for its service and commitment to community, country and culture. With more than 700 works of art, the ULCC’s art collection is one of the best among private clubs. What truly sets it apart from any other club though, is its commitment to giving back.

The only private club with an institutional commitment to community and country, the ULCC supports four foundations (Union League Boys & Girls Clubs, Luminarts Cultural Foundation at the Union League Club, Chicago Engineers’ Foundation at the Union League Club and the Union League Club Architectural Preservation Foundation) as well as multiple military organizations (American Legion Post #758, Chicago 502, 786 Club, 795 Club and more). It has its Public Affairs Committee written in its by-laws to ensure it always has an outward facing mission to do good in the community. Through these groups, the ULCC is able to not only reach large segments of society but have an impact on the community and country.

Paintings from the Club's collection hanging above a fireplace
Union League Boys & Girls Clubs youth celebrating together
Members greeting one another at a Club reception
Excellence in Amenities and Facilities

What is commonly referred to as a neighborhood or campus in a building, the ULCC is an all-encompassing resource for a member’s social, professional and personal needs.

A day in the life of a ULCC member looks like this:

They head to the ULCC Fitness & Spa to start their day off with a personal training session led by one of the ULCC’s on-staff professionals or to the TechnoGym Cardio Studio. They are taking part in the Club’s Thrive Limit Less. program, which is helping them form better wellness habits to build a healthier version of themselves. Following their workout, they use the Club’s infared Therabody Jet Boots followed by a CBD treatment and deep tissue massage. They then head to the Carvery for a quick bite.

They move to one of the many remote workspaces such as the Library (the quiet space to get work done), Presidents Hall (the second largest ballroom filled with soft seating and tables for the everyday worker), ONE Café (a place to grab a cup of coffee or quick bite and take a call) or the outside Patio (a space to enjoy the weather and a drink).

As the afternoon approaches, they have booked a virtually hybrid conference room on the eighth floor and are prepared to welcome their colleagues and clients to their club. Following an a la carte lunch and program handled by a premier service staff, the member moves on to enjoy after work drinks in the Rendezvous and a seasonally inspired dining experience in the Wigwam.

With a long week ahead, the member chooses to take the elevator home to stay overnight in one of our 160 well-appointed guest rooms.

Because success is in the details and separates great from good, every part of a member’s experience at the ULCC is reviewed, learned and initiated before they even ask. It is for this reason that members call the ULCC their home away from home and many treat it as their second and third place.

Additionally, the ULCC offers an eclectic selection of, on average, 60 member events per month.

The Club's indoor swimming pool
A treatment room in the ULCC Fitness & Spa
Members working from a Club lounge
A banquet table set for a Club dinner
One of the Club's 160 well-appointed guest rooms
Caliber of Staff and Professional Service Levels

Following the service model of high-end hospitality organizations such as the Ritz Carlton (“Ladies and gentlemen serving ladies and gentlemen,”) the ULCC is always looking to elevate experiences.

To ULCC staff, you are more than just another customer. Members of the ULCC are family. Staff remembers your favorite drinks and your allergies; they remember the last injury you had so they know how to treat it through workouts and massages; the ULCC team remembers your favorite guest room type and the names, likes and interests of your spouse and children. When you forget your bag at the Club, a bellman will hop in a cab and bring it to your office. When you cannot figure out what to get your loved one for a special occasion, ULCC staff will not only help you in selecting and purchasing items, but they will also wrap it for you. This is the culture of the ULCC and the level of service staff aspires to exceed on the regular.

A staff member assisting a guest at the Club's ONE Café
Engagement and Commitment of Membership
Members gathered around the fireplace in a Club lounge

Members of the ULCC love to be involved. And while the Club has great participation at the committee level with more than 150 members, the engagement goes beyond that. ULCC members take part in planning numerous programs throughout the club year for the more than 40 interest groups.

They also do all they can to live the Club’s values and give back to the community. Members not only financially support four ULCC foundations and multiple military organizations, but they also assist with foundation program planning, homework help and more.

In 2025, ULCC members were essential in launching the Club’s Architecture Preservation Foundation, which helps financially support renovations of the clubhouse.

ULCC members have also been great in helping new members get integrated in club life. The kickoff to the engagement is before a prospect is even a member during the one-on-one interview. Engagement progresses further via the New Member Orientation, but the real opportunity is via the Member Engagement Monthly Happy Hour, which typically takes place on the first Friday of each month. Longtime members treat it as an opportunity to meet new faces and welcome them with open arms to the ULCC.

Governance and Prudent Fiscal Management

Strategy continues to be at the forefront of the Board’s thinking. After working with third-party organizations GGA and Daggerwing Group over the past few years the Board has created the Club’s identity and built a strategy to follow going forward.

Part of that strategy includes regularly surveying the members and ensuring communication is transparent. Results are regularly shared with the membership as is the strategy and the plans within the strategy. For instance, feedback has been received regarding the women’s locker room, the guest rooms and the first floor. All three areas have been discussed and reviewed with renovation plans being put in place.

The results of the strategy work are ongoing, but it is on a great path in helping the ULCC remain “A distinguished and inclusive club where members can embrace a more inspired life.”

Adapting to Changing Times

The Union League Club of Chicago keeps a close eye on the private club world and how changes in society effect the industry. One area the Club always focuses on improving is how it communicates with members. Covering many generations, every member has their own preference in how they want to receive Club communications. The ULCC has done its best to cater communications based on each member’s interests, specifically for its emailed newsletters, and all done through setting up a single file. So, what was once sending a separate email for each interest, is now a single email that is pulling events based on each member’s interests.

The Club has also implemented an AI chatbot on the member side of its website to answer general questions. The Club has also started implementing AI as a tool to enhance the work experience. What separates a private club from every other location is the personal touch so AI will not replace that, but enhance the way the ULCC is able to provide those personal touches.

The ULCC continues to review its numerous remote working spaces and is adding some portable work pods as well as looking at providing the capability to order grab & go items from the Club’s app and having it delivered to a member’s remote workspace in the clubhouse.

Overall Experience

A distinguished and inclusive club, the ULCC is where members can embrace a more inspired life. Behind its doors lies a sanctuary that feels like a second home; one where fine art, dining, community connections, work, play and friendship all come together.

The Club is a resource in a member’s professional growth and the place to go to celebrate a new milestone. The ULCC is why 13,000+ Chicago youth have a safe space to visit and a meal to eat. The ULCC is where new friendships are made and dream weddings take place. The ULCC is a top Platinum City Club in the Country because members “don’t buy what we do, they buy why we do it.” –Simon Sinek


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