February 4, 1941- The USO (United Service Organizations) incorporates in the state of New York. The six service agencies brought together to form the USO: YMCA, YWCA, National Catholic Community Service, National Jewish Welfare Board, Salvation Army and National Traveler's Aid Association.

August 7, 1941-The Chicago Servicemen's Center is launched by the Chicago Commission on National Defense through Mayor Edward J. Kelly at 178 W. Washington, Chicago, Illinois (Note: this facility was operated by the City of Chicago and had been the Elk's building.)

October 13, 1941- The first USO Club is established in Fayette, North Carolina

December 15, 1941-Auxillary center to the Chicago Servicemen's Center is opened at 5111 S. Calumet to serve the Sixth Corps. (Note:this facility was operated by the City of Chicago.)

April, 1942-The first USO Club in Chicago opens at the Illinois Central Railroad Terminal (Roosevelt Road.)

May 20, 1942-Second USO in the city opens in Union Station, Chicago, Illinois.

May 27, 1942-USO Servicemen's Center opens at 131 South Wabash, Chicago, Illinois. The club had 20,000 square feet with dance hall, golf driving tent, writing desks, movies, darkroom and canteen. The club was rented from Norman E. Bensinger for $1 per year with the agreement in effect for the duration of the war plus six months.

Summer 1942-Servicemen's Center opens in Lincoln Park at Fullerton Avenue and Lake Shore Drive. This facility housed an outdoor pavilion, dance hall, canteen, outside tents and cottages, swim suits for the soliders and the Chicago Park District provided lifeguards. (Note: this facility was operated by the City of Chicago)

Northwestern and Univeristy of Chicago campuses both has USO facilities for the young military personnel in training.

USO of Illinois President: Jeffrey Short, Executive Director: Stuart McCutcheon

December 31, 1947-The USO Clubs and facilities are closed and all USO operations are terminated by the World Board of Governors.

January 10, 1948-The USO is given an "honorable discharge" by President Harry S. Truman.

July 1948- The USO is reactivated for the Korean War under a Memorandum of Understanding between the President and the Department of Defense.Secretary of Defense Forrestal was the leading force in the USO's reactiviation.

Summer of 1948- Chicago Servicemen's Club opens at 308 N. Michigan Avenue, under the operation of the Chicago Associated Services Committee. Although this club was not an offical USO organization, it would have looked familiar to a service men who frequented the USO in Chicago during WWII as many of the same staff and volunters were involved in the venture. Stuart McCutcheon served as the wartime director of the USO as well as the director of this club.

January 18, 1951-The USO takes over the operation of the Chicago Service Men's Center

February 1951-The USO of Illinois becomes incorporated separately from USO World Headquarters.

1962-1963-The National Ad Hoc USO Survey Committee, appointed by President John F. Kennedy and chaired by Dr. John A. Hannah, is formed to study whether an organization like the USO was needed and if so, how it was to be funded. The Hannah survey, as it was referrede to, reaffirms the need for a peacetime USO both overseas and domestically.

1965-USO of Illinois Woman's Board is formed. The first Chair is Mrs. William H. Arnold and the President is Mrs. Walter J. Cummings.

September 1963-1972-USO's across the nation and overseas service soliders and sailors during the Vietnam Era.

August 1969- Grand opening of the O'Hare Airport USO.

December 20, 1979-President Jimmy Carter signs the USO's Congressional Charter.

August 1985- Grand Opening of the USO facility at Great Lakes Naval Training Center, Building 27.

1988-Woman's Board of the USO of Illinois is absorbed into the parent Board.

August 21, 1991-The USO of Illinois opens first lounge at Midway Airport.

September 1990-May 1991-USO's across the nation and overseas provide support services to troops deployed to the Middle East for the Gulf War.

May 1995-The USO of Illinois moves its downtown facility to 332 N. Michigan Avenue.

January 2001-The USO of Illinois moves its downtown facility to 200 N. Michigan Avenue.

August 2001- USO Great Lakes undergoes renovation and hosts its "Commissioning" Grand Opening.

September 2001- USO's across the nation and overseas support troops deploying for Operation Enduring Freedom.

June 14, 2002-Grand Opening of the USO at Navy Pier.