Northeastern Illinois University

Established as a department of the Northeastern Illinois University Library in 1980, the University Archives’ chief purpose is to acquire, preserve, and make accessible the official historical record of the University. University Archives collects the records of University departments and offices that are of enduring and historical value once they are past the period of active use. Examples of documents collected by the University Archives include: presidential papers, memoranda, council minutes, proceedings, Faculty Senate minutes, records of the Board of Trustees, records of grants and proposals, documents related to University sponsored programs and activities, University budgets, publications of student organizations, and the school newspaper.

Collections of note include the Congressional Papers of Representative Luis V. Gutiérrez, the Japanese Internment Redress Hearings transcripts and video testimonies, and the oldest Puerto Rican and Latinx university student publication in the United States, Que Ondee Sola.

Also located on the NEIU campus is the Illinois Regional Archives Depository (IRAD), a repository of selected governmental records for Chicago and Cook County from the late 1800s to the early 1900s. It is administered by the Illinois State Archives and is located on the lower level of the Ronald Williams Library.

Community members are welcome to consult our collections located on the lower level of the Ronald Williams Library by appointment.