About Us/History

The Northern Illinois District is the local district of the United States Tennis Association, and part of the USTA Midwest Section. There are a total of thirteen (13) districts in USTA Midwest, and the USTA Midwest Section is one of seventeen (17) sections that compose the USTA nationally. USTA Midwest covers the states of Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan, Indiana, Ohio and part of West Virginia.

If your residence of record is in one of the 25 counties in the northern 1/3 of Illinois that are incorporated into the Northern Illinois District (also known as NITA), you automatically become an NITA member when you join the USTA.  There are three counties located immediately around the greater Chicago area that are NOT part of the Northern Illinois District, but compose the Chicago District. The counties that comprise the Chicago District include Cook, DuPage and Lake Counties.

For most USTA programs in our area, it does not matter which of the two districts you live in to participate in programs. The exceptions are "closed by district" tournaments, such as the NITA or Chicago District Junior Qualifier tournaments held in June of each year, where residency determines which tournament a junior may enter.  Junior Cup Teams are selected from the junior members that are residents of their respective district as well.  For adults and seniors, players can play in both NITA and Chicago District Adult Tennis Leagues, but can only represent their own district in the Midwest Senior Team Championships, for doubles players from 35-75. This event is held in May of each year.

NITA covers a large geographic area but currently has only ten indoor, year round tennis clubs/facilities. Our membership of approximately 3,000 junior, adult and family members is slowly growing as people learn the outstanding benefits of playing tennis, not only for fun and comradrie, competitive high school team and sanctioned tournament opportunities which often lead to college scholarships for juniors, but also for the excellent exercise and health benefits obtained. USTA membership also provides numerous discount and reduced rate opportunities for goods and services that can easily save you the price of a membership. 

We welcome you to the Northern Illinois District and hope you enjoy the "Sport of a Lifetime" for for many, many years.