UIC History Link Tiles UIC Archives history of UIC exhibit The University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) traces its origins to several private health colleges in the 19th century. UIC Special Collections & University Archives The UIC Archives has extensive records of the history of UIC and the University Library. EXPLORE Chicago Collections EXPLORE provides access to images and archival collections from UIC and other major Chicago institutions. History at UIC The department of History at the University of Illinois at Chicago.