Medinah is a community in Illinois, situated northwest of Chicago and neighboring the villages of Roselle, Itasca, and Bloomingdale. It’s located in DuPage County, near the old Chicago-Galena highway, between Routes 19 and 20.
Over the past three decades, the expansion of the Chicago metropolitan area has led to an influx of residents in neighboring communities. Despite this surge in population, Medinah has remained steadfast in preserving its unique character and sense of self.
The initial Post office was established in 1874 in a general store in Meacham, Illinois. The town was named after its first inhabitants, the Meacham family. Although not formally recognized, the community was commonly referred to as Meacham’s Grove, Illinois in its early days.
Medinah is situated approximately 23 miles west of Chicago. Its boundaries are determined by the surrounding incorporated cities and can be outlined by the Elgin-O’Hare Expressway to the north, Plum Grove Road to the west, Lake Street (U.S. Route 20) to the south, and the Medinah Country Club to the east.
Medinah is reported to have a population of around 2,097 individuals and 744 households based on data from the 2015 American Community Survey.
Medinah boasts the esteemed Medinah Country Club, which has had the honor of hosting several prestigious golf tournaments. The club has been the site of three USGA US Opens, in 1990, 1975, and 1949. Additionally, it has hosted the PGA Championship in 1999 and 2006, as well as the 2012 Ryder Cup and the 2019 BMW Championship. Looking ahead, Medinah will also be the host of the 2026 Presidents Cup.
Medinah Elementary School District 11 oversees three educational institutions in Medinah: Medinah Primary School, Medinah Intermediate School, and Medinah Middle School. Moreover, the local park district manages several parks and recreational areas within the community. Additionally, Lake Park High School District 108 runs the eastern campus of Lake Park High School, located on Medinah Road, just south of the community center.
Medinah is serviced by a stop on Metra’s Milwaukee District West Line, offering regular train transportation between Elgin and Chicago, with a final destination at Union Station.