Chicago State University (CSU) is a state university of the U.S. state of Illinois, located in Chicago. The University is a member-school of Thurgood Marshall College Fund.

Founded in 1867 as the Cook County Normal School, it was an innovative teachers college. Eventually it was taken over by the Chicago Public Schools and became Chicago Teachers College (CTC). Northeastern Illinois University began as a branch campus of CTC. In 1951, the State of Illinois began funding the college, and took it over in 1965, transforming it into a comprehensive state college. In 1967, it became Chicago State University.