About Us

About the Chapter

Who We Are

The Illinois Chapter of AMTA is a volunteer organized membership service organization.  The Illinois Chapter serves over 4000 Illinois based massage therapists by striving to provide the best continuing education and volunteer opportunities, while also maintaining an active presence in state and local government.  The chapter also endeavors to provide an accessible community within the profession by hosting networking events and meetups throughout the year.

AMTA-Illinois Chapter History

The American Massage Therapy Association was founded in 1943 by a graduate class at the College of Swedish Massage in Chicago. Its original name was the American Association of Masseurs and Masseuses. In 1949, the Illinois Chapter of the AAMM was organized to serve members locally. The first Chapter meeting of seven charter members was held at Melson’s Health Center in Joliet. Founding officers included A.F. Reidel of Chicago, President; George Merideth, Vice-President; and Arthur D. Melson of Joliet, Secretary-Treasurer. The Chapter newsletter began as “The Masseur: Illinois Chapter” in the early 1950s. The Chapter has been active both locally and nationally through the years promoting the interests of massage therapists in Illinois