The team was one of the original franchises of the World Basketball League, which began play in 1988.
The Express advanced to the WBL championship game in 1988, losing to the Las Vegas Silver Streaks 102–95 on September 9, 1988.
After the 1988 season, the franchise moved to Springfield, Illinois and played two more seasons as the Illinois Express before folding for good in late 1990.
While in Chicago, the Express played its home games at the Rosemont Horizon.
This article about a basketball team in Illinois is a stub.