CHICAGO LOOP ALLIANCE
Chicago Loop Alliance was founded in 2005 following a merger between the Central Michigan Avenue Association and the Greater State Street Council, which was created in 1929 and consisted of local merchants eager to promote economic prosperity for their businesses during the Great Depression.
According to its mission, “Chicago Loop Alliance is a member-based business organization that represents Chicago's most dynamic mixed-use district—the Loop—and advocates for the rapidly growing central business area. Chicago Loop Alliance is focused on promoting and uniting Loop businesses and organizations to support one another in creating a vibrant, flourishing Loop where people live, work and play.”
Enriching the public experience
Chicago Loop Alliance enriches the experience of visitors and residents through strategies that highlight the Loop’s rich and varied attractions: from a bustling dining and entertainment scene to a world-class collection of public art. Chicago Loop Alliance creates vivid and memorable experiences for visitors—while enhancing the urban environment for a community of residents and property owners—through its award-winning public programs and events.
Fostering alliances among Loop businesses & institutions
Chicago Loop Alliance fosters constructive collaborations among its members and, by deploying destination marketing promotions, connects member businesses and organizations to consumers. Chicago Loop Alliance convenes members to facilitate informal networking, invites experts to share best practices, and leverages member expertise and resources to drive consumers into the Loop.
Maintaining and improving the urban environment
State Street businesses entrust Chicago Loop Alliance with the maintenance of Chicago’s premier retail and cultural district through Special Service Area (SSA) #1. As the service provider of SSA #1—which includes property on both sides of State Street between Wacker Drive on the north and Congress Parkway on the south—Chicago Loop Alliance oversees physical improvements to State Street, guides community leaders in long-term visioning for the central business district, and implements creative placemaking projects.
Special Service Area #1 was formed by the Chicago City Council in 1977 to provide for the maintenance of the newly opened pedestrian mall. Since its inception, the SSA and Chicago Loop Alliance has been under the direction of a commission of public and private officials appointed to supervise the allocation of funds, which are gathered through taxes contributed by property owners within the service area.
Informing the dialogue about planning and policy
Chicago Loop Alliance engages in advocacy efforts that strengthen the Loop’s competitive position and create positive outcomes for its members and contributors to the SSA. Chicago Loop Alliance draws upon the collective insights of these constituents to formulate positions on key economic and planning issues, gather and disseminate accurate market data for use in decision-making, and shape agendas of civic leaders and policymakers.
