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Research & Resources

Loop Chicago

Chicago Loop Alliance regularly commissions reports that reflect its vision for a vibrant downtown and guide the Loop's future, while also working with partner organizations to expand the reach of its research and resources. 

Research

Chicago Central Area Plan 2045

The Central Area Plan 2045 is a 20-year roadmap for the continued growth of downtown Chicago, establishing equitable goals and strategies for improving downtown housing, transportation, economic development, arts and culture and other vital issues. Read the report

State of the Loop reports

Chicago Loop Alliance regularly collects data from key industries and pedestrian counters to track operations and recovery of the Loop. READ THE REPORTS

Value of Downtown Study

The report details Chicago’s Loop as an established downtown, showcasing robust employment rates, burgeoning population density, and sustainable growth prospects for the future. Read the report

2025 Impact Report

2025 marked a year of renewed momentum for the Loop, with growing foot traffic, expanded arts and cultural programming, new investment, and collaborative efforts to revitalize downtown Chicago.

Read the Report

2023 Impact Report

2023 marked a year of planning, strategizing and initiating major moves for organization and Loop district. Read the full 2023 Impact Report. Read the Report

Five-Year Strategic Plan

Chicago Loop Alliance commissioned a new strategic plan to take advantage of the evolving downtown and CLA’s role in the Loop following several years altering the district and organization’s business model. Read the report

Elevate State Plan 2023

Elevate State plan analyzes the current landscape of State Street; recommends findings for the iconic thoroughfare; and addresses the future of a mixed-use district. Read the report

Loop Residential Study

Chicago Loop Alliance invites Loop residents to weigh in on a new study, which will track and analyze the economic impact of Loop renters and homeowners. Read the Report

LaSalle Landmark Innovation District 2022

The LaSalle Landmarks Innovation District is a plan to accelerate the economic recovery of LaSalle Street in the Chicago Loop. Once the financial district for the central area, LaSalle Street faces headwinds brought to light by the recent pandemic. Read the Report

The Impact of Sundays on State

View quantitative and qualitative data demonstrating the success of Chicago Loop Alliance’s innovative and award-winning program. Read the Report

The Chicago Loop's New Demography

The 2020 U.S. Census includes data that shows the Loop is the fastest growing Chicago neighborhood, and Chicago's downtown is the fastest growing in the country. Learn more about the Chicago Loop's growing and changing demography. Read the Report

Learning Expedition Chicago 2019

This report presents the conclusions made during the GBD Learning Expedition, reveals the main trends in the development of the global business districts, and also identifies the main challenges (opportunities) to the evolution of the districts... Read the Report

State of the Loop: 2018 Economic Profile

In May 2019, Chicago Loop Alliance released its State of the Chicago Loop: 2018 Economic Profile, providing data on a variety of industries in the Loop. Read the Report

Cultural Mile Action Plan

The Cultural Mile Action Plan was written by the Chicago Loop Alliance on behalf of the Cultural Mile organization. The recommendations focus on three categories: Programming, Streetscape, and Investment. Read the Report

Arts in the Loop Economic Impact Study

CLA seeks to help its members gain a deeper understanding of the impact the large collection of arts and cultural assets in the area have on the Loop economy. Read the Report

Transforming Wabash

CLA's Transforming Wabash Report offers a series of short- and long-term projects to promote and strengthen the historic Wabash Avenue district downtown. Read the report

Higher Education in the Loop and South Loop

CLA released Higher Education in the Loop and South Loop to present and analyze data describing the economic and social impact of the area's higher education institutions. Read the Report

Resource Guide for those in Immediate Need

CLA and Chicago Help Initiative have compiled a Resource Guide with information on food, healthcare, shelter and job resources for those in critical need. Read the Report

2013 State of the Loop: An Economic Profile

CLA commissioned State of the Chicago Loop to provide data on how downtown investment, businesses, employees and residents contribute to Chicago's economic output. Read the Report

Annual Reports

2025 Impact Report

2025 marked a year of renewed momentum for the Loop, with growing foot traffic, expanded arts and cultural programming, new investment, and collaborative efforts to revitalize downtown Chicago. Read the report

2024 Impact Report

2024 saw returns in office workers and Loop activity, evidenced by big bets from Loop stakeholders. Read the Report

2023 Impact Report

2023 marked a year of planning, strategizing and initiating major moves for organization and Loop district. Read The Report

2021 Annual Report

2021 marked a year of gradual recovery for the Loop, with both forward leaps and setbacks that required all of us to employ the flexibility we honed in 2020. Read the Report

2022 Annual Report

2022 was another year marked by the evolution of the traditional depiction of the Loop; continual recovery from the ravages of the past few years; and hope and optimism for the prospects of the future of our beautiful and iconic district. Read the Report

2020 Annual Report

The Loop, like downtowns around the world, faced incredible challenges as the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting recession, and civil unrest over systemic racism and violence rocked the globe... Read the Report

2018 Annual Report

The Chicago Loop continued to flourish with new hotels, more residential development, top-notch office space, diverse retail offerings, and, of course, world-class arts and cultural institutions. Read the Report

2019 Annual Report

Chicago Loop Alliance, and the Loop itself, experienced exciting growth in 2019. Read the Report

2017 Annual Report

The appeal of the Loop extended to new investments throughout the Loop including hotels, residential units, retail, and restaurants. It was also yet another fantastic year for the Chicago Loop Alliance. Read the Report

World Business Chicago

Chicago’s economic development agency

World Business Chicago cultivates relationships across all our city’s dynamic industries. Learn More

Research center

World Business Chicago makes it easy for you to get perspective on Chicago for your business so you can expand, relocate or start fresh. Learn More

Priority Industries

Connect with World Business Chicago to support your business growth or expansion and to learn why Chicago is a top-ranked city in the U.S. and world for business. Learn More

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