Our Story
At the Heart of the Loop
Chicago Loop Alliance represents the vibrant community and businesses that energize the Loop, making it a thriving neighborhood for all who visit, live, or work here.
Through programs, cultural initiatives, and partnerships, Chicago Loop Alliance brings people, investment, and opportunity to the Loop. As a member-based organization, we connect leaders, innovators, and changemakers shaping the nation’s largest central business district outside of Midtown Manhattan. Together with our affiliate, Chicago Loop Alliance Foundation, we create free cultural experiences that bring the neighborhood to life.
Rooted in the History that Built Us
A new beginning
Greater State Street Council forms to promote the business interests of State Street from Wacker Drive to Van Buren Street, following The Great Depression.
State Street closes to vehicles
In an effort to encourage more pedestrian traffic and increased revenues for stores, the State Street Council initiates planning, construction and marketing for the State Street pedestrian mall, closing State Street to vehicular traffic excluding buses and taxis.
Stakeholders realize their mistake
The State Street pedestrian mall opens to pedestrians, buses and taxis, and permanently closes to vehicular traffic.
“That Great Street” Expansion
Renamed the Greater State Street Council (GSSC), the area of representation expands beyond State Street to encompass Chicago’s central business district.
State Street reopens to cars
Criticism and reassessment of the State Street pedestrian mall lead to its redevelopment in and the reopening of the street to vehicular traffic.
GSSC services State Street
The City of Chicago contracts the GSSC as the sole service provider for State Street Special Service Area #1 with the goal of making State Street a highly desirable world-class destination for residents, tourists, and visitors.
Merger creates Chicago Loop Alliance
The Greater State Street Council merges with the Central Michigan Avenue Association, becoming the Chicago Loop Alliance (CLA). This same year, CLA launches their 501(c)(3) affiliate organization, Fundación Chicago Loop Alliance, seeking to enrich the Loop’s public spaces through artistic expression and free cultural programming.
Students create deep impact for Loop
CLA conducts and releases data on higher education in the Loop, detailing the impact of over 64,000 students in the Loop.
Pop-Up Art Loop reenergizes the Loop
Pop-Up Art Loop, reenvisions the Loop’s vacant storefronts during the height of the Great Recession.
Cleaning ambassadors hit the street
CLA initiates a Street Cleaning program on State Street, hiring previously incarcerated people via the Clean Slate and CTA Second Chance programs.
ACTIVATE illuminates Loop alleys
The iconic, ACTIVATE, an alley activation series launches, meant to encourage Loop workers and visitors to experience hidden spaces in new ways.
Ambassador program expands to clean and safe
CLA expands their suite of services provided to the SSA, with a full service Clean and Safe program composed of Clean Team and Street Team ambassadors.
CLA launches series on downtown issues
Downtown Future Series (DFS) features urban professionals, thought leaders across business industries discussing trends that will affect the next era of downtowns globally.
International leaders learn from the Loop
CLA hosts a GBD Innovation Club Learning Expedition, inviting global cities to experience the programming and economic development opportunities that make the Loop an innovative urban district.
Sundays on State unites Chicagoans and beyond
Award-winning event series, Los domingos en State, transforms State Street into a shared space reflecting the city’s unity, diversity and spirit; and encouraging economic recovery post-pandemic.
Reimagined LaSalle plan takes off
In partnership with the Chicago Department of Planning and Development and other area entities, CLA, supports a report by the Urban Land Institute reimagining the use of LaSalle Street into affordable housing, shops, and vibrant public spaces.
New plan reimagines State Street’s future
As part of Chicago’s Central Area Recovery Plan, Chicago Loop Alliance and other partners unveil final recommendations for Elevate State, a forward-thinking vision for the State Street corridor, initiated in 2020 and placed on hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Downtown group association sets attendance record
CLA cohosts the 2023 International Downtown Association’s (IDA) Annual Conference and Marketplace, attracting over 1,000 downtown leaders from international urban districts.
100+ arts organizations join together
Chicago Loop Alliance leverages the power of the Loop’s arts and culture in the new Loop Arts District Caucus, a group of over 90 arts organizations with physical space or residencies in the Loop.
Mission
Chicago Loop Alliance leads the community by creating and supporting inclusive programs that attract people and investment to the Loop.
Vision
Chicago Loop Alliance envisions an iconic global destination and the city’s most vibrant and welcoming neighborhood.
Photos by Purple Photo
Values
- Foster Innovation
- Nurture Partnerships
- Encourage Transparency
- Support Constituent Services
- Generate Return on Investment
- I.D.E.A. Inclusivity, Diversity, Equity, and Access
Priorities & Goals
- Build Confidence in the Loop
- Ensure Everyone’s Neighborhood
- Create a Complete Urban District
- Increase Chicago Loop Alliance’s Profile & Impact
About SSA #1-2015
The goal of State Street Special Service Area #1-2015 is to position State Street as a highly desirable world-class destination.
Discover the Loop Neighborhood
The Loop is Chicago’s downtown and the city’s center of gravity. Here, the city’s history and energy converge, its the iconic L tracks that give the neighborhood it’s name.
Bordered by the Chicago River, Ida B. Wells Drive and Lake Michigan, the Loop has grown into a bustling business district, and the starting point of Chicago’s address system at State and Madison. From lunchtime in our pocket parks to evenings under the theater lights, from kids laughing in play fountains to grandparents strolling through rooftop gardens—the Loop is where generations meet and moments happen.
Use our interactive map to uncover its stories and experience the Loop for yourself.