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3 MIN READ — Chicago Loop Alliance and the Chicago Loop Alliance Foundation hosted their sold-out Annual Meeting on Thursday, February 29. More than 400 key Loop stakeholders gathered during the breakfast meeting held at Convene Willis Tower. The organization inducted new board members and leadership; unveiled their 2023 Impact Report; and announced major 2024 plans. A panel conversation featuring Quintin Primo, major Loop real estate investor of Capri Capital Partners and Michael Reschke, CEO of The Prime Group, the Loop developer responsible for Google’s redevelopment of the Thompson Center, analyzed the future of downtown through planning initiatives like LaSalle Reimagined and other big bets placed on the Loop.
“There's much to be said about the big bets people are placing on the Loop and downtowns across the country, and our meeting focused on how those bets will shape the future of an iconic and vibrant district like the Loop,” said Michael Edwards, President and CEO of Chicago Loop Alliance. “From groundbreaking programming – Sundays on State, NASCAR Chicago, and a bold take on New Year’s Eve – to substantial planning efforts, our organization intentionally sets a strong foundation for Chicagoans and visitors alike to double down on their belief in the Loop.”
The Chicago Loop Alliance and Chicago Loop Alliance Foundation Annual Meeting was sponsored by Presenting Sponsor Streetplus; Supporting Sponsors: Macy’s, Realized Value Collaborative, and Willis Tower; Program Sponsors: Bannerville, CIBC, Concorde New Media, Draper & Kramer, Millennium Garages/SP Plus Corporation, and World Business Chicago; and a host of Community Sponsors.
2024 PROGRAMMING AND INITIATIVES
Michael Edwards announced Chicago Loop Alliance’s plans for 2024, including, the return of the award-winning event series, Sundays on State; the temporary summer expansion of the Chicago Loop Alliance Ambassadors program throughout the Loop; a potential collaboration with NASCAR Chicago Street Race; a co-managed study on the Value of Downtowns with the International Downtown Association; and a focus on the organization’s new priority areas actualized through its new strategic plan.
“My administration is committed to uplifting our city and our communities through impactful partnerships with civic and non-profit organizations leading the charge in creating thriving and healthy neighborhoods,” said Mayor Brandon Johnson. “The work of Chicago Loop Alliance exemplifies plans and initiatives that aim to benefit all Chicagoans, and through successful programming like Sundays on State, reminds us that the Soul of Chicago is alive and accessible to us all.”
Mayor Johnson joined the crowd to announce several initiatives, including:
- His support of Business Improvement District legislation currently working its way through Springfield legislation
- A new Downtown Economic Growth Advisory Committee, providing businesses, organizations, and stakeholders a direct line of communication with the Mayor's office and City departments
- The Small Business Improvement Fund will support buildout costs for six Loop restaurants and a new Board of Trade museum as a means of addressing storefront vacancies
- Chicago Department of Transportation and Chicago Department of Planning and Development improvements to the Loop's streetscapes for better pedestrian access and infrastructure repairs
- A 2024 update to Chicago’s Central Area Plan promoting mixed-use development over the next 20 years to increase tourism, draw workers back downtown, and re-engage the Loop as the heart of our city
NEW BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND LEADERSHIP INDUCTEES
Chicago Loop Alliance inducted new board leadership, including Judie Green, Chief Development Officer of the Auditorium Theatre as Chair. Green replaces newly appointed interim CEO of Choose Chicago, Rich Gamble, and joins board leadership with decades of experience in uplifting Chicago Loop Alliance’s program areas and initiatives. The full new leadership slate is as follows:
- Chair: Judie Green, Chief Development Officer, Auditorium Theatre
- Vice Chair: Kemena Brooks, Director of Development, The Community Builders
- Treasurer: Bradley Renner, Director of Development, The Joffrey Ballet
- Secretary: Laura Graves, Vice President of Planning and Business Operations, ABC 7 Chicago
- Immediate Past Chair: Rich Gamble, Interim President and CEO, Choose Chicago
The eight new members inducted to the Chicago Loop Alliance and Chicago Loop Alliance Foundation’s board of directors at the meeting represent a wide breadth of knowledge in sectors pivotal in a successful future for the Loop, including retail, food and beverage, real estate, entertainment, finance, and education:
- Kati Baker, Downtown Apartment Company
- Kristen Buza, Starbucks
- Aileen Gaspari, Semmer Landscaping
- Jacqueline Herrara, NASCAR Chicago
- Jacqueline Jackson, Kilwins Chocolates
- Amanda Thompson, DePaul University
- Matthew Toles, PNC Bank
- Jim Vozzella, 360 Chicago
The full list of Board of Directors members can be found here.
2023 IMPACT REPORT
Chicago Loop Alliance unveiled its 2023 Impact Report, which summarizes the progress of the Loop and the organization throughout 2023. An interactive digital-first version of the report can be found here, as well as a pdf version.
