Posted 22 months ago
Chicago Loop Alliance has announced an expansion of the Chicago Loop Alliance Ambassador Program, which will patrol the central Loop from Dearborn to Canal and Ida B. Wells to Wacker on weekday evenings through September. The Ambassador program is contracted by Chicago Loop Alliance through Streetplus, a national business improvement district service, and will patrol the corridor from 2 p.m. to 11 p.m., six days a week.
“Much like our longstanding Chicago Loop Alliance Ambassadors who have served the most iconic stretch of State Street for years, the new Ambassador team will provide a safe, clean and friendly space to those living, working and enjoying the Loop a little further west,” said Michael Edwards, President and CEO of Chicago Loop Alliance. “While many workers and visitors to the Central Loop Corridor may not be used to the presence of ambassador teams, we believe this new service will enhance the daily experience to everyone throughout the central business district.”
The ambassador program is made possible through Chicago’s Recovery Plan, an ambitious $1.2 billion effort for equitable economic recovery and support for thriving and safe communities, as well as the Central City Recovery Roadmap. The ambassadors’ goal is to stimulate the economic recovery and encourage visitors and workers back downtown. Inspired by Chicago Loop Alliance’s existing Ambassador program, the city of Chicago is also launching 12 other Corridor Ambassador programs in other Chicago neighborhoods, including Back of the Yards, Greater Chatham, the Magnificent Mile, Auburn Gresham and Uptown to serve as violence prevention and social service providers.
Chicago Loop Alliance Ambassadors will continue to wear yellow and black uniforms and will provide directions; greet and engage visitors, workers, and residents; conduct business check-ins; observe and report negative behavior; provide information on wayfinding for those shopping, dining, and exploring; and assist individuals in need of social services or experiencing homelessness. The unarmed ambassadors receive training in de-escalation tactics and also serve as a deterrent to unwanted behavior and illegal activity in an effort of violence prevention throughout the community.
The Chicago Loop Alliance Ambassador program previously primarily serviced State Street Special Service Area #1-2015 (SSA #1-2015), which includes State Street from Ida B. Wells to Wacker Drive and select portions of Wabash Avenue and Dearborn Avenue. Those areas will continue receiving patrols through funding from SSA #1-2015.
“Collaborations with city organizations and partners, like Chicago Loop Alliance, create a collective approach to safety and, in turn, help facilitate a boisterous recovery in the central business district,” said Chicago Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot. “The Corridor Ambassador program is an enhancement to the already successful approach of Chicago Loop Alliance Ambassadors along State Street and provides the entire Loop community with positive interactions while shopping, working and living downtown. The benefits of visible ‘faces of the Loop’ encouraged us to duplicate this initiative elsewhere throughout the city to support community relations and expand the variety of resources provided throughout the city.”
“As the daily touchpoint along the Loop’s most iconic thoroughfare, the expansion of the Chicago Loop Alliance Ambassadors team to the Central Loop underscores the importance of a positive Loop experience for all,” said Jerry Zollicoffer, Operations Manager of Chicago Loop Alliance Ambassadors. “Our Ambassador team is a testament to the power of community-focused interactions in one of our city’s most robust and active neighborhoods.”
