Planning & Advocacy
Placemaking Community Engagement & Membership

Planning & Advocacy

Chicago Loop Alliance (CLA) reviews projects and advocates for Loop issues like landmark architecture, transportation, investment, and revitalization opportunities.

Loop Residential Study

Loop Residential Study

In early 2023, CLA released the informative Loop residential study. Based on 1,200 survey results, the report addressed the needs and desires of Loop residents; analyzed the present landscape of living in the Loop; monitored the economic impact of individuals living in the Loop; and provided suggested amenities and barriers to a thriving residential Loop neighborhood.

Elevate State

Elevate State

CLA partnered with Urban Land Institute and the city of Chicago’s Department of Planning and Development for a Technical Assistance Panel and report aimed at revitalizing the State Street corridor between Ida B. Wells and Wacker.

Strategic Plan

Strategic plan

Building on the strong foundation of CLA’s 2013 Strategic Plan, the organization commissioned a new five-year strategic plan to determine the impacts of key issues affecting downtowns globally and their relation to the Loop’s vitality and success, spearheaded by the work of Chicago Loop Alliance. The plan resulted in a new organizational vision, mission, and four new strategic priorities:

  • Build Confidence in the Loop
  • Increase Chicago Loop Alliance’s Profile & Impact
  • Ensure Everyone’s Neighborhood
  • Create a Complete Urban District

Other planning and advocacy projects and initiatives included:

  • Engaging with the redevelopment of the State and Lake CTA station and State Street design elements
  • Advocating for legislation on Capitol Hill with other downtown districts on topics of homelessness, police resources, and office conversions
  • Monitoring local development issues like the Van Buren Metra station revitalization and GSA properties on State Street
  • Advancing legislation in Springfield to allow for business improvement districts (BIDs) in Chicago
Planning and Advocacy

In addition to local advocacy work, Chicago Loop Alliance took its efforts to legislative offices in Washington D.C., and Springfield, IL. Chicago Loop Alliance staff spoke on panels regarding the best practices for downtowns evolve amid the recovery, valuable media relations strategies, and more. Staff also participated in conversations on the state of downtowns with various cities and countries around the world, including Paris, Morocco, San Francisco, Dublin, Montreal, New York City and others.

#1
Big City in the U.S. by Conde Nast Traveler for a historic and unprecedented seventh year in a row
3
design and signage packages reviewed
10
panels or presentations by staff to local, national, and international audiences
+10%
residential growth in the Loop during the pandemic