Chicago Loop Alliance Collection

The State Street Council was organized in 1929 to promote the business interests of State Street from Wacker Drive to Van Buren Street. Renamed the Greater State Street Council (GSSC) in 1982, the area of representation was expanded beyond State Street to encompass Chicago’s central business district. Twenty-three years later, in 2005, the GSSC merged with the Central Michigan Avenue Association, becoming the Chicago Loop Alliance (CLA). As the Chicago Loop Alliance, the organization’s mission is to strengthen Chicago’s competitive position as a mixed-use retail core build on its existing hospitality, real estate, residential, cultural and institutional resources, and contribute to Chicago’s standing as a world-class city and tourist attraction.

The current 40-block service area is comprised of theaters, retail businesses, residences, and the largest college population in the state of Illinois. It is bounded by Dearborn Street to the west, Lake Michigan to the east, Wacker Drive to the north and Congress Parkway to the south. Throughout its history the Chicago Loop Alliance has played an important role in the evolution of Chicago’s downtown, by working closely with public and private agencies to develop business opportunities, infrastructure, public amenities, and cooperative marketing strategies. They have sponsored marketing, consumer, real estate and planning reports, many of which are found in this collection. In addition, the Chicago Loop Alliance has regularly produced annual reports and quarterly newsletters.

The Chicago Loop Alliance has historically hosted a number of public events including holiday parades and summer festivals such as State Street Days, Loop Alive!, Summer Stage and Celebrate on State. They also traditionally hold an annual luncheon meeting with guest speakers, as well as a yearly charity gala.

The Chicago Loop Alliance is a not-for-profit business association.