DOWNTOWN— The Chicago Loop Alliance planted more trees, removed over 5,000 graffiti tags and offered more than 1,000 hours of private security along State Street in 2024, the group announced in its annual impact report released Friday.
The organization convened Friday for its annual meeting to share 2024 highlights, elect new board members and offer insights into the Loop Alliance’s goals for 2025.
The membership-based group focuses on enhancing the Loop by creating programs, advocating for economic development and serving as the service provider for the Special Service Area #1-2015 along the State Street corridor.
The Loop Alliance deploys street ambassadors annually to help with the safety and maintenance of the State Street corridor in the Central Business District. They greet people and offer help to tourists while providing assistance and resources to people experiencing homelessness. The group primarily patrols State Street in the Loop from Dearborn Street to Canal Street and Ida B. Wells Drive to Wacker Drive.
In 2024, street ambassadors participated in 9,386 business check-ins, gave directions 17,841 times and removed 5,742 graffiti tags and stickers and 146,025 pounds of trash along the State Street corridor, according to the annual report. The Loop Alliance also contracts with unarmed private security, which provided 1,152 hours of patrol last year, according to the report.
As part of the city’s preparation for the Democratic National Convention in August, the organization planted 22 new trees and painted or repaired 150 light poles, the report said.
The Loop Alliance plans to continue its popular Sundays on State series, transforming the corridor into a block party with local vendors, activities and art. This year’s Sundays at State will take place Sept. 7 and Oct. 5. More than 1.3 million people have attended since the event’s inception in 2021, generating $6.5 million in economic impact, the report said.
New events this year by Loop Alliance include a Halloween bar crawl called “Lurking in the Loop.” It’s one of several special events planned for October that also include the Better Cities Film Festival Oct. 9-11 and the 11th annual Arts in the Dark parade.
Also on Friday, eight new members joined the Loop Alliance and Foundation’s board of directors, including prominent Chicago developer Michael Reschke, whose company is behind the redevelopment of the Thompson Center.
Other new members inducted include:
- Ron Chaille, Arch Advertising and Loop resident
- Misoon Kong, Hilton Chicago
- Shari Massey, The Joffrey Ballet
- Renauld Mitchell, Moody Nolan Architects
- Mary Person, Clayco
- Rian Walker, DL3 Realty L.P.
- William T. Villarreal, Wintrust
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