For over 30 years, the non-profit West Loop Community Organization (WLCO) has been dedicated to driving economic growth. Today, we are laser-focused on cultivating community.
Welcome to the hottest neighborhood in the country. Fulton Market, Chicago’s iconic meatpacking district, sits at the heart of the West Loop. Famous for its award-winning restaurants, industrial history, and forward-thinking people, the West Loop has quickly become Chicago’s cultural and technological powerhouse. Boundaries of the West Loop are: Grand Avenue on the north side, I-290 on the south side, Ashland and Ogden on the west side and the Chicago River on the east side.
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There’s always something happening in the West Loop, whether it’s one of our outdoor markets or a rooftop happy hour.
From small businesses to corporate headquarters, Chicago’s fastest growing neighborhood has it all.
Discover public resources available to residents and visitors alike, including data that informs our mission.
These are some of the people that have made lasting contributions to the West Loop Community Organization. We think they’re good neighbors, and we’re grateful to have their help.
From books and skincare products to games and coffee, dozens of small businesses in the West Loop and Fulton Market have everything you need to satisfy even the most discriminating shopper on your list.
Guided by its commitment to safety and equity, the Chicago Park District will open 37 neighborhood pools across the city, including 15 indoor and 22 outdoor pools based on the number of qualified lifeguards hired by July 5th. The District selected a combination of indoor and outdoor pools based on several factors including, but not limited to, geographical location, staffing requirements and availability, the condition of the pool, historical usage, pool capacity, access to public transportation and safety considerations.
The Taste of Randolph Street returns this summer over Father’s Day weekend, June 17-19 2022! We’re calling all local artists, merchants, and restaurants to join us in celebrating summer and community. For 25 years, the Taste of Randolph has been a staple Chicago festival. And 2022 will be no different. Entrance to the festival is a suggested $10 donation. Taste of Randolph benefits the West Loop Community Organization, which has been advocating for the West Loop neighborhood since 1991, supporting local businesses and economic development.
At the request of the Chicago Police Department’s (CPD) local 12th District, please be advised of a planned public gathering taking place this Saturday, May 14th, 2022, at 9:30AM. The organizer, “Rally for Abortion Justice: Chicago,” plans to begin a national solidarity march at Union Park (1501 West Randolph Street) that will move down Washington Boulevard as participants make their way into the downtown area.
For nearly 30 years, the West Loop Community Organization (WLCO), a delegate agency for the City of Chicago, has helped guide real estate development in Chicago’s West Loop and Fulton Market communities. Their efforts included working with developers, city officials, local businesses and residents to help define development in these rapidly changing areas. During this time, they helped establish the West Loop and Fulton Market areas as one of the most vibrant, sought-after communities in the world. As development policies and processes have significantly changed, the WLCO Board of Directors voted to end its participation in development-related activities.
The Department of Streets and Sanitation (DSS) today announced the official start of the City’s annual street sweeping season, which runs each year from April 1st through mid-November or later, weather permitting. Residents are reminded to check for the bright orange signs announcing temporary parking restrictions. These signs are posted two days prior to scheduled street sweeping events.
Please join 27th Ward Alderman Walter Burnett Jr. and the West Loop Community Organization (WLCO) on Wednesday, March 30 at 6PM for a virtual community meeting regarding 210 North Morgan Street: a 33-story, 204-unit residential building. Newcastle, Ltd., the developer, will present its plans and answer any questions you may have about the project. Details inside!
Please join 27th Ward Alderman Walter Burnett Jr. and the West Loop Community Organization (WLCO) on Wednesday, March 23 at 6PM for a virtual community meeting regarding 170 North Green Street: a mixed-use project including office, hotel, retail/commercial uses and up to 275 residential units in a multi-level building with a height of approximately 36 stories.
Chicago’s St. Patrick’s Day celebrations return this weekend bringing crowds and street closures. The Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC) reminds the public of large crowds and security measures in place for the weekend events. OEMC stresses the importance of always being aware of surroundings and reporting suspicious activity to onsite event security or call 911.
The Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP) announced outreach and education efforts aligned with National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW), a time to help people understand their consumer rights and avoid fraud and scams. This year, NCPW is observed March 6-12 and is designed to inform consumers of how to safely navigate the marketplace.
Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot and Public Health Commissioner Allison Arwady, M.D., announced today that the City will remove the mask and vaccine requirements for certain public spaces on February 28 to align with the State of Illinois’ previously announced plans to lift the statewide indoor mask mandate on that day. Masks will continue to be required in health care settings, on public transit, and in other congregate settings.
The Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP) today announced sidewalk signs (e.g. A-frame, T-frame, or other temporary self-supporting type signs, placed on the public way) will be allowed in the City of Chicago by obtaining the proper City permit. Street-front businesses will now be able to use sidewalk signs to advertise their business safely and effectively from the sidewalk. On Thursday, February 24 at 10AM, BACP will host a business education webinar to provide an overview of the permit application process, operational conditions and sign requirements.
The Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) announced that Greencorps Chicago, the City’s green industry training program for individuals with barriers to employment, is now accepting applications for paid positions in its 2022 class! The training program starts in late March and candidates are encouraged to apply before the end of February to maximize the chance of acceptance.
Please join 27th Ward Alderman Walter Burnett Jr. and the West Loop Community Organization (WLCO) to review and discuss the amendment to Business Planned Development No. 1407 to allow for a 26-story commercial/office building at 360 North Green Street at a forthcoming date and time. The developer will present its plans and answer any questions you may have about the project.
Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot and the Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP) announced over 2,000 small businesses and nonprofits have been awarded grants under the Chi Biz Strong Grant Program and Outdoor Dining Grant Program. The over $20 million programs will provide critical financial relief to grant recipients to assist in the recovery from the COVID-19 economic impact and to boost start-of-the-year operations.
Effective January 1, 2022, all Chicago employers of nannies, care workers, and home cleaners must provide their workers with a written contract in their preferred language. The contract must include the wage and the work schedule agreed upon by the employer and the domestic worker. This mandate ensures accountability, transparency, and predictability for domestic workers so they can plan for themselves and their families.
Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot, the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH), and the Chicago Department of Business Affairs & Consumer Protection (BACP) announced that any individual 5 years of age or older will be required to show proof that they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to dine indoors, visit gyms, or enjoy entertainment venues where food or drink are being served. This new requirement goes into effect on January 3, 2022.
The West Loop Community Organization (WLCO) is pleased to welcome Andrew B. Gordon to its Board of Directors! Andrew is is the Managing Attorney of Gordon Law Group. A graduate of the Chicago Kent College of Law, he is also a Certified Public Accountant with a BA and Master’s Degree from the University of Illinois.
The West Loop Community Organization (WLCO) is pleased to share that, in joint coordination with the Mayor’s Office and the 27th Ward, 12 additional Chicago Police Department (CPD) officers are being assigned to the Fulton Market entertainment district in direct response to recent increases in local crime, including a shooting incident at Alhambra Palace (1240 W Randolph) earlier this week. This additional patrol operates 7 days a week, 6PM–3AM, between Racine to Clinton and Carroll to Washington.
Saturday, November 27, 2021 is Small Business Saturday – a day to celebrate and support small businesses and all they do for their communities. This year, we know that small businesses need our support now more than ever as they navigate, retool and pivot from the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. Please join SBA and organizations across the country in supporting your local small businesses by shopping at a small business.
The Chicago Department of Business Affairs will host webinars this week for an overview of the Chi Biz Strong Grants Program and Outdoor Dining Grants Program. The webinars will provide information about the grants, who can apply, and details regarding eligibility and applications to assistant applicants.
Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot announced the number of City employees who have confirmed their vaccination status, as well as those who are fully vaccinated, following the implementation of the citywide vaccination policy. The policy, announced in August, required all City employees to be fully vaccinated or report their vaccination status by October 15, 2021.
Please join 27th Ward Alderman Walter Burnett Jr. and the West Loop Community Organization (WLCO) for a virtual community meeting regarding a new construction of a 30-story building with 316 residential units and ground floor commercial on the property located at 1353 West Fulton. The developer will present its plans and answer any questions you may have about the project.
This November, $330K in Central West TIF funds will rollout for new SBIF applicants to help owners of commercial and industrial properties repair or remodel their facilities. Program participants can receive grants for 30 to 90 percent of project costs, with a maximum grant of $150,000 for commercial properties and $250,000 for industrial properties. The grants are administered by SomerCor on the City's behalf and do not have to be repaid.
At the request of the Chicago Police Department’s (CPD) 12th District, we are sharing a Parking Enforcement Bulletin to remind residents, businesses, and visitors that, effective immediately, CPD and the Department of Revenue will begin ramping up local parking enforcement, issuing citations to any and all vehicles stationed illegally — especially any violation blocking emergency vehicle access.
Next weekend is the West Loop Art Fest! From 10AM-7PM on Saturday-Sunday, September 18-19, come out to Fulton Market between Peoria and Aberdeen for late summer shopping, live music and art, and much more. And it's free! Produced StarEvents and the West Loop Community Organization. Parking is convenient with numerous garages nearby. Public transportation will take visitors within minutes of the fest.
What We Do
We work to make our community better in more ways than one. We support economic development through our member programs and marketing opportunities. We cultivate community by hosting events throughout the year, connecting people to all the great places in the West Loop.
Become A Member
In addition to the valuable licensing and permitting assistance we offer members, our programming and marketing opportunities help local businesses and non-profits stay connected to the West Loop. And benefit from it.
Popular perks include a spot in our newsletter, participation in our awesome street pole banner campaign, and vendor access to our festivals.
Karen Young, Illinois Chapter Manager
National Ovarian Cancer Coalition
Since 1991, we’ve been a vital part of the West Loop. We’ve hosted the Taste of Randolph Street for 25 years, which brings about 100,000 people to the neighborhood every Father’s Day Weekend. Our membership association has supported thousands of local businesses, non-profits, and residential organizations.
We also clean and green the landscaping of Fulton Market from Halsted to Ogden and back again every other Saturday morning.
Representing our community at home and abroad while working to increase the quality of life for everyone
Obtaining the right licensing and permitting, executing plans of operation, and submitting applications effectively
For safety initiatives, proposed developments, and other areas of focus, like supporting small businesses
We’re proud to have diverse and professional leadership. Longtime residents, business owners, and experts comprise our Board of Directors. And our staff has over 30 years of experience in community organizing, financial administration, and interdisciplinary design practices.
There are 12 directors on the board and 3 staff members, but we lost count of all the volunteers and partners we’ve had over the years. Each of us is dedicated to supporting and growing the West Loop. It’s where we raise our families, have our offices, and go out to play.
We believe everybody should get a seat at the table. Anyone can volunteer with us, and you don’t have to be a member to get involved with our mission. So come say hi.
We strive to get things right. In the age of instant information, that’s sometimes a challenge. But we stand by what we say, and we encourage you to fact-check us. We love that stuff.
We won’t just tell you why — we’ll show you. As a non-profit delegate agency, our doors and minds are always open. If you’re looking for something specific and can’t find it, ask us.
We are all part of one community, and everybody
should play by the rules.
