About us

Working with both residents and businesses, we help our members and partners expand their reach while supporting the local neighborhood.

West Loop, community organization, Chicago, events, volunteer opportunities, Business Networking

For over thirty years, the West Loop (WLCO) has been a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization for Chicago’s West Loop neighborhood.

As one of Chicago’s most nationally recognized neighborhoods in the heart of the city, the West Loop is known for its walkability, vast range of businesses, proximity to the downtown and riverfront areas, as well as its long-standing event and community engagement programs.

WLCO’s support of the local community helps drive economic development, and coordinates public planning, as well as cultivates community and connectivity through hosting small and large-scale events throughout the year.

Most notably, WLCO created and has hosted the Taste of Randolph Street food festival for more than 28 years, bringing nearly 100,000 people to Restaurant Row every Father’s Day Weekend to give Chicagoland residents and visitors to the city an opportunity to experience and celebrate all things West Loop.

Working with both residents and businesses, WLCO helps the members of the community expand their reach while supporting the local neighborhood.

  • 1803

    Fort Dearborn is built, and conflict escalates with the indigenous Potawatomi. The Chicago flag gets its first star.

  • 1871

    The Great Chicago Fire rages through 2,000 acres of land. Despite the myth, Mrs. O'Leary's cow is not to blame. Also, the second star.

  • 1886

    The Haymarket Square Riots turn violent, but the thousands of protesting workers succeed, and the modern 8-hour workday is born.

  • 1887

    The Fulton Street Wholesale Market opens for business, and Chicago's meat-packing district is officially born. It's why we call the area Fulton Market today.

  • 1893

    The World's Columbian Exposition puts Chicago on the global map. Over 27 million people attend, so the Chicago flag gets its third star.

  • 1900

    The flow of the Chicago River is reversed, an engineering achievement that makes St. Louis very unhappy. The South Branch of the River is West Loop's east border.

  • 1925

    Union Station is completed.

    The transportation hub, located in the West Loop, is the fourth-busiest rail terminal in the United States.

  • 1933

    The Century of Progress exposition celebrates technological innovation, attracing over 48 million people.

    So, you guessed it, the fourth (and final) star.

  • 1945

    The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) is created. Morgan Station, West Loop's central L stop, re-opens in 2012 and sees almost 1 million passengers annually.

Longtime residents, business owners, and experts that live, work and play in the West Loop

Our organization has over 30 years of experience in community organizing, financial administration, and interdisciplinary design practices.

Come to our next event and get to know us!

We are connectors in the community that we have lived and worked in here and are here to share a wealth of knowledge.

Our dedicated provides member businesses and nonprofits valuable assistance with their licensing and permitting needs through the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP). We provide direct lines of communication to other government offices, including the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office (CCSA), the Department of Planning and Development (DPD), our neighborhood 12th District Police precinct, and local ward aldermen.

Coming soon - WLCO Microgrant program!

Every day, we advocate for a safer, better West Loop — one that we’re proud to call home.

Our Values

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.

We want you to think of us as the fun people in the neighborhood.

Want to do some good? Come and join us!

We’re proud to have diverse and professional leadership