15-Jul-21 – The Loop is 58 percent back to normal, according to new data from Chicago Loop Alliance.

The organization, tasked with promoting the Loop and accelerating its economic recovery, says the increase in pedestrian activity at the end of June was the highest week-to-week increase since the start of the pandemic.

State Street in particular, says CLA, is on track to reach one million pedestrian impressions per week throughout July.

According to CLA, parking garage operations are now 59 percent of normal levels and CTA ridership is about 45 percent of normal. Hotel occupancy is up, as well, with some hotels in the Loop telling CLA they were at or near capacity over the July 4th weekend.

“Not only are we seeing a rise in all the usual metrics we track, but we’re also seeing increased vehicle traffic on State and Michigan in the Loop, and O’Hare and Midway airports are reporting great improvements to their passenger numbers,” said Chicago Loop Alliance President/CEO Michael Edwards (left).

Across the city, says the alliance, employees are returning to work faster than in New York and San Francisco, and at rates similar to Los Angeles and Washington, D.C.

Edwards says CLA’s first “Sundays on State” event was “a great success,” despite rainy weather. State Street was closed to vehicles on July 11, from Madison Street north to Lake Street, for a free, interactive “block party” featuring art, food and drink, shopping, and local attractions.

“It was such a joy to see State Street filled with people from all over the city and beyond, experiencing that space like they never have before,” said Edwards. “After what we all went through in 2020, Sundays on State is a welcome celebration of the Loop and the city as a whole.”

Seven more Sundays on State events, each running from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., are planned through September 12.