South Loop Neighbors
Established 1997
South Loop Neighbors is a non-profit membership based organization dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in South Loop's neighborhoods and preserving the area's landmark districts.
South Loop Neighbors represents South Loop residents who are concerned about:
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Ensuring high-quality, reasonably-sized real estate development as well as infrastructure improvements that respect the unique character of our community
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Preserving and protecting the area's Landmark Districts, including Printing House Row and Historic Michigan Boulevard
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Promoting quality education, recreation, services, retail, community activities, and events
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Maintaining a socially, culturally, and economically diverse neighborhood
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Developing strong relationships with key city officials to ensure they respect, hear, and act on the concerns and ideas of the South Loop community
Board of Directors:
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Greg Borzo (Director)
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Greg is an award-winning journalist who has worked for Traffic World Weekly, American Medical News, Field Museum, and University of Chicago. Born in Chicago, he has written several books about The Windy City, including Chicago’s Fabulous Fountains, Where to Bike Chicago, The Chicago “L” and Lost Restaurants of Chicago. Borzo earned a BA at Grinnell College and a Master’s from the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University. He and his wife, Christine, moved to the South Loop in 2008, when he joined the SLN’s board for a couple of years. He rejoined the board in 2020.
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Sarah Breedlove (Communications and Technology)
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Sarah Breedlove is a certified Pilates instructor and personal trainer. She has supported individuals and groups in creating joyful ease in posture and all types of physical activity, since 1995. As an inclusive body-awareness educator, Sarah believes that all individuals are worthy and capable of finding freedom through movement and confidence in their bodies. Sarah’s coaching style emphasizes the mind-body connection through simple guided imagery and practical humor, while helping clients develop personal accountability to achieve their personal goals. Outside of training clients, Sarah enjoys Parkour in Andersonville, taking dance classes, and exploring the city without a car!
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Jack Chalabian (Vice President)
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Jack moved to the South Loop, Printer's Row neighborhood in 2021. He joined as a board of Director in January 2023. He co-leads the Beat 123 Block Watch program. He is a member of the Printers Row Park District Advisory Council. Jack is a Transportation Planning professional with over 20 years of experience. He has led a number of public safety events for the South Loop Neighbors, and advocates for sustainable transportation and infrastructure improvements in the South Loop community.
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Benjamin Cottrell (Secretary)
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Benjamin heads up his own firm - Benjamin Cottrell Designs, which is an innovative, full-service design firm, specializing in Interior Design and Event Production. Benjamin joined the board in 2012 and has served as both our secretary and vice-president, and for the past two years has served as the Chair of Loft Walk and Yard Sale. Always the innovator, over the years has set-up various collaborations with local businesses.
Rob Hard (Director)
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Rob joined the board in January 2023. He moved to the South Loop in 2004. He is the organizer behind Chicago South Loop Explorers. He is also the chair of the 4th Ward Community Advisory Council, a member of the Dearborn Park Security Council and a board member for his association’s condo board. He works in marketing communications management in the health care sector. Rob earned a master’s degree in writing and a bachelor’s degree in communications. He has lived in the South Loop since 2004.
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Roger Marsh (Membership)
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Roger joined the South Loop Neighbors Board in December 2016. He and his wife moved to the South Loop’s Printers Row neighborhood in 2006. He has a BS degree from the University of Wisconsin and a Master’s in Organizational Behavior from Benedictine University. Previously focusing on South Loop public safety and neighborhood out-reach events, Roger also became Membership Chair for 2022. If you haven’t heard his presentations on crime statistics or voter patterns in the South Loop, you probably met him passing out ice cream at Ice Cream Socials or managing the grill at Grills Night Out. In retirement, he enjoys hiking, studying Midwest pioneer history, and cheering for his favorite college sports teams.
Dennis McClendon (Vice President; Planning & Development)
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Dennis probably doesn't need much of an introduction, expect for those who are new to South Loop Neighbors, as Dennis is pretty close to being the face of South Loop Neighbors, for his long tenure with the organization and its predecessor - Historic Printer's Row - and has held multiple positions, including President and Vice-President over the years. He is our resident planning and development expert, and hosted our first-ever BB-Q in the park - Grill's Night Out. He is an attorney and the proprietor of Chicago CartoGraphics, a design firm that specializes in maps and information graphics.
Dorothy Miaso (Treasurer)
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Dorothy joined the board in December 2013 and has served as Treasurer for the past two years. She has spearheaded the annual Night at Jazz Showcase, assisted with most of the organization's activities, and, like all of the board members has been involved in various ways with the Loft Walk. She is the Executive Director of the Literacy Volunteers of Illinois, and a past community member of the Local School Council of Jones College Prep.
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James Wales (President)
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Jim worked in law enforcement administration in a Chicago suburban community for over 30 years and for 20 years was an adjunct faculty member at a suburban community college. He is a very active Rotarian, currently serving as the International Service Advisor for Rotary District 6440 in the past and currently as a member of the Board of Directors for Rotary District 6450. Jim settled in the south loop where he also works as a real estate broker with Keller Williams ONEChicago. Jim joined board in December 2016. He has been involved with many of our projects this past year and led the Ice Cream Social and Pub Crawl.
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Susan Zinner (Director)
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Susan Zinner is from Louisville, Kentucky and has a master’s degree in journalism from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, a master’s degree in health administration from Washington University in St. Louis and a law degree from Washington University in St. Louis. She is a full Professor at Indiana University’s northwest (IUN) campus in Gary, Indiana where she teaches undergraduate and graduate courses. She was elected IUN Faculty President from 2016-2020. She and her husband, Tom Brierton, have lived in the South Loop since February 2022.
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