Since its establishment in 1971, the Old Town Merchants and Residents Association has served as the voice of the Old Town community advocating city services for businesses and residents including community policing, street cleaning, lighting and community planning. Working in partnership with 27 th Ward Alderman Walter Burnett and 43 rd Ward Alderman Vi Daley, the Association addresses issues concerning streetscape maintenance, commercial and residential development, zoning and parking.

Members are both business owners, property owners and residents of Old Town. A majority of the Association's membership is made up of business/property owners who also live in Old Town. Members are kept informed of Association projects and community issues through the publication of the Old Town News newsletter and through networking socials held throughout the year.

Members are automatically included in the Association's neighborhood directory and on the web site. Members are offered discounted advertising rates in the annual neighborhood directory and selected co-op advertising publications such as Where Magazine, The Chicago Collection, Skyline, Key Magazine and the Official Visitors Guide of Chicago. Members are also permitted to participate in the Association's street banner program which includes year round banner display on North Avenue, La Salle Street, Sedgwick and North Wells Street.