Redevelopment agreement with and provision of tax increment financing (TIF) assistance to Black Ensemble Theater Corp. for improvements at Black Ensemble Studio Theater at 4440-4450 N Clark St

Record number: O2025-0018180
Type: Ordinance; category: Agreements
Status: Final
Sponsor: Johnson, Brandon
Committee: Committee on Finance
Introduction Date: Jun 18, 2025
Final Action Date: Jul 16, 2025
Official record: Office of the City Clerk

Roll call: Passed Jul 16, 2025

50 yea, 0 nay. On motion of Alderperson Dowell, and unsuccessful motion to reconsider by Alderperson Mitchell, the matter was Passed. Voted at the City Council meeting of Jul 16, 2025.

Yea (50): Daniel La Spata (1), Brian Hopkins (2), Pat Dowell (3), Lamont J. Robinson (4), Desmon C. Yancy (5), William E. Hall (6), Gregory I. Mitchell (7), Michelle A. Harris (8), Anthony Beale (9), Peter Chico (10), Nicole T. Lee (11), Julia M. Ramirez (12), Marty Quinn (13), Jeylú B. Gutiérrez (14), Raymond A. Lopez (15), Stephanie D. Coleman (16), David H. Moore (17), Derrick G. Curtis (18), Matthew J. O'Shea (19), Jeanette B. Taylor (20), Ronnie L. Mosley (21), Michael D. Rodriguez (22), Silvana Tabares (23), Monique L. Scott (24), Byron Sigcho-López (25), Jessica L. Fuentes (26), Walter R. Burnett (27), Jason C. Ervin (28), Chris Taliaferro (29), Ruth Cruz (30), Felix Cardona Jr. (31), Scott Waguespack (32), Rossana Rodríguez Sánchez (33), William Conway (34), Anthony J. Quezada (35), Gilbert Villegas (36), Emma Mitts (37), Nicholas Sposato (38), Samantha Nugent (39), Andre Vasquez Jr. (40), Anthony V. Napolitano (41), Brendan Reilly (42), Timothy R. Knudsen (43), Bennett R. Lawson (44), James M. Gardiner (45), Angela Clay (46), Matthew J. Martin (47), Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth (48), Maria E. Hadden (49), Debra L. Silverstein (50)

Plain-language summary

Written by AI (language model) from the ordinance text only. AI can make mistakes; the official document always wins.

Timeline

Jun 18, 2025: Referred, City Council. The matter was Referred to Committee.
Jul 14, 2025: Recommended to Pass, Committee on Finance. The matter was recommended to Pass by controlling legislative body.
Jul 16, 2025: Signed by Mayor, City Council. The matter was Signed by the Mayor.
Jul 16, 2025: Passed, City Council (50 yea, 0 nay), at the City Council meeting. On motion of Alderperson Dowell, and unsuccessful motion to reconsider by Alderperson Mitchell, the matter was Passed.

Documents

Black Ensemble Theater Corp. TIF Redevelopment Agreement_0918 ORDINANCE.pdf (Legislation)
Black Ensemble Theater Corp. TIF Redevelopment Agreement_0917 MAYOR LETTER.pdf (Miscellaneous)
Black Ensemble Theater Corp. TIF Redevelopment Agreement_0920 EDS_Redacted.pdf (EDS)
Black Ensemble Theater Corp. TIF Redevelopment Agreement_0919 EXHIBIT A RDA.pdf (Exhibits)
O2025-0018180 Committee Letter.pdf (Committee Letter)
O2025-0018180 Signed by Mayor.pdf (Legislation)

Lobbying and money

Computed links; money near a vote is not evidence that it influenced the vote.

Who lobbied on it

The Black Ensemble Theater Corporation: ZONING/TIF (17 filings, Apr 1, 2023 to Sep 30, 2025; Liz Butler, Michael Zalewski; matched by client named)

Money from these interests in the 365 days before the vote

Member	Vote	Amount	From
Daniel La Spata	Yea	$250	Liz Butler (lobbyist for The Black Ensemble Theater Corporation)

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