# 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

[Votes](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/legislation) › [Finance](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/committee/finance)

- Record number: **O2025-0018180**
- Type: Ordinance; category: Agreements
- Status: Final
- Sponsor: Johnson, Brandon
- Committee: [Committee on Finance](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/committee/finance)
- Introduction Date: Jun 18, 2025
- Final Action Date: Jul 16, 2025
- Official record: [Office of the City Clerk](https://chicityclerkelms.chicago.gov/Matter/?matterId=0B6E5F16-654C-F011-8779-001DD8069091)

## 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](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/256D9E41-48D4-EF11-8EEA-001DD804C7AB).

**Yea (50)**: [Daniel La Spata](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/1) (1), [Brian Hopkins](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/2) (2), [Pat Dowell](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/3) (3), [Lamont J. Robinson](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/4) (4), [Desmon C. Yancy](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/5) (5), [William E. Hall](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/6) (6), [Gregory I. Mitchell](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/7) (7), [Michelle A. Harris](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/8) (8), [Anthony Beale](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/9) (9), [Peter Chico](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/10) (10), [Nicole T. Lee](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/11) (11), [Julia M. Ramirez](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/12) (12), [Marty Quinn](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/13) (13), [Jeylú B. Gutiérrez](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/14) (14), [Raymond A. Lopez](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/15) (15), [Stephanie D. Coleman](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/16) (16), [David H. Moore](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/17) (17), [Derrick G. Curtis](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/18) (18), [Matthew J. O'Shea](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/19) (19), [Jeanette B. Taylor](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/20) (20), [Ronnie L. Mosley](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/21) (21), [Michael D. Rodriguez](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/22) (22), [Silvana Tabares](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/23) (23), [Monique L. Scott](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/24) (24), [Byron Sigcho-López](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/25) (25), [Jessica L. Fuentes](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/26) (26), [Walter R. Burnett](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/27) (27), [Jason C. Ervin](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/28) (28), [Chris Taliaferro](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/29) (29), [Ruth Cruz](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/30) (30), [Felix Cardona Jr.](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/31) (31), [Scott Waguespack](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/32) (32), [Rossana Rodríguez Sánchez](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/33) (33), [William Conway](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/34) (34), [Anthony J. Quezada](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/35) (35), [Gilbert Villegas](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/36) (36), [Emma Mitts](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/37) (37), [Nicholas Sposato](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/38) (38), [Samantha Nugent](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/39) (39), [Andre Vasquez Jr.](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/40) (40), [Anthony V. Napolitano](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/41) (41), [Brendan Reilly](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/42) (42), [Timothy R. Knudsen](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/43) (43), [Bennett R. Lawson](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/44) (44), [James M. Gardiner](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/45) (45), [Angela Clay](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/46) (46), [Matthew J. Martin](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/47) (47), [Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/48) (48), [Maria E. Hadden](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/49) (49), [Debra L. Silverstein](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/50) (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](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/256D9E41-48D4-EF11-8EEA-001DD804C7AB). 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](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/files/clerk/matterattachmentspublic/c4a7e02a-187a-4333-bac2-d3987e172c48.pdf) (Legislation)
- [Black Ensemble Theater Corp. TIF Redevelopment Agreement\_0917 MAYOR LETTER.pdf](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/files/clerk/matterattachmentspublic/cee25d66-07f2-4223-aa7f-b62a1c7837e4.pdf) (Miscellaneous)
- [Black Ensemble Theater Corp. TIF Redevelopment Agreement\_0920 EDS\_Redacted.pdf](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/files/clerk/matterattachmentspublic/c9e31967-5cf7-4a63-bc83-2dd88eddb902.pdf) (EDS)
- [Black Ensemble Theater Corp. TIF Redevelopment Agreement\_0919 EXHIBIT A RDA.pdf](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/files/clerk/matterattachmentspublic/4511a495-c84a-42c6-b759-2228c1f670f0.pdf) (Exhibits)
- [O2025-0018180 Committee Letter.pdf](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/files/clerk/matterattachmentspublic/e0981b52-9e2f-46f9-a146-83e19e88c4b3.pdf) (Committee Letter)
- [O2025-0018180 Signed by Mayor.pdf](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/files/clerk/matterattachmentspublic/5ce68124-52c4-453b-8219-2fcceaf4e5a5.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](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/1) | Yea | $250 | Liz Butler (lobbyist for The Black Ensemble Theater Corporation) |

## Related legislation

**More from Johnson, Brandon**

- [Executive Order No. 2026-7 (Senior Bill of Rights and Establishing the Mayor's Office on Aging)](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/F2026-0029547-executive-order-no-senior-bill-rights) (F2026-0029547, introduced Dec 8, 2026, Placed on File)
- [Issuance of general obligation bonds (2027-2028 General Obligation Borrowing Ordinance)](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/O2026-0029650-issuance-general-obligation-bonds-general-obligation) (O2026-0029650, introduced Oct 21, 2026, Referred)
- [Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Recommendations](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/O2026-0029642-fiscal-year-2027-budget-recommendations) (O2026-0029642, introduced Oct 21, 2026, Referred)

**More on Agreements**

- [Redevelopment agreement with Oak-Larrabee LLC to provide tax increment financing (TIF) assistance for development of property at 955 N…](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/O2026-0029418-redevelopment-agreement-oak-larrabee-llc-provide) (O2026-0029418, introduced Oct 14, 2026, Referred)
- [First amendment to redevelopment agreement with 1539 N. Pulaski Road HHDC LP, 1539 N. Pulaski Road Charitable Corporation and Hispanic…](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/O2026-0029408-first-redevelopment-agreement-1539-n-pulaski) (O2026-0029408, introduced Oct 14, 2026, Referred)
- [Redevelopment agreement with North Lawndale Catalyst Initiative NFP to provide tax increment financing (TIF) assistance for development of…](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/O2026-0028748-redevelopment-agreement-north-lawndale-catalyst-initiative) (O2026-0028748, introduced Sep 23, 2026, Passed)

Sources and methods: [how we get and count this data](/about#methods) · [report an error](/about#corrections)

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Source: https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/O2025-0018180-redevelopment-agreement-provision-tax-increment-financing · Chicago Politics, an independent tracker of the Chicago City Council. Guide for agents: https://www.chicagopolitics.org/llms.txt