Amended redevelopment agreement with BR Congress Owner LLC and Congress Theater NFP to provide tax increment financing (TIF) assistance for property at 2135 N Milwaukee Ave

Record number: SO2026-0022524
Type: Ordinance; category: Agreements
Status: Final
Sponsor: Johnson, Brandon
Committee: Committee on Finance
Introduction Date: Jan 21, 2026
Final Action Date: Feb 18, 2026
Official record: Office of the City Clerk

Roll call: Passed Feb 18, 2026

49 yea, 0 nay, 1 absent. On motion of Alderperson Dowell, and unsuccessful motion to reconsider by Alderperson Harris, the matter was Passed. Voted at the City Council meeting of Feb 18, 2026.

Yea (49): 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), 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)

Absent (1): Monique L. Scott (24)

Plain-language summary

Written by AI (claude-opus-5-5) from the ordinance text only: SO2026-0022524 - Substitute Ordinance_v5.pdf. AI can make mistakes; the official document always wins.

This ordinance lets the City replace an earlier 2024 redevelopment agreement for the Congress Theater at 2135 N. Milwaukee Ave. with a new version. The developer ran into challenges, so the new agreement changes how the project is paid for, its budget, and its timeline. The project will renovate the theater into a music venue with 16 affordable homes plus retail, restaurant, and office space.

Replaces the redevelopment agreement first approved by City Council on December 16, 2024.
Changes the project's financing sources, budget, and timing after the developer faced challenges.
Project includes a live music and entertainment venue, 16 residential units (all affordable), and retail, restaurant, and office/work space.
Uses tax increment financing (TIF) from the Fullerton/Milwaukee Redevelopment Project Area, created in 2000.
Authorizes the Commissioner of Planning and Development to negotiate and sign the new agreement; takes effect upon passage.

Who: The developer BR Congress Owner, LLC (and Congress Theater NFP, named in the title), future residents of the 16 affordable units, and people using the venue and businesses at the site are affected.

Where: 2135 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago, IL 60647 (Congress Theater), in the Fullerton/Milwaukee Redevelopment Project Area

Timeline

Jan 21, 2026: Referred, City Council. The matter was Referred to Committee.
Feb 11, 2026: Substituted, Committee on Finance. The matter was Substituted in Committee.
Feb 11, 2026: Recommended to Pass, Committee on Finance. The matter was recommended to Pass by controlling legislative body.
Feb 18, 2026: Passed, City Council (49 yea, 0 nay), at the City Council meeting. On motion of Alderperson Dowell, and unsuccessful motion to reconsider by Alderperson Harris, the matter was Passed.