Committee on Economic, Capital and Technology Development meeting, October 10, 2024
- When: Thu, Oct 10, 2024, 9:50 AM (Chicago time)
- Where: Room 201A, 2nd Floor, City Hall, 121 North LaSalle Street - Chicago, IL 60602
- Status: Scheduled & Published
- Committee: Committee on Economic, Capital and Technology Development
- Video: https://vimeo.com/showcase/8928495/video/1018065756
- Transcript: full text (33,890 words, automatic captions)
Meeting notes
AI-written from the transcript. Speakers are inferred from cues in the recording, so treat names as estimates and check the video at the linked time.
The Committee on Economic, Capital and Technology Development held six statutory public hearings on special service areas: a 15-year extension and rate increase for SSA 8 in Lakeview East, establishment of SSA 32-2024 along 79th Street in Auburn Gresham, a 15-year extension of SSA 42 in South Shore, a two-year SSA 76-2024 on North Michigan Avenue, a new SSA 81 near 87th Street and the Dan Ryan, and a new SSA 82 on Division Street. Local alderpersons or their staff, service providers, business owners and property owners spoke in support, while several residents and property owners objected to paying an additional tax for services they said the city should already provide. The Department of Planning and Development presented each proposed budget and term and explained that an SSA can be blocked by petitions of 51% of property owners and 51% of registered voters within 60 days. In response to a question from Alderperson Brendan Reilly, the service provider stated SSA 32-2024 includes no residential parcels; Alderperson Ronnie L. Mosley noted that SSA 81 does include some residential parcels. No votes were taken; each hearing was concluded.
Topics: special service areas, SSA tax levies, commercial corridor services, public safety and security, residential property taxes, business improvement districts
Agenda items discussed
- 25:54 Public hearing on SSA 8 Lakeview East term extension and levy rate increase: discussed
- 1:09:19 Public hearing on establishment of SSA 32-2024 (79th Street, Auburn Gresham): discussed
- 1:54:58 Public hearing on SSA 42 (71st Street and Stony Island, South Shore) term extension: discussed
- 2:32:21 Public hearing on establishment of SSA 76-2024 (North Michigan Avenue): discussed
- 2:53:36 Public hearing on establishment of SSA 81 (83rd to 89th, near the Dan Ryan): discussed
- 3:38:12 Public hearing on establishment of SSA 82 (Division Street, Clark to State): discussed
Alderpersons who spoke
- Gilbert Villegas (chair)
- Bennett R. Lawson (alderperson): Supported renewing SSA 8, saying it keeps the community clean and funds beautification and events beyond city services. (32:55)
- David H. Moore (alderperson): Asked colleagues to support SSA 32-2024 with the Chatham Business Association as provider, citing new development on 79th Street and an extended boundary with a lower rate. (1:13:26); Assured constituents that no homeowners are included in SSA 32-2024, though new mixed-use buildings with rental units would be. (1:50:45)
- Brendan Reilly (alderperson): Asked the department how many residential tax parcels are included in SSA 32-2024. (1:47:33); Said SSAs should exclude residential parcels so homeowners do not pay extra for basic services, and hoped future SSAs would do so. (1:49:39); Supported SSA 76-2024 on behalf of himself and Alderperson Brian Hopkins, citing Michigan Avenue's post-pandemic recovery and property owner buy-in. (2:36:42)
- Desmon C. Yancy (alderperson): Supported extending SSA 42, citing its facade program, security, street cleaning by returning citizens and community events amid limited city resources. (2:00:57)
- Ronnie L. Mosley (alderperson): Asked for support of SSA 81, citing new businesses, persistent litter near the expressway, and security limits that individual businesses face. (2:57:56); Noted that although residential parcels are included, about 90% of the assessed value comes from commercial owners. (3:02:26)
Exchanges between members
- 1:17:02 Villegas thanked Moore for his statement on SSA 32-2024.
- 1:47:15 Villegas recognized Reilly for a question to the department.
- 1:50:27 Reilly thanked the chair for allowing clarification on residential parcels.
- 1:50:45 Moore thanked Reilly for asking about residential parcels, saying it was the point he planned to address.
- 1:51:42 Villegas thanked Moore for his clarification.