Frequently Asked Questions

What is a special service area?

A Special Service Area (SSA) is a tool to pool and focus funds across a business district to provide a desired set of services. From the basics of increased litter removal, landscaping, small business rebates, and sidewalk pressure washing… to special programming, events and art that celebrates present-day Chinatown and its history.

An SSA is a voluntary local tax district that funds enhanced services and programs, which are paid for by a localized property tax levy within contiguous areas. The enhanced services and programs are in addition to those currently provided through or by the City of Chicago.

What types of services do SSAs provide?

SSAs provide a wide range of services based on local needs and concerns. These services are in addition to those provided by the City and must be concentrated within the SSA boundaries. Common service categories and programs include but are not limited to:

  • Business Marketing
  • Trainings + Workshops
  • Vacancy Reduction
  • Small Business Rebates
  • Safety Enhancements
  • Security Camera Rebates
  • Public Art + Murals
  • Holiday Lighting + Décor
  • Community Grants
  • Corridor + Plaza Maintenance
  • Trash Clean-up / Recycling
  • Sidewalk Snow Removal
  • Landscaping + Tree Plantings
  • Planters + Hanging Baskets
  • Street Pole Banners / Signage
  • Cultural Events
  • Food + Music Festivals
  • Community Programming

When was Chinatown SSA #73 started?

The SSA was established by ordinance in December of 2017 for a term not to exceed 10 years.  That means the SSA will expire at the end of 2027 unless reconstituted.

SSA #73 Vision:  The Chinatown SSA makes Chicago’s Chinatown a welcoming destination for visitors, residents, and businesses alike.

SSA #73 Mission:  The Chinatown SSA supports the economic well-being and tourism appeal of the district through programs, services, and promotional events/activities.

Chinatown has many long-standing organizations – why do we need an SSA?

SSAs can be used to fund a wide range of special or additional services and/or physical improvements in a defined geographic area AND those services and improvements are determined by local representatives of the area. SSAs allow local areas to provide expanded services without the municipality incurring debt or levying a tax on the entire
municipality. In an SSA, only the property owners that benefit from the improvements are assessed an additional tax that is used to pay for an expansion of services. Often, services that are provided by an SSA can replace services that a business pays for (e.g., snow removal). The SSA can take the incremental taxes from a group of property owners to provide common services that may have previously been paid for by individual property
owners.

SSAs are hyper local – the community decides how to spend the money.

The types of services SSAs choose to provide is up to their Elected SSA Board. Why? The needs of business districts vary, and this allows the local people who know their neighborhood best — businesses, property owners, and residents — the ability to decide how to use their funds.

SSAs bring people together to achieve common goals

Our community has a long history of mutual aid, community organizing, and cultural preservation.  Since the 1850s, businesses, residents, and organizations have contributed their time and money to support and invest in the community to meet its unique needs.  The SSA is just a new tool to invest in our community.  The Chinatown Chamber of Commerce, the service provider for the SSA, ensures proper administration.  The SSA Commission, made up of business owners, property owners, and residents in the SSA, serves as a platform to unite different perspectives in our community to work towards a common vision.

With the help of Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP), the Chinatown Community Vision Plan was released in May 2015 and the Chinatown Parking Management Plan in May 2021.  SSA #73 is one means by which these plans can move towards implementation because the SSA provides a consistent funding source and can reach the local community to help prioritize projects.

Learn more about the SSA Commission and how the SSA is funded below.

 

What is the SSA Commission, and how are they appointed?

The SSA Board of Commissioners function as local governance for SSAs. They are created in each SSA establishment ordinance. Their powers are three-fold: to recommend the annual services, budget and service provider. Candidates should represent the SSA district, local property owners/lessees, land use, and demographics. While they are Mayorally appointed, the recruitment process can differ amongst SSAs. (See the SSA Commissioner Application for further details.) With a commissioner recruitment process in place, the slate of nominees prepares the SSA Commissioner Application to submit to DPD. Once vetted, nominee applications are submitted to the Mayor’s Office for appointment, which in turn introduces these appointments to City Council for confirmation. Please visit the City’s DPD webpage for more information.

Who decides how to spend the tax levy?

Each SSA is governed by a local Commission which oversees and recommends the annual services, budget, and Service Provider Agency to the City. All meetings of the SSA commission are subject to the Illinois Open Meetings Act. SSA-funded projects typically include, but are not limited to: additional public way maintenance and beautification; district marketing and advertising; business retention/attraction; special events and promotional activities; auto and bike transit; security; façade improvements; and other commercial and economic development initiatives. All of these projects or programs are above and beyond what is already provided by the City of Chicago.

How is the money collected?

The money is collected by Cook County when property owners in the district pay their taxes. The amount collected varies based on the tax rate, but it can never exceed a certain percentage of a property’s Equalized Assessed Value (EAV) – called the tax rate cap. That tax rate cap is set by the local ordinance that creates the SSA and does not change without additional legislation (i.e., a subsequent ordinance that revises the initial terms of the SSA when it was created). The SSA Commission then sets the tax rate on an annual basis based on the amount budgeted for programs and services in the district.

What are the boundaries of the Chinatown SSA?

SSA 73 includes properties on either side of Wentworth Avenue from 24th Place to Cullerton Street; along Cermak Road between Stewart Avenue and the CTA Red Line Station, and along the southern side of Archer Avenue between Princeton Avenue and Wentworth Avenue.

Why should we renew the SSA now?

If no action is taken, the SSA will expire at the end of 2027 and cease providing critical services such as sidewalk maintenance, litter removal, landscaping, funding for annual cultural events, and safety enhancements. Chinatown Chamber of Commerce works closely with the business community and allied organizations to understand local needs, coordinate services, and identify enhancements to keep Chinatown thriving.

What are the challenges facing Chinatown?

The Chinatown Chamber of Commerce, along with many long-standing organizations and dedicated volunteers, serves as an advocate for the neighborhood and local businesses. However, resources and staff are limited. Chinatown is a pedestrian community, a cultural hub, and tourist attraction.  Chicago’s Chinatown has built a wonderful national reputation leading to growth instead of decline.  We still have challenges and the SSA provides a vehicle to address them.  A critical challenge is the maintenance, upgrade and modernization of our infrastructure which is overdue.

What are some examples of other SSAs?

There are 58 active SSAs throughout the City of Chicago – from Hyde Park, to Lincoln Park, to the Chicago Loop, to Lincoln Square, Andersonville, and Rogers Park. These SSAs fund a variety of services including security services, façade rebate programs, special events, snow removal, sidewalk litter removal, lighting, landscaping/beautification efforts, and more.

This FAQ was provided by Teska Associates, Inc. for the Chicago Chinatown Chamber of Commerce for the
Chinatown SSA.