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TO: Mayor John Laesch
FROM: Danielle Tufano, Downtown Economic Development Manager
Deb Lang, Deputy Corporation Council
DATE: April 30, 2026
SUBJECT:
A Resolution Authorizing approval of a Service Agreement between the City of Aurora and Aurora Downtown District.
PURPOSE:
The City of Aurora seeks to enhance the vitality and economic strength of its central business district by entering into a service agreement with the Aurora Downtown District (ADD). Through its ongoing efforts in marketing, event programming, business advocacy, and public space improvements, ADD plays a critical role in promoting downtown Aurora as a destination for residents, visitors, and businesses. These activities directly support increased economic activity, improved public perception, and greater utilization of the City’s downtown assets.
By formalizing this partnership, the City ensures sustained coordination and investment in initiatives that contribute to the overall quality of life, economic development, and cultural enrichment of the community. Supporting ADD’s work enables the City to leverage specialized expertise and dedicated resources to maintain and enhance the downtown environment, attract new visitors and businesses, and reinforce Aurora’s identity as a dynamic and welcoming regional center.
BACKGROUND:
The City of Aurora is a home rule municipality under Illinois law, and the Aurora Downtown District (ADD) is a local nonprofit organization created to support and improve the downtown area. ADD focuses on making downtown Aurora a more vibrant place to live, work, and visit by promoting events, supporting local businesses, and maintaining and enhancing public spaces. The City recognizes that this work benefits the community and has an interest in continuing to support these efforts, while ADD remains committed to strengthening and promoting downtown.
To help fund this work, the City created a special service area known as SSA-One, which collects taxes from properties within the downtown area to be used specifically for its development, promotion, and maintenance. ADD has been designated to manage these funds because of its close connection to downtown stakeholders and its experience carrying out these activities. This structure ensures that resources are directed back into downtown in a way that is both locally informed and accountable.
Following input gathered during the “Let’s Talk Downtown” community conversations in June 2025, the City took additional steps to better respond to the needs of downtown property owners and businesses by forming ADD as a dedicated organization. This partnership formalizes a more focused approach to managing services and programs, including events, business support, public space improvements, and economic development efforts, with the goal of strengthening downtown as a destination for residents, businesses, and visitors.
DISCUSSION:
The Aurora Downtown District (ADD) Service Agreement is the primary governing document establishing the roles, responsibilities, and working relationship between the City of Aurora and ADD as the administrator of Special Service Area One (SSA-1). As outlined in the agreement, ADD is designated as the exclusive entity responsible for managing SSA-1 funds and executing programs that support downtown marketing, business development, event coordination, and streetscape enhancements. The agreement also details required deliverables including annual programs of work, budgeting, financial reporting, and ongoing coordination with City staff to ensure alignment with municipal priorities.
Additionally, the agreement defines the City’s responsibilities, including the collection and distribution of SSA funds, review and approval of ADD’s annual plans, and provision of support services and workspace. It also establishes joint planning processes, funding mechanisms, and accountability measures to ensure transparency and effective use of public funds. Council members are encouraged to review the full agreement for a comprehensive breakdown of operational expectations, funding flow, and oversight provisions that guide this partnership. (See Exhibit A- AURORA DOWNTOWN DISTRICT SERVICE AGREEMENT)
IMPACT STATEMENT:
Approval of this item will authorize the Service Agreement enabling ADD to manage SSA1 funds and carry out day to day activities that support downtown. This includes coordinating events, supporting local businesses, maintaining public spaces, and promoting economic growth. This agreement ensures that resources are used in a transparent and accountable way while strengthening downtown as a destination for residents, businesses, and visitors.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Staff recommends approval of this Service Agreement with Aurora Downtown District
cc: Finance Committee
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
RESOLUTION NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
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A Resolution authorizing approval of a Service Agreement between the City of Aurora and Aurora Downtown District.
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WHEREAS, the City of Aurora has a population of more than 25,000 persons and is, therefore, a home rule unit under subsection (a) of Section 6 of Article VII of the Illinois Constitution of 1970; and
WHEREAS, subject to said Section, a home rule unit may exercise any power and perform any function pertaining to its government and affairs for the protection of the public health, safety, morals, and welfare; and
WHEREAS, (Aurora Downtown District (“ADD”) is a duly organized Illinois general not-for-profit 501 (c)(4) corporation established for the purpose of improving, redeveloping, aiding and assisting persons and business enterprises in an area described in the City of Aurora Redevelopment Ordinance Numbered 4471 adopted July 25, 1975, and thereafter amended from time to time, which said area is commonly known as the Aurora Downtown; and
WHEREAS, in carrying out its functions, ADD engages in activities designed to bring recognition to the Aurora Downtown as an attractive, business, cultural, recreational and entertainment destination, including sponsoring cultural and promotional events and festivals, maintaining, improving, landscaping, and seasonally decorating public spaces within the downtown area; and
WHEREAS, the City recognizes the undertaking of ADD as an important contribution to the general welfare of the City; and
WHEREAS, the City finds that it is in its interest to provide resources sufficient to support and sustain the activities of ADD; and
WHEREAS, ADD is committed to continuing its efforts to enhance and promote the Aurora Downtown; and
WHEREAS, a special service area as contemplated by the Special Service Area Tax Law 35 ILCS 200/27-5 was created pursuant to City of Aurora Ordinance No. O94-93 adopted September 6, 1994 and thereafter extended by Ordinance No. O02-92 adopted August 27, 2002, and again by Ordinance No. O10-051 adopted August 24, 2010, and Ordinance No. O18 - 0056 adopted August 28, 2018, which said Ordinances shall hereafter be collectively referred to as “the ORDINANCES;” and
WHEREAS, the Special Service Area created by the ORDINANCES is commonly referred to and known as SPECIAL SERVICE AREA-One (hereafter “SSA-One”); and
WHEREAS, SSA-One shall remain in existence through tax year 2026 and will seek to be extended via ordinance at that end of that time frame; and
WHEREAS, the ORDINANCES provide that the taxes derived thereby shall be used for specifically defined purposes relating to the development, marketing, management, promotion and improvement of Aurora Downtown; and
WHEREAS, the ORDINANCES provide that a not-for-profit corporation be organized for the purpose of managing the tax fund created by the ORDINANCES and fulfilling the objectives and purposes defined by the ORDINANCES; and
WHEREAS, ADD, a not-for-profit corporation, has been organized for the foregoing purposes and has been designated by the City as the entity responsible for the management and deployment of the taxes generated by the levies filed against property within SSA-One pursuant to the terms of this Agreement; and
WHEREAS, the membership of ADD is comprised of the owners of property located within SSA-One, businesses conducting business within the boundaries of SSA-One, community organizations and individuals having a direct and containing interest in the development and promotion of SSA-One; and
WHEREAS, ADD is uniquely suited to act as administrator in carrying out the responsibilities of administering, managing and developing the taxes derived from tax levies filed against property within SSA-One and desires to do so.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, as follows: by the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, approval of the execution of a Services Agreement (Exhibit A) between the City and the Aurora Downtown District regarding the scope of work, management, and deployment of taxes generated by levies filed against property within SSA-One, and hereby authorizes the Mayor or his designee to sign said agreements.