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TO: Mayor John Laesch
FROM: The Law Department
DATE: June 17, 2026
SUBJECT:
An Ordinance Proposing a New “SSA 1 - Aurora Downtown District” and Calling for a Public Hearing Thereon.
PURPOSE:
To create a special service area (“SSA”) to provide special services to the downtown area in order to foster a strong, vibrant downtown by promoting the growth, stability, and long-term success of local businesses.
BACKGROUND:
Special Service Area Number One was originally adopted on September 6, 1994 and has been extended and reestablished over the years. The most recent “SSA-One” will expire at the end of the 2026 calendar year.
DISCUSSION:
With the expiration of the current SSA-One, staff is proposing the establishment of a new special service area to be known as “SSA 1 - Aurora Downtown District” to serve the businesses located within the boundaries of the SSA. The non-profit Aurora Downtown District shall provide special services, including, but not limited to, organizing events, promoting, enhancing, and supporting the success of the downtown area.
IMPACT STATEMENT:
Approval of this Ordinance will set a public hearing for the proposal of SSA 1- Aurora Downtown District to be held on August 25, 2026 at 6:00 p.m.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Approve this Ordinance and Call for a Public Hearing on the proposal of “SSA 1- Aurora Downtown District.”
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
ORDINANCE NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
title
An Ordinance Proposing a New “SSA 1 - Aurora Downtown District” and Calling for a Public Hearing Thereon.
body
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, Section 6 of Article VII of the Illinois Constitution of 1970, and the Special Service Area Tax Law (35 ILCS 200/27-5 et seq) authorize the City to establish special services areas to provide special governmental services to defined contiguous areas in addition to those provided generally throughout the City and to pay the cost of those services from revenues collected from taxes levied within such areas; and
WHEREAS, the City is proposing a special service area in order to provide additional services such as developing, promoting and enhancing the downtown Aurora area as a business and cultural event destination; and
WHEREAS, the proposed services would constitute a special governmental service benefiting and attributable only to the parcels included within the proposed boundaries of SSA 1- Aurora Downtown District and would be in addition to standard municipal services which the City provides to all property within its boundaries; and
WHEREAS, the proposed special services will be provided by Aurora Downtown District; and
WHEREAS, it is in the best interests of the proposed area and the City as a whole, that a levy of special taxes against said Area for the provision of special services for the purposes described herein be considered;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, as follows:
SECTION ONE:
That a public hearing shall be held on or after August 25, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers of the City Hall, 44 East Downer Place, Aurora, Illinois to consider the creation of a special service area to be designated as “SSA 1 - Aurora Downtown District” of the City of Aurora, in the territory described in the Notice set forth in Paragraph 3 hereof. At the hearing, there will be considered the levy of an annual tax on property by the City of Aurora at a rate or amount of tax sufficient to produce revenue required to provide the special services in the proposed SSA 1 - Aurora Downtown District.
Said tax may be levied for a period of eight years from and after the date of the Ordinance establishing said Area. Said tax may be levied at a maximum rate of $1.10 (one hundred and ten cents per one-hundred-dollar valuation). Said taxes shall be in addition to all other taxes provided by law and shall be levied pursuant to the provisions of the Property Tax Code. Said levies are intended to produce an amount annually to pay for the cost for said special services.
The City shall cause notice of hearing to be published at least once, not less than fifteen (15) days prior to the public hearing, in a newspaper in general circulation in the City of Aurora. In addition, the City shall deposit said Notice in the U.S. Mail addressed to the person or persons in whose name the general taxes for the last preceding year were paid on each lot, block, tract or parcel of land lying within the proposed SSA 1 - Aurora Downtown District. Said Notice shall be mailed not less than ten (10) days prior to the time set for the public hearing. In the event taxes for the last preceding year were not paid, the Notice shall be sent to the person last listed on the tax rolls prior to that year as the owner of said property. The Notice shall be substantially the following form:
NOTICE OF HEARING
CITY OF AURORA
SPECIAL SERVICE AREA 1 - AURORA DOWNTOWN DISTRICT
Kane County
PINS:
15-21-480-008
15-22-302-016
15-22-302-015
15-22-336-021
15-22-334-018
15-22-331-031
15-22-329-002
15-22-178-007
15-22-178-008
15-22-178-005
15-22-326-007
15-22-312-070
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15-21-480-000
15-22-312-066
15-21-480-080
15-22-201-044
15-22-201-045
15-22-201-019
15-22-305-006
15-22-305-015
15-22-305-007
15-21-429-026
15-21-429-008
15-22-327-004
15-22-162-006
15-22-307-005
15-21-429-027
15-22-333-030
15-22-305-005
15-22-305-002
15-22-309-003
15-22-309-002
15-22-407-007
15-22-351-003
15-22-382-001
15-21-476-011
15-22-333-010
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15-22-385-009
15-21-429-022
15-22-385-001
15-22-303-005
15-22-164-018
15-22-303-012
15-22-302-021
15-21-430-016
15-21-430-018
15-22-301-004
15-22-301-005
15-22-383-008
15-22-332-018
15-21-429-029
15-22-328-032
15-22-501-074
15-22-501-064
15-22-501-010
15-22-501-075
15-22-501-012
15-22-501-073
15-22-501-009
15-22-501-011
15-22-308-006
15-22-407-003
15-22-313-007
15-22-333-028
15-22-351-004
15-22-407-004
15-21-476-008
15-21-476-010
15-22-351-004
15-21-476-009
15-21-476-017
15-22-386-004
15-22-164-016
15-22-386-003
15-22-386-019
15-22-386-010
15-22-302-020
15-21-429-033
15-21-430-015
15-22-333-025
15-22-386-015
15-22-352-001
15-22-336-002
15-22-314-009
15-22-313-012
15-22-330-009
15-22-334-004
15-22-331-016
15-22-163-022
15-22-334-013
15-22-332-017
15-22-312-068
15-22-162-005
15-22-326-001
15-22-354-004
15-21-429-028
15-22-385-004
15-22-386-012
15-22-311-002
15-21-477-010
15-22-161-013
15-22-162-003
15-21-429-001
15-22-385-005
15-21-429-003
15-22-381-008
15-22-337-030
15-22-385-006
15-22-332-019
15-22-385-007
15-22-386-013
15-22-303-006
15-21-478-006
15-22-332-020
15-22-161-012
15-22-386-002
15-22-409-001
15-22-309-007
15-22-332-021
15-22-386-014
15-22-385-008
15-22-332-022
15-22-305-001
15-22-164-011
15-22-332-023
15-21-476-019
15-21-476-022
15-22-331-015
15-22-332-024
15-21-453-045
15-21-430-017
15-22-308-005
15-22-164-015
15-21-429-007
15-22-386-018
15-22-386-016
15-22-386-017
15-22-308-013
15-22-164-009
15-22-308-004
15-22-386-005
15-22-161-008
15-22-385-002
15-22-354-003
15-21-476-018
15-22-385-003
15-22-386-006
15-22-164-002
15-22-164-006
15-22-164-019
15-22-353-004
15-22-332-011
15-22-336-007
15-22-335-002
15-22-308-003
15-22-385-010
15-22-164-005
15-22-386-007
15-22-308-002
15-21-429-055
15-22-164-007
15-22-308-001
15-21-477-011
15-21-429-034
15-22-334-005
15-22-164-020
15-22-331-032
15-22-351-002
15-22-306-022
15-22-312-062
15-22-312-071
15-22-312-071
15-22-312-072
15-22-312-074
15-22-312-073
15-22-312-075
15-22-312-076
15-22-312-064
15-21-430-006
15-21-429-035
15-21-429-036
15-22-332-010
15-22-336-008
15-22-303-015
15-22-377-016
15-22-335-006
15-22-332-025
15-21-429-037
15-22-163-021
15-22-377-021
15-21-480-072
15-21-480-073
15-21-480-074
15-21-480-075
15-21-480-076
15-21-480-077
15-21-480-078
15-21-480-079
15-21-429-039
15-22-332-009
15-22-336-009
15-22-306-021
15-22-351-001
15-21-429-018
15-22-332-008
15-22-336-010
15-22-377-017
15-22-331-021
15-22-301-008
15-22-329-003
15-22-337-033
15-22-314-002
15-22-330-008
15-22-334-008
15-22-333-007
15-22-333-016
15-22-307-003
15-22-163-026
15-22-163-025
15-21-429-020
15-22-383-016
15-22-253-001
15-22-163-024
15-22-386-008
15-21-429-062
15-21-429-042
15-21-428-019
15-22-377-003
15-22-332-007
15-22-336-011
15-22-313-013
15-22-386-009
15-22-333-009
15-22-333-029
15-22-333-024
15-21-480-009
15-22-377-004
15-21-428-009
15-21-480-010
15-22-386-001
15-22-333-032
15-22-377-005
15-22-383-015
15-22-333-011
15-21-476-007
15-21-480-011
15-22-334-009
15-22-331-010
15-22-377-076
15-22-333-012
15-22-201-053
15-22-303-004
15-22-377-006
15-21-429-050
15-21-429-043
15-21-429-002
15-22-303-003
15-22-386-011
15-22-407-006
15-22-377-007
15-21-480-012
15-22-377-008
15-21-476-014
15-21-478-011
15-22-333-013
15-22-334-007
15-22-334-016
15-22-334-015
15-22-332-006
15-22-333-014
15-21-429-023
15-21-429-058
15-21-476-021
15-21-480-013
15-22-501-065
15-22-201-020
15-22-334-010
15-22-331-009
15-22-333-031
15-21-480-014
15-22-304-008
15-22-332-005
15-22-377-018
15-21-478-010
15-21-429-060
15-22-334-011
15-22-331-008
15-22-164-017
15-21-476-023
15-22-332-004
15-22-336-022
15-22-334-017
15-22-331-007
15-22-334-002
15-22-302-027
15-22-332-003
15-22-376-001
15-22-326-008
15-22-377-009
15-22-313-011
15-22-331-006
15-22-163-031
15-21-479-006
15-22-378-020
15-22-332-002
15-22-336-018
15-22-306-017
15-22-326-009
15-22-201-014
15-22-331-005
15-22-337-031
15-22-378-009
15-22-164-001
15-22-336-019
15-22-313-005
15-22-201-033
15-22-337-032
15-22-332-001
15-22-302-001
15-22-336-020
15-22-326-005
15-22-327-022
15-22-331-004
15-22-310-004
15-22-376-002
15-22-305-014
15-22-305-016
15-22-313-006
15-22-310-010
15-22-326-004
15-22-331-027
15-22-326-003
15-22-331-019
15-22-331-025
15-22-310-002
15-22-201-056
15-22-313-008
15-22-310-008
15-22-326-002
15-22-379-001
15-22-335-001
15-22-335-004
15-22-335-005
15-22-331-026
15-22-383-009
15-22-302-004
15-22-307-002
15-22-379-002
15-22-302-022
15-22-315-001
15-22-315-001
15-22-334-014
15-22-336-003
15-22-303-014
15-22-313-010
15-22-407-005
15-22-336-001
15-22-308-007
15-22-328-031
15-22-381-003
15-22-310-001
15-22-383-010
15-22-309-001
15-22-331-020
15-22-383-003
15-22-380-001
15-22-382-002
15-22-328-021
15-22-308-011
15-22-380-008
15-22-380-002
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15-22-334-003
15-22-331-018
15-22-336-016
15-22-328-020
15-22-381-004
15-22-310-003
15-22-380-003
15-22-380-010
15-22-382-004
15-22-383-011
15-22-327-021
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15-22-383-004
15-22-382-005
15-22-336-017
15-22-380-004
15-21-428-010
15-22-382-006
15-22-383-012
15-22-379-003
15-22-328-029
15-22-381-006
15-22-380-005
15-22-310-005
15-22-380-006
15-22-382-007
15-22-383-013
15-22-336-004
15-22-313-001
15-22-313-009
15-22-383-005
15-22-380-007
15-21-428-011
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15-22-383-014
15-22-309-004
15-22-328-030
15-22-382-010
15-22-314-004
15-22-379-004
15-22-380-015
15-22-380-011
15-22-380-012
15-22-380-013
15-22-380-014
15-21-428-020
15-22-309-005
15-22-314-010
15-22-381-007
15-22-383-006
15-22-382-011
15-22-330-010
15-22-331-017
15-22-314-001
15-22-310-011
15-22-310-009
15-22-382-012
15-22-382-009
15-22-309-006
15-22-383-007
15-22-315-002
15-22-382-013
15-22-309-008
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on or about the 25th day of August 2026 at 6:00 p.m., in the City Council Chambers of the City Hall, 44 East Downer Place, Aurora, Illinois, a hearing will be held by the City Council of the City of Aurora to consider the establishment of a Special Service Area, to be designated as SSA 1 - Aurora Downtown District, consisting of the following described territory:
SEE ATTACHED EXHIBIT "A"
The purpose of the formation of SSA 1 - Aurora Downtown District is to provide additional services including but not limited to organizing events, promoting, enhancing and supporting the success of downtown area. The tax levied will be used by Aurora Downtown District in order to provide the aforementioned special services to the area.
At the hearing, all persons affected will be given an opportunity to be heard and may file an objection to the formation of the Area. At the hearing, there will be considered the levy of an annual tax in the proposed SSA 1 - Aurora Downtown District by the City of Aurora of not to exceed an annual rate of 1.10 one-hundredths percent ($1.10 being 110 cents per $100.00 of the equalized assessed value of the property) sufficient to produce revenues to provide the special services. If established the tax may be levied for up to eight years.
SECTION TWO: The proposed services to be provided to the area by Aurora Downtown District are unique to the services generally provided by the City. It is hereby determined by the City Council that the establishment of said special service area is desirable and necessary to provide the special services to the said area.
SECTION THREE:
Said tax to be levied for eight years from and after the date of the Ordinance establishing said Area. Said taxes shall be in addition to all other taxes provided by law and shall be levied pursuant to the provisions of the Property Tax Code. The hearing may be adjourned by the City Council to another date without further notice other than a motion to be entered upon the minutes of its meeting fixing the time and place of its adjournment.
If a petition signed by at least fifty-one percent (51%) of the owners of record within the boundaries of the proposed SSA 1 - Aurora Downtown District is filed with the City Clerk within sixty (60) days following the final adjournment of the public hearing, objecting to the establishment of the SSA, no such Area may be established, enlarged, or tax levy imposed.
SECTION FOUR:
The approximate location of the SSA is downtown Aurora. An accurate map of said territory attached herein as Exhibit B and the legal description is attached hereto as Exhibit A. All interested persons affected by the formation of SSA 1 - Aurora Downtown District will be given an opportunity to be heard regarding the formation of the boundaries of the Area and may object to the formation of the Area and the levy of taxes affecting said Area.
SECTION FIVE:
This Ordinance shall be in full force and effect, and shall be controlling, upon its passage and approval.
SECTION SIX:
That all ordinances or parts of ordinances thereof in conflict therewith are hereby repealed to the extent of any such conflict.
SECTION SEVEN:
That any Section or provisions of this Ordinance that is construed to be invalid or void shall not affect the remaining Sections or provisions which shall remain in full force and effect thereafter.
Prepared by:
Ottosen DiNolfo Hasenbalg & Castaldo, Ltd.
2441 Warrenville Road, Suite 310
Lisle, Illinois 60532
Exhibits Attached:
Exhibit A - Legal Description
Exhibit B - Site Map
Exhibit C - Notice of Hearing
Exhibit D - Aerial Map of Site Location