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TO: Mayor John Laesch
FROM: The Law Department
DATE: November 1, 2026
SUBJECT:
An Ordinance Establishing “Special Service Area 1 - Aurora Downtown District.”
PURPOSE:
To establish “Special Service Area 1 - Aurora Downtown District” for the purpose of providing special services within the downtown area that promote economic vitality, business growth, cultural programming, beautification, marketing, and community engagement, all of which are intended to strengthen and enhance Downtown Aurora.
BACKGROUND:
“Special Service Area Number One” was originally established by the City of Aurora on September 6, 1994, and has been periodically extended and reestablished over the past three decades. It is scheduled to expire on December 31, 2026. To ensure the continued provision of special services benefiting downtown businesses and property owners, the City proposed the creation of a new special service area known as "SSA 1 - Aurora Downtown District." Following the adoption of an ordinance proposing the SSA and calling for a public hearing, notice was provided in accordance with Illinois law and a public hearing was held on August 25, 2026. No valid objection petition was filed within the statutory period. The proposed Special Service Area is slightly larger than the existing SSA. It encompasses properties located within Downtown Aurora and is intended to continue the successful public-private partnership that has supported the growth and revitalization of the downtown area for many years.
DISCUSSION:
Illinois law provides that a proposed Special Service Area may be defeated only upon the timely filing of a written objection petition signed by at least 51% of the owners of record of the land within the proposed SSA. Following the public hearing for SSA No. 1 – Aurora Downtown, the City Clerk received a single written objection from a property owner located within the proposed SSA boundaries. The objection was not signed by the requisite percentage of property own...
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