By Jason Crane
The Aurora City Council is considering a Resolution to authorize the expenditure of special service area tax funds in a total aggregate amount not to exceed $50,000. In addition, a provision of City staff member support for the purpose of organizing an independent not-for-profit organization to render special services within Special Service Area One.
While the City is facilitating the reconstitution, the entity will operate independently.
City government of Aurora documents show for most of the existence of SSA One, the City contracted with Aurora Downtown, an Illinois not-for-profit corporation comprised of owners and representatives of commercial properties within SSA One.
Aurora Downtown provided special services within the district and on September 12, 2025, it was dissolved by the Illinois Secretary of State, leaving no entity authorized to administer or oversee these services or a mechanism for its reformation.
The Mayor’s Office organized a series of listening tours this past summer to have downtown real estate owners and businesses opine on a direction going forward. Establishing an independent successful entity was favored (as opposed to being part of the city’s committees or becoming part of another economic development entity). The staff then solicited a group of volunteers from those in attendance to oversee this process of re-establishing a representative entity.
The group of volunteers requires legal assistance to form the new organization including but not limited to determining voting membership, board composition and selection, preparing governing documents, and applying for federal and or state tax-exempt status. Other items such as extending the existing boundaries of the SSA will also be considered once this new governing entity is established and operating. Another conclusion of the listening tours was to have this entity work in concert with the city’s Sustainability, Development, and Business Opportunity department, specifically the Downtown Economic Development Manager to advance the vibrancy, attractiveness, and offering within the downtown.
Having a strong independent entity representing the interests of businesses and property owners coupled with a working partnership with the city should encourage transparency, communication, and the joint sharing of information that will make the sum greater than its individual parts.