Special Service Areas, known as Business Improvement Districts or BIDs in other cities, are local tax districts that fund expanded services and programs through a localized property tax levy within contiguous areas. The enhanced services and programs are in addition to those currently provided through the City of Chicago.
Special Service Area (SSA) Program
SSA #61 provides funding and leadership to address concerns of property and business owners in the abbreviated Hyde Park business district connected to Lake Park Ave between 53rd and 55th Street. SSA #61 seeks to keep Hyde Park an attractive place to work, play, invest, and do business.
Property tax revenue from the district is directed back to the neighborhood and is spent according to the annual SSA work plan. A Mayorally-appointed SSA #61 Commission, which is comprised of local property and business owners within the area, develops the work plan.
As of 2022, there are currently 56 active SSAs in Chicago. The South East Chicago Commission is the Sole Service Provider for SSA #61 and is responsible for implementing the SSA work plan.
SERVICES
SSA-funded projects typically include but are not limited to:
- public way maintenance and beautification;
- district marketing and advertising;
- business retention/attraction,
- special events and promotional activities;
- auto and bike transit;
- safety and security;
- façade improvements;
- other commercial and economic development initiatives.
CURRENT ANNUAL REPORT
Special Service Area #61 is the local business district that funds expanded services and programs through a localized property tax levy within contiguous areas. The enhanced services are provided in addition to those currently offered directly through the City of Chicago. During 2021, there were 11 active Commissioners who convened monthly, with the exception of July and November.
Special meetings were held on May 3 to approve the 2020 audit for submission to the City and on October 26 for a public discussion of the Equalized Assessed Value (EAV) changes. Due to the declared public health disaster caused by COVID-19, Commissioners primarily met via virtual video conference, with the exception of one meeting in 2021. Recordings of SSA61 meetings are available on YouTube.
Commissioners successfully addressed a wide variety of district concerns throughout the year.
Significant topics included:
- City of Chicago pandemic safety guidance changes
- Safe return to customer attraction events and activities
- Budget reallocations, EAV increase, and TIF management
- Streetscape maintenance and beautification of public ways
- District and community safety, increases in violence and burglaries
- SSA61 + Downtown Hyde Park brand association and marketing
- Administrator and Commissioner changes
