TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Paulina Martinez, Director of Economic Development
SUBJECT:
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Ordinance Proposing a Time Extension of the City of Joliet City Center Special Service Area in the City of Joliet and Providing for a Public Hearing and Other Procedures in Connection Therewith
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BACKGROUND:
The City Center Special Service Area (SSA) has been in place in downtown Joliet since 1996 and is scheduled to expire at the end of 2026. An SSA is a defined, contiguous area in which an additional property tax is levied to fund services that benefit properties within the designated area. SSA-generated revenue supports economic development activities, marketing, public improvements, and special events within the designated area in Joliet. The current existing SSA encompasses downtown Joliet and adjacent commercial corridors along Cass Street, Collins Street, U.S. Route 66/Chicago Street, and McDonough Street, and the current tax rate is ninety-five cents ($0.95) per one hundred dollars ($100) of the Equalized Assessed Value (EAV).
To continue the SSA for an additional ten (10) years starting in 2027, the City must undertake a statutory approval process prior to the end of the year. To prepare for this process, the City engaged SB Friedman to evaluate the existing SSA boundaries and services, and to provide recommendations for the next designation period. As part of this evaluation process, a stakeholders committee was formed; property owners, business owners, and other stakeholders within the current boundary of the SSA were invited to a series of meetings to voice their opinions on the current and future needs. Based on the findings the recommendations included focusing more on beautification projects and infrastructure improvements. The proposed rate would remain the same – $0.95/$100 EAV.
The Land Use & Economic Development Committee will review this item on Monday, October 19, 2026.
CONCLUSION:
The proposed time extension for an additional ten ye...
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