- Chicago Loop Alliance

SSA #49 South Shore &
Special Service Areas (SSAs)
Clean. Green. Safe.
Andrew J. Mooney
Commissioner
What is a SSA?
Special real estate taxing district, not an agency,
but rather a geographical area
The City as the taxing body contracts with service
providers to administer SSA programs
Funds additional services beyond the City’s
general services
This is a self-imposed tax that can be used in a
specific ways, to address the concerns of the
taxpayers
Enabled through state statute and city ordinance
Current SSAs
• 53 active SSAs
• 44 Service Provider Agencies
• 450+ Commissioners
•
First SSA created in 1977
• 2015 Budgets = $24.5 million
Authorized Service Categories
1.
Customer Attraction
2.
Public Way Aesthetics
3.
Sustainability and Public Places
4.
Economic/Business Development
5.
Safety Programs
6.
SSA Management
7.
Personnel
Work plans assembled annually from this list
Legislation
Key Legislation for SSAs
•
•
•
•
•
Illinois State Statute: SSA Tax Law
City Ordinances
Open Meetings Act
Freedom of Information Act
Governmental Ethics Ordinance
Legislation – City Ordinances
• Establishment Ordinance (one time)
–
–
–
–
–
Sets Boundaries
Sets Term
Sets Tax Rate Cap
Commission: Qualifications, Appointment, Powers
Authorizes DPD to enter into Service Provider Agreement
• Levy Ordinance (annual)
– Annual levy and associated tax rate
– Budget (levy funds + carry-over funds)
– Authorizes DPD to enter into Service Provider Agreement
Management
Roles
• SSA Commission
• Service Provider
Agency
SSA Commission
Powers and Authorities
• Approve annual tax rate, services, budget, service provider
• Authorize budget line item changes
• Review vendor finalists and approve subcontracts
• Monitor all SSA expense reports provided by Service
Provider agency
• Create and amend Commission bylaws
Service Provider
• Day-to-day management of vendors and
services
• Manage vendor selection and RFP process
• Ensure legal and contract requirements are
fulfilled
• Prepare reports to DPD and SSA commission
• Recruit commissioners and manage
nominations and renewals
SSA Management Flow Chart
Legislation
Funding
City of
Chicago
Cook
County
City Council
Assessor
SSA
Commission
HED (lead
dept) and
other depts
City
Comptroller
Service Provider
Agreement
Service
Provider
Agency
Subcontract
Agreement
SSA
Subcontractors
SSA Bank
Acct.
Treasurer
SSA Tax
Levy
Vetting Overview
• SSA Commissioners
– Require Mayoral nomination and City Council approval
– No debts to City or Child Support
– Annual City Ethics Statements
• Service Provider
– No debts to City or Child Support
– Economic Disclosure Statement with City of Chicago
– In good standing with State of Illinois
• City monitors on behalf of taxpayers
– Annual audits
– Performance metrics
2016 SSA Creation Timeline
JanMar
2015
AprMay
2015
June
2015
OctDec
2015
Dec
2015
Jan March
2016 or Sept
2016
SSA #49 South Shore &
Thank You
Mark Roschen, Assistant Commissioner
312-744-1083 [email protected]
Bureau of Economic Development, DPD
City of Chicago
Department of Planning and Development
Andrew J. Mooney, Commissioner