When you walk around downtown Evanston, do you notice the seasonal planters, clean streets, vibrant dining scene, local and national retailers, public art and more? Do you hear about events or promotions in downtown Evanston through Facebook or Instagram? Or have you attended a Thursday Night Live concert, Holiday Tree Lighting, fitness class or story time at the Fountain Square plaza?

Downtown Evanston is the organization that helps to make all this happen, and we hope to continue provide and build on these services for the next 12 years. Please sign this petition to show your support for Downtown Evanston. Please note we are not asking for donations--just a signature showing your support of our organization. Thank you!

CLICK HERE TO WATCH A SHORT VIDEO ABOUT DOWNTOWN EVANSTON!

What is Downtown Evanston?
Downtown Evanston is a nonprofit 501(c) (6) corporation founded in 1987 that works with commercial and residential property owners, businesses, nonprofits and the City of Evanston to enhance and promote the downtown district (click here to view the map of downtown Evanston; the yellow line indicates the current SSA#4 boundary.) Downtown Evanston is the service provider for Special Service Area (SSA#4) which is funded by an additional levy applied to each commercial property within the legal boundary of SSA#4. State of Illinois legislation requires that SSAs go through a reconstitution process every 10 years to renew the City ordinance and allow for any changes to the SSA. SSA#4 was last renewed by City ordinance in 1997 for 12 years so it is time to renew again for another 12 years.

In Downtown Evanston, only commercial property owners are taxed for these services, but the organization plans to include residential stakeholders as these services benefit all properties in the district. In addition, Downtown Evanston is proposing to expand the boundaries to increase the annual budget to provide even more services to the district.

Below is more information about Special Service Areas (SSA).

WHAT IS AN SSA?
An economic development tool created by state statute and city ordinance to allow extra real estate property taxes to be collected to fund special services in a defined area.

Governed by a board of property owners, tenants and residential stakeholders who donate their time to establish a workplan of annual services and an annual budget.

Is transparent in that all meetings are open to the public. Meeting minutes are available here.

Managed by non profit corporation, Downtown Evanston, the sole service provider for the additional programs and services in the district.

WHAT ARE THE BOUNDARIES OF SSA#4?

SSA #4 generally includes property between Chicago Avenue to the east and Oak Avenue to the west, and Grove Street to the South and Emerson Street to the West. Click here to view a map of the SSA boundaries. The yellow line represents the current SSA boundary.

WHAT SERVICES ARE FUNDED THROUGH SSA#4?

Services funded by SSA#4 include daily garbage removal from the bins; seasonal landscaping; destination marketing to attract media attention, tourism, and economic development; special events and capacity-building events for businesses.

For additional information, please contact Downtown Evanston at 847-866-6319 or info@downtownevanston.org.