West Town SSA #29

The West Town Special Service Area* (SSA #29) was formed in November 2004 to provide special services to properties along Chicago Avenue from Halsted Street to California Avenue; Damen Avenue from Chicago Avenue to Grand Avenue; Milwaukee Avenue from Racine Street to Erie Street; Ogden Avenue one block north and south of Chicago Avenue.

Located in the West Town Chicago Chamber of Commerce office at 1819 W. Chicago Ave., their phone number is 312.850.9390. SSA #29 is governed by a nine-member Commission consisting of local business owners, who volunteer their time. They oversee the use of the funds and are responsible for the day-to-day management of the SSA-funded services.

SSA-funded services in West Town include ongoing public maintenance programs, like sidewalk cleaning and snow plowing, and beautification projects, including street pole banners, holiday decorations, decorative trash cans and public art. The SSA also provides funds to businesses to improve the look of their buildings through the Façade Rebate program.

In addition, SSA funds are also used to advertise and promote the area . The cycle of attracting customers, so that local businesses grow and thrive, and attracting new businesses to meet community needs assists in eliminating vacant commercial spaces thereby maintaining a healthier community. Promotional activities include the sponsorship and promotion of West Fest.

Staff is also available to provide technical assistance to individual businesses and is involved in collecting data and working with the community to development long range plans.

To learn more see the SSA #29 website

*The Special Service Area (SSA) is an economic development tool, created by state statute and city ordinance, which allows real estate property taxes to be levied to fund added services for a defined area. The services funded through the SSA tax are in addition to services generally provided by the City and benefit those properties located within the SSA boundaries.