In 1985, the City of Chicago established the Kedzie Industrial Tract as a Special Service Area (“SSA”). Designated Special Service Area #7 -- due to the fact that it was the seventh area in the city to receive this designation -- City Council gave it authority to levy an annual tax on each of its properties for services specific to the Tract.
The SSA can use its tax money within it boundaries to do such things as maintenance and beautification activities, new construction, parking and transit programs, area strategic planning, the recruitment and promotion of new businesses to the SSA and the retention and promotion of existing businesses within the SSA, security programs and other technical assistance programs to promote community and economic development. In short, services above and beyond those provided by the City of Chicago.
There are now over 30 Special Service Areas in Chicago, and many more throughout the entire Country. The overall success of the SSA program is well documented. Kedzie Tract property owners recently were given the choice whether to continue its SSA designation, and in a series of meetings, property owners voiced their support. A City ordinance was passed in 2006 reauthorizing Kedzie Tract’s SSA designation through 2025.
The KTIA boundaries have remained the same since its inception. These are Kedzie Avenue on the east, 47th Street on the north, 49th Street on the south, and Central Park on the west.
View street level map.
