In 1987, Downtown Evanston (formerly Evmark), was created to provide marketing and management services to the downtown Evanston merchants and businesses and is governed by a Board of Directors and works in partnership with the City of Evanston. The organization was formed as a 501(c)(6) non-profit corporation and  funded through a tax levy; Special Service Area (SSA9), Illinois’ equivalent of a Business Improvement District (BID). 

In 2016, Main / Dempster Mile Business District was created.
in 2019, Central Street Business District was created. 

How Business Districts are Managed:
A local Commission, appointed by the Mayor and made up of SSA property owners and tenants, oversees the service provider and determines SSA services and budgets annually. SSA funds are controlled locally, must stay in the community, and must be spent on services that achieve the mission of the particular SSA.

How Business Districts are Funded 
The budget is disbursed every year to each Business District. Below, you can see the annual amount that is disbursed by the city of Evanston. 

Downtown Evanston's Annual Report  2020​, 2019​, 2018 
Main/Dempster Mile's budget. 

Economic Justice reform in unifying ALL businesses into one business district creates opportunity and inclusion for businesses in wards 5,8, and South of ward 2. These businesses are unable to receive the same resources like the business that are in wards 1, 6, 3 4 and North of 2.

Can Evanston community members, business owners, and surrounding interest groups count on the City of Evanston to be accountable to provide equitable business resources for ALL businesses? 

Impact & Solutions: 
Each person who signs this petition has an interest in breaking down barriers and systematic racism that excludes businesses that are not located  in Downtown Evanston, Main-Dempster Mile, and Central Street to receive the same equal support to sustain their small business. 

In 1987 Evanston was not open to progressive structures, like many of our community are working towards today. Allowing all businesses to unify under one business district (Downtown Evanston) will create equity and equality from the money that is given annually from our Government through a tax levy. 

Please share this petition with your friends, family, and community members who are working towards a more equitable Evanston. The fight for economic justice requires help from ALL races and social back grounds.