Seniors push city for 'bill of rights'

Seniors packed City Hall on Wednesday to show their support for legislation that would boost safety measures and social services in senior buildings across the city.

The law - introduced by Housing Committee Chair Alderman Harry Osterman - mandates all units in senior buildings include safety features like grab bars and abide by maximum temperature requirements. It also calls on senior building owners to "arrange for licensed social workers, community health workers, or community nurses to support residents" in their buildings, according to a copy of the ordinance.

Organizers with the Jane Addams Senior Caucus, an activist group with members in dozens of public- and private-senior buildings in Chicago, said the ordinance would "set the golden standard for aging in America" and dramatically improve living conditions for the city's 25,000 seniors who live in subsidized rental buildings.

The ordinance - known among caucus members as the "Senior Bill of Rights" - also codifies seniors' right to organize tenants unions in their buildings.

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