CITY OF CHICAGO

Senior Services
A variety of support services are available citywide to address the diverse needs and interests of older adults, from those who are active and healthy to those residing in long-term care facilities and seniors who are fragile and may be confined at home.

Chicagoans 60 and Over: Need Help at Home?

Chicago Seniors Connected Brochure
The Department of Family and Support Services (DFSS) provides programs and support to older adults aged 60 and older to keep them healthy, active and engaged. Please share the attached winter edition of the “Chicago Seniors Connected” program brochure with your constituents so they can learn about virtual and in-person senior program offerings. 

Some of the key events featured in the brochure include:

• Brain Health Series 1-6 provides techniques to support healthy cognitive development and possibly reduce the risk of dementia.

• Passport to the World Congregate Dining Program features culturally diverse meals to seniors, representing the rich cultural and ethnic diversity found across the city. Menus and the site listing are included in the Winter Brochure. To date, 10,000 meals have been provided through this program.

• What’s in Your Closet? An outreach program to discuss services and strategies to help organize items and discard clutter within homes. This feeds into our virtual winter sessions of Buried In Treasures providing facilitated peer discussions on clearing and cleaning spaces to support the ability of seniors to age safely within their homes and communities.

• Programmatic opportunities are available both virtually and in-person including fitness, recreational classes, and health and wellness sessions (e.g., dietitian presentations such as Healthy New Year, Healthy New You on dietary changes and improved health as well as pharmacist presentations on stroke awareness and controlling diabetes).

We also include key tips from the CDC on how to stay safe during the cold winter months.

Senior Citizen Sewer Service Charge Exemption & Rebate
The Senior Citizen Sewer Exemption entitles seniors aged 65 or over, residing in their own residence with separate metered water service or a separate city water assessment for that residential unit, to an exemption from payment of the sewer service charge for their residence. This exemption provides substantial savings to seniors.

Senior Citizens, who own and occupy their own residence, but who are not eligible for the Senior Citizen Sewer Charge Exemption due to property type, can apply for the Senior Citizen Sewer Rebate. This provides an annual $50 rebate in lieu of the exemption.

For eligibility and to apply, visit https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/fin/provdrs/utility_billing/svcs/apply-for-utility-charge-exemptions.html.

Shared Cost Sidewalk Program
The Shared Cost Sidewalk Program is an extremely popular voluntary program in which property owners share the cost of sidewalk repair with the City. This popular program consists of low cost, exceptional value, and ease of participation. The program’s cost per square foot charged to property owners is well below what a private contractor would charge. Senior citizens and persons with disabilities may qualify for a further discounted rate.

Applications are taken in early January on a first-come, first-served basis and only accepted through the City’s 311 system by calling 311 or through the City’s service request website 311.chicago.gov. The property owner’s contact information and the property address are required at the time of the request. Please call the office in December with an update as to when the program will open in January.

For more information, visit www.chicago.gov.