Find Independent Living Communities Near Chicago, IL

Independent living community costs are not covered by public sources like Medicare or Medicaid, though in-home care services may be covered for medically qualifying seniors. However, there are many private ways to pay for independent living. Veteran Affairs (also known as VA) pensions and benefits may also help to offset costs of independent living for eligible senior veterans and their spouses.

Illinois independent living communities are required to enforce a 55 year age minimum per the Illinois Administrative Code. While families and children of seniors may be able to live in independent living depending on the community, residents will need to verify that at least one member of their household is 55 or over.

While Illinois does not have many requirements specific to independent living, these buildings must comply with the legal standards of any type of housing. While building codes vary across the state of Illinois, Chicago living spaces are required to maintain standards such as:

• Fire retardant building materials
• Minimum square foot requirements for specific numbers of people
• Bathrooms accessible to each bedroom without requiring passage through another bedroom
• Proper and accessible building exits

To report a building code violation in Chicago, you can call 3-1-1 or fill out an online service request.

All living spaces are also required to be ADA compliant, which means that reasonable accommodations and modifications are made for individuals with disabilities. Under federal law, owners of housing facilities cannot deny tenancy to individuals with disabilities.

Reasonable accommodations are adjustments to rules or policies so that tenants with disabilities are not left out of the activities or benefits offered to other tenants. Property managers may provide accommodations, such as the following:

• convenient parking
• acceptance of rent payment on a date that corresponds to tenant’s disability payments
• enabling tenants with disabilities to have equal access to the complex’s shared spaces or activities

Modifications involve making changes to the apartment complex and unit to make it more accessible to those with disabilities. This can mean adding a wheelchair ramp or hands-free entrance or simply installing handrails in bathrooms. The costs of these modifications are to be covered by the owner of the rental property rather than by the tenant with the disability.

Find contact information and resources for tenant rights’ advocacy, housing discrimination, housing-related legal aid, eviction assistance, and more through Illinois’ Tenant Rights, Laws and Regulations website.

Additional Chicago Department of Health resources

Illinois Department of Public Health — Chicago headquarters offices

122 S. Michigan Ave., 7th and 20th Floors
Chicago, IL 60603
Phone: 312-814-2793

69 W. Washington St., 35th Floor
Chicago, IL 60602
Phone: 312-814-5278

COVID-19 regulations for Chicago independent living communities

There are currently no COVID-19 regulations in place for Chicago independent living communities.

Chicago independent senior living communities typically offer private apartments or condos. Floor plans often include living areas, fully equipped kitchens, and wheelchair-accessible bathrooms with hand rails. Check out some other features common to Chicago independent living communities:

• Balconies or patios
• High-speed internet access
• Storage units
• On-site maintenance and management staff
• Wheelchair-accessible units and common areas

Some communities even offer the following types of on-site services for additional fees:

• Laundry and housekeeping
• Meal services
• Emergency staff on call
• Transportation services
• Concierge services
• Third-party care services

Resident-only clubhouses are also common to Chicago independent living communities. These clubhouses promote socialization among residents and give them access to even more shared amenities, such as the following:

• Social lounges and game rooms
• Movie theaters
• Libraries and media rooms
• Business centers
• Fitness centers
• Pools
• BBQ areas
• Social calendars

Chicago independent living communities provide the active senior with an exciting urban locale that has convenient access to entertainment, shopping, dining, and the sparkling Lake Michigan shoreline. On-site storage and maintenance foster a more relaxing environment than home ownership. Some independent living communities even offer an aging-in-place option for an even more worry-free living experience.

Aging-in-place services

Chicago’s independent living communities with aging-in-place options are typically part of a larger senior living facility that includes multiple care types and accommodations on one campus, such as assisted living and memory care. Communities that offer these add-on care services are ideal for the senior who may need more assistance down the line. If a senior’s care needs ever evolve past the care offered in the independent living community, they can just add on the care services they need without having to relocate to a new community. Aging-in-place features provide security in the event of surgery, illness, or other medical events. A Place for Mom has 17 partnered communities in Chicago that offer aging-in-place services, with access to home care agencies, memory care, and skilled nursing services on site.

Health care for seniors in Chicago

Chicago residents have many innovative and highly rated medical centers to choose from. Several of Chicago’s medical facilities also offer specialty geriatric care.

Transportation for seniors in Chicago

While driving in the city is an option, heavy traffic and limited parking can make it a challenge. Fourteen of A Place for Mom’s partnered independent living communities in Chicago offer transportation services at an additional cost. For those without transportation, many Chicago residents count on public transportation. The most convenient and cost effective way to get around is the Chicago Transit Authority “L” train. The Chicago Transit Authority also has over 100 bus routes.

While Chicago is relatively walkable, it’s quite big, so it can be helpful to know what other options are available. For the active individual, Chicago’s Divvy bike-share system can be a fun way to get around, and the Metra Rail train is great for commuting to the Chicago suburbs. Chicago also provides AC Med Tran transportation services specifically for seniors, veterans, and individuals who require a wheelchair or mobility assistance.

Compiled from data about Chicago’s population, public transportation, walking and bike routes, and more, the Windy City has received the following WalkScore ratings, each out of 100: