Find Senior Apartments Communities Near Chicago, IL

Rent on senior apartments is not covered by public support options like Medicare and Medicaid, though in-home care services may be. Seniors typically pay rent for senior apartments using personal funds or assets, unless they qualify for low-income housing programs.

Some public insurance benefits may also help to relieve financial burdens associated with home health care costs, if care services are ever needed in the senior’s home.

According to the Illinois Administrative Code, Illinois senior apartments are required to enforce a 55 year age minimum. Families and children of seniors are able to live in senior apartments, but residents will need to verify that at least one member of their household is 55 or over.

While Illinois does not have many requirements unique to senior apartments, these living spaces need to uphold the legal standards of any type of housing. Building codes vary across the state of Illinois, but Chicago living spaces are required to maintain standards such as the following:

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

Living spaces also must adhere to ADA requirements, which means that reasonable accommodations and modifications must be made for individuals with disabilities. Federal law prohibits owners of housing facilities to deny residency to individuals who have disabilities.

Reasonable accommodations are defined as adjustments to rules or policies so that tenants with disabilities are not excluded from the activities or benefits offered to the rest of the tenants. Accommodations may require property managers to do the following:

• Provide convenient parking
• Accept rent payment on a date that corresponds to tenant’s disability payments
• Enable tenants with disabilities equal access to the complex’s shared spaces or activities

Modifications involve construction changes to the complex and unit that make it more accessible to those with disabilities, such as 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 homeowner, rather than the tenant with the disability.

Department of Health contact information and other resources

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

Seniors can find resources and contact information for tenant rights advocacy, eviction assistance, housing-related legal aid, housing discrimination, and more by reading Tenant Rights, Laws and Regulations: Illinois.

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 senior apartment communities

There are currently no COVID-19 regulations in place for senior apartments in Chicago.

Chicago senior apartments are typically a more affordable senior living option than an independent living or assisted living community, and the amenities are often more basic in order to offer convenience while keeping costs comparatively low. Common Chicago senior apartment on-site amenities include the following:

• Balcony or patio
• High-speed internet
• Fitness center
• Social lounge
• Planned social activities
• Storage units
• Pool
• Maintenance
• Management staff
• Wheelchair accessibility

Chicago senior apartments offer the active senior a convenient locale where they can get right near the action in terms of entertainment, dining, parks, and lake shore access. Maintenance services foster a more worry-free environment than home ownership. Senior apartments also enable seniors more social opportunities, as they’re surrounded by empty-nesters like themselves.

Senior apartments in the surrounding Chicago suburbs

There are a number of senior apartment options available outside the Chicago city center, extending into the surrounding suburbs. While costs can vary, north of downtown is typically more expensive than south of downtown.

Health care for seniors in Chicago

Chicago residents have many high-ranking and innovative medical centers within reach, many of which offer specialty geriatric care.

Transportation for seniors in Chicago

While driving in Chicago is always an option, many residents choose to primarily use public transportation due to the city’s heavy traffic and limited parking. The Chicago Transit Authority “L” train is the most convenient and cost effective mode of transportation in the city. For seniors and individuals who require a wheelchair or special assistance, the AC Med Tran provides affordable transportation options to those with special needs.

For the active individual, Chicago’s Divvy bike-share system can be a fun way to get around. Chicago also has over 100 bus routes, as well as the Metra Rail train for commuting to the Chicago suburbs.

Some Chicago neighborhoods are pretty walkable. In fact, based on Chicago’s population, transportation options, walking paths, biking trails, and other city data, Chicago has received the following WalkScore ratings, each out of a total of 100: