Chicago Department of Buildings and Chicago Department of Public Health announced the launch of the 311/Online reporting and enforcement program for seniors to report non-compliance of the Senior Safety Ordinance, sponsored by Alderwoman Maria Hadden.  Under the 30-day pilot, senior residents that believe their building owner is not in compliance with the ordinance will be able to phone 311 to file a report with 311, submit request online at 311.chicago.gov or free CHI311 mobile app, or contact their alderman to file a complaint. At the end of the pilot the City will review the program for staffing levels and enforcement effectiveness.  Under the ordinance, senior buildings must put in place the following measures if the City is subject to a local, state, or federally declared public health disaster:  

• Building owners and managers must conduct well-being checks on their residents at least twice weekly (tenants have the ability to opt out if they wish). 

• Building staff is required to screen all non-residents for any symptoms related to the public health crisis. If a person exhibits any symptoms, they will be denied access. 

• Building owners and managers will make available and distribute to all staff proper protective equipment (PE) and hand washing facilities with soap or hand sanitizer. Building management is also required to train staff on proper use of PE.  

• Building staff will implement an updated cleaning regimen that ensures high-contact surfaces are being disinfected at least three times daily with approved cleaning products.
 
• Building owners and managers cannot reduce staffing levels to lower than needed to keep the building in compliance with the law.
 
Building owners that are subject to a daily fine of $100 – $500 and potential injunction or other equitable relief if they fail to comply it provisions of the ordinance.