City Senior Housing Plan

Frederick's Focus

I will work to increase "Affordable Housing" by utilizing city infrastructure improvement funding and other state and federal funding resources to make significant investments in building, preserving, and repairing affordable housing units, including green and social housing, while also utilizing other resources like the Chicago Housing Authority.

Frederick Collins’ Comprehensive Plan for Our Senior Citizens

To make the City of Chicago more affordable and supportive for our City of Chicago senior citizens by reducing the financial pressures caused by high property taxes, excessive sales taxes, and limited relief programs — while protecting retirement income and ensuring long-term stability.

Four friends joyfully walking in a city street with shopping bags.
A group of joyful elderly friends sitting outdoors at sunset.

1. Property Tax Relief and Reform

  • Age Eligibility at 60: This plan applies to all City of Chicago senior residents aged 60 and older, representing approximately 12 - 13% of the cities population — ensuring meaningful relief for the growing senior community.
  • Eliminate Property Taxes for Seniors: Eliminating all Residential property taxes for all Chicago seniors at age 60 to protect them from being priced out of their homes.
  • Expand Senior Relief Programs: Broaden expansion and simplify access to the Senior Citizens Real Estate Tax Deferral, Homestead Exemption, and other City senior programs.
  • Emergency Home Retention Fund: Create City of Chicago assistance for seniors at risk of losing their homes.

2. Fair Sales Tax Reform

  • Eliminate Taxes on Necessities: Ensure the permanent end of the City of Chicago grocery tax and extend exemptions to essential goods like medicine and health supplies.
  • Limit Local Add-Ons: Cap local sales city tax rates to prevent excessive combined tax burdens on fixed-income seniors.
  • Sales Tax Rebate Program: Provide targeted rebates for low- and middle-income seniors to offset high city sales taxes.

3. Eliminating the City of Chicago Estate Tax and Inheritance Tax

  • Abolish the Estate and Inheritance Tax: Permanently eliminate the City of Chicago estate tax and inheritance tax to ensure that seniors and their families are not penalized for transferring wealth, homes, or small businesses to their heirs.
  • Preserve Family Legacies: Protect generational assets and allow families to build lasting economic security without fear of double taxation.

4. Building a Senior-Friendly City of Chicago

  • Affordable Senior Housing: Incentivize development of accessible and affordable housing for aging residents.
  • Financial Guidance and Assistance: Offer city wide programs to help seniors navigate property tax relief and financial aid.
  • Protect Seniors’ Rights: Strengthen protections against financial abuse and housing insecurity.
  • Expand Holistic Support Systems: Strengthen financial protections, expand access to multidisciplinary teams and legal support, and implement innovative, preventative programs to address issues before crises occur.
  • Dignity and Economic Security: This initiative reflects a commitment to ensuring that every City of Chicago senior can live with dignity, financial independence, and peace of mind—free from the burden of excessive taxation. Under Frederick Collins’ senior plan, this will allow our most valued and elder members of our community to maintain and look forward to a brighter and higher quality of living.