05/14/2026
"The organizing you're doing is having a tremendous impact," said Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson to the key leaders of the Senior Bill of Rights coalition, including Lori Haley of H.O.M.E.'s Community Advisory Council. Kenwood Oakland Community Organization (KOCO), which heads the coalition that also includes Access Living, M.O.V.E., and Northside Action for Justice, organized the gathering on May 2nd. Lori posed the first question to the Mayor: Will he re-establish a Department on Aging, eliminated in 2009? Older adults have risen to 20% of the City's population. Mayor Johnson pledged to pull together all department heads that touch on seniors later this month to discuss this as well as service coordination. And with Ald. Jeanette Taylor (20th Ward) in the room as the chief sponsor of the Senior Bill of Rights, promised his support. Stay tuned for a mobilizing opportunity!
