Residents at South Shore high-rise unionize to fight new billing system

Residents at a South Shore high-rise hope forming a tenants' union will help them fight rising rents and maintenance issues.

The plan was announced during a rally outside Ogleby Towers on Wednesday morning.

They say they're upset about the new billing system put in place earlier this year called "RUBS," which stands for Ratio Utility Billing System. Utilities like gas and water are split among the building and not based on individual meters.

Residents say they have seen increases sometimes as high as $500 a month — making it hard to budget, especially for seniors on a fixed income.

"I don't know how much my rent is going to be any month," one tenant said.

"I really like my apartment, but now I feel like I'm walking on eggshells," another tenant said while crying.

Residents also say there are frequent issues in the building, including elevators and laundry facilities out of service.

CBS News Chicago reached out to the owner of the building, TLC Management, but they have yet to respond.