Loop University -- the nickname for a downtown Chicago area that 20,000 college students call home -- would get decidedly safer, thanks to a mayoral crackdown proposed Wednesday.

 

One day after announcing his political retirement, Mayor Daley introduced an ordinance that would establish minimum security requirements for buildings with more than 50 units of student housing. Those buildings would have to install security lighting, surveillance cameras at every door, lobby, stairwell and elevator and have around-the-clock security desks that distribute visitor badges and escort visitors to upstairs rooms. Exterior doors would need locks that bar entry from the outside. Buildings with 100 or more units would also be required to hire "licensed and insured" security personnel to patrol the premises 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Daily fines for each offense would range from $200 to $500.