Senate Approves Legislation to Improve Accessibility
5/4/2016 — Attorney General Lisa Madigan recently announced that members of the Senate unanimously approved legislation to improve accessibility for people with disabilities in Illinois. “People living with disabilities need equal access to their communities, including schools, parks and businesses,” Madigan said. “I appreciate the Senate’s strong support for increasing accessibility for people with
disabilities in Illinois.”
Attorney General Madigan initiated the legislation, sponsored by Sen. Linda Holmes, to update the Illinois Environmental Barriers Act (EBA). The EBA, which was enacted in 1985, authorizes the Attorney General’s Office to enforce accessibility laws which mandate that public buildings and multi-story housing units in Illinois must be fully accessible to individuals with disabilities.
SB 2956 amends the EBA to update state law with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act’s (ADA) Standards
for Accessible Design. Madigan’s legislation streamlines the existing state statute so that architects can refer to one code in order to comply with both federal and state accessibility requirements.
“Simplifying and streamlining codes makes it easier to comply with laws, and making accessibility laws easier to follow will help ensure equal access for people with disabilities who live in and visit our state,” said Holmes. “I look forward to working with my colleagues in the House to send this legislation to the governor’s desk.”
In addition to the legislation, Madigan’s office is working with the Capital Development Board (CDB) to update the technical building regulations that correspond with the EBA, known as the Illinois Accessibility Code. Under current state law, the CDB must update the Illinois Accessibility Code to incorporate the new federal standards. Madigan’s office is working with the CDB and other stakeholders to ensure that SB 2956 reflects the anticipated changes to the Illinois Accessibility Code and aligns the state statute with the federal standards.
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