HB2522 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB101 10449 RJF 55555 b

101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2019 and 2020
HB2522

Introduced , by Rep. Ann M. Williams

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

New Act

Creates the Legislative Accessibility Act. Provides that the General Assembly shall make all efforts to increase public accessibility to the General Assembly, and specifies the efforts to be included. Provides that the Secretary of State shall make all efforts to increase public accessibility to all State buildings. Provides specified accessibility requirements for the State Capitol Building and the James R. Thompson Center.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning government.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the Legislative Accessibility Act.

Section 5. General Assembly accessibility.

(a) The General Assembly shall make all efforts to increase public accessibility to the General Assembly.

(b) Efforts to increase public accessibility of the General Assembly shall include, but not be limited to: (1) captioning of all television and live feed video events in the State Capitol Building; and (2) a formal process, advertised on the Illinois General Assembly website, to request and follow up on reasonable accommodations for people attending legislative events, including, but not limited to, all hearings and floor proceedings.

Section 10. State Building accessibility.

(a) The Secretary of State shall make all efforts to increase public accessibility to all State buildings.

(b) In addition to any upgrades which may be made under subsection (a), the State Capitol Building and the James R. Thompson Center shall, at a minimum:

(1) have at least one bathroom in the Capitol that has adult size changing beds;

(2) have at least one room as a sensory break space;

(3) post broken elevator alerts on the Illinois General Assembly website, with suggestions for alternate routes;

(4) develop and publicly post clear maps for the Capitol Building, the William G. Stratton Building, and the Michael J. Howlett Building to enable people to navigate more easily; and

(5) maintain a stock of at least 10 manual wheelchairs to be used by visitors to the Capitol.

(c) In addition to any upgrades which may be made under subsection (a), the James R. Thompson Center shall, at a minimum:

(1) have at least one bathroom that has adult size changing beds;

(2) have at least one room as a sensory break space;

(3) post readily accessible broken elevator alerts or notices, with suggestions for alternate routes;

(4) develop and publicly post clear maps for the Thompson Center and the surrounding area to enable people to navigate more easily; and

(5) maintain a stock of at least 10 manual wheelchairs to be used by visitors.