Let’s discuss how federal and state laws protect people with disabilities in Illinois. You might be familiar with the Americans with Disabilities Act, or “ADA,” as most lawyers call it. This is a significant federal law that says you can’t treat someone differently just because they have a disability. It covers everything, from getting a job to shopping or riding the bus.
Now, Illinois takes this pretty seriously. They’ve got their law, too, the Illinois Human Rights Act. Here’s what you need to know about this duo of disability laws:
Whereas, per federal statute, your employer (assuming they’ve got at least 15 people on payroll) has to make reasonable changes to help you do your job if you have a disability. Think about things like adjusting your schedule or getting you special equipment. The caveat?
They don’t have to do it if it would cause them severe financial pain.
Furthermore, any business open to the public—your local diner, the movie theater, that coffee shop on the corner—must ensure that people with disabilities can use its services. That means having ramps where needed, bathrooms that work for everyone, and signs people can read.
Illinois kicks it up a notch with some extra protections. After 1988, any new or renovated public building must meet strict accessibility rules under the Illinois Accessibility Code. Plus, while the federal law only applies to more prominent employers, Illinois says you must follow these rules even if you have just one employee.
If someone’s not following these laws, you’ve got options. You can file a complaint with the feds (the Department of Justice or the EEOC for job stuff), or you can go to the Illinois Department of Human Rights. They’re all there to ensure these rights are more than written words.
The bottom line? If you’ve got a disability in Illinois, both Uncle Sam and the state have your back. And they’re not just suggesting these things – they’re legally requiring them.
