SR0534 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0534 LRB100 12845 MST 26546 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) became law in 1990 prohibiting discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life; and

WHEREAS, Increased ADA awareness promotes equality and fairness within the United States for those who live life with a disability; and

WHEREAS, One of the largest provisions of the ADA is to provide access to public facilities so those with disabilities are able to fully participate and enjoy the facilities without concern about accessibility; and

WHEREAS, In 1979, Illinois created the Illinois Human Rights Act forbidding discrimination based on sex, age, race, color, religion, arrest record, marital status, sexual orientation, physical and mental disability, citizenship status (with regard to employment), national origin, ancestry, unfavorable military discharge, familial status (with respect to real estate transactions), military status, sexual harassment, and orders of protection; and

WHEREAS, Illinois is committed to fighting discrimination, creating the Illinois Human Rights Commission to make impartial determinations of whether there has been unlawful discrimination as defined by the Illinois Human Rights Act; and

WHEREAS, Illinois has approximately 1.4 million people with a reported disability; and

WHEREAS, Providing access to seating and parking for those with disabilities creates ease of access to attend events and enjoy the facilities across the State; and

WHEREAS, Ensuring access to public locations benefits all citizens by promoting inclusivity and diversity; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we encourage the State of Illinois and all public facilities to faithfully follow federal Americans with Disabilities Act laws and the Illinois Human Rights Act to ensure that events are accessible to all people with disabilities across the State.