SB2956 Summary

• Updates the Environmental Barriers Act to replace "environmentally limited persons" terminology with "individuals with disabilities" throughout the statute and align definitions with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

• Requires the Capital Development Board to update the Illinois Accessibility Code by January 1, 2017, based on the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design, and to update standards within 3 years (previously 2 years) whenever ADA Standards are updated.

• Expands the definition of "public facility" to include public rights-of-way and adds new accessibility-related definitions including "accessible route," "circulation path," "primary function area," and "technically infeasible."

• Clarifies alteration requirements by eliminating the "reproduction cost" calculation method and instead requiring compliance with Code provisions when alterations commence, with path-of-travel requirements triggered when alterations affect primary function areas.

• Enhances enforcement authority of the Attorney General to conduct investigations, issue subpoenas, bring actions for injunctions and mandamus, and impose civil penalties up to $250 per day for owners in violation and up to $1,000 for officials issuing permits in violation.