By August Hieber, Senior Program Manager, Inclusive Access
On December 26, 2024, the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Access to Justice announced the grantees of the inaugural Disability Accessibility Improvement Grant. Interest in the first year of the grant was tremendous; the Commission received 54 applications requesting nearly $6.5 million in funding. All applicants expressed a need, and disability accessibility improvements are always critical components of ensuring equal access to courts.
The Commission distributed $600,000, and fully or partially funded 31 projects from local courts that promote dignity, advance accessibility, and reduce barriers to equal access to courts for people with disabilities. This year’s grantees are:
- Adams County, to purchase new accessible courtroom chairs
- Alexander County, to construct two accessible bathrooms
- Bond County, to install a vertical platform lift for access to the front entrance of the courthouse
- Brown County, to construct an accessible jury box
- Carroll County, to replace two chair lifts
- Clark County, to purchase a wheelchair and walker for onsite use; to pay for the annual elevator maintenance fee and a wheelchair lift
- Clinton County, to construct an accessible jury box (see image of the completed ramp)
- Cook County, to provide staff with mental health responsiveness training and training for staff regarding creating accessible digital documents
- Cumberland County, to construct an accessible jury box and witness stand and purchase an accessible desk
- Ford County, to purchase braille signage
- Greene County, to remodel the Probation Department office to be accessible, including bathrooms
- Grundy County, to purchase a new traditional doorknob
- Henderson County, to install an ADA-accessible counter desk and remodel accessible second floor bathrooms
- Jefferson County, to install an exterior ramp
- Jo Daviess County, to construct an accessible courthouse bathroom
- Kane County, to purchase a wheelchair and to install accessible interior and exterior signage
- Kendall County, to repair ramps, sidewalks, and handrails
- Lake County, to purchase a mobility scooter and funds for CART and court report transcripts
- Madison County, to purchase courthouse signage in braille
- Marion County, to construct an accessible jury box and install ramps for the jury box, witness stand, and law library
- Mason County, to construct an accessible jury box and replace chairs in courtroom
- McDonough County, to install ADA-accessible counters
- Menard County, to conduct an ADA assessment
- Peoria County, to conduct an ADA assessment
- Pope County, to purchase elevator parts and pay for replacement labor
- Randolph County, to purchase new chairs for the jury room
- Saline County, to purchase ramps for the witness stand and jury box and repair elevator
- Stark County, to conduct an ADA assessment
- Stephenson County, to construct an accessible basement bathroom
- Williamson County, to purchase large print and braille signage
- Winnebago & Boone Counties, to construct an accessible all-gender bathroom
All applicants, including projects that could not be funded this grant cycle, were provided with a resource guide directing them to additional support to address the needs expressed in the applications. If you are interested in this guide, please email August Hieber at ahieber@illinoiscourts.gov. It includes information such as:
- Architectural Assessments: applicants can consider contacting the Great Lakes ADA Center, an organization that is not an enforcement agency and cannot provide legal representation, but they can help locate a specialized architect, find resources in Illinois, and provide confidential, informal guidance on ADA questions and expert referrals. Requests can be made by completing the online Technical Assistance Request form or by calling 800-949-4232.
- Signage: when installing signage, consider font type and size, contrast, color selection, need for braille, and location of the signage. Consider this guide: Chapter 7: Signs, from the U.S. Access Board) or collaborating with your local disability access groups.
- Assistive Listening Devices: assisted listening devices may also be available through the AOIC Language Access Program. Please contact Noor Alawawda at nalawawda@illinoiscourts.gov to request devices.