The Thompson State of Illinois Building…a disabled persons nightmare

The State of Illinois Chicago office renamed the Thompson Center is an architectural phenom built in the early 80's. the building consumes an entire block from Lasalle on west to Clark on east. lake street on the north to Randolph on south.

The Thompson center is connected to the CTA train lines both up at platform level or below where the blue line runs.

The building has a massive lobby with about 20 floors of Sate Offices and a basement food court which is also where the Illinois Secretary of State offices for state Identification cards, etc.

The Thompson Building web cite states it is handicap accessable . That’s not true perhaps the entrances to the building are accessible but not the main part utilized by thousands daily.

The basement food court and Secretary of State offices are also connectable with City Hall, The Cook County building, and 203 n. Lasalle building.

none of the entrances in the basement are accessible …NONE.

Trust me I learned for myself on Friday June 3, 2016.

Two days after a seven day hospitalization I decided to take my rollator/ walker from my house one half block from Kedzie Brown line to the Thompson center to obtain a replacement State ID card so I could withdraw funds from my Social security debit card. Without a state ID I had to pay nearly $60 in ATM fees the prior month.

I did not think that I would have any problems as the train entrance to the Thompson center is accessible by elevators as is the ability to move from the basement to top floor of the Thompson center.

When you get the food court the washroom doors are not accessible but due to high volume they are usually open.

Accessibility ends there.

if you wish to enter the pedway to City Hall and other buildings you have to go thru the revolving door or two Side doors neither of which is handicap accessible.

The doors are huge and very hard to open for anybody and nearly impossible for someone using a walker or wheel chair. I found out the hard way.

I nearly killed myself and those entrances do not have a lot of traffic at 10 am.

After making thru the door I found out the elevator to access other buildings was not working and I had to use stairs or escalator both of which would not work with a walker.

I had no choice but to turn around and go back thru the damn doors but wait..THEY Are LOCKED.

My only choice was the revolving door. by luck the revolving doors were large and some bystanders helped me and my walker into the revolving door entrance and slowly moved the door for me to exit.

Disgusted and pissed off I got on the elevator and left the building and into a taxi cab home

Why are the Thompson Center food court entrances not accessible ?

The building is relatively new and even much older buildings provide automatic access by use of a button.

The State of Illinois disability office is even in the building.

The fact is there is no excuse. I have contacted the ABC news I team to investigate.

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