Case: Council for Disability Rights v. City of Chicago

1:05-cv-05689 | U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois

Filed Date: Oct. 3, 2005

Closed Date: 2012

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

On October 3, 2005, the Council for Disability Rights, in Chicago, brought this class action in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois against the City of Chicago under 42 U.S.C. §12101. Plaintiffs also included individuals with visual or mobility impairments who live, work and for travel in Chicago, Illinois. Represented by private counsel, they sought injunctive relief to require the city to properly install and maintain sidewalks, curb cuts and ramps necessary…

On October 3, 2005, the Council for Disability Rights, in Chicago, brought this class action in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois against the City of Chicago under 42 U.S.C. §12101. Plaintiffs also included individuals with visual or mobility impairments who live, work and for travel in Chicago, Illinois. Represented by private counsel, they sought injunctive relief to require the city to properly install and maintain sidewalks, curb cuts and ramps necessary for the mobility of persons with disabilities.

Plaintiffs alleged the Chicago violated Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, 42 U.S.C. §12101 et seq. (the "ADA"), and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability "under any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance." 29 U.S.C. 794(a). Plaintiffs challenge the Chicago's pattern and practice of: (1) failing to properly install or maintain curb cuts and ramps when resurfacing streets and altering or installing city sidewalks; (2) failing to install all necessary curb cuts and ramps at a particular intersection when resurfacing streets and altering or installing city sidewalks; and (3) failing to properly install, repair or maintain city sidewalks. Plaintiffs sought declaratory and injunctive relief.

In September 2007, the parties settled. The settlement agreement provided: (1) The city of Chicago will install only curb ramps and sidewalks that meet or exceed the specifications of the Federal ADA guidelines; (2) For the next 5 years the city will spend $50,000,000 ($10,000,000 per year) in new money to repair and replace curb ramps and sidewalks in high traffic areas which are not on the city's schedule for repair or replacement. The city will also continue to spend approximately eighteen million dollars ($18,000,000) each year installing curb ramps and sidewalks as a part of the City's annual resurfacing work; (3) The city shall install curb ramps into intersections of each cross street at its intersection with the alteration or resurfacing, so that the altered or resurfaced intersections are fully accessible to mobility-impaired persons with disabilities.

The Court entered the settlement as a final order, retaining jurisdiction to enforce its terms. At the time it was entered, this was the largest ADA settlement ever.

The settlement finished in 2011, and the case is now closed.

Summary Authors

Xin Chen (6/13/2011)

Clearinghouse (11/26/2018)

People


Judge(s)

Andersen, Wayne R. (Illinois)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Finnegan, John Mark (Michigan)

Attorney for Defendant

Fike, Lisa Eiserman (Illinois)

Forti, Michael A (Illinois)

Grossman, David Alan (Illinois)

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document

1:05-cv-05689

Docket

Council for Disability Rights v. City Of Chicago

Nov. 1, 2007

Nov. 1, 2007

Docket
10

1:05-cv-05689

Amended Complaint

Council for Disability Rights v. City Of Chicago

Oct. 25, 2005

Oct. 25, 2005

Complaint
12

1:05-cv-05689

Agreed Motion to File 2nd Amended Complaint

Council for Disability Rights v. City Of Chicago

Nov. 23, 2005

Nov. 23, 2005

Pleading / Motion / Brief
12-2

1:05-cv-05689

2nd Amended Complaint

Council for Disability Rights v. City Of Chicago

Nov. 23, 2005

Nov. 23, 2005

Complaint

1:05-cv-05689

Release and Settlement Agreement

Council for Disability Rights v. City Of Chicago

April 16, 2007

April 16, 2007

Settlement Agreement

News Articles: Chicago agrees to Pay Largest ADA Curb Ramp Settlement Ever -- $50,000,000 in New Money

Council for Disability Rights v. City Of Chicago

No Court

Sept. 1, 2007

Sept. 1, 2007

Press Release
67

1:05-cv-05689

Notification of Docket Entry

Council for Disability Rights v. City Of Chicago

Nov. 1, 2007

Nov. 1, 2007

Notice Letter

Resources

Docket

Last updated Feb. 18, 2024, 3:11 a.m.

ECF Number Description Date Link Date / Link
1

COMPLAINT filed by Venzelma Cotton, Kent Smith, Doris Stewart, Margaret Holzer, Council for Disability Rights, Bruce Moore, Larry Quillinan; Jury Demand.(gcy, ) (Entered: 10/04/2005)

Oct. 3, 2005

Oct. 3, 2005

2

CIVIL Cover Sheet. (gcy, ) (Entered: 10/04/2005)

Oct. 3, 2005

Oct. 3, 2005

3

ATTORNEY Appearance for Plaintiffs Venzelma Cotton, Kent Smith, Doris Stewart, Margaret Holzer, Council for Disability Rights, Bruce Moore, Larry Quillinan by John L. Miller, Theodore Arthur Woerthwein. (gcy, ) (Entered: 10/04/2005)

Oct. 3, 2005

Oct. 3, 2005

5

SUMMONS Issued as to Defendant City Of Chicago. (gcy, ) (Entered: 10/04/2005)

Oct. 3, 2005

Oct. 3, 2005

6

ATTORNEY Appearance for Defendant City Of Chicago by Caroline K. Sheerin (Sheerin, Caroline) (Entered: 10/06/2005)

Oct. 6, 2005

Oct. 6, 2005

7

MOTION by Defendant City Of Chicago for extension of time to file answer (Fike, Lisa) (Entered: 10/20/2005)

Oct. 20, 2005

Oct. 20, 2005

8

NOTICE of Motion by Lisa Eiserman Fike for presentment of motion for extension of time to file answer 7 before Honorable Wayne R. Andersen on 10/27/2005 at 09:00 AM. (Fike, Lisa) (Entered: 10/20/2005)

Oct. 20, 2005

Oct. 20, 2005

9

ATTORNEY Appearance for Defendant City Of Chicago by Lisa Eiserman Fike (Fike, Lisa) (Entered: 10/20/2005)

Oct. 20, 2005

Oct. 20, 2005

10

AMENDED complaint by Venzelma Cotton, Kent Smith, Doris Stewart, Margaret Holzer, Council for Disability Rights, Bruce Moore, Larry Quillinan against City

Oct. 25, 2005

Oct. 25, 2005

12

MOTION by Plaintiffs Venzelma Cotton, Kent Smith, Doris Stewart, Margaret Holzer, Council for Disability Rights, Bruce Moore, Larry Quillinan for leave to file Agreed Motion to File 2nd Amended Complaint (Attachments: # 1 2nd Amended Complaint)(Woerthwein, Theodore) (Entered: 11/23/2005)

Nov. 23, 2005

Nov. 23, 2005

13

NOTICE of Motion by Theodore Arthur Woerthwein for presentment of motion for leave to file, 12 before Honorable Wayne R. Andersen on 12/1/2005 at 09:00 AM. (Woerthwein, Theodore) (Entered: 11/23/2005)

Nov. 23, 2005

Nov. 23, 2005

14

NOTICE by Theodore Arthur Woerthwein of Change of Address (Woerthwein, Theodore) (Entered: 11/29/2005)

Nov. 29, 2005

Nov. 29, 2005

15

MINUTE entry before Judge Wayne R. Andersen : Plaintiff's motion for leave to file second amended complaint 12 is grante. Defendant to answer or otherwise plead by 2/3/06. Status hearing set for 1/26/2006 at 09:00 AM. Mailed notices (gcy, ) (Entered: 12/05/2005)

Dec. 1, 2005

Dec. 1, 2005

16

ATTORNEY Appearance for Defendant City Of Chicago by Andrew S. Mine (Mine, Andrew) (Entered: 01/25/2006)

Jan. 25, 2006

Jan. 25, 2006

18

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE ORDER: Case referred to Magistrate Judge Nan R. Nolan. Signed by Judge Charles P. Kocoras on 1/25/06. (gcy, ) (Entered: 01/27/2006)

Jan. 25, 2006

Jan. 25, 2006

17

MINUTE entry before Judge Nan R. Nolan : Initial status hearing set for 2/16/2006 at 09:00 AM. before Magistrate Judge Nolan in courtroom 1858. Parties shall deliver a copy of an initial status report to chambers, room 1870, at least three business days before the initial status hearing. If the parties have recently prepared and filed an initial status report, the submission of the previously filed initial status report is sufficient. For further details see enclosed standing order or visit the Court's website at www.ilnd.uscourts.gov. Mailed notice (lxs, ) (Entered: 01/26/2006)

Jan. 26, 2006

Jan. 26, 2006

19

MINUTE entry before Judge Wayne R. Andersen : Status hearing held on 1/26/2006 and continued to 3/9/2006 at 09:00 AM. Advised in open court notice (tsa, ) (Entered: 01/30/2006)

Jan. 26, 2006

Jan. 26, 2006

21

APPLICATION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice on behalf of Venzelma Cotton, Kent Smith, Doris Stewart, Margaret Holzer, Council for Disability Rights, Bruce Moore, Larry Quillinan by John Mark Finnegan; Order entered granting leave by Wayne R. Andersen. Filing fee $ 100 paid, receipt number 10715335. (gcy, ) (Entered: 01/31/2006)

Jan. 26, 2006

Jan. 26, 2006

20

MINUTE entry before Judge Nan R. Nolan : At the request of plaintiffs' counsel and defendant's counsel not objecting, initial status hearing set for 02/16/06 is stricken and reset to 2/21/2006 at 09:00 AM. Mailed notice (lxs, ) (Entered: 01/30/2006)

Jan. 30, 2006

Jan. 30, 2006

22

STATUS Report INITIAL STATUS REPORT− REFERRAL MATTER ASSIGNED FOR PURPOSES OF DISCOVERY by Venzelma Cotton, Kent Smith, Doris Stewart, Margaret Holzer, Council for Disability Rights, Bruce Moore, Larry Quillinan (Woerthwein, Theodore) (Entered: 02/15/2006)

Feb. 15, 2006

Feb. 15, 2006

23

MINUTE entry before Judge Nan R. Nolan : Status hearing held and continued to 3/21/2006 at 09:00 a.m. Mailed notices (gcy, ) (Entered: 02/23/2006)

Feb. 21, 2006

Feb. 21, 2006

24

MINUTE entry before Judge Wayne R. Andersen : Status hearing held on 3/9/2006 and continued to 3/23/2006 at 09:00 AM. Mailed notice (tsa, ) (Entered: 03/09/2006)

March 9, 2006

March 9, 2006

25

MINUTE entry before Judge Wayne R. Andersen : Settlement conference held on 3/21/2006. Status hearing set for 3/23/2006 is stricken and reset to 5/4/2006 at 09:00 AM. Advised in open court notice (tsa, ) (Entered: 03/21/2006)

March 21, 2006

March 21, 2006

27

MINUTE entry before Judge Nan R. Nolan : Status hearing held and continued to 05/25/06 at 9:00 a.m. Mailed notice (lxs, ) (Entered: 04/12/2006)

April 12, 2006

April 12, 2006

28

MINUTE entry before Judge Wayne R. Andersen : Status hearing set for 5/4/2006 is stricken and reset to 5/5/2006 at 09:00 AM. Mailed notice (tsa, ) (Entered: 04/26/2006)

April 26, 2006

April 26, 2006

29

MINUTE entry before Judge Wayne R. Andersen : Status hearing held and continued to 6/9/2006 at 09:00 AM. David Grossman is given leave to file an appearance on behalf of the defendant, City of Chicago. Mailed notice (mb, ) (Entered: 05/10/2006)

May 5, 2006

May 5, 2006

30

ATTORNEY Appearance for Defendant City Of Chicago by David Alan Grossman (Grossman, David) (Entered: 05/10/2006)

May 10, 2006

May 10, 2006

31

MINUTE entry before Judge Nan R. Nolan : Status hearing held and continued to 06/14/06 at 9:00 a.m. Mailed notice (lxs, ) (Entered: 05/25/2006)

May 25, 2006

May 25, 2006

32

MINUTE entry before Judge Nan R. Nolan : At the request of plaintiff's counsel and defendant's counsel not objecting, status hearing set for 06/14/06 is stricken and reset to 6/21/2006 at 09:00 AM. Mailed notice (lxs, ) (Entered: 06/09/2006)

June 9, 2006

June 9, 2006

33

MINUTE entry before Judge Wayne R. Andersen : Status hearing stricken for 6/9/2006 and reset to 6/16/2006 at 09:00 AM. Mailed notice (tsa, ) (Entered: 06/12/2006)

June 9, 2006

June 9, 2006

34

MINUTE entry before Judge Wayne R. Andersen : Status hearing held on 6/16/2006 and 7/20/2006 at 09:00 AM. Advised in open court notice (tsa, ) (Entered: 06/16/2006)

June 16, 2006

June 16, 2006

35

MINUTE entry before Judge Nan R. Nolan : Status hearing held and continued 8/10/2006 at 09:00 AM. Mailed notice (lxs, ) (Entered: 06/22/2006)

June 21, 2006

June 21, 2006

36

MINUTE entry before Judge Wayne R. Andersen : Status hearing held on 7/20/2006 and continued to 9/14/2006 at 09:00 AM. Advised in open court notice (tsa, ) (Entered: 07/21/2006)

July 20, 2006

July 20, 2006

38

MINUTE entry before Judge Nan R. Nolan : Status hearing held and continued to 08/31/06 at 9:00 a.m. Mailed notice (lxs, ) (Entered: 08/11/2006)

Aug. 10, 2006

Aug. 10, 2006

37

MINUTE entry before Judge Wayne R. Andersen : Status hearing set for 9/14/2006 is stricken and reset to 9/13/2006 @ 9:00 a.m. Mailed notice (tsa, ) (Entered: 08/11/2006)

Aug. 11, 2006

Aug. 11, 2006

39

MINUTE entry before Judge Nan R. Nolan : Status hearing held on 8/31/2006 and continued to 9/19/2006 at 09:00 AM. Mailed notice (lxs, ) (Entered: 08/31/2006)

Aug. 31, 2006

Aug. 31, 2006

40

STATUS Report by City Of Chicago (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit)(Grossman, David) (Entered: 09/01/2006)

Sept. 1, 2006

Sept. 1, 2006

41

NOTICE by City Of Chicago re status report 40 (Grossman, David) (Entered: 09/01/2006)

Sept. 1, 2006

Sept. 1, 2006

42

SUPPLEMENT by City Of Chicago to status report 40 (Attachments: # 1 Supplement Supplement to Exhibit F to City's Status Report)(Grossman, David) (Entered: 09/05/2006)

Sept. 5, 2006

Sept. 5, 2006

43

NOTICE by City Of Chicago re supplement 42 (Grossman, David) (Entered: 09/05/2006)

Sept. 5, 2006

Sept. 5, 2006

44

STATUS Report Plaintiffs' Status Report by Venzelma Cotton, Kent Smith, Doris Stewart, Margaret Holzer, Council for Disability Rights, Bruce Moore, Larry Quillinan (Woerthwein, Theodore) (Entered: 09/06/2006)

Sept. 6, 2006

Sept. 6, 2006

45

MINUTE entry before Judge Wayne R. Andersen : Status hearing held on 9/13/2006 and continued to 9/20/2006 at 01:30 PM. Advised in open court notice (tsa, ) (Entered: 09/14/2006)

Sept. 13, 2006

Sept. 13, 2006

47

MINUTE entry before Judge Wayne R. Andersen : Status hearing set for 11/13/2006 at 12:00 PM. Mailed notice (tsa, ) (Entered: 09/21/2006)

Sept. 21, 2006

Sept. 21, 2006

48

MINUTE entry before Judge Nan R. Nolan : Magistrate Judge Status hearing held on 10/4/2006 and continued to 11/14/2006 at 09:00 AM. Mailed notice (lxs, ) (Entered: 10/04/2006)

Oct. 4, 2006

Oct. 4, 2006

49

MINUTE entry before Judge Wayne R. Andersen : Status hearing set for 11/30/2006 at 09:00 AM. Mailed notice (tsa, ) (Entered: 11/09/2006)

Nov. 9, 2006

Nov. 9, 2006

50

MINUTE entry before Judge Nan R. Nolan : At the request of Defendant's counsel and Plaintiffs' counsel not objecting, Status hearing set for 11/14/06 is stricken and reset to 11/30/2006 at 09:00 AM. Mailed notice (lxs, ) (Entered: 11/13/2006)

Nov. 13, 2006

Nov. 13, 2006

51

MINUTE entry before Judge Wayne R. Andersen : Status hearing set for 12/20/2006 at 09:00 AM. in courtroom 1403. Mailed notice (tsa, ) (Entered: 12/12/2006)

Dec. 12, 2006

Dec. 12, 2006

52

MINUTE entry before Judge Nan R. Nolan : Status hearing set for 12/20/2006 at 09:15 AM. Mailed notice (lxs, ) (Entered: 12/13/2006)

Dec. 13, 2006

Dec. 13, 2006

54

TRANSCRIPT of proceedings for the following dates: 9/13/2006, 9/20/2006; Before the Honorable Wayne R. Andersen. (54−1 through 54−2) (rp, ) (Entered: 12/21/2006)

Dec. 19, 2006

Dec. 19, 2006

53

MINUTE entry before Judge Wayne R. Andersen :Set reset hearingsStatus hearing set for 1/22/2007 at 11:00 AM.Mailed notice (tsa, ) (Entered: 12/20/2006)

Dec. 20, 2006

Dec. 20, 2006

55

MINUTE entry before Judge Nan R. Nolan :Case called for status. Parties not present.Status hearing reset for 1/22/2007 at 09:00 AM.Mailed notice (lxs, ) (Entered: 12/21/2006)

Dec. 20, 2006

Dec. 20, 2006

56

MINUTE entry before Judge Nan R. Nolan :Status hearing set for 01/22/07 is stricken and reset to 1/23/2007 at 09:00 AM.Mailed notice (lxs, ) (Entered: 12/21/2006)

Dec. 21, 2006

Dec. 21, 2006

57

MINUTE entry before Judge Wayne R. Andersen :Set reset hearingsStatus hearing set for 2/8/2007 at 09:00 AM.Mailed notice (tsa, ) (Entered: 01/22/2007)

Jan. 22, 2007

Jan. 22, 2007

58

MINUTE entry before Judge Nan R. Nolan :At counsels' request, status hearing set for 01/23/07 is stricken and reset to 2/8/2007 at 09:00 AM. Counsel are to appear after the district court's 02/08/07 status.Mailed notice (lxs, ) (Entered: 01/23/2007)

Jan. 22, 2007

Jan. 22, 2007

59

MINUTE entry before Judge Wayne R. Andersen :Status hearing held on 2/8/2007, Set/reset hearingsStatus hearing set for 3/15/2007 at 01:30 PM.Mailed notice (tsa, ) (Entered: 02/09/2007)

Feb. 8, 2007

Feb. 8, 2007

60

MINUTE entry before Judge Nan R. Nolan :Status hearing set for 3/20/2007 at 09:00 AM.Mailed notice (lxs, ) (Entered: 02/13/2007)

Feb. 13, 2007

Feb. 13, 2007

61

MINUTE entry before Judge Nan R. Nolan :Magistrate Judge Status hearing held on 3/20/2007. Agreement reached. All matters relating to the referral of this action having been concluded, the referral is closed and the case is returned to the assigned judge. Judge Nan R. Nolan no longer referred to the case.Mailed notice (lxs, ) (Entered: 03/20/2007)

March 20, 2007

March 20, 2007

62

MINUTE entry before Judge Wayne R. Andersen : Status hearing held. Pursuant to stipulation, this case is hereby dismissed. Plaintiff's oral motion to reinstate within sixty (60) days is set for 7/9/2007 at 09:00 AM. Civil case terminated. Mailed notice (rp, ) (Entered: 05/04/2007)

May 3, 2007

May 3, 2007

63

STIPULATION by parties to Dismiss case. (rp, ) (Entered: 05/07/2007)

May 3, 2007

May 3, 2007

64

MINUTE entry before Judge Wayne R. Andersen : Plaintiff's oral motion to reinstate is set for 7/9/2007 at 01:00 PM. (TIME CHANGE).Telephoned notice (tsa, ) (Entered: 07/06/2007)

July 6, 2007

July 6, 2007

66

MINUTE entry before Judge Wayne R. Andersen :Oral Motion to reconsider is entered and continued to 11/1/2007 at 09:00 AM.Mailed notice (rp, ) (Entered: 09/11/2007)

Sept. 6, 2007

Sept. 6, 2007

67

MINUTE entry before Judge Wayne R. Andersen :Status hearing held on 11/1/2007. The terms of the settlement agreement are to be incorporated in a final order. The Court retains jurisdiction to enfore the settlement.Advised in open court notice (tsa, ) (Entered: 11/05/2007)

Nov. 1, 2007

Nov. 1, 2007

Case Details

State / Territory: Illinois

Case Type(s):

Disability Rights

Special Collection(s):

Multi-LexSum (in sample)

Key Dates

Filing Date: Oct. 3, 2005

Closing Date: 2012

Case Ongoing: No

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

Plaintiffs are persons with mobility impairments who live, work and for travel in the City of Chicago, Illinois.

Plaintiff Type(s):

Private Plaintiff

Public Interest Lawyer: Unknown

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

City of Chicago, City

Case Details

Causes of Action:

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), 42 U.S.C. §§ 12111 et seq.

Section 504 (Rehabilitation Act), 29 U.S.C. § 701

Available Documents:

Trial Court Docket

Complaint (any)

Injunctive (or Injunctive-like) Relief

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Plaintiff

Nature of Relief:

Injunction / Injunctive-like Settlement

Source of Relief:

Settlement

Form of Settlement:

Court Approved Settlement or Consent Decree

Amount Defendant Pays: $50 million

Order Duration: 2007 - 2012

Issues

General:

Government services

Disability and Disability Rights:

Sidewalks