News Updates

Accessibility in action across the region

More communities are making streets safer and more accessible for everyone.

In the past month — with technical assistance provided by the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning — seven communities adopted ADA Public Right-of-Way Transition Plans. This marks a major step forward for accessibility across northeastern Illinois.

Why it matters:

• These plans help communities remove barriers by improving sidewalks, crossings, and other public right-of-way spaces
• Regional ADA compliance grew from 43 communities (18 percent) in 2024 to 51 communities (21 percent) by the end of 2025
• That’s a 132 percent increase in compliance overall since this work began in 2021
• 241 of 284 communities in the region are required to have a plan

Steady progress like this helps ensure people of all abilities can travel safely and independently.

The newly adopted plans include Berwyn, Chicago Heights, Hillside, La Grange Park, Lemont, Lincolnwood, and Roselle.