Accessible Condominium Parking
What are the issues?
How would you feel if the parking space you rely on to live in your building was being sold to the highest bidder for tens of thousands of dollars?
While handicap parking spots in condominiums may exist, they are not always available for unit owners with disabilities.
Chris’ Story
Chris Connolly, a former Chicago resident, encountered this barrier in his condominium. As a person with a disability, Chris requires access to a handicap parking spot. Unfortunately, there was not one available to him. After filing a complaint, he was told to purchase the spot from the building owner currently occupying it.
When Chris went to purchase the spot for $50,000, the owner stated that he could receive a higher price. Meanwhile, other unit owners began to paint over the handicap symbol on their parking spaces.
Our CEO, former Illinois State Senator Dan McConchie, was dedicated to helping Chris and making sure that such acts of discrimination could not happen again. He passed Senate Bill 2740 requiring buildings to accommodate disabled unit owners who need an accessible parking space.
API’s Impact
Our model bill mirrors Senate Bill 2740 passed by the Illinois General Assembly. It encourages states to eliminate a housing barrier by requiring condominium boards to help unit owners with disabilities secure a handicap parking space.