September 9, 2001

Ms Diane Coleman
Progress Center for Independent Living
7521 Madison
Forest Park, IL 60130

Dear Ms. Coleman:

I have been given your name by Ms Lisa Danna from the IL Atty. Gen. Of- Disability Rights Bureau to contact you regarding accessibility into businesses.

Enclosed you will find pictures and letters that I have written regarding Walgreen's, Charter One Bank and the US Post Office. These pictures and letters are self-explanatory.

Ms. Coleman, I do not understand how new construction can be put up breaking the disability law and no one is putting a stop to it. Fines should be so big that it will make all future construction will be accessible.

After talking to Ms. Danna, I couldn't believe we couldn't stop Walgreen's from putting more stores up without correcting all the ones that are up. Then make sure all future stores meet the accessibility law for persons with disabilities.

What about access to the US Post Office? Why do they have their own set of laws? Persons with a disability still have to by postage stamps and send packages.

The ADA law has been in effect for over ten years and why are we still having problems? Why wasn't there a group of people making sure it was enforced? Why wasn't there a board made up of disabled persons in a wheel chair both small and large, automatic cart, walker and cane plus two with no handicaps? Why hasn't persons with disabilities filed lawsuits against the state, federal governments and companies for breaking the ADA law an not making sure it is enforced?

I have MS for 29 yrs and it has been the past four years that I had to use a cane for short distances and use a wheel chair when I am with someone for long distances. I love my independence and get very upset when an automatic door does not stay open long enough or the open ramps are to steep and not in the right spot they can be used.

You are the process center for independent living; a person can only live independently if you do things by yourself. What is going on now has to stop.

Please let me hear from you. I do not know anything about what you have done and what you are working on. One way or another the groups of persons I am working with are going to be heard once and for all. Some way some how be discriminated against and to feel we should disappear is going to stop!!!!!!!!

Cordially,



Rosemarie A Botthof
460 Eagle Dr Apt 106
Elk Grove Village, IL 60007

CC:Yolanda Treiguts-MS
Connie Maschenic-MS
Linda Stern
Charles Peer
Flora Mortell