ROSEMONT, Ill. (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Illinois U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth says she's happy with accessibility features in the $200 million plan to upgrade O'Hare Airport's Terminal 3.
Duckworth, who uses a wheelchair and chairs the Senate Aviation subcommittee was asked if she's satisfied with the efforts. She said she's very satisfied with what Chicago's been doing.
"A lot of the things have been in the Chicagoland area, especially here at O'Hare is really setting the standards from around the country.
However, speaking from the perspective of someone who needs public spaces to be accessible, she said other airports around the country need improvements.
"At other airports around the country, it's been something of frustration."
Duckworth said she has had more than one wheelchair damaged.
She noted that airlines need to do a better job of training people who handle baggage and that workers need to "stop treating medical equipment as baggage and treat them as medical equipment."
As Chicago Aviation Commissioner Jamie Rhee nodded in agreement, the senator described bathrooms at O'Hare that are more accessible for adults with disabilities and special needs.
Duckworth fought hard alongside Senior Illinois Senator Dick Durbin for the $90 million dollars in federal funds that will pay nearly half the costs of revitalizing O'Hare Terminal 3.
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