Mr. XX
Big Muddy Correctional Center
P.O. Box 1000
Ina, Illinois 62846

        RE: Complaint Number XX

Dear Mr. XX:
     This letter is to notify you that your complaint against the
Illinois Department of Corrections (ILDOC) alleging violations of
Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) has
been resolved. Based on our investigation of your complaint,
ILDOC has transferred its reception and classification centers
for inmates using wheelchairs from the Joliet, Graham, and Menard
Correctional Centers to two accessible prisons (Dixon and Big
Muddy). The ILDOC has also committed to making three vans
accessible for inmates using wheelchairs.

        Specifically, you and Mr. XX had alleged that
the services, programs, and activities of the reception and
classification unit at the Joliet Correctional Center were
inaccessible to inmates using wheelchairs. You alleged that you
were forced to lie on the concrete floor in order to go to the
bathroom because the prison did not provide you with an
accessible toilet or shower chair. You alleged that laying on
the floor caused you to develop a pressure sore on your backside.
You also alleged that you were denied a shower during the entire
time you were incarcerated at the Correctional Center because the
shower facilities were inaccessible. Further, both you and
Mr. XX alleged that you were segregated at Joliet in the
medical unit away from the general population and that you were
unable to participate in any of the prison's activities,
including going to the church or the yard.

        The ILDOC has submitted documentation to our office
indicating that the reception units for inmates using wheelchairs
were transferred to the Dixon and Big Muddy Correctional Centers
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as of November 1, 1994. The ILDOC has also submitted
documentation showing that it has ordered three vans with
equipment to make them accessible to inmates using wheelchairs.
Until the time that the three vans are delivered, the ILDOC has
indicated that it will continue to borrow accessible vans from
the Illinois Department of Rehabilitation Services as it is
necessary.

        Based on the foregoing information, we have concluded that
your allegations against the ILDOC have been resolved, and we are
closing our investigation of these complaints as of the date of
this letter. This letter does not address other potential claims
of discrimination on the basis of disability that may arise from
the activities of the ILDOC. Rather, this letter is limited to
the allegations presented in your complaint. However, if you are
dissatisfied with our determination, you may be entitled to file
a private complaint in the United States District Court under
Title II of the ADA. We appreciate your cooperation during the
investigation of these complaints.

        You should be aware that no one may intimidate, threaten,
coerce, or engage in other discriminatory conduct against anyone
because he or she has either taken action or participated in an
action to secure rights protected by the ADA. Any individual
alleging such harassment or intimidation may file a complaint
with the Department of Justice. We would investigate such a
complaint if the situation warrants.

        Under the Freedom of Information Act, it may be necessary to
release this document and related correspondence and records upon
request. In the event that we receive such a request, we will
seek to protect, to the extent provided by law, personal
information which, if released, could constitute an unwarranted
invasion of privacy.

        As you requested, we are also enclosing several copies of
the Department of Justice's Title II regulation. If you have any
questions concerning this letter, please contact Mr. Robb Wolfson
at (202) 307-1378 (Voice) or (202) 307-2678 (TDD). In any
correspondence regarding this matter, please reference the
Department of Justice complaint number cited above.

                                Sincerely,




                           Merrily A. Friedlander
                                Acting Chief
                        Coordination and Review Section
                           Civil Rights Division
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