The Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA), the operator of Chicago Midway International Airport in Illinois, has announced the opening of an indoor animal relief room in Concourse A.
The room is specially designed to accommodate passengers traveling with service animals or pets, and is particularly convenient for those with layovers/connecting flights at Midway. It will also enhance the traveling experience for individuals with disabilities, as they are no longer required to pass back through security to relieve their service animal.
The room has an 8ft² artificial grass covering, complete with miniature fire hydrant and automatic flushing system to wash away liquid waste into a drain. In addition, a mounted shower head with a flexible hose is available for manual spraying and plastic bags are provided for cleanup.
The room is enclosed, has a door with a glass pane that opens and closes automatically, and is designed for wheelchair access. The room also includes a sink for passenger use.
Ginger S Evans, commissioner, CDA, said, “We are pleased to now offer this new amenity for passengers at Midway, especially those who rely on service animals when they travel through our airport.
“Now both of Chicago’s airports are more accessible to the traveling public and have a more welcoming environment for visitors to Chicago.”
The CDA coordinated with the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities (MOPD) to ensure the room is compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Karen Tamley, commissioner, MOPD, said, “The new indoor animal/pet relief room, located in the secured side of the terminal at Midway International Airport, will enhance the traveling experience for individuals with service animals, particularly those with connecting flights. This feature is another step toward our goal of making Chicago a world class, accessible city for people with disabilities.”
In addition to its new indoor area, Midway International also has an outdoor service animal/pet relief area located near the north end of the terminal that opened in 2009. An indoor animal relief room was also opened at Chicago O’Hare International Airport in October 2015.