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Pekin entering consent decree to settle ADA complaints

The Pekin City Council has unanimously approved moving forward with entering into a consent decree to settle allegations the city's sidewalks violate the Americans With Disabilities Act.

That decree puts into effect a plan of action to address the concerns raised by a federal lawsuit filed by Pekin residents in 2018, which later attained class-action status.

"In this consent decree, the city agrees to hire an engineering consultant to survey all sidewalks within the city of Pekin, and then to create a transition plan to prioritize, repair, and improve all inaccessible sidewalks," said Pekin City Manager Mark Rothert.

The suit complains the city's pedestrian infrastructure is largely inaccessible to people with mobility issues. The problems cited include a lack of adequate curb ramps and sidewalks in various states of disrepair. The city also lacks a snow removal ordinance requiring property owners to clear sidewalks in the winter months.

The terms of the consent decree require the city of Pekin to spend at least $250,000 annually on accessibility improvements for the duration of the decree. The city will also spend an additional $1.5 million towards upgrades over the next three years.

The engineering firm of Thouvenot, Wade & Moerchen, Inc. will be retained over the next three years at a cost of $672,000 to survey city sidewalks and assemble an ADA compliance plan.

The city of Pekin also expects to shell out up to $400,000 in settlement costs.

Pekin Mayor Mark Luft said Monday night a snow removal ordinance is still undergoing study by the city's legal staff. A public hearing is expected in mid-June, with a final vote on that ordinance coming sometime in July.

Tim is the News Director at WCBU Peoria Public Radio.