US Attorney Alleges ADA Violations in Chicago Cubs Stadium Renovation | Columbus Ohio Dump Trucks

Lawsuit was brought by U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois

The lawsuit brought by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois alleges that the renovation, rehabilitation, expansion and reconstruction of Wrigley Field discriminated against people with disabilities

“Although this project significantly enhanced the gameday experience for many fans, particularly those able to take advantage of premium clubs and other luxury accommodations, the same cannot be said for fans with disabilities,” the 29-page complaint states. 

The lawsuit alleges that the project removed the best wheelchair seating in the stadium and failed to incorporate wheelchair seating into new premium clubs and group seating areas. It also says that designed and constructed wheelchair seating in the last row of general admissions areas does not meet ADA Standards for Accessible Design, and that the project failed to remove architectural barriers to access in unaltered portions of the stadium.

However, none of the design firms involved in the renovation, known as the 1060 Project for Wrigley Field's address at 1060 W. Addison St. on Chicago's north side, are named in the lawsuit. Only entities connected to Cubs ownership are named as defendants, seemingly saying that the decisions about accessible design were entirely those of Cubs ownership, which is majority controlled by the Ricketts family.

“The Cubs rebuilt much of Wrigley Field and had ample opportunity – and a significant ADA obligation – to incorporate wheelchair seating and other accessible elements into the updated facility,” U.S. Attorney John Lausch said in a statement. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office remains committed to ensuring equal accessibility for individuals with disabilities.”

Contractor Pepper Construction Co. was not named in the lawsuit, either. The 1060 Project project entailed rebuilding a sizeable portion of the Wrigley Field facility including demolishing and reconstructing the bleachers and tearing down most of the lower grandstand and rebuilding it. The project was named an ENR Midwest Best Project in 2019 by ENR, with judges noting the significant unknown condition of the foundations and quality of soil underneath the original 1914 structure. 

The lawsuit notes that Wrigley Field currently has wheelchair seating in three general areas: the bleachers, the lower grandstand, and the upper deck. 

Wrigley Field, in one example cited in the lawsuit, previously had "15 general admissions wheelchair seats with excellent, unobstructed views over standing spectators on the main bleacher concourse in the right field." The U.S. Attorney alleges that the Cubs made a decision to eliminate those wheelchair seats by converting the space into a patio, which is accessible to wheelchair users, but only if they are part of a group that has rented the space at a cost that is typically more expensive per person than general admission seating. 

The lawsuit also alleges a range of other deficiencies including inaccessible routes from the main concourse to the club,  paper towel dispensers mounted out of reach range in bathrooms, sales and service counters that exceed the maximum height of 36 inches above the finish floor, and many protruding objects, such as drinking fountains and TVs, that are 27 inches above the finish floor and extend into circulation paths. 

Another Chicago pro sports venue, Soldier Field, lost its National Historic Landmark designation in 2006 after the 2002 renovation of the stadium and war memorial was judged by the National Parks Service to have too radically altered the structure. Wrigley Field was added as a National Historic Landmark in September 2020 after the 1060 Project was completed, a designation that Major League Baseball and Cubs ownership had opposed seeking pre-renovation, citing that it would limit ownership's ability to modernize and make the park more accessible.

The Cubs issued a statement saying that they are disappointed by the U.S. Department of Justice’s decision to file the lawsuit and hope it can be resolved amicably. 

The team maintains that “the renovation of Wrigley Field greatly increased accessibility of the ballpark and was completed in accordance with applicable law and historic preservation standards consistent with the ballpark’s designation as a National and City of Chicago landmark.”

The Cubs also contend that the field “is now more accessible than ever in its 108-year history, demonstrated by increasing accessible seating options by more than 50% on and across more levels and in more locations.” 

Cubs ownership asserts that the field has 11 more elevators than it did prior to the renovation, more accessible restroom facilities, assistive listening technology for fans with hearing impairments, enhanced audio speakers and sound systems throughout the ballpark, and upgraded ticketing and online systems for purchase of seating, including accessible seating. 

The lawsuit is asking for compensatory damages and that the Cubs be required to remedy the deficiencies. 

Wrigley Field is the second-oldest ballpark in the major leagues (behind Fenway Park in Boston). Pepper Construction declined to comment on the suit.