One of the duties of the Office of the Illinois Secretary of State is to preserve and maintain the grounds and the buildings of the Capitol complex, including the historic Illinois State Capitol, which was built between the years 1868 and 1888.
No building maintenance program would be complete without ensuring that persons with disabilities have complete access. Secretary of State Jesse White is dedicated to providing programs and services that meet the diverse needs of persons with disabilities in Illinois.
This portion of the web site provides you with important information about accommodations and services that are available to persons with disabilities when visiting and touring our State Capitol in Springfield.
Many portions of our web site are accessible to persons with disabilities.
Should you have any questions or any suggestions about how we can improve services for the persons with disabilities, please call the Secretary of State's office at (800) 252-2904 (voice or TTY) or write us at Secretary of State, Physical Services Department, 034 Howlett Building, Springfield, IL 62756.
Guided Tours
Reservations
All tours begin at the information desk, located on the first floor of the Capitol rotunda. Groups reserve their tours in advance by calling the Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau at (800) 545-7300. Staff members of the Tour and Convention Bureau are trained to use a relay messenger service for booking tours with persons who are Deaf or hard of hearing individuals. To access a relay messenger service, please call 711 and then give the operator the phone number for the bureau.
If any member of your group has a disability that might interfere with his or her enjoyment of the tour, please let the convention bureau know when you are making your reservation. The Secretary of State's office attempts to accommodate all persons or groups with special needs, but cannot guarantee such service without advance notice.
For persons with a hearing disability
A printed version of the tour script is available for persons with hearing disabilities. The information desk also has two assisted hearing devices available.
For persons with a visual disability
A large print version of the tour is available, as is a Braille version. Audiotapes of the tour are also available. Service animals are allowed in the Capitol.
For persons with a mobility disability
The information desk has one wheelchair available for use by a person who wishes to tour the Capitol. A wheelchair is also available at the visitor's center, located southwest of the Stratton Building. Individuals who find it difficult to walk or stand for a long period of time should notify their tour guide, so that most of the tour information can be provided while the tour group is seated.
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Phone Numbers
Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau (for group tour reservations)
(800) 545-7300
For Deaf or hard of hearing visitors, please call through the Illinois Relay System.
Their number is 711.
You may also use (800) 526-0857 (voice) or (800) 526-0844 (TTY).
Capitol Information Desk
(217) 782-2099
Security Command Center
(217) 782-6008 TTY
The Secretary of State's office is not responsible for the day to day business operations that are conducted by the various departments and agencies operating in the Capitol. For information about how other units of government make their services, meetings and public hearings accessible to persons with disabilities, please contact that unit of government directly.
Again, Deaf or hard of hearing individuals will want to use the 711 Relay Service when contacting these offices, if a TTY is unavailable.
Illinois House
(217) 782-8223
Illinois Senate
(217) 782-5715
Lt. Governor's Office
(312) 814-8440
Attorney General
(217) 524-6575
(217) 785-2771 TTY
Comptroller
(217) 782-6086
Treasurer
(312) 814-2990
(312) 814-6592 TTY
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Visiting the Capitol
Entrances
Entrances that are wheelchair accessible may be found on the east and west side of the Capitol building (see map). However, due to current security restrictions, only the west side entrance is in use.
Inside the building, most of the doors leading into rooms or offices in the Capitol are equipped with automatic doors.
Parking
Most of the parking immediately surrounding the Capitol is reserved for employees. Parking spaces for persons with disabilities can be found in the Capitol Complex Visitor's Center parking lot, located on Edwards Street west of College Street. Review the map of the Capitol Complex.
Elevators
All elevators in the Capitol are accessible. Elevators are located in the Capitol rotunda, and also off of the north and south hallways, near the exits.
An elevator is also located in the first floor Senate Democrat office (off of Room 103) which provides access to the mezzanine tier of offices for Democratic Senators.
In addition, all elevators contain Braille boards.
Information Board
An accessible display board containing brochures and information about the Capitol is located next to the information desk on the first floor of the Capitol, in the rotunda.
Cafeterias
The Rathskeller cafeteria is located in the basement of the Capitol. The cafeteria serves breakfast and lunch during normal business days and is open late during days when the legislature is in session.
There is a large public cafeteria in the Stratton building basement, which also serves breakfast and lunch. Both cafeterias are accessible to persons with disabilities
Pedestrian Tunnels
Pedestrian underground tunnels connect the Capitol basement to the Stratton, Howlett and Norton (Archives) buildings. There may be times, however, when the tunnels are closed for security reasons.
Restrooms
Accessible public restrooms are located on the first and second floors on the northwest side of the rotunda. There are also public restrooms in the third floor hallway to the south of the main staircase. Finally, there are public restrooms down the hallway located across from the cafeteria in the basement of the Capitol.
Water Fountains
Accessible drinking fountains may be found on the first, second and third floors, on the southwest side of the rotunda, in the elevator alcove.
Public TTY Telephone
There is a TTY telephone available to the public on the first floor, just off of the rotunda in the north hallway. Appropriate signage marks the location of the TTY phone.
Service Animals
Service animals are allowed in all of the buildings on the Capitol complex.
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