Printed by authority of the State of Illinois. 09/19
This material is available in alternate format upon request.
KWAME RAOUL
ILLINOIS ATTORNEY GENERAL
CHICAGO
100 West Randolph Street
Chicago, Illinois 60601
(312) 814-5684
TTY: (800) 964-3013
SPRINGFIELD
500 South Second Street
Springfield, Illinois 62701
(217) 524-2660
TTY: (877) 844-5461
DISABILITY RIGHTS BUREAU
www.IllinoisAttorneyGeneral.gov
What can I say to an individual with a
service animal who comes into my
business?
You may ask whether the animal is a
service animal and inquire as to what
work or task the service animal has been
trained to perform. You may not,
however, require identification documents
for the animal or ask about the person’s
disability.
Who is entitled to use a service animal
under the ADA?
The ADA does not limit the type of
disability one must have in order to use a
service animal. It only requires a link
between the task the animal performs and
the person with a disability. In other
words, the animal must be individually
trained to work for the benefit of the
person with a disability.
Are there any limitations or conditions
that I can place on the use of a service
animal in my establishment?
No. Neither a deposit nor a surcharge
may be required as a condition of
allowing the service animal to accompany
the individual. The service animal may
not be segregated or excluded from areas
of the facility open to the public. Further,
you may not ask the individual to remove
the service animal from the premises,
unless: (1) the presence of the animal
fundamentally alters the goods, services,
facilities, or accommodations of your
business or (2) the animal poses a direct
threat to the health or safety of others.
What if I have a “no pets” policy that
applies to all persons who enter my
establishment, do I still have to admit a
service animal?
Yes. The ADA requires that you modify
your policy to allow use of a service animal
by a person with a disability. A service
animal is not a pet; it is a working animal.
Are there any services that I have to
provide for service animals while they are
in my business or public facility?
No. The owner of the service animal is
solely responsible for its care and
supervision. You are not required to
provide care, food, or a special location for
the animal.
What can I do if I have a dispute or
experience a violation of the ADA or state
law?
Complaints can be filed with the Illinois
Department of Human Rights and the U.S.
Department of Justice, or by contacting the
Disability Rights Bureau at the Office of
the Attorney General. A complaint alleging
a violation of the White Cane Law or the
Service Animal Access Act should be filed
with your county state’s attorney.
The ADA
The Americans with Disabilities Act
(ADA) defines a service animal as any
dog* individually trained to do work or
perform tasks for the benefit of a person
with a disability. An animal fitting this
description is considered a service animal
under the ADA, regardless of whether the
animal is certified by a particular entity
or wearing identifying markers.
Service animals help people with
disabilities perform tasks for which they
need assistance. Most of us are familiar
with guide dogs used by people who are
blind or have low vision. However,
service animals also help people with a
variety of other disabilities. Examples
include:
• Alerting deaf or hard of hearing
individuals to sounds;
• Carrying and picking up objects for
individuals with mobility impair-
ments;
• Providing balance assistance for
individuals with mobility impair-
ments; and
• Alerting individuals to oncoming
seizures.
Service Animals vs. Pets
Some service animals wear special
collars, harnesses, vests, or capes. Some
are licensed or certified by training
entities and have identification papers.
Special identification and certification,
however, are not required by the ADA.
How the ADA Law Affects Your
Business
The Americans with Disabilities Act
prohibits discrimination against people
with disabilities by places of public
accommodation, such as restaurants,
hotels, retail stores, theaters, parks,
concert halls, and sports venues. These
businesses must allow people with
disabilities to bring their service animals
onto the premises and into all areas
where the public is generally allowed.
Businesses may not demand
identification cards or make unnecessary
inquiries about an individual’s disability
under any circumstances, including when
a person is accompanied by a service
animal.
Illinois Law
The Service Animal Access Act and
White Cane Law are state criminal
laws that guarantee the right of a
person with a disability or a service
animal trainer to be accompanied by a
service animal or service animal in
training.
Violation of the Service Animal Access
Act is a Class C misdemeanor.
Violation of the White Cane Law is a
Class A misdemeanor.
Important Service Animal Laws
• Americans with Disabilities Act,
42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq.
• Illinois Human Rights Act, 775
ILCS 5/1
• Service Animal Access Act, 720
ILCS 5/48-8
• White Cane Law, 775 ILCS 30
All citizens, including the
approximately 1 in 5
individuals in Illinois with
disabilities, are entitled
to free and equal
participation in society.
To ensure these rights, I have made it a
priority to enforce state and federal laws
that guarantee that people with
disabilities have equal access to all
public accommodations.
The information in this pamphlet
identifies the legal obligations of
businesses to provide access to people
aided by service animals, which often
provide the eyes, ears, strength, or
balance necessary for a person with
disabilities to perform common, everyday
tasks.
If you have any additional questions or
would like to file a complaint, please call
my office’s Disability Rights Bureau at
one of the numbers listed on the back of
this pamphlet.
Kwame Raoul
Illinois Attorney General
A Message from
ILLINOIS ATTORNEY GENERAL
KWAME RAOUL
Service Animals & The Law
Service Animals & The Law
*In certain circumstances, businesses must also permit the use of a miniature horse.
