Disabled Student Files Suit Over Dog-Walking Dilemma
CHICAGO (WBBM) - A disabled Northwestern University medical student has filed a federal lawsuit against the condo board of her Streeterville building - accusing the board of violating her rights under the Fair Housing Act.
It was a skiing accident 10 years ago that put Allison Kessler in a wheelchair.
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Two years ago she bought a condo at 401 East Ontario, and last spring she got a dog that she named Bruce Wayne.
"And I want to be able to walk him just like everybody else does, and unfortunately I'm going through a process where I don't feel that I can do that both accessibly and safely at the moment," said Kessler.
Kessler says the condo board has refused to let her take the dog out of the two exits that would be safe and usable.
"They wanted me to try an alternative route through the garage. And I was fine with that. I hadn't seen it. So I went and tried it, and I almost got hit by a car the first time I tried it," she said.
Kessler's lawsuit, filed in federal court, asks for an accessible, safe exit - and for damages.
Newsradio 780 is trying to reach the condo board for comment.
