Allison Kessler and her dog, Bruce Wayne. (CBS)
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.
5 Comments
Shame on this condo board!!! Keep fighting for your, and Bruce Wayne’s, rights Allison.
November 18, 2010 at 3:12 pm
Exactly! Shame on them! Good luck in your fight!
November 18, 2010 at 9:38 pm
Shame on them..??? This is a ridiculous lawsuit that will go nowhere in court. Unfortunately, for some people, suing organizations and businesses is the only way they know how to make money. It will only end when the parties realize that the lawyers are costing way to much. The lawsuit is baseless and ridiculous. It should be dismissed immediately.
November 19, 2010 at 8:40 pm
justice is blind what more can i say.
Maybe she don’t need the money its unnecessary but she should win the case allowing her to use a safer exit.
November 20, 2010 at 1:33 pm
First, “rob” it’s not “maybe she don’t need the money”, but “maybe she doesn’t need the money.” With that grammatical correction out of the way, I, unlike you, believe that this lady has not been wronged in any way and, therefore, has no basis in going to court and suing the building. Before she moved into the building, she was given a set of rules that apply to all those living there. By purchasing her apartment, she agreed to live by the rules of the building. Second, I am sure that the building tried to accommodate her…she even admitted that during her interview. They created an alternate exit for her, but she said its “not safe.” Maybe she would like to have the building hire a helicopter for her to pick her up and drop her of each time she walks her dog. Look, the bottom line is that I feel for this lady and all people who are disabled. But lets be honest here…this has nothing to do with discrimination and is all about money.
November 20, 2010 at 11:05 pm