Changes to the Equitable Restrooms Act Require New Signage

October 14, 2019

MEMORANDUM

Changes to the Equitable Restrooms Act Require New Signage   

Recently enacted legislation will require signage changes for single-use restrooms in public buildings and places of “public accommodation,” which includes hospitals. 

PA 101-0165, effective Jan. 1, 2020, requires the identification of single-occupancy restrooms as all-gender and as designated for use by no more than one person at a time or for family or assisted use. Single-occupancy restrooms are defined as “a fully enclosed room, with a locking mechanism controlled by the user, containing a sink, toilet stall, and no more than one urinal.”

Each single-occupancy restroom is to be outfitted with exterior signage that marks the single-occupancy restroom as a restroom without identification of a specific gender.  The Illinois Dept. of Public Health (IDPH) and other health officials are authorized to inspect these facilities for compliance with this new provision.

IDPH is required to develop rules to implement this new provision.