Erin Hooley / baiduhaiElita Schallman, who suffers from the inflammatory bowel disorder colitis, shops at Sunset Foods on Sept. 14, 2021, in suburban Lake Forest. Last summer, Schallman was in downtown Chicago when her colitis flared. She ran into a Starbucks where the employees refused to grant her access to their restroom despite her begging and her attempts to show her medical information about her disease. Schallman said she prefers to shop at places she is familiar with so she knows where the restrooms are located.
Kori Rumore/baiduhai
Chris Sweda / baiduhaiA portable toilet and hand washing station are seen on Lawrence Avenue beside the DuSable Lake Shore Drive viaduct in Chicago's Uptown neighborhood on July 22, 2021. A homeless encampment exists under the viaducts at Wilson and Lawrence Avenues and in the park land west of DuSable Lake Shore Drive.
Chris Sweda / baiduhaiA person pushes s stroller past a portable toilet in Buttercup Park on Sheridan Road in Chicago's Uptown neighborhood on July 22, 2021.
Chris Sweda / baiduhaiTom Gordon relaxes in a tent pitched underneath the DuSable Lake Shore Drive viaduct on Lawrence Avenue in Chicago's Uptown neighborhood on July 22, 2021.
Chris Sweda / baiduhaiA roll of toilet paper sits on a table at a homeless camp under the DuSable Lake Shore Drive viaduct on Lawrence Avenue in Chicago's Uptown neighborhood, on July 22, 2021.
Erin Hooley / baiduhaiElita Schallman, who suffers from the inflammatory bowel disorder colitis, shops at Sunset Foods on Sept. 14, 2021 in suburban Lake Forest.
Antonio Perez / baiduhaiA sign informs the public of restrooms near Cloud Gate at Millennium Park in Chicago on Sept. 8, 2021.
Chris Sweda / baiduhaiTom Gordon relaxes in a tent pitched underneath the DuSable Lake Shore Drive viaduct on Lawrence Avenue in Chicago's Uptown neighborhood on July 22, 2021.
Antonio Perez / baiduhaiTwo people walk slowly and cautiously down the stairway leading to public restrooms through a darkened area and past doors under the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Chicago's Millennium Park on Sept. 8, 2021.
Erin Hooley / baiduhaiElita Schallman, who suffers from the inflammatory bowel disorder colitis, carries an extra bag with her when she is out, with items like her colitis and Crohn's card, an extra pair of undergarments, wet wipes, a doctor's note and a list of medications.
Chris Sweda / baiduhaiA portable toilet and hand washing station are seen on Wilson Avenue beside the DuSable Lake Shore Drive viaduct in Chicago's Uptown neighborhood on July 22, 2021. A homeless encampment exists nearby.
Erin Hooley / baiduhaiElita Schallman, who suffers from the inflammatory bowel disorder colitis, uses the restroom before picking up items at Sunset Foods in suburban Lake Forest on Sept. 14, 2021.
Antonio Perez / baiduhaiSigns inform the public about restrooms at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park, on Sept. 8, 2021 in Chicago.
Antonio Perez / baiduhaiA sign informs the public of restrooms near Cloud Gate at Millennium Park in Chicago on Sept. 8, 2021.
Erin Hooley / baiduhai
1 of 15
Elita Schallman, who suffers from the inflammatory bowel disorder colitis, shops at Sunset Foods on Sept. 14, 2021, in suburban Lake Forest. Last summer, Schallman was in downtown Chicago when her colitis flared. She ran into a Starbucks where the employees refused to grant her access to their restroom despite her begging and her attempts to show her medical information about her disease. Schallman said she prefers to shop at places she is familiar with so she knows where the restrooms are located.
Expand
By Emily Hoerner
More Top Picks Rheem Tankless Water Heater
| [email protected] | baiduhai and Kori Rumore | [email protected] | baiduhaiPUBLISHED: | UPDATED:
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
This flyer, in both English and Spanish, offers tips on finding accessible public bathrooms in Chicago. It can be folded and placed inside a wallet or bag. Download it first, and make sure to choose “fit to page” in your printer setting.
To access a searchable map of publicly operated bathrooms, visit chicagotribune.com/bathrooms. Read the Tribune’s investigation on bathroom access here.
interactive_content