CHICAGO – The Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) announces the opening of an indoor service animal/pet relief room at Midway International Airport.

The room is specially designed to accommodate passengers traveling with service animals or pets. It is particularly convenient for those with layovers/connecting flights at Midway. It will enhance the traveling experience for individuals with disabilities because they no longer need to pass back through security to relieve their service animal.

The room is conveniently located on the ‘A’ Concourse across from Gate A-5 and has a 2-foot by 4-foot pet relief area complete with artificial grass covering, miniature fire hydrant and automatic flushing system to wash away liquid waste into a drain. In addition, a mounted shower head with a flexible hose is available for manual spraying and plastic bags are provided for clean-up. The room is enclosed, has a door with a glass pane that opens and closes automatically, and is designed for wheelchair access. The room also includes a sink for passenger use.

“We are pleased to now offer this new amenity for passengers at Midway, especially those who rely on service animals when they travel through our airport,” said CDA Commissioner Ginger S. Evans. “Now both of Chicago’s airports are more accessible to the traveling public and have a more welcoming environment for visitors to Chicago.”

The CDA coordinated with the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities (MOPD) to ensure the room is compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards.

“The new indoor service animal/pet relief room, located in the secured terminal of Midway International Airport, will enhance the traveling experience for individuals with service animals, particularly those with connecting flights,” said MOPD Commissioner Karen Tamley. “This feature is another step towards our goal of making Chicago a world class accessible city for people with disabilities.”

Midway International Airport also has an outdoor service animal/pet relief area located near the lower level curb front at the north end of the terminal that opened in 2009.

An airside service animal/pet relief area opened at O’Hare International Airport in October 2015. In addition, there are three outdoor service animal/ pet relief areas located near the lower level curb front of Terminals 1, 2 and 5. The Terminal 1 and 5 outdoor locations were opened in 2009 and the Terminal 2 location was added in 2014.

Real grass, gravel or wood chips are used inside the fenced-in areas and plastic bags and garbage cans are provided. CDA and custodial staff monitor the areas at both airports throughout the day to ensure cleanliness.