By Kelly Youngblood
An uncomfortable diaper changing experience for a local mom and her baby has led to a new city ordinance that will make Champaign a more family-friendly place.
The Champaign City Council approved an ordinance on May 16 requiring certain new construction occupancies to include baby-changing tables in both men’s and women’s restrooms.
The ordinance is an addition to Champaign municipal building safety codes and states, “public toilet rooms shall provide diaper changing stations in the men’s and women’s restrooms or in a unisex/family restroom.”
The ordinance applies to any new construction of 10 different types of occupancies including restaurants with a seating capacity of 50 or more seats, mercantile stores 5,000 square feet or more, theaters, and sports arenas.
The approval of the building code came nearly a year after Cynthia Bruno, a Champaign mother, had a troubling experience during a visit to a downtown restaurant that didn’t offer baby-changing facilities.
Bruno said she had to go outside and change her six-month old son’s diaper on the sidewalk as cars whizzed past.
“I remember thinking in that moment, ‘This is not good for anyone. It’s not good for the parents who are trying to keep their baby healthy and happy. It’s not good for the restaurant,’” Bruno said.
“Our children deserve as much safety and sanitation as the rest of us who go out to eat do. And I’m glad that with this passing they will have that level of comfort and sanitation that they don’t have everywhere,” she added.
Shortly after the incident occurred, Bruno, a former news anchor with WCIA, shared her experience with Champaign Mayor Deborah Frank Feinen, who agreed with the need for improvements.
“I support this change in the code because like many parents I have changed my children on the bathroom floor, sink and other areas. Accommodation for parents and children is important and having a safe place to change a diaper can be a necessity,” Mayor Feinen said.
“Champaign residents should more easily be able to take care of infant’s diaper needs in a safe manner no matter where they are in our community,” she added.
City officials worked with the Champaign Urbana Public Health District in researching similar practices in other areas and came up with a proposed building code that was brought before the city council last month.
The new ordinance unanimously passed 9-0 and went into effect June 1.
“I do think it’s a big change for the city and I think its good for young families who are either here or looking to be here. I think it sends a positive message,” Bruno said.
Bruno said when she initially shared her experience, she wasn’t really thinking about implementing a widespread change across the city.
“When your kid has a poopy diaper all you can think is, I need to get this kids diaper changed, not I’m going to effect this entire change throughout the city,” she said.
But she’s grateful for the outcome and hopes it empowers parents to think about the ways they can challenge city leaders and others to be more family-friendly and more inclusive of parents and families.
“When places are able to provide for families it’s good for business and I’m excited that hopefully more families will be able to enjoy things and evenings out without having to worry about where they’re going to change their kid,” she said.
To read more about the new ordinance, you can go here.