Duckworth bill proposes $1 billion annually for upgrades Stations inaccessible 31 years after landmark disability law May 24, 2021 5:01 AM By Lillianna Byington Sen. Tammy Duckworth, who lost her legs flying helicopter combat missions in the Iraq war, is waging a new fight: pressing authorities to deliver on a three-decades-old promise to make transit stations accessible to all. The Illinois Democrat toured renovations at Chicago Transit Authority stations after her election to the Senate. The authorityâs director was excited the accessibility project would be completed within two decades, Duckworth recalled in an interview. âThatâs how long this is going to take?â the senator asked at the end of the tour. âAnd heâs at the innovative forefront of transit authorities that are trying to do this,â she said of the director. For Duckworth, who uses a wheelchair, the visit underscored how little transit authorities make access for people with disabilities a top priority.