Woman Falls As Darien Vote Takes Place

DARIEN, IL – After two hours of debate Wednesday night, the Darien Planning and Zoning Commission was preparing to vote on a controversial proposal for an auto body shop.

An older woman walked out just before the vote. Then she could be heard tumbling on the stairs outside the meeting room and yelling.

Then the vote began. People's attention was split between what was happening outside the door and the commissioners' vote. (The vote was 7-1 against the shop.)

Officials confirmed the woman had fallen, but had no information on whether she suffered injuries.

City Hall's meeting chambers are on the lower level. The building has an elevator. And when it is not working, a ramp is available for those who need it.

After the meeting, another older woman was struggling to go up the stairs with a cane. Someone helped her.

At the beginning of the meeting, an official noted City Hall had an elevator.

In an interview Thursday, City Administrator Bryon Vana said the elevator works fine and is regularly inspected.

"It's simple to use," Vana said. "I don't know why people didn't use it."