Reavis High School in Burbank has taken action to repair a damaged exterior staircase following direction from the Illinois Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). This move comes after a complaint filed in April raised concerns about the worn stairs at the school’s Austin Avenue entrance, posing a trip and fall hazard to employees.
Photos accompanying the complaint highlighted the deteriorated condition, showing eroded stairs and partially crumbled concrete near a railing. In response, Illinois OSHA issued a formal complaint to the school, initially receiving no reply. A subsequent letter sent in May urged a response, with the possibility of an on-site inspection if the school failed to address the issue.
As of July 16, 2026, repairs are visible on the Austin Avenue entrance stairs, yet some damage remains evident. Reavis High School District 220 Superintendent Dan Riordan did not respond to a request for comment from the Daily Southtown but did communicate with OSHA through photos confirming the repair work around the railing. Additionally, Riordan shared plans for comprehensive renovations of the main gym and auditorium entrances, intended for bidding later this year and scheduled to commence in 2027.
Riordan conveyed via email to Illinois OSHA, “There is a plan in place to replace and renovate the entire area within the next 12 – 18 months.” He also noted that a recent independent audit of the building found no unsafe areas, emphasizing that, “We do agree the steps and railings are not aesthetically appealing to the eye, but we would refute any claim that it is unsafe or out of code.”
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