Bank of America faces serious allegations of discrimination under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) for failing to provide accessible parking at one of its branches. The complaint, filed by Kimberly Black and Angels Outreach in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois on June 18, 2025, accuses Bank of America of violating ADA standards.
Kimberly Black, a Chicago resident suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, relies on accessible parking to maintain her independence. On January 13, 2024, she visited a Bank of America branch at 7131 South Stony Island Avenue in Chicago with plans to open a new savings account. Despite researching the branch online and finding it advertised as accessible, Ms. Black discovered that the access aisle width was only 24 inches—far below the ADA-mandated minimum width of 60 inches. Unable to maneuver her walker safely out of her vehicle due to this discrepancy, Ms. Black was forced to abandon her visit.
Ms. Black immediately reported the issue to Bank of America's customer service but received no follow-up communication or resolution. Frustrated and feeling disregarded, she sought legal recourse with Angels Outreach—a non-profit organization dedicated to advocating for disability access in Illinois.
The lawsuit details Ms. Black's struggles with rheumatoid arthritis—a chronic autoimmune disease causing inflammation and pain in her joints—and emphasizes how critical accessible parking is for individuals like her. "During flare-ups," the complaint states, "Ms. Black experiences excruciating pain and significant limitations in her mobility." This makes compliant accessible parking essential for her daily activities.
The plaintiffs argue that Bank of America's failure to provide an adequately sized access aisle constitutes a clear violation of Title III of the ADA, which mandates specific guidelines for accessible design in public accommodations. They cite several precedents where courts have ruled in favor of plaintiffs facing similar accessibility issues—underscoring the legal obligation businesses have to ensure equal access.
Ms. Black and Angels Outreach are seeking a court declaration that Bank of America violated the ADA and request a permanent injunction requiring the bank to modify its parking facilities to comply with ADA standards. Specifically, they demand physical widening of the access aisle adjacent to designated accessible parking spaces, repaving or remarking the lot to clearly define boundaries, and installing appropriate signage indicating accessibility.
Additionally, they seek recovery of attorney's fees and court costs associated with pursuing this lawsuit—an entitlement provided under the ADA for prevailing plaintiffs enforcing its provisions.
Representing themselves pro se, Angels Outreach has taken up this cause alongside Ms. Black to ensure that such violations do not go unaddressed and that businesses adhere strictly to accessibility standards set forth by law.
Judge Jeremy C. Daniel will preside over this case (Case ID: 1:24-cv-05048), with Magistrate Judge Beth W. Jantz also assigned.