Atlanta, Ill. (ECWd) –
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – The Department of Justice announced today it has reached a settlement agreement under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) with the American Giants Museum, located in Atlanta, Illinois, to resolve alleged violations of Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The Department reached the agreement with the Atlanta Betterment Fund, which owns and operates the museum.
The settlement resolves an ADA complaint alleging that the Museum does not comply with the ADA and has safety concerns for people with disabilities. The complaint prompted an investigation by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Central District of Illinois. The investigation revealed that the museum’s front entrance, bathroom, and outdoor exhibits are not accessible as required by the ADA and that some injuries to visitors had been reported.
Under the agreement, the Museum will make twenty-four improvements to its building and facilities, including construction of a new entrance, modifications to its bathroom, and improvements to its outdoor exhibits to expand access.
The Museum, which opened a brand-new building to the public in 2024 near the historic Route-66 highway, showcases a collection of giant fiberglass statutes. As a place of public accommodation, the ADA requires the Museum to be accessible to people with disabilities and provide full and equal enjoyment of its goods, services, and facilities.
“Places of public accommodation like museums must be accessible to all citizens, including people with disabilities, said Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua I. Grant for the Central District of Illinois. “We commend the Museum for its cooperation and prompt action to renovate its facilities to expand access for all.”
Assistant U.S. Attorney Grant represented the government during the investigation and settlement process. For more information about the ADA, please visit www.ada.gov, or call the Department of Justice’s toll-free information line at (800) 514-0301 or (800) 514-0383 (TDD). Information about filing a complaint, including instructions for filing a complaint online, can be found at https://www.justice.gov/crt/how-file-complaint.
