The office of Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul, along with the city of Chicago, has taken legal action against a trio of defendants for allegedly mishandling asbestos during renovations at a Belmont Cragin warehouse. The lawsuit, aimed at MCC Properties LLC, MC Construction Group LLC, and individual Fintan McCarthy, claims the parties involved failed to safely manage asbestos-containing materials, posing substantial health risks to both workers and the local community. Asbestos, a known carcinogen, has been linked to severe diseases such as lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis, and there is no safe exposure level.
Details emerging from the lawsuit suggest that on May 7, the city of Chicago alerted the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) about disturbances to significant asbestos-containing material at the site. The very next day, to swiftly address the potential threat, the building was vacated and access was strictly closed off to the public by the IEPA. "The improper handling and storage of materials containing asbestos is dangerous to the health of workers and the general public," Attorney General Raoul emphasized, as he vowed to continuously strive to defend Illinois communities from environmental dangers and to hold companies accountable when they break environmental laws, according to a statement from his office.
In response to the situation, Corporation Counsel Mary B. Richardson-Lowry underscored the importance of cooperation between the state and city authorities, highlighting the defendants' apparent disregard for environmental and public health regulations. Dr. Olusimbo "Simbo" Ige, the Chicago Department of Public Health Commissioner, acknowledged the risk that even minimal levels of asbestos present if not properly managed. Dr. Ige praised the partnership with local and state entities dedicated to protecting Chicago's residents and enforcing accountability upon those neglecting the law.
Referral of this issue by the IEPA to Raoul's office kicked off the legal proceedings. "Illinois EPA’s investigation of this matter identified the presence of asbestos in debris throughout the facility, which was a significant threat to the health of the surrounding community," said Illinois EPA Acting Director James Jennings. The Attorney General's Environmental Enforcement Division is known to have previously recuperated fortunes from polluters, pushing for environmental improvements especially in areas impacted by pollution. The public is encouraged by Raoul to report any environmental justice or related concerns via email to [email protected]. Assistant Attorneys General Jason Clark, Rebecca Kanz, and Molly Kordas are representing Raoul’s Environmental Bureau in this case.
