Madigan
CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) - After a long-running battle over the cleanup of the Hillside Landfill, Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan announced on Wednesday that a settlement has been crafted that will finally solve the dispute.
Congress Development Co., John Sexton Sand & Gravel Corp., and Allied Waste Transportation Inc., allegedly violated air, land, surface water and groundwater regulations at the site. The former solid waste landfill is located at 4100 W. Frontage Rd., in Hillside, Ill. Neighbors have complained about odors for more than six years.
Cook County Circuit Court Judge Sophia Hall entered the final consent order, requiring the defendants to pay a $1 million civil penalty and ordering them to deal with all past conduct that was mentioned in Madigan's complaints.
The order also calls for the defendants to reimburse the Attorney General's Office $100,000 for court and investigation costs. The defendants must also pay $100,000 to the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency and up to $25,000 for future costs associated with implementing a community relations plan.
"Hillside residents have waited a long time for this day," Madigan said. "This final action ensures that the owners and operators of this notoriously offensive landfill will correct their ongoing violations. They also must monitor and correct any future problems while properly closing the landfill."
In the next 45 days, the defendants must submit a Landfill Compliance Plan to Madigan's office. This plan must include their solution to address the landfill settlement and the effect it may have on the facility's cover.
It must also provide a landfill gas collection and control system for better air quality monitoring and corrective actions concerning contaminated waste water, surface water management and groundwater monitoring.