CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) – The government is seeking reimbursement of costs it alleges it incurred to respond to the release or threatened release of hazardous substances at a site in Illinois.
The United States of America, acting at the request of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, filed a complaint on Aug. 9 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Western Division against Chains and Links Inc., West Galena Development Inc. and estate of Lois Jean Wienen citing the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA).
According to the complaint, the plaintiff alleges that it has incurred response costs for removal actions needed in response to the release or threatened release of hazardous substances at the Bautsch Gray Mine Superfund Site near Galena, Illinois. The suit states the defendants own interest in a parcel that is part of the superfund site.
The plaintiff alleges the defendants are jointly and severally liable under CERCLA for the unreimbursed costs incurred by it.
The plaintiff seeks declaratory judgment that the defendants are liable for the unreimbursed costs and seek an award for the costs of this action. It is represented by Jeffrey H. Wood and Lisa A. Cherup of the United States Department of Justice in Washington, D.C. and others.
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois Western Division case number 3:18-cv-50268