Attorney General Kwame Raoul has taken legal action to address persistent sewer system failures in Cahokia Heights and East St. Louis, Illinois. The initiative involves collaboration with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA).
“For too long, the neglected and aging sewer systems in Cahokia Heights and East St. Louis have forced local residents to deal with raw sewage in their basements, in their streets and in local waterways,” said Attorney General Raoul. He emphasized his commitment to working with various government levels to enforce environmental laws.
The lawsuit against Cahokia Heights addresses allegations of violating federal and state environmental protection laws due to sanitary sewer overflows. The city's outdated infrastructure has resulted in over 300 instances of sewage discharge into nearby waterways since November 2019, breaching the Clean Water Act.
Under a consent decree, Cahokia Heights must pay a $30,000 civil penalty and invest approximately $30 million in sewer improvements, conduct repairs, and keep the community informed about progress.
A separate lawsuit targets East St. Louis for failing to develop a long-term control plan for its combined sewer system, which allegedly releases sewage into the Mississippi River and Whispering Willow Lake during heavy rainfalls.
Raoul's lawsuit seeks compliance from East St. Louis with both state and federal environmental laws.
“Both of these cases reflect the improper operation and maintenance of sewer systems located in environmental justice communities where both residents and the environment have been negatively impacted,” said James Jennings, Acting Director of Illinois EPA.
Cahokia Heights and East St. Louis are situated in a floodplain area that demands careful maintenance to prevent water infiltration into sewer systems.
These lawsuits form part of Raoul’s efforts to hold accountable those responsible for environmental violations in affected communities. His Environmental Enforcement Division has recovered substantial sums from polluters for improvement projects.
Residents are encouraged to report concerns by emailing ej@ilag.gov. Supervising Attorney Christina Briggs along with Assistant Attorneys General Emma Hudspath and Caitlin Kelly are handling these cases for Raoul’s office.