Attorney General heeds call for action on Sterigenics

CHICAGO — Gov. Rauner issued the following statement on the Illinois Attorney General's action today on Sterigenics.

"Earlier this month through the Illinois EPA, our administration referred an enforcement action to the Illinois Attorney General against Sterigenics in Willowbrook based on findings by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) and information provided by the U.S. EPA. We sought the order out of an abundance of caution for the health and safety of area residents and asked that the company pause operations until U.S. EPA provides clarity on the health risks of ethylene oxide (EtO) emissions. After many discussions and collaboration, the Attorney General moved on our referral. It is the right thing to do."

A copy of the Oct. 2 Illinois EPA release on the referral of an enforcement action against the company by the Rauner Administration is attached.