Illinois EPA Director Seals Chicago Industrial Building Due to Asbestos Contamination, Refers Case to Illinois Attorney General for Enforcement

SPRINGFIELD - Illinois Environmental Protection Agency Acting Director James Jennings has issued a Seal Order for a commercial/industrial building located at 6001-6169 West Dickens Avenue in Chicago (Cook County) along with all dumpsters and transfer containers associated with the facility and any demolition and/or renovation activities. The building was vacated and ordered sealed to the public on May 8, 2025. The Seal Order will remain in effect until the property is deemed safe and the Order is rescinded by the Illinois EPA. Further, Illinois EPA has referred an enforcement action to the Illinois Attorney General's office against the owner and operator of the building, MCC Properties LLC and MC Construction Group LLC.

On May 7, 2025, Illinois EPA received notice from the City of Chicago (City) concerning renovation and/or demolition activities taking place in the facility. The City noted a significant amount of asbestos-containing material (ACM) had been disturbed and numerous piles of debris were located throughout the facility with possible ACM being exposed to the atmosphere.

On April 25 and April 28, 2025, the City issued Cease and Desist and Abatement Orders to the operator and owner of the facility. On May 7, 2025, City inspectors noted that their Cease and Desist and Abatement Orders had been removed from the exterior of the facility without authorization.

The Seal Order limits all access to the facility to only persons authorized, in writing, by the Illinois EPA. Those persons may access the sealed portions of the property only to conduct removal, disposal, or associated activities consistent with the Illinois Environmental Protection Act, and any other applicable federal, State, or local law.

In its referral to the Illinois Attorney General's office, the Illinois EPA is citing violations of the Illinois Environmental Protection Act against MCC Properties LLC and MC Construction Group LLC, including causing or allowing air pollution due to the mishandling of asbestos-containing material. The referral asks the Attorney General to obtain immediate injunctive relief requiring the entities to maintain site security and retain Illinois-licensed asbestos professionals to inspect and remediate the facility of all asbestos contamination.