Illinois Attorney General Sues JET Enterprises for Environmental Hazard
Attorney General Kwame Raoul is suing a Sauget company over allegations of hazardous waste mismanagement, which endangers both the environment and public health. The case, filed in St. Clair County Circuit Court, alleges that JET Enterprises & Holding Company LLC stored harmful chemicals and used inappropriate waste disposal practices.
In a hard-nosed campaign for legal accountability, Raoul has requested an immediate preliminary injunction to prevent the facility from continuing operations that could cause further damage to the environment.
Sauget, Illinois, has been heavily influenced by industrial activities for decades. The property began operations as a zinc refining complex in 1929 and has had several owners and extensions, including a cadmium plant and cooling towers.
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According to the Illinois Attorney General’s Office, JET, the most recent owner of the facility, neglected to properly store hazardous material and permitted illegal dumping, endangering adjacent people. “Illinois law is clear – companies that own and operate industrial facilities have a legal obligation to properly store dangerous chemicals and safely dispose of waste,” Raoul said, emphasizing corporate environmental responsibility.
Raoul’s legal action tries to force JET to employ an environmental specialist immediately. The consultant’s job would be to create a plan for surveying and resolving site contamination under the watchful eye of the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency.
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Furthermore, the lawsuit could result in civil penalties for the corporation pending a court ruling, with exact sums determined by statute. The Attorney General’s decision is supported by an IEPA referral; Carol Wong, the reporting Assistant Attorney General from Raoul’s Environmental Law Bureau, has advocated for the implementation of civil environmental laws, to reclaim millions from polluting entities.
Raoul’s battle revolves around environmental justice, particularly because the troublesome site is located in a community that is more vulnerable to environmental threats. “Illinois EPA referred this matter to the Attorney General’s Office to ensure no additional work would be conducted at the site that could negatively impact the environment and nearby properties,” stated Illinois EPA Director John J. Kim, according to the Illinois Attorney General’s Office.
While the attorney general’s office exerts pressure on JET, it also encourages the public to be watchful. Raoul’s office encourages locals to report environmental concerns by emailing [email protected].