Substantial data indicate the current conditions facing Chicago s Southeast Side epitomize the problem of environmental injustice, resulting from more than a half century of prior actions, Regan said.
The neighborhood ranks at the highest levels for many pollution indicators such as air toxics cancer risk, respiratory hazard, lead paint, hazardous waste proximity and wastewater discharges, according to the EPA chief.
Regan added he believes it s prudent that the city delays a decision on the pending permit until the analysis can be performed.
Later on Friday, Lightfoot released a statement explaining she directed the Chicago Department of Health to initiate an environmental study recommended by the EPA and to push back a decision on issuing the permit.
Pat Nabong/Sun-Times
A federal judge said Wednesday that she will not prevent the city from issuing a final permit for the rebranded General Iron car-shredding operation on the Southeast Side because residents had not shown they can prove racial discrimination was involved in moving the business from Lincoln Park.
U.S. District Court Judge Mary Rowland issued her ruling in a civil rights lawsuit brought by two Southeast Side residents and a pastor who argued the city sought to move a polluting nuisance from mostly white, wealthy Lincoln Park to a Latino-majority area at East 116th Street and South Burley Avenue. Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s Administration hasn’t actually made a final decision yet, but is expected to issue a draft permit or rejection soon.
Federal judge refuses to block movement of car-shredder
April 14, 2021
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CHICAGO (AP) A federal judge on Wednesday ruled against plaintiffs in a lawsuit seeking to bar the movement of a car-shredding operation from an upscale Chicago neighborhood to a working-class neighborhood.
Two Southeast Side residents and a clergyman filed a civil rights lawsuit arguing the city sought to move the General Iron operation, since renamed Southside Recycling, out of Lincoln Park to make way for a multi-billion-dollar residential development.
U.S. District Court Judge Mary Rowland said she wouldn’t prevent the city from issuing a final permit to General Iron because residents couldn’t prove racial discrimination was involved in the move.
General Iron owners say they ve been demonized, deny environmental racism charge in new court filing fox32chicago.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from fox32chicago.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Tyler LaRiviere/Sun-Times, Tyler LaRiviere/Sun-Times
Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s administration is seeking more information about the cumulative air pollution around a proposed scrap-metal shredding operation on the Southeast Side, an inquiry that delays the city’s permitting for the controversial business.
The city has been reviewing an operating permit application from Reserve Management Group, which acquired Lincoln Park-based General Iron in 2019. The company has been building a new facility at East 116th Street along the Calumet River to relocate General Iron, as the rebranded Southside Recycling, next to RMG’s existing businesses.
In a letter Monday, a city environmental official told RMG that it requires more information “to properly assess the relationship between and the potential cumulative impact of all Reserve Management Group operations” in the area. Air pollution throughout the Southeast Side is among the worst in the city.