Office of the
Illinois Attorney General
Kwame Raoul

Chicago – Attorney General Kwame Raoul and the city of Chicago filed a joint lawsuit against MCC Properties LLC (MCC), MC Construction Group LLC (MC) and Fintan McCarthy over the alleged improper handling of materials containing asbestos during the renovation of a large commercial and industrial building in Chicago’s Belmont Cragin community.  

The lawsuit alleges the defendants conducted unsafe renovations at the facility, failing to properly handle, store and dispose of asbestos-containing materials. There is no known safe level of exposure to asbestos. Inhalation of asbestos fibers can cause serious and fatal illnesses including lung cancer, mesothelioma and asbestosis.

“The improper handling and storage of materials containing asbestos is dangerous to the health of workers and the general public,” Raoul said. “I will continue to protect all Illinois communities from environmental hazards and hold companies accountable when violations of our environmental laws occur.”

According to the lawsuit – filed on Monday in Cook County Circuit Court – the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) received notice from the city of Chicago on May 7 that a significant amount of asbestos-containing material had been disturbed at the sprawling complex located at 6001-6169 West Dickens Ave. City officials also noted numerous piles of possible asbestos-containing debris were left exposed to the atmosphere. On May 8, the building was vacated and the IEPA sealed the site to the public.

“We are filing this Complaint together with the Illinois Attorney General because defendants’ complete disregard for environmental and public health laws poses a danger to this Chicago community, which must be addressed immediately,” said Corporation Counsel Mary B. Richardson-Lowry.

“Asbestos, at any level, is a public health concern if not controlled properly. Our primary responsibility as the public health department is to ensure the health and safety of our residents and the environment, and this lawsuit demonstrates our commitment to protecting community members, as well as our commitment to holding bad actors accountable,” said Chicago Department of Public Health Commissioner Olusimbo “Simbo” Ige, MD, MS, MPH. "The Chicago Department of Public Health is grateful for the partnership with other local and state departments and agencies to address the concerns identified during multiple inspections at this site.” 

Raoul’s lawsuit is based on a referral from the IEPA.

“Illinois EPA’s investigation of this matter identified the presence of asbestos in debris throughout the facility, which was a significant threat to the health of the surrounding community,” said Illinois EPA Acting Director James Jennings. “We appreciate the swift action of Attorney General Raoul to ensure appropriate action is taken by the responsible parties.”

The Attorney General’s office enforces Illinois’ environmental protection laws. Attorney General Raoul’s Environmental Enforcement Division, which enforces civil environmental laws, has recovered millions of dollars from polluters and required companies to undertake environmental improvement projects in communities impacted by pollution. Raoul encourages residents to report environmental justice and other environmental concerns to his office by emailing ej@ilag.gov.

Assistant Attorneys General Jason Clark, Rebecca Kanz and Molly Kordas are handling the case for Raoul’s Environmental Bureau.