Burr Ridge Firm May Be Storing Toxic Chemicals Without Permit

BURR RIDGE, IL – A pest control business is seeking permission to store toxic chemicals at its Burr Ridge site.

OPC Pest Services at 8238 S. Madison St. has a request before the village. Neighbors are opposed.

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Here's the rub: OPC may already have the substances on site.

At Monday's Village Board meeting, resident Adolph Galinski told trustees he learned at the village's recent Plan Commission meeting that the business was already operating and storing the toxic chemicals.

Galinski pointed to a passage in Burr Ridge's code that the village included in its memo about OPC's request. Handling of such substances shall be allowed only after the village grants a conditional use permit.

OPC's business license is pending because of the issue, Galinski said. On Tuesday, Patch called OPC's Burr Ridge phone number and the receptionist confirmed the business was operating locally.

Galinski, who lives about a third of a mile from OPC, said the village told him the business was allowed to continue operating while pursuing compliance because the village exercises "established administrative practice and discretion."

"I think discretion has its place in ordinary business-compliance situations in Burr Ridge. My concern is the Village's process regarding businesses operating with toxic substances," Galinski said.

Officials did not respond.

Early Tuesday morning, Patch emailed Village Manager Evan Walter and two zoning officials to confirm Galinski's information. They did not return the message.

After Galinski emailed his comments to officials Tuesday morning, Mayor Gary Grasso responded.

"Very much appreciated your comments last evening at the Board meeting. Am discussing today," Grasso said.