Politicians Speak Out Against Sterigenics, EPA

WILLOWBROOK, IL — After a report from the Chicago Tribune and a Illinois House committee meeting, residents in the Willowbrook area are still battling Sterigenics and the ethylene oxide emissions the facility is emitting. According to the Illinois General Assembly website, there were 1,471 opponent witness slips against Sterigenics at the House committee meeting.

On the day of the meeting in Chicago, the Chicago Tribune reported Governor Rauner's administration knew about the toxic and cancer-causing air pollution coming from the Sterigenics facility in Willowbrook. Rauner's office kept the information from the public for eight months, before the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry released a report in August.

The report stated, "If measured and modeled data represent typical EtO ambient concentrations in ambient air, an elevated cancer risk exists for residents and off-site workers in the Willowbrook community surrounding the Sterigenics facility. These evaluated risks present a public health hazard to these populations."

Several local politicians are speaking out against Sterigenics, as well as the US EPA and Illinois EPA.

“It is unacceptable, and beyond comprehension, that the United State Environmental Protection Agency and the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency failed to inform residents in a timely manner about the elevated cancer risks associated with the emission of ethylene oxide from the Sterigenics facility in Willowbrook," State Sen. John Curran said in a release. "From the moment this issue first came to light in late August, I demanded that Sterigenics cease operations immediately, and I reiterate that call today."

Curran also asked for the US EPA and Illinois EPA to provide him a detailed, written explanation on why they waited so long to inform constituents about this health risk.

Cook County 17th District Commissioner candidate Abdelnasser Rashid shared his outrage over the cover-up of the facility's ethylene oxide output.

“I am outraged that Gov. Rauner and his allies spent almost a year covering up Stergenics’ illegal pollution while our families breathed poisoned air," he said in a release. "I'm disappointed that [current] Commissioner Sean Morrison has stayed completely silent while corporate profits were put before the health and safety of our communities."

Rashid also added that Sterigencis must be shut down immediately, saying, "...I call on Attorney General Lisa Madigan to immediately launch an independent investigation into Rauner's cover up. The welfare of the people of Illinois should never come second to corporate profits."

Sterigenics continues to operate, and the next meeting about the issue will be held on Thursday, Nov. 29. The US EPA is planning a community meeting to share current information and answer questions pertaining to the Sterigenics environmental issue. The meeting will be held at 7 p.m. at Ashton Place Banquets, 341 75th St., Willowbrook.

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