Hinsdale Magazine | Special Report
H
undreds of local residents attended a public meeting hosted by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) regarding a construction permit that would allow Sterigenics to reopen one of its two local facilities at Ashton Place in Willowbrook on Aug. 1. The IEPA had issued a seal order to force the embattled company to cease operations in Willowbrook on Feb. 15, following public outcry against increased levels of ethylene oxide, believed to be a carcinogenic substance, said to be emanating from its facilities. But the state and Sterigenics have been negotiating a consent order that would essentially nullify the seal order, and thus allow the company to resume operations. This consent order could be approved as soon as Sept. 6, when it comes before DuPage County Circuit Court judge Paul Fullerton.
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Meanwhile, the Illinois General Assembly and Gov. J.B. Pritzker approved a law, dubbed the “Matt Haller act,� on June 21, which prohibits the renewal of any permits for facilities that violate federal or state standards for ethylene oxide emissions. In addition, the Haller act prevents new medical sterilization facilities that emit ethylene oxide from opening within ten miles of a school or park in counties with a population exceeding 50,000, and within 15 miles of counties with fewer than 50,000 people. Local legislators said they believe the law is the strictest in the nation with regard to ethylene oxide gas. Willowbrook mayor Frank Trilla said he thought the Haller act would be sufficient to permanently remove Sterigenics from the community, but was disappointed to find that state officials and the company had been negotiating a construction permit and consent order in the meantime.
