Burr Ridge Eyes Suing EPA Over Sterigenics

BURR RIDGE, IL — Burr Ridge and Willowbrook are poised to join forces in considering a lawsuit against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency over its handling of Sterigenics' air pollution.

On Monday, the Burr Ridge Village Board is set to vote on hiring the Chicago-based Schiff Hardin law firm to explore the possibility of legal action against the EPA.

Under the agreement, the towns would pay $10,000 during the exploratory phase, with Willowbrook paying 60 percent and Burr Ridge 40 percent.

According to a Burr Ridge memo, Darien and Hinsdale may take part, thus lowering the burden of Burr Ridge and Willowbrook. But Darien and Hinsdale have yet to consider an agreement to hire the law firm.

In an email Friday, Darien City Administrator Bryon Vana said the City Council has not discussed joining the effort. He said he would let Patch know "if or when the request comes our way."

Patch has left a message with the Hinsdale village government.

The memo said Schiff Hardin is a well-regarded environmental law practice that helped Willowbrook during the early stages of the crisis with the Sterigenics plant in Willowbrook.

In April, Burr Ridge officials joined their counterparts in Darien and Willowbrook in condemning the EPA after the agency's inspector general issued a report critical of the agency's handling of Sterigenics. The report alleged the EPA withheld information from the public about ethylene oxide emissions from the Sterigenics plant.

"On behalf of our communities, we are outraged by this blatant breach of trust and appalled by the (EPA's) reckless disregard of the health, safety and welfare of our residents, businesses and property," the towns said in a news release.