Residents of the Far Southeast Side are facing a Friday deadline to join or opt out of a class action lawsuit against Pullman Innovations, a vegetable oil processing plant accused of emitting nauseating smells that have been plaguing residents for over a decade.
The lawsuit, filed in Circuit Court of Cook County, claims that the plant's odors have made it impossible for residents to enjoy their homes and outdoor spaces. According to Oscar Ortega, the lead plaintiff, he can no longer take walks in his neighborhood or invite friends over for backyard cookouts due to the unbearable smells.
The plant, which refines vegetable oils for use in chicken feed, has been the source of complaints since 2018. Residents have reported smelling sewage, vomit, and even rotting carcasses emanating from the facility. Despite previous assurances that the plant's change in ownership in 2016 would improve odor controls, the problems persist.
Anna Johnson, who lives just three blocks away from the plant, says she plans to join the class action lawsuit despite being skeptical about the potential settlement. "It's not the money," she said. "We want to live a comfortable life. We would really like them gone."
The deadline for residents to opt out of the lawsuit is this Friday, after which they will be automatically included in the class action unless they choose to exclude themselves. Residents who take part in the lawsuit will give up their right to sue the plant individually.
Pullman Innovations has not commented on the lawsuit, but the company did disclose earlier this month that it was seeking a permit to install equipment to reduce some of its plant emissions. The state has also been involved in addressing the issue, with former Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan suing Agri-Fine, the previous owner of the plant, for multiple violations.
For more information about the lawsuit, residents can visit https://www.lsccounsel.com/pullman or call 800-536-0045.
The lawsuit, filed in Circuit Court of Cook County, claims that the plant's odors have made it impossible for residents to enjoy their homes and outdoor spaces. According to Oscar Ortega, the lead plaintiff, he can no longer take walks in his neighborhood or invite friends over for backyard cookouts due to the unbearable smells.
The plant, which refines vegetable oils for use in chicken feed, has been the source of complaints since 2018. Residents have reported smelling sewage, vomit, and even rotting carcasses emanating from the facility. Despite previous assurances that the plant's change in ownership in 2016 would improve odor controls, the problems persist.
Anna Johnson, who lives just three blocks away from the plant, says she plans to join the class action lawsuit despite being skeptical about the potential settlement. "It's not the money," she said. "We want to live a comfortable life. We would really like them gone."
The deadline for residents to opt out of the lawsuit is this Friday, after which they will be automatically included in the class action unless they choose to exclude themselves. Residents who take part in the lawsuit will give up their right to sue the plant individually.
Pullman Innovations has not commented on the lawsuit, but the company did disclose earlier this month that it was seeking a permit to install equipment to reduce some of its plant emissions. The state has also been involved in addressing the issue, with former Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan suing Agri-Fine, the previous owner of the plant, for multiple violations.
For more information about the lawsuit, residents can visit https://www.lsccounsel.com/pullman or call 800-536-0045.
... you know how it's always hot and humid, but then the sun sets and the air cools down? that smell of BBQs and fresh cut grass is literally the best 
. anyway, back to Pullman Innovations... can't believe they've been emitting those gross smells for over a decade 
. I mean, I get it, factories have to exist, but can't they just invest in some decent air purifiers or something? 
maybe they could even turn their plant into a community garden or something 
... I mean, who wouldn't want to invite friends over for cookouts with that lovely aroma wafting through the air? It's not like they're missing out on some kind of exciting outdoor experience or anything. And yeah, because $50 million isn't going to make a difference in their lives, right? 
i'm not saying the residents are in the wrong, but let's not forget about the bigger picture here.
meanwhile i'm over here trying to enjoy my own backyard without being bombarded by sewage smells like wth Pullman Innovations needs to step up their game ASAP or at least get a decent air purifier 
. But at the same time, it's gotta be tough for Pullman Innovations too. They're trying to reduce their emissions and fix the problem, but it sounds like it's taken them this long to even try 
.
. And yeah, residents who are skeptical about the settlement might have valid concerns too - it's not just about the money 
. No one wants to see people get sick or miserable because of their job 
. It's like, how do you balance progress with people's comfort and well-being? 
... anyways, I guess we'll just have to wait and see what happens on Friday 
I'm so sorry to hear that these residents have been dealing with this stinky situation for over a decade 
. It's crazy that the plant's new equipment might be installed soon, but what if it doesn't work? 
. I don't blame Anna Johnson for wanting the plant gone, tbh 
. Can you imagine living in a neighborhood with that smell all the time? 
.
. It's crazy that this has been going on for so long! 
Can someone please just make it stop? 
Those would be super helpful in this situation!
I'm all about finding ways to boost productivity, and dealing with toxic plants is definitely not the way to do it! 
The fact that people are gettin' paid to live with this stuff is just sad. We should be able to enjoy our homes without havin' to call in hazmat suits 
that's why i think joining the class action lawsuit is the best decision, even if they don't get much money 
let them just be done with the plant already 
