Local Resident Objects to Proposed Settlement on Release of Leachate from Local Landfill Into Waterways

A local resident has filed an objection to a proposed settlement between Landfill 33 and the Wendt Family Trust and the Illinois Attorney General's office. The settlement concerns the release of fluid from the local landfill into two waterways that border the landfill in 2017.

Dan Borries owns property and lives east of the landfill. Borries testified at a public hearing August 20 in Springfield that he objected to the proposed settlement. In written comments filed Tuesday to supplement his objections, Borries took issue with a portion of the settlement that includes a non-admission of guilt by the landfill for the release of the leachate. Landfill 33's Brian Hayes said at the time of the incident that he believed someone went onto the landfill property and shut off equipment designed to prevent the release of the fluid. Borries argues that there should be an admission of guilt included in the settlement.

Borries' objection also contends that the landfill is not in a suitable location since waterways travel past the site, that money was spent on the landfill's leachate control system despite claims that a trespasser caused the release of the leachate, and that there was a greater fish kill from the release of the leachate than was discovered.

Wednesday was the deadline for public comments in the matter. Briefs by each party in the case are due by September 21.