Illinois Attorney General, City of Chicago file lawsuit alleging asbestos mishandling during building renovation on the Northwest Side

CHICAGO — The Illinois Attorney General and the City of Chicago filed a lawsuit this week alleging the mishandling of materials containing asbestos during the renovation of a building on the city’s Northwest Side over the past two years.

Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced Tuesday that his office had filed a joint lawsuit with the City of Chicago against MCC Properties LLC (MCC), MC Construction Group LLC (MC) and an individual named Fintan McCarthy over the alleged improper handling of asbestos-containing materials.

According to the lawsuit, the three parties were responsible for a renovation taking place in 2024 and 2025 at a large commercial and industrial building in the 6000 block of West Dickens Avenue, in Belmont Cragin.

But the lawsuit alleges that during the renovation, crews disturbed a significant amount of asbestos-containing material at the site and even left piles of possible asbestos-containing debris exposed to the atmosphere.

The lawsuit states that an investigation by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) into the alleged mishandling started on May 7, when the IEPA received notice from the City of Chicago indicating that asbestos-containing material had allegedly been disturbed at the site.

During the May 7 visit, officials also indicated that they had allegedly spotted “numerous piles of possible asbestos-containing debris that had been exposed to the atmosphere.”

The following day, on May 8, the building was vacated and the IEPA sealed the site to the public, stating that the facility contained asbestos-containing pipe insulation, duct insulation, pipe fittings, adhesives, floor tile and mastic, roofing and window seals.

“The improper handling and storage of materials containing asbestos is dangerous to the health of workers and the general public,” Raoul said. “I will continue to protect all Illinois communities from environmental hazards and hold companies accountable when violations of our environmental laws occur.”

According to the lawsuit, the city is seeking injunctive relief, civil penalties, cost recovery, and attorneys’ fees, while the state is seeking injunctive relief and civil penalties.

“Illinois EPA’s investigation of this matter identified the presence of asbestos in debris throughout the facility, which was a significant threat to the health of the surrounding community,” IEPA Acting Director James Jennings said. “We appreciate the swift action of Attorney General Raoul to ensure appropriate action is taken by the responsible parties.”

WGN News attempted to reach out to McCarthy regarding the lawsuit, but was not able to get in contact with them.

What is Asbestos?

Asbestos is a naturally occurring fibrous mineral that was widely used in insulation, automotive parts and building materials from the late 1800s to the 1980s.

The use of asbestos became widespread because of the material’s heat resistance and strength, but its past uses later led to exposure incidents and widespread use eventually ceased in the 1970s.

While asbestos is no longer mined or used in products in the United States, the risk of exposure still exists for those who work with legacy asbestos products.

What happens to those exposed to Asbestos?

Exposure to Asbestos, which has been classified as a known human carcinogen, is not safe in any amount, according to the National Cancer Institute.

Asbestos is dangerous to humans because it can break down into microscopic fibers that can remain airborne for days after being disturbed.

Once in the air, the harmful asbestos can be inhaled, traveling deep into the lungs. Evidence indicates that the inhaled asbestos can later cause several serious illnesses, including lung cancer, asbestosis and mesothelioma.