Read more about the article Toxins in the air: Central Illinois factories and plants release millions of pounds of risky chemicals
The Kraft Heinz factory in Champaign. Screenshot taken from Google Street View, captured August 2023.

Toxins in the air: Central Illinois factories and plants release millions of pounds of risky chemicals

The Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) facility in Decatur, which processes grain products into food ingredients and ethanol, released 2.7 million pounds of toxic chemicals…

Continue ReadingToxins in the air: Central Illinois factories and plants release millions of pounds of risky chemicals
Read more about the article Champaign’s vacant properties can languish for years without correction; Fines increased in past two yearsDarrell Hoemann
The former C.S. Johnson factory in Champaign on Tuesday, February 28, 2023. photo by Darrell Hoemann/C-U Citizen Access

Champaign’s vacant properties can languish for years without correction; Fines increased in past two years

Building paint is peeling, junk litters the property and “no trespassing” signs sporadically adorn fences surrounding the approximately 330,000 square feet of property of…

Continue ReadingChampaign’s vacant properties can languish for years without correction; Fines increased in past two years
Read more about the article East Urbana residents have filed dozens of environmental complaints against Emulsicoat asphalt plant — and they’re not stoppingDarrell Hoemann
Emulsicoat, Inc exterior (705 E University Ave, Urbana, IL 61802) on Sunday, December 19, 2021. Photo by Darrell Hoemann/CU-CitizenAccess

East Urbana residents have filed dozens of environmental complaints against Emulsicoat asphalt plant — and they’re not stopping

East Urbana residents living near the Emulsicoat asphalt plant have complained of headaches, nausea and irritation of the throat, nose and eyes in a…

Continue ReadingEast Urbana residents have filed dozens of environmental complaints against Emulsicoat asphalt plant — and they’re not stopping
Read more about the article Residents complain about continuing early morning garbage pick-ups, but cities fail to find remediesGoogle Maps Street View
Republic Services Waste Transfer at 921 Saline Ct, Urbana. Image from Google Maps Street View.

Residents complain about continuing early morning garbage pick-ups, but cities fail to find remedies

https://youtu.be/1yeXSeADVVE Video captured by Kate Maguire. Loud booming and crashing sounds of waste hauler trucks emptying bins can start before dawn in Urbana —…

Continue ReadingResidents complain about continuing early morning garbage pick-ups, but cities fail to find remedies
Read more about the article West Urbana residents criticize safety, impact of University’s plans to install novel nuclear reactor system
Image Source: USNC

West Urbana residents criticize safety, impact of University’s plans to install novel nuclear reactor system

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign’s proposal for deploying a micro nuclear reactor in west Urbana has sparked concern among local residents, who are…

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Read more about the article Contaminated drinking water from Peoples Gas leak persists, funds to fix frozen as lawsuit continues
Ignited, contaminated water from the Spiro's Law website. "In some places, the amount of concentrated gas is enough to set the water coming out of a kitchen sink on fire," the website about the lawsuit said.

Contaminated drinking water from Peoples Gas leak persists, funds to fix frozen as lawsuit continues

A 2016 gas leak into the drinking water supply north of Mahomet continues to be a hot topic even five years later as 2021 nears its end. The first official report of a methane leak from the underground holding wells of Peoples Gas was reported on December 20, 2016. The problem location was County Rd 350 E. in the township of Newcomb, just north of Mahomet and near Fisher, IL. Peoples Gas claims to have capped off the well which was leaking and terminated its use. However, homes in the vicinity were still affected by the leak. 

Continue ReadingContaminated drinking water from Peoples Gas leak persists, funds to fix frozen as lawsuit continues
Read more about the article East Urbana residents worried about emissions from local asphalt plantDarrell Hoemann
Emulsicoat, Inc exterior (705 E University Ave, Urbana, IL 61802) on Sunday, December 19, 2021. Photo by Darrell Hoemann/CU-CitizenAccess

East Urbana residents worried about emissions from local asphalt plant

Members of the Historic East Urbana neighborhood association said they are suffering through recurrent odors and potential pollution issues because of the emissions from Emulsicoat, a local asphalt plant. The most recent complaint, filed to the IEPA in early May 2021, stated “the stench in the East Urbana neighborhood was overwhelming” and that people noted physical problems tied to it. The investigation by Michael Haggitt and Mark Schleuter from that same month had limitations from the lack of hard evidence linking the odor to the suspected Emulsicoat source and recommended no further action beyond the community meeting they held a month prior to that in April. 

Continue ReadingEast Urbana residents worried about emissions from local asphalt plant

Local Canada geese causing issues, spreading into more human-populated areas across Champaign-Urbana

Geese invading grassy and populated areas are causing residents to ask both the Champaign and Urbana Park Districts to manage the geese population better. However, others in the area are trying to get rid of the geese humanely.

Continue ReadingLocal Canada geese causing issues, spreading into more human-populated areas across Champaign-Urbana
Read more about the article Urbana’s number of waste haulers cited as environmentally unsustainable, some residents agreeDarrell Hoemann
Republic Services exterior at 2801 N Willow Rd, Urbana, IL 61802) on Sunday, December 19, 2021. Photo by Darrell Hoemann/CU-CitizenAccess

Urbana’s number of waste haulers cited as environmentally unsustainable, some residents agree

While recycling is controlled in Urbana, trash is not consolidated in the same way, as there are seven licensed haulers for the city of Urbana, all ranging in price and accepted volume.  Not every hauler services each part of Urbana, and haulers pick up trash on a few designated days. Courtney Kwong, recycling coordinator for Urbana, said this is a long-term goal for the city to increase efficiency in the next 30 years.

Continue ReadingUrbana’s number of waste haulers cited as environmentally unsustainable, some residents agree
Read more about the article Nearby landfill capacity nears limit within two decadesDarrell Hoemann
Illinois Street Residence Halls, exterior (1010 W Illinois St, Urbana, IL 61801) on Wednesday, December 15, 2021. photo by Darrell Hoemann/C-U Citizen Access

Nearby landfill capacity nears limit within two decades

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) predicted capacity limit for the Republic Services Brickyard Disposal is the lowest in the Central Illinois region, and…

Continue ReadingNearby landfill capacity nears limit within two decades