General Iron
City Appeals Judge’s Decision To Overturn Southside Recycling’s Permit Denial
The city on Friday appealed a judge's order overruling the city's decision to block the metal scrapper from moving operations from the North Side to the Southeast Side.
Southeast Side Activists Vow To Keep Fighting After Judge Gives New Life To Metal Scrapper’s Bid To Open
A Cook County judge overruled the city’s decision to block Southside Recycling from opening last week. As Mayor Johnson vows to appeal, neighbors and activists blasted the ruling for rejecting the community's will.
Judge Overrules City’s Decision To Block Southside Recycling From Opening — But Mayor Johnson Vows To Appeal
A judge vacated the city's decision to deny an operating permit to Southside Recycling, which was set to take on troubled scrapper General Iron’s operations.
Lightfoot Settles With Feds, Agrees To Environmental Justice Reform After Civil Rights Complaint
Southeast Siders filed a complaint with federal housing officials in 2020, alleging decades of racist city policies pushed polluters into their communities. The settlement forces the city to address their concerns.
Will General Iron’s Operations Come To The Southeast Side After All? Judge Likely To Decide In April
City officials blocked General Iron's parent company from moving the scrapper's operations to East Side, and the company challenged that denial soon after.
City Public Health Official Defends Decision To Block Metal Shredder’s Proposed Move To Southeast Side
The city rejected a permit for the rebranded General Iron metal scrapper to move from Lincoln Park to East Side. The shredder's parent company is appealing the decision.
General Iron Officials Say Emanuel, Lightfoot Admins Pushed For Metal Shredder’s Move To Southeast Side: Report
A company executive said Monday “we never would have closed on the General Iron assets" without the city's 2019 agreement to cooperate with the planned move, according to the Sun-Times.
General Iron’s Lincoln Park Facility Will Soon Be Demolished; Alderman Vows No Repeat Of Hilco Disaster
The city will hold a town hall Nov. 18 to share information and answer questions about the upcoming General Iron demolition.
2 CPS Teachers Say They’re Being Fired In Retaliation For Their Activism Against General Iron
Chicago Public Schools officials said Chuck Stark and Lauren Bianchi showed "poor judgment and bias," offering students incentives to attend protests. The George Washington High School teachers called the allegations "bogus."
City Violated Civil Rights Of Black, Latino Chicagoans By Pushing Polluters Into Their Neighborhoods, Feds Say
The city's "driving role" in facilitating General Iron's exit from Lincoln Park benefited the mostly white community at Black and Latino South Siders' expense, federal officials said.
General Iron Tries To Reopen In Lincoln Park After City Rejects South Side Permit, But Officials Say No Way
"I don't see that as a possibility," Mayor Lori Lightfoot said after Reserve Management Group, which owns General Iron, applied for permits to reopen in Lincoln Park.
City Denies Controversial Metal Scrapper Southside Recycling’s Permit After Activists Wage Years-Long Fight
Southside Recycling, formerly known as General Iron, will not be allowed to open on Chicago's Southeast Side. "The Southeast Side is no longer going to be your dumping ground," one activist said.
Feds Fine General Iron’s Current, Former Owners $500,000 For Operating Defunct Scrapper Without Pollution Controls
The defunct North Side scrapper's settlement with the EPA, announced Wednesday, resolves citations from July 2018.
With Southeast Side Metal Scrapper On Hold, Activists And Neighbors Pledge To Keep Fighting ‘Until The Permit Is Denied’
Mayor Lori Lightfoot delayed the city's permit review for General Iron's owner to open a fifth facility in East Side after EPA officials said the proposal raises "significant civil rights concerns."
City Delays Permit For Southeast Side Metal Scrapper After EPA Says Another Polluter Raises ‘Significant Civil Rights Concerns’
An EPA official urged Mayor Lori Lightfoot not to issue a permit for Southside Recycling until the city completes "a robust analysis of ambient air quality data from Chicago's Southeast Side."
‘Weakened’ Clear Air Ordinance For Heavy Polluters Moves Forward — With No Support From Environmental Groups
The proposal expands the city's role in approving permits to open industrial businesses with minimal community input. "We’re really relying on agencies that have failed ... to be the backstop to industrial polluters coming into more neighborhoods."
Month-Long Hunger Strike To Stop Southeast Side Metal Scrapper Ends Near Lightfoot’s Home — But The Fight Continues
Strikers were joined by more than 100 supporters as they gathered near Mayor Lori Lightfoot's home and marched to pressure the city to deny Southside Recycling's bid to open in East Side.
Environmental Polluters That Violate City Rules Will Face Bigger Fines After Ordinance Approved
The Chicago Department of Public Health will be able to assess higher fines ranging from $5,000 to $50,000 on industrial facilities and demolition contractors who violate air pollution standards.
Feds Investigating State EPA For Approving Permit For Southeast Side Scrapper Planned By General Iron Owner
The Illinois EPA approved plans for Southside Recycling despite community outrage, saying the agency couldn't consider feedback or General Iron's past violations during its review.
General Iron Officially Closes Lincoln Park Facility As Company Owner Works To Set Up Shop In East Side
Reserve Management Group plans to move essential equipment and most existing employees to establish Southside Recycling in East Side this year, but the company is facing setbacks to obtain an operating permit.
