Hilco
Little Village Group Blasts City After Official Avoids Punishment For Botched Implosion: ‘We Demand An Apology’
Organizers and the alderperson also said the city needs to be more transparent about its mistakes by releasing the full inspector general report. “Good government should be about transparency and accountability."
Instead Of Getting Fired, City Official In Botched Implosion That Covered Little Village In Dust Gets Written Reprimand
The city's watchdog wanted the Department of Public Health official punished or fired because the official knew in advance the problems the implosion could cause, according to a report.
As Target Warehouse Opens On Little Village Hilco Site, Alderman Celebrates New Jobs — While Activists Vow To Keep Fighting
The controversial warehouse will bring 2,000 jobs to Little Village, Ald. Michael Rodriguez said. But environmental justice groups say diesel trucks will further pollute their neighborhood.
As Hilco’s Target Warehouse Opens, Activists Dread More Pollution, Truck Traffic In Little Village: ‘Our Community Is Being Sacrificed’
The 1.3-million-square-foot facility housing a Target distribution center is opening Tuesday at 35th and Pulaski despite years of community opposition.
Leaked Emails Reveal City Hall Failed To Keep Little Village Neighbors Updated On Hilco Work Despite Promise After Dust Disaster
The mayor's spokespeople spent hours crafting a PR strategy before one raised concerns: "We’re not talking to community first?”
Target Set To Hire 2,000 Employees For Controversial Little Village Warehouse
Target will open its distribution center at the old Crawford coal plant site this summer. Jobs will start at $18 an hour.
A Year After Botched Hilco Implosion, Little Village Neighbors Demand Protections For South And West Side Neighborhoods: ‘We Just Want To Breathe’
On the one-year anniversary of the Hilco smokestack implosion Sunday, activists and community members gathered to look back at the botched implosion and amplify the need for environmental justice against polluting industries.
‘Clean Air’ Ordinance Rejected By Environmental Groups Gets City Council Approval
The ordinance sets up a more involved review process for industrial companies wanting to open in the city. No environmental groups supported it, saying it "falls far short of what our communities deserve."
City Officials Approved Plans For A Hilco Warehouse — But 303,000 Square Feet Of The Building Was Missing From Original Design, Records Show
The full size of the controversial warehouse at 3501 S. Pulaski Road is now 1,326,566 square feet, up from 1,023,467 square feet, according to the amended Planned Development approved last month.
‘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."
After Pressure From Residents, Hilco Warehouse Traffic Will Not Be Allowed To Drive Through Residential Streets, Alderman Says
As part of changes to the Plan Development, diesel trucks going to and from the site will not be allowed to travel through residential portions of the neighborhood, Ald. Michael Rodriguez said.
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.
City Officials Will Offer Updates On Controversial Hilco Site During Community Meeting Thursday
The Department of Buildings, Department of Water Management and Chicago Department of Public Health will discuss activities at the former Crawford Coal Plant starting 6 p.m.
After Hilco Dust Disaster, City Moves To Increase Fines For Polluters
For an “egregious violation,” the fine could go up to $50,000.
Cook County Set To Demolish 2 Buildings At Jail Campus In Little Village This Spring
Air quality monitoring data will be available to neighbors during the demolition work.
Following Botched Hilco Demolition, City Seeking Public Input On Rule Changes For Imploding Buildings
The changes were introduced two months after the implosion of the old Crawford Coal plant smokestack covered Little Village in a cloud of dust. The last day to provide feedback is Feb. 18.
Hilco Agrees To Pay $370,000 After State Sues Over Smokestack Fiasco
Hilco must pay $370,000 to a Little Village wellness organization working to address asthma in the area and continue dust mitigation efforts for the remainder of the site's demolition.
Little Village Activists Slam Developer Hilco In New Billboard 6 Months After Dust Disaster
Activists are concerned the Target warehouse being developed at the old Crawford Coal Plant will bring more polluting diesel trucks to an area already inundated by truck traffic from nearby industry.
City Repeatedly Breaks Promises To South Siders When Approving Polluters And Demolitions
From the Hilco demolition that covered Little Village in dust to General Iron's exit from Lincoln Park, city officials have promised and failed to be transparent with South Siders. Neighbors "don’t have any trust left at this point to be eroded,” one said.
City Council Approves Plan To Scrap Tax Breaks For ‘Bad Actor’ Developers — But It Won’t Apply To Hilco
The ordinance gives the city a way to penalize companies that violate rules and development agreements. But it will not apply retroactively to Hilco, responsible for the demolition that covered Little Village in dust.