National
Illinois AG sues Trump Tower Chicago over water discharge into river
The Illinois attorney general has filed a lawsuit against Trump Tower in Chicago, alleging that it is taking in and releasing millions of gallons of water into the Chicago River without having conducted required studies on pollution or the impact on fish.
Attorney General Lisa Madigan, a Democrat, said she filed the lawsuit in Cook County Circuit Court. She said that the building takes in almost 20 million gallons of water per day from the river to cool the property’s heating and ventilation systems, and that heated water is later discarded into the river.
Madigan’s office also said that federal law requires “extensive studies of Chicago River fish populations and the impact of the building’s water intake system” and that the property failed to submit study results to the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency in 2013.
It also says that Trump Tower’s National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit expired in Aug. 31, 2017.
“Trump Tower continues to take millions of gallons of water from the Chicago River every day without a permit and without any regard to how it may be impacting the river’s ecosystem,” Madigan said in a news release. “I filed my lawsuit to make sure Trump Tower cannot continue violating the law.”
A spokesperson for the Trump Organization said in a statement that the issue could have been handled in other ways instead of a lawsuit.
“We are disappointed that the Illinois attorney general would choose to file this suit considering such items are generally handled at the administrative level,” the spokesperson said in an email. “One can only conclude that this decision was motivated by politics.”
Maura Possley, a spokeswoman for Madigan’s office, said in response that “we previously brought an action against the Trump Tower in 2012” over the issue. Donald Trump announced his presidential campaign in June of 2015.
The attorney general said in Tuesday’s statement that in 2012 she filed a complaint with the Illinois Pollution Control Board over heated water discharged into the river without a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit, and that it was settled and Trump Tower Chicago was ordered to obtain a permit and pay a fine.
The lawsuit seeks an order requiring that Trump Tower “immediately take the necessary actions that will result in a final and permanent abatement of the violations” and for fines to be imposed for the alleged violations.
Madigan’s office noted that the Sierra Club and the Friends of the Chicago River had also announced plans to sue over the issue.
Representatives for those two groups said they would work with the attorney general’s office, Reuters reported.
“Friends of the Chicago River trusts that the AG’s office will secure a good result with their suit and will hold the Trump International Hotel & Tower accountable,” Friends of the Chicago River Executive Director Margaret Frisbie said in a statement. “We look forward to working with them to assure an outcome that addresses the permit violations, protects additional aquatic life from harm, and makes the river healthier for fish.”
By: NBC Palm Springs
August 15, 2018
Latest Instagram Posts
CNN 'Engagement Party’s' Ari Shapiro breaks down what the popular meme blanketing social feeds this time of year.
🚨 Three young men are headed to prison after opening fire on a Thermal home with 14 people inside, then shooting at responding deputies. All survived. The men received sentences ranging from 8 to 11 years. Meanwhile, a Palm Springs man who admitted to sexually assaulting multiple underage girls across Southern California faces 22 years behind bars. His sentencing is scheduled for today in Indio. ⚖️ Two disturbing cases. Multiple victims. Serious consequences. #BreakingNews #CoachellaValley #Thermal #PalmSprings #CrimeNews
🎈 Want to experience the Cathedral City Hot-Air Balloon Festival? We’re giving you a chance to WIN tickets! Head to nbcpalmsprings.com/promotions for your chance to win! 🎟️ Good luck from NBC Palm Springs! #CathedralCity #HotAirBalloonFestival #WinTickets #NBCPalmSprings #CoachellaValley
🌧️ EL NIÑO READY: Know the Flood Zones! Heavy rain can quickly turn Indian Canyon Wash in Palm Springs into a dangerous, fast-moving river. 🚨 Fire officials warn drivers to never ignore road closure signs or attempt to cross flooded roads. Even just 6 inches of moving water can put you in danger. Find out which areas are most vulnerable and how to stay safe as our El Niño Ready coverage continues, only on NBC Palm Springs. #ElNinoReady #PalmSprings #CoachellaValley #FloodSafety #WeatherAlert NBCPalmSprings
☕️ Social Time with Thalia & Jerry. What do you do to get into the Halloween spirit?
After fighting for labor and civil rights for decades…american labor leader Dolores Huerta has passed away. However, in the city of Coachella, friends and colleagues say her memory will live on forever—on and off the fields. Be sure to visit nbcpalmsprings.com for @maria_nvtv full report. #DoloresHuerta #LatinaHistory #FarmworkerRights #CoachellaValley #CommunityImpact
🥊 THINGS ARE GETTING HEATED ON THE ICE! 🏒 Tucson’s No. 3 is handed fighting penalties and a game misconduct after his second fight of the night against the Firebirds! 🔥 Emotions are running high as the Firebirds take on Tucson tonight! #Firebirds ##CoachellaValleyFirebirds #Hockey #hockeyfights
IT’S GAME TIME IN THE DESERT! NBC Palm Springs’ Tim O’Brien is on hand to kick things off as the Coachella Valley Firebirds take on the Tucson Roadrunners tonight! 🐦🔥 The energy is building, the fans are ready, and it’s time for some hockey action! Who’s ready to cheer on the Firebirds? 🙌 📍 Acrisure Arena 🏒 Firebirds vs. Tucson Roadrunners Let’s go, Firebirds! 🔥 #NBCPalmSprings #CVFirebirds #FirebirdsHockey #CoachellaValley #AcrisureArena TucsonRoadrunners TimOBrien DesertHockey
🎭 Mann on the Aisle: Opening Night of “& Juliet”! Our Kevin Mann takes us inside opening night of & Juliet at the McCallum Theatre in Palm Desert! Find out what he thought of the hit musical that reimagines Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet and asks: What if Juliet’s story didn’t end there? #MannOnTheAisle #AndJuliet #McCallumTheatre #PalmDesert #NBCPalmSprings Broadway
In 1981, millionaire Thelma Gaston disappeared, leaving her family with decades of unanswered questions. Now, advances in genetic genealogy and forensic technology have helped solve the mystery of what happened to her. After 45 years, Thelma’s identity is restored, and her full story is finally being told. Watch Identifying Jane Doe: Thelma Gaston’s story only on NBC Palm Springs. #coldcase #coachellavalley #solved #nbcpalmsprings #thelmagaston