ATTORNEY GENERAL RAOUL OBTAINS INJUNCTION OVER IMPROPER REMOVAL OF ASBESTOS-CONTAINING MATERIALS DURING RENOVATION OF MULTI-UNIT RESIDENTIAL BUILDING IN CHICAGO HEIGHTS

August 12, 2026

Chicago - Attorney General Kwame Raoul today announced his office obtained an agreed immediate and preliminary injunction order in his lawsuit against Ryze Properties - Homewood LLC (Ryze) and Outlook Design & Construction Inc. (Outlook) over alleged air pollution caused by the disturbance of materials containing asbestos during renovation work at a multi-unit residential building in Chicago Heights, Illinois.

The agreed injunction order requires Ryze and Outlook to hire a licensed asbestos abatement professional to develop a plan to remove and dispose of all asbestos-containing waste material in accordance with an Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) approved plan.

"The improper handling and storage of materials containing asbestos is dangerous to the health of workers and building residents," Raoul said. "The agreed injunction order will ensure safety protocols are in place with oversight by the IEPA while asbestos remediation continues, protecting both residents and workers."

On July 15, Raoul filed a lawsuit alleging the defendants conducted unsafe renovation work at the 15-unit residential building, located off South Halsted Street in Chicago Heights in an area of environmental justice concern. Raoul's lawsuit alleges renovation work at the north side of the building began in February 2026 and included removing plaster, drywall, flooring and ceiling materials in three apartment units. Many of these materials contained asbestos. There is no known safe level of exposure to asbestos, and inhalation of asbestos fibers can cause serious and fatal illnesses including malignant lung cancer, mesothelioma and asbestosis.

Raoul's lawsuit is based on a referral from the IEPA.

"Illinois EPA referred this enforcement action against Ryze and Outlook to ensure the proper remediation of the property so that it can be safely reinhabited," said Illinois EPA Director James Jennings. "The Illinois EPA will continue to oversee requirements of this order, including all asbestos abatement activities."

After receiving a citizen complaint concerning the building's renovation and the improper disturbance of asbestos, the IEPA conducted an inspection of the site and observed four unoccupied apartment units in various states of renovation. Outlook had not submitted the required written notice of renovation to the IEPA before starting work, in violation of the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for asbestos (Asbestos NESHAP).

Attorney General Raoul's Environmental Enforcement Division, which enforces civil environmental laws, has recovered millions of dollars from polluters and required companies to undertake environmental improvement projects in communities impacted by pollution. Raoul encourages residents to report environmental justice and other environmental concerns to his office by emailing [email protected].

Assistant Attorneys General Kevin Garstka and Caitlin Kelly and Senior Assistant Attorney General Christoper Grant are handling the case for Raoul's Environmental Bureau.