ATTORNEY GENERAL RAOUL REACHES SETTLEMENT OVER AIR POLLUTION AT CHICAGO STEEL FORGING FACILITY

ATTORNEY GENERAL RAOUL REACHES SETTLEMENT OVER AIR POLLUTION AT CHICAGO STEEL FORGING FACILITY

December 12, 2025

Settlement Resolves Claims of Nitrogen Oxide Emissions that Violated Clean Air Standards

Chicago - Attorney General Kwame Raoul today announced his office filed a consent order resolving claims that A. Finkl & Sons Co. (Finkl) emitted excess amount of nitrogen oxides, a regulated air pollutant, at its Chicago facility. The facility is located in Chicago's Burnside community, recognized by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) as an environmental justice community.

"I appreciate the cooperation of Finkl as the company works to resolve the alleged violations and ensure compliance with environmental laws and permit provisions," Raoul said. "I am committed to protecting all Illinois communities from the health and environmental impacts of pollution and holding companies accountable for violations of our environmental laws."

Finkl owns an integrated steel forging facility where melted recycled steel scrap material is forged into shapes and sold to customers. Raoul filed a lawsuit Nov. 21 in Cook County Circuit Court alleging that between Oct. 17, 2021 and March 2022, Finkl failed to operate and maintain equipment, causing an increase in nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions. According to the Centers for Disease Control, breathing high levels of nitrogen oxides can damage respiratory airways.

According to Raoul's consent order, Finkl agrees to install, operate and maintain a continuous emissions monitoring system (CEMS) on the baghouse exhaust, which collects dust particular matter, that will improve monitoring of NOx emissions from the facility.

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

"The Illinois EPA referred this case due to the excess emissions emitted from A. Finkl & Sons Co. operations," said Illinois EPA Acting Director James Jennings. "We appreciate the work of the Attorney General's office to resolve this referral and ensure future compliance with applicable state and federal regulations."

The Attorney General's office enforces Illinois' environmental protection laws. 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].

Senior Assistant Attorney General Nancy Tikalsky is handling the case for Raoul's Environmental Bureau.