Dust from the April 2020 Implosion Blanketed the Chicago Neighborhood, Widely Denounced as “Environmental Racism”
CHICAGO – With almost no notice on Easter weekend 2020, property developers imploded a gigantic smokestack at the former Crawford coal-fired power plant in Little Village, one of the city’s major Latino neighborhoods. Dramatic aerial footage showed the implosion enveloping the neighborhood from the plant located at 3501 S. Pulaski Road.
Local residents including Juan Rangel retained the law firm of Loevy & Loevy to pursue claims against the developers. The lawsuit they filed led to a $12,250,000 class action settlement, which recently received preliminary approval from the judge overseeing the case.
The settlement allows class members to recover for property damage and personal injuries by submitting a short claim form. A hearing where the judge overseeing the case will decide whether the settlement will receive final approval is set for April 2024.
“The demolition was a traumatic event for Little Village residents. We are pleased with the significant $12,250,000 settlement, which will provide a meaningful recovery for class members,” read a statement from the law firm Loevy, who represented the class of plaintiffs from the Little Village community.
“We encourage all class members to file claims at https://littlevillagesmokestack.com/ by March 26.”
“This was never about money. It is about justice for the Little Village community,” stated plaintiff Juan Rangel. If it weren’t for this class action suit, however, the tragic event almost four years ago would have been long forgotten, especially by the elected leaders who did next to nothing to address the concerns of our neighbors. Now, the crucial work of informing Little Village residents about filing their claims begins.”
