CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- The first lawsuit has been filed against the companies responsible for the demolition of the old Crawford Power Station smokestack in Little Village, work that sent a cloud of dust through the neighborhood.
Kathryn Ramirez-Mercado, 32, says she’s lived half a block from the old Crawford plant for three years. And she says her family felt safe there, until last Saturday.
"To take down a structure in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic, when people like me have asthma and other respiratory issues, is so negligent and uncaring.
“When this happened Saturday morning we saw a huge dust cloud approach our house and cover the entire neighborhood.”
The lawsuit asks for monetary damages. Sean Driscoll, the attorney for the plaintiff, said the suit also demands that Hilco monitor the health conditions of Little Village residents.
“We don’t know what they’ve been exposed to,” he said.
Hilco declined comment about the lawsuit.
“We cannot comment on pending litigation. We are cooperating with the City of Chicago and all appropriate agencies as they conduct a review of the incident," the company said in a statement.