On Friday, Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced his office filed a lawsuit against JET Enterprises & Holding Company LLC, alleging the company improperly stored numerous hazardous chemicals, conducted illegal open dumping of dangerous metal and chemical waste, and contaminated standing water in Sauget, thereby posing a danger to the environment and to the health and welfare of local residents.

In 2016, JET Enterprises purchased the site of the former Big River Zinc Corporation at 2401 Mississippi Avenue (Route 3). 

Raoul’s lawsuit further alleges negligent operations at JET’s Sauget facility by failing to minimize the possibility of hazardous waste being released into the environment. 

Raoul filed a motion for an immediate and preliminary injunction with the lawsuit.

“Illinois law is clear – companies that own and operate industrial facilities have a legal obligation to properly store dangerous chemicals and safely dispose of waste,” Raoul said. “The lawsuit against JET is an important step toward accountability. I am also seeking an order against JET to ensure its facility no longer poses a threat to the environment and the health of the residents nearby.”

Raoul’s lawsuit seeks to require JET to immediately retain a qualified environmental consultant to prepare a plan to investigate the extent of contamination on the site and complete all necessary remedial work under Illinois Environmental Protection Agency oversight. 

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

“Illinois EPA referred this matter to the Attorney General’s Office to ensure no additional work would be conducted at the site that could negatively impact the environment and nearby properties,” said Illinois EPA Director John J. Kim. “Through an injunction, the company will have to obtain Illinois EPA approval before proceeding with remediation efforts and will ultimately be required to address any contamination caused by construction activities.”

The facility opened as a zinc refining facility in 1929. Throughout the years, a cadmium plant, a melt and casting plant and cooling towers all were constructed on this site to assist in operations. 

The facility – now owned and operated by JET – remained in operation as a zinc refining facility under various owners until 2005.