Chicago, IL – (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul has reached a settlement in regard to the Kroger grocery store in Taylorville allegedly mishandling asbestos in a way that concerned public health and safety.

In a press release provided by the Attorney General’s Office, Raoul stated “This settlement holds Kroger and SSI Services accountable for jeopardizing the public’s health by exposing shoppers and employees to dangerous materials containing asbestos. I’m pleased that
this case is resolved and that the abatement has been completed. I remain committed to protecting Illinois residents from those who would jeopardize their health, safety and the environment.”

A lawsuit was originally filed by Raoul back in August of 2022 against Kroger and SSI Services alleging that the companies conducted unsafe practices while renovating, allegations stating that there had been chipped floor tiles that contained asbestos left behind in publicly accessible locations, and were present during the stores open hours, creating a substantial risk to public health.

With their being no known safe exposure level to asbestos, this was a huge health concern to the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) and during the year the lawsuit was filed, the IEPA chose to issue a ‘Seal Order’ causing the store to remain closed until the problem was resolved and no more asbestos could be found on site.

In accordance with the seal order, Kroger grocery store in Taylorville had to shut their doors for cleanup on July of 2022, and those doors remained sealed until December of that year, when the IEPA deemed the store safe to reopen.

The settlement, that has been long awaited, would require Kroger and SSI Services refrain from future violations and pay $108,000 in civil penalties