Class Certification Granted in Chemtool Fire Class Action
On October 10, 2022, The Honorable Stephen E. Balogh, Associate Judge of the 17th Judicial Circuit, Winnebago County, Illinois certified a class of Illinois citizens who have suffered a myriad of property-related injuries resulting from a fire and series of explosions that occurred in June 2021 at Chemtool, Incorporated’s plant in Rockton, Illinois. The class includes Illinois citizens who were, on June 14, 2021, owners or tenants of property located in Illinois within three miles of the former Chemtool plant.
As Judge Balogh noted, the class is “vigorously and capably” co-lead by counsel Daniel Flynn of DiCello Levitt LLC, Robert Libman of Miner, Barnhill & Galland, P.C. and Robert M. Foote of Foote, Mielke, Chaves & O’Neil, LLC, along with the plaintiffs’ executive committee members Edward J. Manzke of The Collins Law Firm, P.C., David A. Neiman of Romanucci & Blandin, LLC, Steven Hart of Hart McLaughlin & Eldridge, LLC, and Deanna Pihos of Miner, Barnhill & Galland, and class liaison counsel Marc C. Gravino of Williams McCarthy LLP.
“We applaud Judge Balogh’s decision to allow this case to move forward as a class action, to increase efficiencies and allow the community a concerted path forward in recovering and rebuilding their properties and lives following this preventable environmental tragedy,” stated David A. Neiman, Partner at Romanucci & Blandin.
Judge Balogh's order certifying the class action can be read here.
