Chemtool payments were not made in February.
Residents impacted by the Chemtool disaster in 2021 anticipated receiving their settlement payments in January or February 2025. However, as of February, these payments have not yet been processed. Subsequently, a court hearing is scheduled for March 7, 2025, at 1:30 p.m. in Courtroom 451, where lawyers representing the affected individuals will meet with Judge Stephen E. Balogh from Illinois’s 17th Judicial Circuit Court to address the status of payment distribution.
A considerable number of individuals, totaling over 6,000 residents and property owners, were eligible to receive compensation from a $51 million fund in the aftermath of the disastrous Chemtool fire that occurred near the Illinois/Wisconsin state line on June 14, 2021. This catastrophe led numerous people to evacuate their homes due to the thick smoke and generated significant debris in the vicinity. Between June 14, 2024, and the initial deadline of September 12, 2024, approximately 2,300 residents submitted claims. However, many faced challenges with their claims, including hundreds who were informed that their submissions were not on record, especially those that were filed online through the Chemtool Class Action Lawsuit website. To remedy this issue, a second deadline was set for November 23, 2024, allowing these individuals to rectify and complete their claims.
Concerns regarding the timing of the payment distribution escalated among residents in January 2025 following a statement from Judge Stephen Balogh addressing the delay. Although preliminary estimations from lawyers suggested that payments would have been disbursed in January, further procedural requirements arose. A critical aspect was the validation of the 2022 Equalized Assessed Value (EAV) for all claimants who were property owners, as this criterion influenced the calculation of their payment amounts. Additionally, claims submitted for electronic payment had to undergo verification protocols to prevent potential fraudulent activities. Reports indicated that some residents were still awaiting confirmation due to the complexities involved in filtering out duplicate claims.
Judge Stephen Balogh reinforced the necessity for court approval before any payments could be made to ensure that all class members with valid and timely claims were treated equitably under the settlement agreement. He clarified that the comprehensive nature of the class action, combined with the substantial settlement fund, contributed to the intricacies of the distribution process. Despite speculations from some residents regarding potential delays caused by legal representatives or the claims administrator, Analytics Consulting, established guidelines within the Settlement Agreement indicated that attorneys’ fees were capped at 35% of the Settlement Fund. Furthermore, the interest accrued in the escrow account was designated by Illinois legal regulations to be allocated to the charitable Lawyers Trust Fund, safeguarding the allocated funds for residents and property owners living within a 3-mile radius of the Chemtool plant.
While discrepancies in the claims submission process surfaced, some residents expressed frustration upon being informed that they had not adhered to the submission guidelines, resulting in denied claims. Despite these challenges, legal provisions within the Settlement Agreement granted mechanisms for the waiver of potential defects in claim forms to uphold the principles of justice. Nevertheless, the document also outlined consequences for failing to comply with set instructions, highlighting the importance of adhering to the stipulated guidelines to qualify for settlement proceeds.
The prevailing sentiment among some individuals reflected concerns over potential disparities in the claim handling process and subsequent delays. Nonetheless, pursuing legal action against Analytics Consulting posed challenges due to the firm’s extensive experience and collaborations with major federal agencies in the United States and Canada. Although attempts have been made to seek clarification from involved parties, the situation remains unresolved, leaving affected residents awaiting further updates regarding their compensation.
