Prestige faces ongoing class action lawsuit despite settlement
A legal battle ensues between residents in a class action lawsuit against Prestige Feed Products in Mount Prospect over noxious odors. The contentious issue has led to Prestige reaching a settlement with Mount Prospect and Des Plaines, agreeing to close the facility by the end of the year. Despite this resolution, the class action lawsuit against Prestige remains active in Cook County Circuit Court, claiming that the noxious odors have significantly impacted around 4,000 residential properties within a one-mile radius.
Residents allege that the odors emanating from Prestige’s facility have infringed upon their rights to enjoy their property. The lawsuit seeks monetary damages under Illinois law for the unpleasant odors experienced since Prestige commenced operations in May 2019. Prestige Feed was promptly notified for violating regulations the day after it initiated operations due to the offensive odors. The ongoing complaints from the community and subsequent regulatory measures have highlighted the need for legal action, with the lawsuit progressing as the closure of the facility approaches.
Mary Beth Stillmaker, an affected resident and a key plaintiff in the case, expressed the community’s frustrations, emphasizing the adverse impact of the odors on their daily lives. She expressed the community’s inability to enjoy outdoor activities and the intrusion of the odors into their homes despite efforts to seal windows and operate air conditioning units. Legal representation for the residents from Liddle Sheets, P.C., and Marshall Whalley & Associates P.C. reaffirmed their commitment to pursuing the class action lawsuit, ensuring justice for the affected community members despite Prestige’s impending closure.
As part of the settlement agreement between Prestige and the two municipalities, the manufacturing operations are set to cease by December 31, accompanied by a reduction in weekly operating hours. Stringent third-party monitoring will persist until the cessation of manufacturing activities to ensure compliance. The fully executed settlement agreement has been made public by Mount Prospect, accessible through the village’s website under the Community Information and Fact Check Portal. Both parties have decided to limit commentary on the settlement, focusing on the transition to a resolution while respecting legal boundaries.
Moving forward, the village plans to offer transparency by making commissioned reports and related tests available to citizens as per the provisions of the Illinois Freedom of Information Act. Legal proceedings are set to continue with a scheduled hearing in front of Judge Clare Quish at the Richard J. Daley Center in Chicago. Despite the upcoming closure of Prestige Feed Products, the class action lawsuit stands as a testament to the community’s resolve in seeking justice over long-standing grievances related to the noxious odors emanating from the facility.