State attorney general files suit about Waukegan hospital demolition

State Attorney General Kwame Raoul has filed a lawsuit against a Waukegan mental health hospital and its construction contractor alleging the companies improperly handled asbestos during a demolition project.

The suit, filed Monday in Lake County Court, seeks a court order to make the owner/operator of the Lake Behavioral Center file a plan to decontaminate the site and safely conclude demolition.

The lawsuit comes in the wake of a federal action in May, where the U.S. Department of Labor cited the demolition subcontractor, KLF Enterprises of Chicago, for more than 30 alleged safety and health violations.

The Illinois attorney general’s lawsuit also revolves around work on three buildings at the hospital campus that are no longer in use, but are connected to the main building. The suit contends that the contractors failed to properly inspect for asbestos before beginning demolition, and also failed to properly dispose of material containing the dangerous material.

“The owners and operators of Lake Behavioral Hospital and the contractors they hired for this demolition have jeopardized public health by exposing people to dangerous materials containing asbestos,” Raoul said. “The asbestos must be remediated, and I am committed to ensuring that the defendants are held accountable for creating this hazard and for preventing any further harm to the public’s health and the environment.”

Inhalation of asbestos fibers can cause fatal illnesses, including lung cancer and mesothelioma.

Demolition at the site was halted in November, with one building demolished, one partially demolished and the third untouched.

In addition to KLF Enterprises, the suit also names L Covington LLC, the owner/operator of the hospital, and Reed Construction, which is the general contractor.

The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office assisted with the suit.

“Everyone deserves to live in a safe and healthy community,” State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart said. “The release of asbestos at the Lake Behavioral Hospital poses an environmental hazard and is deeply concerning.”