Pilsen Environmental Rights and Reform Organization
Coverage of Pilsen Environmental Rights and Reform Organization in the Nexus archive.
- Damen Silos Site Is Now A Parking Lot
The Damen Silos site in McKinley Park has been converted into a temporary parking lot by MAT Limited Partnership, owned by Michael Tadin Jr., despite community opposition over its potential to be a green space. The project was completed without a permit, raising concerns about pollution and regulatory compliance, while long-term plans for the site remain unclear.
- Pilsen residents warn of toxic metals from metal scrapper, ask Pritzker to slow permit renewal
Pilsen residents are urging Governor JB Pritzker to delay the permit renewal of Sims Metal Management, a scrap metal operation accused of releasing toxic metals into the air. Despite a 2025 pollution control system installed by Sims, recent tests show increased levels of arsenic, cadmium, chromium, and other metals, sparking community protests and calls for further scrutiny.