LaSalle County officials told the Land Use Committee on Aug. 6 they are pursuing enforcement and investigatory options for several problem properties, including the Schuster parcel that recently burned, a foreclosed Wedron property that has seen intermittent cleanup, and a venue marketed online that county staff say is being used as short-term rental and event space without required approvals.
County zoning staff described the Schuster property as the subject of pending litigation and said the recent fire burned waste on the site, creating uncertainty about whether debris must be tested before disposal. "All that waste is burnt. So it'll probably have to be tested to go to a normal landfill, or it'll have to be sent to hazardous waste," a county enforcement official said.
Jeremiah, a county staff member handling the enforcement file, told the committee: "I'm working on a plan. I don't have the plan in place yet, but I am working on a plan. I've reviewed the case that was originally litigated ... I'm trying to figure out how to proceed." He said determining whether an earlier judgment (which included a daily or weekly fine in the original order) can still be enforced is a first step; if it cannot, staff will seek new relief based on the continuing violation.
Committee members raised concerns about possible runoff from the Schuster site. One member asked whether neighbors had reported runoff into a creek; county staff said no reports had been received as of the meeting but advised neighbors to report any observed runoff, which could create additional legal violations under state water protections.
On a separate parcel known as the Wedron property, staff said the site is "coming soon" to market, appears to be in foreclosure, and had a dumpster on-site while cleanup work was underway but has seen limited activity recently. Staff said the county had previously issued fines through the pollution control board and noted that bringing the matter to the state's attorney would be required for more aggressive action.
Health department staff reported ongoing concern about an up-river property referred to in county discussion as Hash Resort (also identified in committee materials as Andalus Resort). Officials said they have received video and photographs of weekend events and garbage accumulation but have been unable to gain access to the property for on-site inspections. "We haven't been able to access the property," a health department staffer said, noting septic-system concerns given the number of people at events and the difficulty of contacting the owner or property manager.
Committee members and county staff discussed investigative paths — from seeking site access, to testing potential contaminants, to seeking court-ordered remedies and reimbursement for investigative costs if enforcement is pursued — and directed staff to continue research and to report back at future meetings.
No new formal enforcement action was taken at the committee meeting; staff said next steps would include legal research, potential court filings, and coordination with state agencies if runoff or other environmental hazards are observed.