The Village of Beach Park voted to approve Resolution 32, authorizing the village to accept its share of a multi-jurisdictional settlement with Monsanto Company and affiliated manufacturers over alleged PCB contamination of stormwater outflows to Lake Michigan. Under the formula negotiated with other plaintiff communities, Beach Park’s guaranteed share would be $1,166,370 paid in three installments over five years, with an initial payment of $466,000 expected this fourth quarter, $373,000 in 2026 and roughly $326,000 in the final installment.

Village staff and outside counsel recommended approving the settlement and placing proceeds into a sequestered fund. Village staff told the board that any additional money recovered through separate indemnity lawsuits would increase Beach Park’s share by about $1,000,630 if those suits succeed; attorney fees would reduce gross recoveries (counsel estimated fees at about one-third of gross proceeds). The board was told there is currently no known PCB release, storage, or deposit within Beach Park.

"At this time, there is no known exposure to Beach Park in the form of PCB contamination," a village official told trustees during the meeting. Counsel and staff urged caution and recommended placing settlement funds into a separate, restricted account until the village understands whether any remediation obligations will attach to the money.

Trustees asked procedural and fiscal questions about timing, potential cleanup obligations and whether the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency or other agencies could seek further action by municipalities. One trustee urged consideration of whether sequestered funds might be used creatively — for example, to retire debt — while others emphasized reserving the money for potential cleanup needs if contamination is discovered.

The resolution passed by roll call. Trustees were told the statewide settlement will direct substantial amounts to the state and to Chicago, and that the settlement framework contemplates state and local expenditures for cleanup if needed. The village’s legal and financial advisers will return with details on fund administration and next steps if the board wishes to act on fund uses or related policy.