Environmental committee adds former dry‑cleaner site to restricted groundwater zone; city outlines PCB settlement receipts

The Waukegan Environmental and Sustainability Committee on April 6 approved an amendment to the city code that adds a property (1509 Washington Street) to the city’s restricted groundwater zone following an environmental cleanup. City staff said the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency required institutional controls — government rules that restrict groundwater use — as part of the cleanup and that the amendment adds the property and the associated map and moves definitions for clarity.

During the same committee segment staff gave an update on PCB‑related settlement money tied to lakefront remediation. The city told the committee it originally expected about $1.44 million from the national Monsanto settlement but, after other large municipalities opted out, Waukegan’s share rose and the city received about $1.724 million in April 2023. Staff also noted a separate matter involving 3M: the city reported $2.7 million due overall with about $442,000 still outstanding from 3M according to the update.

Committee members asked clarifying questions; staff offered to share the settlement documentation and said the funds had been received and recorded as described.

Why it matters: adding a property to the restricted groundwater zone places a long‑term institutional control on groundwater use at that site to reduce human‑exposure risk after remediation. The settlement funds discussed are the source of remediation and monitoring activity on Waukegan’s lakefront and remain relevant to ongoing cleanup work and capital planning.

Next steps: the amended ordinance will be published and the planning department will make the updated map and institutional‑control documentation available to the public upon request.