South Siders Sue Vegetable Oil Plant Over Years Of 'Noxious Odors' 'It's Miserable'

A Cook County judge has granted a class-action lawsuit against Pullman Innovations, a vegetable oil plant, due to ongoing complaints about "noxious odors" affecting the South Deering neighborhood. Plaintiff Oscar Ortega claims the facility's emissions have disrupted the enjoyment of over 2,400 households in the area since March 2018. Judge Caroline Moreland's ruling enables affected homeowners and renters to join the suit, highlighting the community's frustration. Ortega stated, "I did this not just for me, but for my entire community," emphasizing the collective impact of the odors. Residents have likened the smells to corpses and spoiled food, leading local officials to call for stricter air quality monitoring.

The lawsuit seeks compensation for those affected and aims to hold the company accountable for its emissions. Pullman Innovations has previously claimed it installed odor controls and faces unfair blame due to nearby industrial facilities. This legal action reflects broader concerns about industrial pollution and community health.