Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced on Apr. 2 that a preliminary injunction has been agreed upon in the lawsuit his office filed against Petroleum Fuel & Terminal Company (PFTC) following a February 2025 incident that resulted in about 4,000 barrels of liquid asphalt spilling into the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal. The order requires PFTC to complete cleanup of both the canal and the area surrounding its facility in Forest View, Illinois.
The case centers on PFTC’s oil terminal and storage facility at 4805 S. Harlem Ave., which has operated since at least 1993 next to the industrial waterway connecting the Chicago River to the Des Plaines River. According to Raoul, “The Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal is an important waterway teeming with wildlife. I am committed to ensuring PFTC fully abates this spill under the supervision of the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, preventing any future harm to the public’s health and the environment.”
An investigation by federal authorities began after observers noticed an oil sheen on the canal in February 2025. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency determined that a failed heated pressure valve connected to an above-ground tank caused the discharge. Contractors for PFTC worked under EPA oversight until November before state officials issued a violation notice and referred enforcement action to Raoul’s office.
Illinois EPA Acting Director James Jennings said, “This preliminary injunction provides assurance the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal will be properly remediated despite U.S. EPA’s decision to walk away from overseeing the clean-up response of the 2025 asphalt release.” Jennings added that state agencies would continue using their resources and authority “to ensure PFTC takes all necessary steps” for remediation.
Raoul’s suit seeks not only completion of cleanup but also compliance with environmental laws, civil penalties as allowed by statute, and reimbursement for state oversight costs. The Attorney General’s office advocates for vulnerable groups including workers, immigrants, seniors; handles thousands of consumer complaints annually; aims to protect consumers while promoting safer communities; extends advocacy across Illinois; partners with law enforcement for crime victim support; promotes open government; and offers services such as complaint filing for consumer fraud or civil rights violations according to its official website.
Attorney General Raoul encourages residents concerned about environmental justice or related issues to contact his office via email.