Class action suit in 2021 chemical plant explosion in Rockton entering final stages

Seventeenth Judicial Circuit Court Associate Judge Stephen Balogh is expected to approve a $94.5 million settlement for residents who lived within a 3-mile radius of the massive June 14, 2021, Chemtool industrial fire in Rockton.

No objections to the settlement were filed, and the case is back in court Friday.

"We think the settlement is an excellent result for the class," Ed Manzke, of the Naperville-based Collins Law Firm, told the Rockford Register Star in an email.

Those who submitted valid claims will get compensation based on whether they were property owners or renters, and also based on whether they lived within 1 mile of the plant, or between 1 and 3 miles from the plant, said Manzke, who is one of seven attorneys representing the plaintiffs.

More: Rockton Chemtool neighbors in process of filing claims for part of $94.5M settlement

The class action settlement reached with Chemtool and its parent company Lubrizol Corp. includes an estimated 2,700 homeowners and tenants who lived within 3 miles of the lubricant production plant, 1165 Prairie Hill Road.

The plant caught fire and exploded. The building was destroyed as the fire burned for days afterward.

A lawyer representing Chemtool declined to comment saying that the company does not comment on litigation.

Those who lived within 1 mile of the fire were forced to evacuate for four days and those within 3 miles were asked to shelter in place. Some property owners said their home values were diminished when their houses and yards were showered with smoke, dust and debris.

The settlement will compensate them for property damage suffered because of the incident. Other kinds of impacts including claims of personal injuries and health problems aren't part of this lawsuit.

Claims are going through a final vetting process by an administrator. Residents can expect to be paid their share of the settlement in November or December pending final approval of the settlement in court.

Jeff Kolkey writes about government, economic development and other issues for the Rockford Register Star. He can be reached at  (815) 987-1374, via email at jkolkey@rrstar.com and on X @jeffkolkey .

This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: Class action suit in 2021 chemical plant explosion in Rockton entering final stages