Asbestos is a harmful product that can lead to serious lung disease and cancer. While the government removed the use of asbestos in many industries, it still remains in many older buildings in Illinois. This poses a serious risk to the public when these buildings are no longer in use. A crumbling building filled with asbestos must have security around it to prevent trespassing and possible dangers for the public.
Pillsbury Mills has an abandoned plant that is becoming a serious nuisance to the community. Originally, the company was under fire for the improper removal of asbestos from the site. Keeping asbestos materials in open containers was one of the charges an owner went to prison for. As a result of this activity, the court put an end to demolition.
The site still has warning signs about asbestos. However, it just sits in a state of disrepair with no attention for the owners. This has led to the community voicing concerns that the site is not secure enough to keep animals, children and others from getting into it. The community wants regular inspections of the site by the owners to ensure it remains secure. They do not want any additional harm to come from this property.
Community members demand something change at this site. It is an eyesore and a danger to the community. While the court stopped demolition, the owners still must keep it safe and ensure nobody can enter the facility and suffer an injury. That is a basic responsibility of a property owner in any situation like this.
Source: NPR
