Some residents in Urbana, Illinois have been receiving letters from an Indiana law firm regarding possible litigation over a decades long air quality problem.
Neighbors in the Historic East Urbana Neighborhood Association (HEUNA), who live immediately south of the Emulsicoat asphalt plant at 705 East University Avenue, have been complaining about irritating odors for years.
CU-CitizenAccess published an article on December 23rd, 2021, outlining a history of complaints stretching back to at least 1991: East Urbana residents worried about emissions from local asphalt plant
Another article was published on December 19th, 2023: East Urbana residents have filed dozens of environmental complaints against Emulsicoat asphalt plant — and they’re not stopping
Someone must be paying attention to this issue, since residents of the HEUNA area have begun receiving letters from the law firm Marshall P. Whalley & Associates this past week. From a letter dated February 1st, 2024:
“We are currently investigating the possibility of litigation due to odors allegedly coming from the Emulsicoat asphalt plant. Due to your proximity to the facility, you may have experienced odors from this facility. Odors that interfere with the use and enjoyment of your home may constitute a nuisance and entitle you to compensation. Any litigation filed by this office would also have the objective of preventing any future emission of noxious odors.”
The letter (provided below) is followed by very simple one page survey which asks the resident to describe any odors they have experienced from the Emulsicoat plant.
Check CU called the phone number listed in the letter but was not able speak to anyone at Marshall Whalley & Associates who could comment on the matter. Apparently, that law firm is acting as a “middle man” for the law firm Liddle Sheets Coulson and we were redirected to that firm. We also attempted to call Liddle Sheets Coulson but were again told that someone would call us back.
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