Companies to Clean Up Asbestos at Chicago Site

Three companies accused of improperly handling asbestos at an old Chicago hotel will halt renovations at the 9-story building until contamination is cleaned up.

The Illinois attorney general’s office and the city of Chicago took legal action after officials discovered the companies failed to follow proper asbestos-handling procedures, leading to unsafe levels of the mineral in the building.

An agreed order filed Wednesday requires Zidan Management Group, Dubai, Inc. and Somerset Place Realty to cease all asbestos removal at the 1923 building, which formerly housed a hospital and hotel. It also requires them to post notices at every entrance and bar unauthorized access.

Attorney General Lisa Madigan’s office, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency and the City of Chicago must approve any future plans for the removing asbestos and remediating contamination.