U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush asks DOJ to formally investigate Village of Crestwood contaminated water scandal; May 9th Town Hall meeting planned

CHICAGO ––Today, U.S. Rep. Bobby L. Rush (IL-01) asked U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder to investigate the Village of Crestwood to determine if civil or criminal charges are warranted against the municipality after learning more than 51 million gallons of toxic water was knowingly pumped into citizen's homes for more than 20 years.  More than 11,000 citizens in the south suburban community drank poisoned tap water from a well operated by the village even though the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) had deemed groundwater contaminated by chemicals, including vinyl chloride, a dry-cleaning solvent.

"I am requesting the Department of Justice conduct a formal, full-fledged investigation in order to determine any civil or criminal violations on the part of the Village of Crestwood," Rep. Rush said in a letter delivered to Justice this afternoon.  "...I want to ensure the responsible parties in this case are indeed held accountable."

In the meantime, Rush is planning to hold an official town hall meeting where USEPA officials are expected to attend.  The meeting will be held May 9 beginning at noon at Oak Forest Hospital. The venue was chosen outside of Crestwood to accommodate a large audience.

On Saturday, April 25, the congressman listened to hundreds of Crestwood residents unsatisfied with the level of response they've received from the Village's mayor. More than 600 people attended a meeting at Moraine Valley Church in neighboring Palos Heights, including Tricia Krause, whom Rep. Rush hailed as a hero for her efforts to expose the issue.

"The government is supposed to protect its people but in this case it appears the Village of Crestwood did the complete opposite," Rush said. "Tricia Krause is an American hero for being brave enough, strong enough and persistent enough to expose this environmental travesty and get justice for the people of Crestwood. I intend to use the full weight of my office to see that justice is served and that this never happens in another U.S. city. "

In an April 20 letter to USEPA Administrator Lisa Jackson, Rush demanded a full accounting of the condition of the water in Crestwood. The congressman has not ruled out a congressional hearing in Washington, D.C.

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EDITOR'S NOTE: DOJ Letter Attached