WREX.com – Rockford’s News LeaderIllinois EPA goes after Rockford towing company

Illinois EPA goes after Rockford towing company

By Marissa Alter

ROCKFORD (WREX) - The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency wants the Attorney General to go after a Rockford business and its owner. Northern Illinois Towing on Kishwaukee Street faces allegations it's a public health risk.

These aren't the first accusations leveled against Northern Illinois Towing and its owner Michael Fitzgerald. In fact, the city recently condemned the property.

For the past four years, Bourn & Koch President Tim Helle fought to get something done about his neighbor Northern Illinois Towing.

"We have a number of visitors form all over thee world that come here, and we have to look outside our doors to this eyesore every day."

The city of Rockford is aware of the problems. After several site visits and court hearings, 2501 Kishwaukee St. was condemned.

"Filth, filth, filth. It was just completely uninhabitable, a filthy piece of property. That was the primary reason we condemned it. There were also structural violations and fire code violations, just dangerous and unsafe for humans," explains Rockford attorney Jennifer Cacciapaglia.

13 News dropped by today and saw no green notices from the city on any building. People and a dog were also inside.

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency says the property's not just a danger to the owner but to the public. The agency visited the site July 13 and found about 1000 waste tires. Its report claims some of the tires had stagnant water which mosquito larvae were living in, causing a health risk. Inspectors also found empty gas containers, used batteries, burnt debris, and a lot of trash.

Owner Michael Fitzgerald's lawyer says his client is working on the issues. Mark Byrd adds, "He does not want to be in a situation where something on his property could cause a potential health hazard. He's working with the city to abate all nuisances that have been brought to his attention."

Cacciapaglia says Fitzgerald has a hearing with the city next month. She says Rockford will seek fines and foreclosure on an unpaid fine.