Ill. Residents File Proposed Class Action, Say Refinery Released Benzene into Groundwater

EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. -- Residents of a small Illinois town have filed a proposed class action lawsuit, contending that a nearby refinery released benzene and other poisonous hydrocarbons into their groundwater and soil for more than 20 years. Ford, et al., v. Shell Oil Co., et al., No. 11-L-524 (Ill. 3rd Jud. Cir. Ct., Madison Cty.).

In the June 3 complaint filed in the Illinois 3rd Judicial Circuit Court for Madison County, the plaintiffs asked the court to enter an order certifying the lawsuit as a class action.

The lawsuit was filed by Patricia Ford, Randy Clark, Virginia Clark, Jason John, …