Residents of Illinois Town File Class Action Against Refinery

EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. -- The residents of an Illinois town have filed a class action lawsuit against a local refinery, contending that the facility has released benzene and other toxins into the surrounding community for nearly 100 years. Parko, et al. v. Shell Oil Co., et al., No. n/a (Ill. 3rd Jud. Cir. Ct., Madison Cty.).

The April 16 lawsuit, filed in the Illinois Judicial Circuit Court for Madison County, follows a similar complaint filed last month by the town against the owners and operators of the refinery.

In the class action complaint, the plaintiffs contend that property they own in …