Chicago Tribune Much of Chicago is shut down during the COVID-19 pandemic, but a North Side company with a long history of pollution problems is still shredding flattened cars, twisted rebar and used appliances every day. Neighbors are livid. They have been complaining for years about metallic odors from General Iron Industries, a scrap

LINCOLN PARK — Neighbors are calling on Gov. JB Pritzker and Illinois lawmakers to shut down General Iron during the state’s stay-at-home order, even though the scrap metal yard is deemed an “essential business.” Pritzker’s executive order forced the closure of “non-essential” businesses, such as hair and nail salons. “Essential” businesses, such as grocery

Crain's Chicago Business “It’s unconscionable that they are continuing operations,” says Ald. Brian Hopkins, arguing that the coronavirus makes the scrap metal plant an even bigger danger to public health. The coronavirus seems to be infecting a lot of things these days, so it’s only natural that it would find its way into the

Block Club Chicago Neighbors of General Iron want federal investigators to take a closer look at the scrap metal facility before it moves to the Southeast Side. Lara Compton is asking her fellow neighbors to email the Illinois branch of the Environmental Protection Agency and ask officials to perform independent testing of “fluff,” a

WBEZ / NPR Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot is cracking down on General Iron Industries, a North Side scrap metal shredding company that’s been under scrutiny for years. Reset digs into the latest on this story. Listen to the full discussion at WBEZ.org.

Chicago Tribune Despite repeated complaints about metallic odors drifting into surrounding neighborhoods, city health inspectors only cited General Iron Industries once during former Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s eight years in office. The same city department ticketed the North Side scrap yard five times during the past two months — the latest signs that General Iron’s

Chicago Tribune Lightfoot cracks down on North Side scrap shredder Despite repeated complaints about metallic odors drifting into surrounding neighborhoods, city health inspectors only cited General Iron Industries once during former Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s eight years in office. The same city department ticketed the North Side scrap yard five times during the past two

Crain's Chicago Business After making peace with the city, General Iron Industries now faces a fight with a neighbor. A local real estate investor that owns several retail properties near the metal recycler's notoriously gritty scrapyard on the North Branch of the Chicago River alleges in a lawsuit that the exit plan announced last month by Mayor Lori

WTTW Chicago Tonight General Iron is the last vestige of an industrial past, tucked between the tony neighborhoods of Lincoln Park and Bucktown, abutting the new Lincoln Yards development. It’s had a contentious relationship with some of its neighbors, who have complained about air pollution from dust and particulate matter winding up in streets,

Chicago Tribune Mayor Lori Lightfoot short-circuited one of her predecessor’s last deals Wednesday, announcing an agreement that ensures a clout-heavy scrap shredder abandons its troubled North Side operation by the end of next year. Members of the Labkon family, owners of General Iron Industries, already are trying to sell their 21.5 acres of real