ATTORNEY GENERAL RAOUL, CITY OF CHICAGO ASK COURT TO HALT PULLMAN PLANT OPERATIONS UNTIL EXCESSIVE ODORS, ENVIRONMENTAL LAW VIOLATIONS ARE ADDRESSED

ATTORNEY GENERAL RAOUL, CITY OF CHICAGO ASK COURT TO HALT PULLMAN PLANT OPERATIONS UNTIL EXCESSIVE ODORS, ENVIRONMENTAL LAW VIOLATIONS ARE ADDRESSED

October 01, 2026

Chicago - Attorney General Kwame Raoul, joined by Mayor Brandon Johnson and the city of Chicago, asked a court to halt operations at the Pullman Innovations plant, located in an environmentally overburdened area on the Southeast Side of Chicago, until the facility stops generating excessive odors and comes into compliance with environmental law and its operating permit.

Pullman Innovations' Chicago facility converts a by-product of commercial edible oil into animal feed ingredients. In August, Raoul, Johnson and the city filed a lawsuit against A-F Acquisition LLC, which operates under the name Pullman Innovations, alleging that the company allowed excessive odors, caused illegal air pollution, constructed a boiler without a permit that could cause or contribute to air pollution, and violated certain conditions of the operating permit at its Chicago facility.

Today, Raoul's office filed a motion for a temporary restraining order calling for a halt to operations at the plant and a motion for a preliminary injunction requiring the company to address the odors and its violations of environmental law and operating permit. The preliminary injunction motion includes a timeline for Pullman to submit a remediation plan to the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) for approval and, once approved, to carry out the plan. The motion would also seek an order requiring the company to complete installation and start operating a pollution control device called a "regenerative thermal oxidizer" within 120 days as well as other actions to identify and address odors to prevent future violations, among other requirements.

"The foul odors from the Pullman Innovations facility are hurting this community and interrupting the lives of nearby residents who deserve to enjoy their homes and neighborhood activities in peace," said Raoul. "The company should not be allowed to continue operations until it addresses the odors and air pollution and ensures that its operations comply with Illinois' environmental laws. I will continue to protect all Illinois communities and hold companies accountable when they violate our environmental laws."

"For far too long, residents on the Southeast Side have been forced to live with odors that disrupt their daily lives and impact their families, schools, and neighborhoods. That is not acceptable," said Mayor Brandon Johnson. "Every Chicagoan deserves clean air and a safe, healthy environment, and the city will continue standing with residents and taking action to hold polluters accountable. We are grateful to Attorney General Raoul for partnering with us to demand that Pullman Innovations address these violations and protect the health and quality of life of the surrounding community."

The Pullman facility is located in an area of environmental justice concern on the Southeast Side of Chicago, which experiences a disproportionate burden of environmental harm from industrial facilities. Nearby residents have spoken out for years against the debilitating odors from the facility. They describe the odors as resembling rotten eggs, garbage, sewage, decaying animals, rotten fish, chemicals and rotting meat. Residents living near the facility report being forced to keep windows in their homes closed due to the nauseating odors, being unable to enjoy outdoor activities and being chased inside by odors, often interrupting family events. Some residents report the odors permeating their homes, leaving them with no escape. The odors are also affecting nearby schools and a local church, causing parishioners to report that church events such as weddings, funerals and outdoor festivals are often ruined by the odors. The community has played an important role in supporting the Attorney General's case by tracking and logging odors, providing affidavits for the motion, and keeping the Attorney General's office and IEPA informed about the odors at the facility.

In February 2025, IEPA inspectors observed extremely strong odors both inside and outside the buildings at the facility, which, at times, made breathing difficult for the inspectors. In August 2026, an IEPA inspector again observed exceedingly overpowering odors in residential areas around the facility and described the smell as similar to rotten garbage and vomit. The city of Chicago has conducted numerous inspections in response to complaints, and city inspectors have also encountered odors that made breathing difficult and caused nausea.

"When facilities do not act like good neighbors, it is imperative that we take action," said Chicago's Chief Sustainability Officer and Department of Environment Commissioner Angela Tovar. "Our city inspectors have worked diligently over the years, issuing violation notices and making every effort to bring Pullman Innovations into compliance. By suing the facility earlier this year and now taking action to halt its operations, the city of Chicago and state of Illinois are making it clear that facilities that disregard their surrounding communities will face consequences."

The lawsuit is based on a referral from the IEPA.

"Illinois EPA agrees these actions, including the temporary cessation of operations, are necessary to ensure the facility is brought into compliance with all applicable environmental regulations," said Illinois EPA Director James Jennings. "This facility has continued to adversely impact the local community with offensive odors due to its failure to properly control emissions, and today's action will put the facility on a proper path to compliance."

The Attorney General's office enforces Illinois' environmental protection laws. Attorney General Raoul's Environmental Enforcement Division, which enforces civil environmental laws, has recovered millions of dollars from polluters and required companies to undertake environmental improvement projects in communities impacted by pollution. Raoul encourages residents to report environmental justice and other environmental concerns to his office by emailing [email protected].

Assistant Attorneys General Justin Bertsche, Taylor Desgrosseilliers, Rebecca Kanz and Caitlin Kelly are handling the case for Raoul's Environmental Bureau.