ATTORNEY GENERAL RAOUL ENTERS CONSENT ORDER IN LAWSUIT AGAINST PACIFIC ETHANOL PEKIN LLC

ATTORNEY GENERAL RAOUL ENTERS CONSENT ORDER IN LAWSUIT AGAINST PACIFIC ETHANOL PEKIN LLC

August 18, 2026

Chicago - Attorney General Kwame Raoul today announced the entry of a consent order to resolve a lawsuit his office filed against Pacific Ethanol Pekin LLC (Pacific Ethanol), now known as Alto Pekin LLC, over allegations of water contamination generated by its ethanol refinery located in Pekin, Illinois.

"This consent order is an important step that will protect the Illinois River for all who enjoy and rely on it," Raoul said. "I am committed to continuing to hold companies accountable when they break Illinois' environmental laws and risk the public's health and our natural resources."

Pacific Ethanol's plant is a wet-and-dry corn milling facility that breaks down corn kernels, with the starch being converted into ethanol to produce blends for transportation fuels. Raoul's lawsuit alleged that between January 2012 and October 2017, the facility discharged effluent into the Illinois River that exceeded temperature limits established under its National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit. The facility also discharged wastewater effluent in excess of the flow, chlorine and nitrogen ammonia limits of the NPDES permit. Raoul's lawsuit highlighted that the excess discharge of contaminants could harm wild animals including birds, fish or other aquatic life.

The consent order requires Pacific Ethanol to pay $75,000 in civil penalties and fund the $125,000 replacement of a water control structure at the Emiquon National Wildlife Refuge, which will allow water management on the approximately 320 acres of protected wetlands at the site located in Fulton County, Illinois.

Raoul's lawsuit was based on a referral from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA).

"Through this Consent Order, Pacific Ethanol, now operating as Alto Pekin, LLC, will be required to comply with the terms and conditions of a recently modified NPDES Permit," said Illinois EPA Director James Jennings. "Further, we were able to successfully negotiate a Supplemental Environmental Project requiring the company to expend $125,000 to fund the replacement of a water control structure at the Emiquon National Wildlife Refuge."

The Sierra Club and the Prairie Rivers Network were both plaintiff-intervenors in the case.

"It's never been more important that Illinois steps up to enforce our environmental laws as the federal government steps back from its obligations to protect our resources for future generations," said Jack Darin, Director of the Sierra Club, Illinois Chapter. "This settlement includes an important improvement for the Illinois River and its wildlife, and also sends a signal that polluters will still be held accountable in Illinois thanks to Attorney General Raoul and advocates who will always work to protect the Prairie State."

"Rivers can't speak in court, so we speak for them," said Robert Hirschfeld, Director of Water Policy at Prairie Rivers Network. "It's encouraging to see the state work to protect its namesake river. This settlement holds Alto Pekin accountable for polluting the Illinois River while helping restore natural floodplain function across 320 acres of wetlands at Emiquon. Those wetlands will hold floodwater, welcome waterfowl, and remind us that rivers aren't dumping grounds; they are communities of life that need protecting."

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 Attorney General Kevin Bonin handled the case for Raoul's Environmental Bureau.