SPRINGFIELD - The Illinois Supreme Court is scheduled to hear arguments that rock quarries backfilled with demolition debris need groundwater monitoring to protect drinking water.
Oral arguments in the case are scheduled for Wednesday. State and Will County officials are protesting a decision by the Illinois Pollution Control Board that omitted groundwater checks in rules for disposing of so-called clean construction demolition debris.
The idea is to divert "clean" concrete, brick and asphalt from scarce and expensive sanitary landfill space. The Pollution Control Board determined the material is safe for reclaiming dug-out quarries.
The state attorney general argues for more stringent testing. The office says there are enough harmful chemicals and metals in the waste that can leach into groundwater.
