Rush: Illinois civil suit against Crestwood officials is 'significant first step;' continues federal investigation

CHICAGO - U.S. Representative Bobby L. Rush (IL-01) released the following statement on learning Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan filed a nine-count civil suit against current Crestwood Mayor Robert Stranczek and his father, former Mayor Chester Stranczek, accusing them of lying 120 times about their secret use of a village well contaminated with life-threatening pollutants. The congressman, who has held two forums with hundreds of Crestwood residents about this matter, in April demanded the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency investigate, which led to a joint EPA-U.S. Department of Justice raid on the village soon thereafter.

"The state has taken a significant step in restoring the public trust to the people of Crestwood and holding accountable those individuals who have endangered the health and safety of my constituents," Rush said. "Accountability is a key to good government and those responsible must be held accountable.  As the state moves forward with its case, I will continue to press the Justice Department and the U.S. EPA in its ongoing investigation that may lead to charges against those who knowingly endangered the lives of these citizens. I also applaud the vigilance of Crestwood leaders, such as Tricia Krause, whose research and perseverance broke this story wide open and has helped lead to today's results."

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