Smith Gambrell Russell Successfully Represents Southside Recycling in Highly-Publicized Environmental Justice Litigation Regarding an $80 Million Recycling Facility in the City of Chicago
ATLANTA (June 2, 2023) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP (SGR) is pleased to announce that yesterday, firm client General III, LLC (d/b/a Southside Recycling) obtained a significant victory in its litigation against the City of Chicago appealing the denial of a permit to operate its newly-constructed, state-of-the-art $80 million metal recycling facility on the Southeast Side of Chicago. Southside Recycling had previously obtained all required permits and zoning approvals to construct the facility, and had applied to the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) for a large recycling facility permit to operate.
Despite the previous approvals, CDPH denied the large recycling facility operating permit application in February 2022 based on the results of an environmental justice (EJ) analysis. In a 50-page opinion issued yesterday, a City of Chicago Administrative Law Judge ruled that the City of Chicago had wrongfully denied Southside Recycling the permit, had no authority to conduct the EJ analysis, and vacated the denial.
The SGR Chicago legal team included Jeff Rossman, partner, and T.J. Sheahan, partner and Chicago litigation section head, in the Litigation Practice, along with Ann Zwick, partner in the Environmental and Real Estate practices.
About RMG/Southside Recycling
Formed in 1991, Reserve Management Group (RMG) is a family of distinct but related businesses, including Southside Recycling, involved in recycling, scrap metal processing (ferrous metals, non-ferrous metals, electronic scrap), material handling, equipment sales, and property management, operating in 10 states. More information can be found at www.reserve-group.com and at www.southside-recycling.com.
About Smith Gambrell Russell
SGR is a full-service, international law firm that advises regional, national and global businesses on a wide range of legal matters. The Firm’s nearly 400 attorneys provide legal counsel in more than 50 specialized practice areas, including corporate transactions, litigation, intellectual property, aviation, banking, real estate, insurance/reinsurance, construction, employment law, international, and employee benefits and executive compensation. Founded in 1893, SGR has 14 domestic and international offices, including Atlanta; Austin; Charlotte; Chicago; Jacksonville, FL; London; Los Angeles; Miami; Munich; New York; Southampton; Springfield, IL; Tampa, FL; and Washington, D.C. SGR combined with Freeborn & Peters effective April 1, 2023.
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