Rockton

Chemtool explosion: more than a memory

Looking back over 45 months since the massive industrial fire in Rockton, Illinois

Michael McGinnis

Mar 7, 2025 — 4 min read

Photo montage, including attorneys Dan Flynn, Ed Manzke, Judge Stephen Balogh, Analytics president Richard Simmons

On June 14, 2021, the Stateline area experienced a devastating explosion and fire at Lubrizol's Chemtool facility in Rockton, Illinois. The facility at 1165 Prairie Hill Road was the largest manufacturer of grease in the United States. For four days, residents were required, then strongly encouraged, to evacuate. The smoke plume was visible for miles, as far as Madison and DeKalb.

EHS Support estimated that the fire produced one thousand tons of smoke particles, almost 700 tons of carbon monoxide, almost 58 tons of VOCs, 19 tons of sulfur oxides, tons of other minerals, and 185 pounds of nitrogen oxides.

The fire was not fully extinguished until June 23, nine days after it began. OSHA later said that a contractor with Holian Insulation Company caused the fire when a scissor lift struck a pressure tap on a hot oil return pipe, resulting in an oil leak and the subsequent fire.

Three years later, in June 2024, Analytics Consulting, the claims administrator, posted a claim form online to allow residents and property owners to receive a portion of a $51 million settlement for property damage caused by fire. Nine attorneys are sharing an additional $33 million. Many class members didn't file claims.

The class action lawsuit only covers property damage and evacuation. Personal injury lawsuits and health claims would be separate, but according to court records, nobody had filed any. The EPA said its testing showed the smoke and debris did not contain dangerous levels of toxic chemicals.

At the same time, Analytics Consulting sent 7,000 notices to eligible "class members," but said they only received 2,300 claims by the September 12, 2024 deadline. Many residents called Analytics at 833-457-5350, insisting they had filed by the deadline or that they never received confirmation.

In the end, the president of Analytics, Richard W. Simmons, said, "Out of an abundance of caution, letters were sent to all individuals who initiated a claim and did not complete it." A new deadline was set, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, to complete all claims. But residents say they are still getting emails from Analytics Consulting in early March, asking them to confirm the number of residents in their household.

Judge Stephen E. Balogh of Illinois's 17th Judicial Circuit Court was supposed to receive a report on the distribution of settlement funds to class members at a March 7, 2025 status hearing, but it was rescheduled to May 2, 2025 in Courtroom 451. The hearing also will probably be livestreamed on YouTube. Class members could choose to receive their payments electronically through Venmo, Zelle, Paypal, or paper check.

Besides the class action lawsuit, Chemtool was also sued for environmental reasons by the Illinois Attorney General. The Winnebago County State’s Attorney Office was a co-plaintiff. Lafakeria S. Vaughn leads the Civil Division there and says, "The case is still pending. The parties are still negotiating a draft consent order. The case is set for status on April 17th."

Today, the ruined factory is still owned by Lubrizol Corporation, but on July 23, 2024, the former headquarters at 801 W. Rockton Road was sold to Piper Industrial of Rockford for $650,000. They have not announced plans for the building.

This article originally appeared in the Spring 2025 edition of Stateline Connection, published by Balsley Printing. To place your ad in their Summer edition, contact Nancylee at 815-624-7515 or nancylee@balsleyprinting.com.