Chemtool

Holian payments pushed to 2nd quarter

An employee at Analytics Consulting provides an update.

A gif from Family Guy, wherein Brian owes Stewie some money.

"Please listen carefully as our menu options have changed." The classic line heard over phone calls to automated systems around the United States. Callers from Rockton, Roscoe, and South Beloit knew that, while menu options have probably not changed, residents soon might not have to hear this recording as much. They have been waiting for more information on when they will get their checks from the Holian class action settlement resulting from the spring 2021 Chemtool fire.

Recently, Shelly (a local resident who doesn't use her real name on social media but has met face-to-face with our founding editor on more than one occasion) called Analytics Consulting, the claims administrator for the settlement. Stephanie, an Analytics call center representative (where first names are provided), told her that “the timeline for payment has officially been extended to the second quarter of 2026.”

Stephanie’s statement has not been confirmed by attorneys or claims administrators, who have not responded to requests for comment since November.

But that timeline differs from earlier information provided to Rockton-Roscoe News. In a Nov. 7, 2025 email from Analytics Consulting, the Office of the Claims Administrator for the Holian settlement told us:

“We have over 5,000 claims to process and review. It should be much faster than for Grasley v Chemtool, as we have more information. Distribution of settlement payments is anticipated in the first quarter of 2026.”

This comes after a lengthy wait for some residents, six months after the final portion of the class action suit against Chemtool and Holian was concluded. Rockton-Roscoe News reported in October 2025 that all parties reached a settlement agreement. Under the agreement, $5.5 million would be paid to eligible class members. Special party members who brought suit waived their additional payment, instead opting for an equal share with other claimants.

In addition, lawyer's fees and expenses from this portion of the settlement would amount to $1.95 million, reducing the total distribution to claimants from $5.5 million to a figure just north of $3.5 million. That settlement also indicated that the number of claimants who filed and were found eligible for this portion of the settlement nearly doubled to 5,000. Residents who received payments from the earlier Chemtool settlement did not need to file a new claim for the Holian settlement.

The settlement estimated that the average payment due to class members would be roughly $500. Readers can read more about the Chemtool/Holian saga that looks to come to a close nearly 5 years after the initial incident.

Attorneys and claims administrators did not respond to requests for comment. We’ll continue to follow this and share updates as they become available. Readers can also stay up to date by signing up for our free daily newsletter.