ENVIRONMENT

US EPA Deletes Illinois Kress Creek From Superfund Cleanup List After Decades of Radioactive Pollution

PUBLISHED Oct 4, 2026, 12:21 AM ET

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US EPA Deletes Illinois Kress Creek From Superfund Cleanup List After Decades of Radioactive Pollution

Media Bias Meter

Sources: 30

Left 7%

Center 90%

Right 3%

Sources: 30

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency officially deleted the Kerr-McGee Kress Creek and West Branch DuPage River site in DuPage County, Illinois, from the Superfund National Priorities List following a comprehensive and successful multi-million dollar cleanup of radioactive thorium waste. The contamination originated from historic monazite ore processing by Lindsay Light and Chemical Company dating back to the 1930s. Decades of joint state and federal collaboration culminated in the removal of hazardous tailings, stream restoration, and safe offsite disposal. Local and federal officials celebrated the milestone as a major victory for environmental protection and community revitalization. Although the federal NPL designation is removed, ongoing monitoring and separate frameworks remain in place for other related local sites. The action reflects streamlined federal environmental reviews aimed at returning restored land and waterways to productive public use.

By Yusra M. | JQJO News

Timeline of Events

In the 1930s, Lindsay Light and Chemical Company began processing monazite ore, generating radioactive thorium waste in West Chicago, Illinois.
On May 24, 2004, the U.S. EPA added the site to the Superfund National Priorities List.
In 2005, extensive cleanup operations began along Kress Creek and the West Branch of the DuPage River.
On March 24, 2005, the formal Record of Decision outlined the remediation strategy for the waterways.
From 2005 onwards, crews methodically removed contaminated sediment, backfilled clean material, and restored native vegetation.
On January 5, 2026, the Final Close Out Report confirmed completion of all remedial objectives.
On March 4, 2026, the EPA published the proposed rule in the Federal Register to delete the site.
On August 20, 2026, the rule became officially effective, fully deleting the Kress Creek site from the National Priorities List.
On September 3, 2026, EPA, state, and local officials celebrated the successful completion and delisting of the Superfund site.
On September 17, 2026, community analysts highlighted the long-term legal and environmental impacts of the delisting.

News Intelligence

Immediate US impact: DuPage County residents and local authorities celebrate the official federal delisting and environmental restoration of Kress Creek.
Possible long-term US impact: Accelerated Superfund cleanup protocols enable faster ecological recovery and community revitalization nationwide.
Most affected groups: DuPage County residents, local municipal leaders, EPA officials, and environmental advocacy groups.
Reader Prioritization: Prioritise official EPA press releases, Federal Register documents, and verified local news reports.

Media Bias

Articles Published:: 30
Right Leaning:: 1
Left Leaning:: 2
Neutral:: 27
Distribution:: Left 7%, Center 90%, Right 3%

Explain Framing

Left: Emphasizes stringent long-term ecological monitoring, public health protections, and historic corporate accountability for hazardous waste. Center: Focuses on factual regulatory milestones, federal-state coordination, and the successful completion of the multi-million dollar cleanup. Right: Highlights streamlined regulatory approvals, cost-effective agency actions, and accelerated community economic revitalization.