BUILDING OWNER CONVICTED

Contact: Melissa Merz 312-814-3118 877-844-5461 (TTY) Chicago, IL - June 30, 2006
Attorney General Lisa Madigan today said the owner of a downtown Champaign building must pay thousands of dollars in court costs, fines and restitution and attend asbestos awareness training after entering a guilty plea in connection with improper asbestos removal at the building.

Daniel Hamelberg, representing defendant Neil Street Lofts, LLC, pleaded guilty yesterday in Champaign County Circuit Court to one count of failing to provide notice of asbestos renovation, a Class A misdemeanor. Madigans charges alleged that Neil Street Lofts failed to provide written notice to the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) prior to asbestos removal during renovation activities at a two-story building at 110-120 North Neil St. in Champaign. Such notice of intended asbestos removal is required under the Illinois Environmental Protection Act.

Judge Holly Clemons ordered the corporation to pay $2,500 in fines and costs and $50,000 in restitution for increasing asbestos awareness and training in Champaign County. Madigan said Hamelberg and Neil Street Lofts have spent $17,440 to clean up the site prior to the court action. Hamelberg, on behalf of the corporation, also was ordered to attend asbestos awareness training over the next 12 months as part of the conditional discharge granted by Judge Clemons.

Bureau Chief Mitchell Cohen and Assistant Attorney General Colette Melhuish are handling the case for Madigans Environmental Crimes Bureau. The IEPA and the Illinois Department of Public Health assisted in the investigation.

Sheila E. Schneider
State Asbestos Program Coordinator
FDEP, Bureau of Air Regulation
2600 Blair Stone Rd, MS 5505
Tallahassee, Fl 32399-2400
850 921 9530
SC 291 9530