Jorge Martinez, Author at Borderless Magazine NFP

Jesus J. Montero of the Cicero Independiente

Environment Health

What Cicero and Stickney Residents Need to Know About the Koppers Coal Tar Plant

Over the past decade, the Koppers coal tar plant, situated on the border of the town of Cicero and the village of Stickney, has been flagged for more than 50 violations of state environmental laws.

Dillon Bergin, Jorge Martinez, Glenda Valdes and Derek KravitzFebruary 13, 2024

Jesus J. Montero of the Cicero Independiente

Environment Health Investigation

Koppers disputes most recent environmental violations but plant records reveal two decades of run-ins with Illinois EPA

After the Illinois EPA sent them a lengthy violations notice last fall, Koppers executives began selling stock at an unprecedented rate. After MuckRock and the Cicero Independiente reported on those violations, the publicly-traded company hired a crisis communications firm to meet with elected officials and manage the community fallout.

Dillon Bergin, Jorge Martinez, Glenda Valdes and Derek KravitzFebruary 13, 2024