Title
Resolution authorizing a line-item transfer in the amount of $2,000,000, for the purpose of using a portion of the Monsanto Settlement Funds for incorporated or unincorporated Superfund site environmental clean-up and/or site preparation activities related to proposed economic development opportunities in Lake County.
Staff Summary
• In 2022, Lake County was notified of City of Long Beach v. Monsanto Class Action litigation regarding PCB contamination in certain impaired waterbodies. The class action settlement impacted all NPDES Phase I and II MS4 permittees with urbanized, unincorporated boundaries within a HUC 12 Watershed that contained or was immediately adjoining a 303(d) water body impaired by PCBs, as of June 24, 2020 only, but not later.
• The settlement agreement did not include limitations on the use of the settlement funds as it contemplates the impacts have already occurred and been dealt with by the settling class members.
• As a recipient of settlement allocation, Lake County received $7,500,000 of Monsanto Settlement Funds in April 2023 and appropriated the funds for an undesignated use in November 2023.
• This action will transfer $2,000,000 of the settlement funds for incorporated or unincorporated Superfund site environmental clean-up and/or site preparation activities related to proposed economic development opportunities in Lake County.
• Staff will work with Lake County Partners regarding any proposals or requests for this funding and bring these items back to the Financial and Administrative Committee for discussion and possible action.
Body
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Lake County was a participant in the City of Long Beach v Monsanto Class Action litigation regarding PCB contamination in certain impaired waterbodies; and
WHEREAS, Lake County received $7,500,000 in April 2023 as a result of the class action settlement; and
WHEREAS, the settlement agreement did not include limitations on the use of settlement funds; and
WHEREAS, in November 2023, Lake County appropriated the settlement funds for an undesignated use; and
WHEREAS, a line-item transfer is needed to allocate a portion of the Monsanto Settlement Funds for incorporated or unincorporated Superfund site environmental clean-up and/or site preparation activities related to proposed economic development opportunities in Lake County; and
WHEREAS, the County Administrator would work with Lake County Partners on any proposals or requests for this funding and bring these items back to the Financial and Administrative Committee for discussion and possible action; and
WHEREAS, the details of the line-item transfer have been prepared by the County Administrator’s Office, and the Financial and Administrative Committee recommends approval of this action by the County Board.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by this County Board of Lake County, Illinois, that a line-item transfer of $2,000,000 from 101-1102040-72785 (Settlement 16CV3493 Expenses) to 101-1102040-72786 (Economic Opp Fund - Env Clean Up) is hereby approved with the stipulations outlined in this resolution.
DATED at Waukegan, Illinois on September 9, 2025.