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Bally Vaughn Apartments / Wabash Crossing Group, LLC

Site Location & Background

The Bally Vaughn Apartments (the “site”) is located at 1317 West Washington Street in Springfield. The site is owned by Wabash Crossing Group, LLC (“Wabash”). According to Illinois EJ Start map, the site is located in an Environmental Justice (EJ) area.

On April 14, 2023, Illinois EPA received a complaint of improper disposal of Regulated Asbestos-Containing Material (RACM) at the site.  The complainant stated that workers were removing drywall that tested positive for Asbestos-Containing Material (ACM) without properly spraying the materials with water to prevent the fibers from dispersing into the air (a process known as “wetting”). Additionally, the complainant reported that the drywall was being improperly disposed of in an open dumpster, rather than containing the materials as required under federal and state regulations.

On April 18, 2023, Illinois EPA conducted an inspection at the site to determine whether demolition or renovation activities were occurring that are subject to regulation under the Asbestos National Emission Standard for Hazardous Air Pollutants (Asbestos NESHAP),  codified at 40 CFR Part 61, Subpart M (§§ 61.140 through 61.157 and Appendix A). After confirming workers were not following proper asbestos remediation protocols, the Illinois EPA instructed Wabash to immediately stop work and secure the site, allowing only asbestos professionals licensed by the Illinois Department of Public Heath (IDPH) to enter. 

Illinois EPA conducted additional site inspections on April 19, April 20, May 25, and August 1. During each inspection, inspectors found the site unsecure and evidence of work continuing without a licensed asbestos professional, against Asbestos NESHAP requirements. After receiving a complaint on September 12, 2023, Illinois EPA inspectors returned to the site and again found the site unsecure with evidence of activity at the site.

Based on the observed violations, Illinois EPA decided to initiate compliance proceedings against the owner of the site. Illinois EPA attempted to identify the owner based on information on the Illinois Secretary of State’s business search website, as is the standard practice. On August 1, 2023, Illinois EPA issued Violation Notice (VN) A‑2023‑00098 to “Wabash Crossing” based on this information. However, this facility was not the correct owner of the site. After conducting additional research, Illinois EPA identified a Georgia address for the correct owner, and on November 20, 2023, reissued VN A‑2023‑00098 to Wabash at that address. Wabash did not respond to the VN. On March 18, 2024, Illinois EPA issued a Notice of Intent to Pursue Legal Action (NITPLA) to Wabash.  Wabash did not respond to the NITPLA. For more information on the compliance process, see https://epa.illinois.gov/topics/compliance-enforcement.html. 

Current Action & Enforcement

Because Wabash did not respond to the NITPLA and a resolution was unable to be reached under the Compliance process, Illinois EPA determined it was necessary to take legal action against Wabash. On June 14, 2024, the Illinois EPA referred this enforcement action against Wabash to the Illinois Attorney General’s Office to get a court involved, citing violations of the Illinois Environmental Protection Act, the Asbestos NESHAP, and Illinois Pollution Control Board regulations. 

On April 21, 2025, the Illinois Attorney General’s Office filed a Complaint against Wabash with the Sangamon County Circuit Court. An Agreed Interim Order was entered on April 29, 2025. This is a legally enforceable order that requires Wabash to take immediate actions to correct violations of the Illinois Environmental Protection Act, the Asbestos NESHAP, and Illinois Pollution Control Board regulations.

As part of the Agreed Interim Order, Wabash is required to immediately secure access to the site, and must hire a state-licensed asbestos professional to implement adequate wetting and containment measures for all debris on site, including dumpsters, conduct a complete asbestos inspection of the entire site, ensuring any uninspected material is treated as asbestos‑containing waste material (ACWM). Wabash must also submit a Project Design Plan to the Illinois EPA for approval, outlining the work practices for determining contamination, methods for proper site decontamination, procedures for handling and disposing of ACWM, and dust‑control measures during renovation activities. 

Illinois EPA has approved a Project Design Plan, available here. 

The next court date is October 19, 2026, at 9:30 AM CT. The case number is 25-CH-23 The hearing will be held via Zoom, and the information is below: 

Meeting ID: 969 230 7334

Password: 889222

What is Asbestos

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral found in certain rocks that was once commonly used in building materials, particularly before the mid-1970s and occasionally until the late 1980s. It was used because it is strong, fire-and-corrosion-resistant, and a good insulator.

If asbestos-containing material is in good condition and left in place, it should not present health risks. However, if and when ACM is damaged or crumbling, or if a building is demolished, renovated, or remodeled, care must be taken to prevent the release of asbestos fibers into the air. Inhalation of microscopic asbestos fibers from friable ACM (ACM that crumbles, breaks, or frays with little effort) can cause health risks.

Because asbestos presents a significant risk to human health when released into the air, asbestos is considered a hazardous air pollutant regulated under the NESHAP regulations.

The Illinois EPA is the delegated authority to enforce the NESHAP for regulated asbestos during demolition, renovation, and disposal. This authority is managed by the Agency’s Asbestos Unit.

Case Documents

Violation Notice (VN) A-2023-00098

Notice to Pursue Legal Action Letter

Complaint Filed in Sangamon County Court

Agreed Interim Order

Project Design Plan

Resources

Contact Information:

The Illinois EPA will continue to update the website as new information is released. If you would like to be added to a mailing list to be notified as details are released, send an email with the subject line stating “Wabash Crossing Group” to epa.contactus@illinois.gov. 

Illinois EPA

Illinois Attorney General's Office