In July 2018, the USEPA issued Notices of Violations (www.epa.gov/il/general-iron after 1) General Iron failed to provide/comply with a data request for Particulate Mass (metallic dust) on certain days, 2) failed to obtain an operating license for their hammermill shredder from the IEPA, 3) failed to install required pollution control equipment on their shredder, 4) failed to submit for a Clean Air Act permit and 5) failed to obtain a Title V permit from the IEPA in violation of the federal  Clean Air Act and corresponding state clean air laws.

EPA enforcement options include 1) issuing an administrative compliance order, 2) issuing an administrative penalty order and 3) bringing a judicial civil or criminal action. 

Perhaps this explain why was General Iron and the Labkon family were represented by a criminal attorney, former US Attorney Patrick Collins, at  the September 19, 2018 hearing before the Health and Environmental Protection Committee.