A - In the 1850s, a new energy source came to Illinois.  Coal was used to manufacture “town gas” in a community.  The gas was first used to light homes, businesses and streets and later for heating and cooking.  The town gas era ended when interstate pipelines brought natural gas to our state.  The Skokie MGP operated from about 1910 until the mid-1950s.

A - Heating coal, coke or oil was heated in a closed structure to generate gas.  After the gas was cleaned of impurities, it was stored in large tanks known as gas holders before it was distributed throughout a community.

A - Tar was the primary byproduct of the gas manufacturing process and was often sold to other manufacturers. Tar is a component of several products we use today, including dyes, some shampoos, driveway sealants, and asphalt roofing and paving materials. Residual ashes, cinders and tar may be found on the ground surface or below ground in storage wells and bases of the gas holders.

A - The primary compounds of interest in tar are polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons, or PAHs, and benzene.  PAHs are widespread in the environment because they are products of combustion, such as running a gasoline engine or burning coal or wood.  Likewise, benzene is widespread in our daily environment from such sources as gasoline stations, auto exhaust, household cleaning products, and cigarette smoke.  At the Skokie MGP site, the potential for exposure to any of these compounds is unlikely for several reasons, including the fact that the site has been closed for many years, no one is occupying the property, access is limited, most hydrocarbons are likely buried beneath the surface and the groundwater beneath the site is not in use.  A risk analysis prepared by nationally respected outside consultants demonstrated that there are no health risks associated with the environmental site investigation work activities.

A - No lane closures for the investigation of the McCormick Blvd. parkway are anticipated as access to the parkway will be through the Skokie MGP site.  Following the location of underground utilities, a geoprobe will be used to collect soil samples for laboratory analysis at approximately 20 locations.  The work is anticipated to last up to one month.

A - No lane closures on McCormick Boulevard are planned, so no impacts to the surrounding area are anticipated.

A - A remediation plan is being developed based on the 2008 investigation.

A - This website will continue to include information on the site, the type of work planned, relevant pictures and figures, public notices and additional resources for the duration of the project.