TAYLORVILLE, Ill. (WAND) — Residents who formed a community group in Taylorville are worried about summer activities for their children in Manners Park which is located next to a toxic environmental site.
The group, My Community, My Family, is concerned about a former gas manufacturing plant, built in the 1800s and closed in 1932, which produced gas for heating homes and businesses. In 1985, work at the site dug up coal tar which was eventually connected to the deaths of four children from a rare cancer. Several other children were sickened. The gas plant was originally owned by Taylorville Gas & Electric and later by Central Illinois Public Service, also known as CIPS. Ameren took over CIPS and inherited the site.
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Mason Boston tells WAND he believes baseball diamonds in Manners Park, which are used in warmer months by children, won’t be used in 2024. It is his understanding other diamonds will be used in parks away from the site.
Ameren had been digging at the site for a pilot project last summer but was forced to stop in the fall when the Illinois EPA issued a stop work order. My Community, My Family members complained odors were coming from the site and believed they could be toxic.
Site of Taylorville 1900s manufactured gas plant.
Ameren has removed some equipment from the site and is filling a large hole with rock. Work to fill the hole will continue for a few more weeks. Ameren says it will not have work activity taking place this summer. The company also tells WAND News the are awaiting additional information and direction from the Illinois EPA.
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