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Alderman Seeks To Lift Landfill Moratorium Because Of One Operation

CHICAGO (CBS) -- A South Side alderman says he is working to protect residents despite how it looks as he tries to lift Chicago's moratorium on landfills.

As WBBM Newsradio Political Editor Craig Dellimore reports, Tom Shepherd of the Southeast Environmental Task Force is upset with Ald. Anthony Beale (9th) for trying to lift the moratorium.

LISTEN: WBBM Newsradio Political Editor Craig Dellimore reports

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"We've spent many, many years fighting landfills, and we were so happy in 2005 when the 20-year moratorium was implemented, and we're going to fight it again," Shepherd said.

Beale says he hates landfills too, but a private landfill operator is trying to get around the city's ban by getting a court to allow him to annex the property to suburban Dolton nearby.

Beale says he will preemptively keep the operation under Chicago regulation, because if the lawsuit succeeds, there will be a landfill there regardless.

"If they're going to be able to continue to dump, let's see what agreement we can get where the community can benefit from it at the end of the day," he said.

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