Grasley, et al., v. Chemtool; Mackey, et al., v. Chemtool, et al.

As Co-Lead Counsel, DiCello Levitt pursued claims against Chemtool Incorporated, its parent company The Lubrizol Corporation, and Holian Insulation Company, a contractor alleged to have been involved in the accident that led to the fire. The result included a $94.5 million settlement with Chemtool and Lubrizol and a later $5.5 million settlement with Holian, bringing the total class recovery to $100 million.

Key Court Decisions

• July 2021 — Judge Donna R. Honzel appointed DiCello Levitt Partner Daniel R. Flynn as Interim Co-Lead Class Counsel in the Winnebago County lawsuit arising from the Chemtool fire and explosions.
• October 10, 2022 — Judge Stephen E. Balogh certified the Grasley lawsuit as a class action on behalf of Illinois citizens who, on June 14, 2021, owned or rented property within a three-mile radius of the Chemtool plant.
• August 14, 2023 — Judge Balogh granted plaintiffs leave to seek punitive damages against Chemtool, finding that plaintiffs had established a reasonable likelihood of proving facts at trial that could support punitive damages.
• May 16, 2024 — The court preliminarily approved the $94.5 million settlement agreement with Chemtool and Lubrizol and directed that notice be sent to the class.
• September 27, 2024 — Judge Balogh granted final approval of the $94.5 million settlement resolving claims against Chemtool and Lubrizol.
• October 23, 2025 — Judge Balogh granted final approval of a separate $5.5 million settlement with Holian Insulation Company, bringing the total class recovery to $100 million.  

Case Overview

Grasley, et al., v. Chemtool and Mackey, et al., v. Chemtool, et al. arose from a catastrophic fire at Chemtool Incorporated’s production facility in Rockton, Illinois. Chemtool manufactured custom lubricants and grease products at the facility. On June 14, 2021, a fire and series of explosions sent a large plume of smoke, dust, and debris across the surrounding community.

Local authorities declared a disaster emergency, ordered residents within a one-mile radius to evacuate, and issued a mask advisory for residents within a three-mile radius. The evacuation remained in place until the morning of June 18, 2021, and the fire was not declared extinguished until June 23, 2021.

The plaintiffs alleged that the fire damaged homes and properties within the surrounding class area. They sought compensation for property cleanup costs, diminished property value, loss of the reasonable use and enjoyment of property, and other property-related damages, as well as injunctive relief and punitive damages. Chemtool and Holian denied wrongdoing, and the settlements resolved the claims without any determination on the merits.

DiCello Levitt served as Co-Lead Counsel for the class, working with co-counsel to investigate the cause and impact of the fire, develop expert evidence, litigate class certification and punitive damages issues, and negotiate settlements for affected property owners and tenants. The court certified the class in October 2022, and in August 2023 granted plaintiffs leave to seek punitive damages against Chemtool.

The litigation ultimately produced two settlements. In September 2024, the court granted final approval of a $94.5 million settlement with Chemtool and Lubrizol. In October 2025, the court granted final approval of a separate $5.5 million settlement with Holian Insulation Company. Together, the settlements created a $100 million recovery for eligible class members and other covered claimants affected by the Rockton fire.

These cases are Grasley, et al., v. Chemtool, Case No. 21 L 162, in the Circuit Court of the 17th Judicial Circuit, Winnebago County, Illinois, and Mackey, et al., v. Chemtool, et al., Case No. 3:21-cv-50283, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. The DiCello Levitt team was led by Daniel R. Flynn and included Anna Claire Skinner.