Environmental
Under the Illinois Environmental Protection Act, who may be held liable for cleanup costs at a contaminated site?
AOnly the original polluter
BOnly current property owners
CCurrent owners, past owners at time of contamination, and operators can all potentially be liable✓ Correct
DOnly the tenant who caused the contamination
Explanation
Illinois environmental law (mirroring federal CERCLA principles) allows liability to extend to current property owners, past owners at the time hazardous substances were disposed, and operators. This means a buyer could become liable for contamination they did not cause simply by purchasing the property. Environmental due diligence (Phase I and Phase II assessments) is critical in Illinois commercial and some residential transactions.
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