Lisa
    Madigan
    AT’lORNEY
    GENERAL
    OFFICE OF
    THE
    ATTORNEY
    STATE
    OF
    ILLINOIS
    December
    22, 2008
    GENERAL
    ECEnVED
    CLERK’S
    OFFICE
    DEC
    24
    2008
    Pouutio,i
    STATE
    OF
    Control
    ILLINOIS
    Boaj’d
    CLERK’S
    OFFICE
    STATE
    OF
    IWNOIS
    Pollution
    Control
    Board
    John
    T.
    Therriault,
    Assistant
    Clerk
    Illinois
    Pollution
    Control Board
    James
    R. Thompson
    Center,
    Ste.
    11-500
    100
    West
    Randolph
    Chicago,
    Illinois
    60601
    Re:
    People
    v.
    J.
    B. TImmerman
    Farms,
    Ltd.
    PCB
    07-70
    Dear
    Mr.
    Therriault:
    Enclosed
    for filing
    please
    find
    the
    original
    and
    ten
    copies
    of
    Complainant’s
    Motion
    for
    Leave
    to
    File
    a
    Reply
    Brief,
    Complainant’s
    Reply
    in
    Support
    of
    its Motion
    to
    Strike
    Respondent’s
    Affirmative
    Defenses
    and
    Notice
    of
    Filing
    in
    regard
    to the
    above-captioned
    matter.
    Please
    file
    the
    originals
    and
    return
    file-stamped
    copies
    to
    me
    in the
    enclosed,
    self-addressed
    envelope.
    Thank
    you
    for
    your
    cooperation
    and
    consideration.
    AJN!pjk
    Enclosures
    Very
    truly
    yours,
    Andrew
    J.
    Environmental
    Bureau
    500
    South
    Second
    Street
    Springfield, Illinois
    62706
    (217)
    782-9031
    500
    South
    Second
    Street,
    Springfield,
    Illinois
    62706
    ‘ (217)
    782-1090
    TTY:
    (877)
    844-5461
    • Fax:
    (217)
    782-7046
    100 West
    Randolph
    Street,
    Chicago,
    Illinois
    60601
    • (312)
    814-3000
    ‘l”l’Y:
    (800)
    964-3013
    • Fax:
    (312)
    814-3806
    1 (VII P...-.-
    ,..:.-.
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    4)flfli
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    C’)fl 6,1/IA
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    FAIr

    BEFORE THE
    ILLINOIS POLLUTION
    CONTROL
    BOARD
    PEOPLE
    OF
    THE
    STATE OF
    )
    ILLINOIS
    Complainant,
    vs.
    )
    PCB
    No.
    07-70
    (Enforcement
    - Water)
    J. B.
    TIMMERMANN
    FARMS, LTD.,
    )
    an
    Illinois
    corporation,
    Respondent.
    NOTICE
    OF
    FILING
    DEC
    2
    2008
    To:
    James
    Richard
    Myers
    LeFevre
    Oldfield
    Myers
    Apke
    &
    Payne
    Law
    Group,
    Ltd.
    STATE
    OF
    iLLItä
    303
    S.
    Seventh St.,
    P.O.
    Box
    399
    zo1iutiO!
    COflt’
    Vandalia, IL
    62471
    PLEASE
    TAKE
    NOTICE
    that
    on
    this
    date
    I mailed
    for
    filing
    with
    the
    Clerk
    of
    the
    Pollution
    Control
    Board
    of
    the
    State
    of
    Illinois, COMPLAINANT’S
    MOTION FOR
    LEAVE TO
    FILE
    A
    REPLY
    BRIEF
    and
    COMPLAINANT’S
    REPLY IN
    SUPPORT
    OF
    ITS
    MOTION
    TO
    STRIKE
    RESPONDENT’S
    AFFIRMATIVE
    DEFENSES,
    copies
    of
    which
    are
    attached
    hereto
    and
    herewith
    served
    upon
    you.
    Respectfully
    submitted,
    PEOPLE
    OF
    THE
    STATE OF ILLINOIS
    LISA
    MADIGAN,
    Attorney
    General of the
    State
    of
    Illinois
    MATTHEWJ.
    DUNN,
    Chief
    Environmental
    Enforcement/Asbestos
    Litigation
    Division
    BY:_________
    ANDREW(.
    NICHOLAS
    Assistant
    Attorney General
    Environmental
    Bureau
    Attorney
    l.D.
    #6285057
    500
    South
    Second
    Street
    Springfield,
    Illinois
    62706
    217/782-9031
    Dated:
    December
    22,
    2008

    CERTIFICATE
    OF
    SERVICE
    I hereby
    certify
    that
    I
    did
    on December
    22,
    2008,
    send
    by
    U.S.
    mail,
    first
    class
    with
    postage
    thereon
    fully
    prepaid,
    by
    depositing
    in
    a United
    States
    Post
    Office
    Box
    a true
    and
    correct copy
    of
    the
    following
    instruments
    entitled
    NOTICE
    OF
    FILING,
    COMPLAINANT’S
    MOTION
    FOR
    LEAVE TO
    FILE
    A REPLY
    BRIEF
    and
    COMPLAINANT’S
    REPLY
    IN
    SUPPORT
    OF ITS
    MOTION
    TO
    STRIKE
    RESPONDENT’S
    AFFIRMATIVE
    DEFENSES
    To:
    James
    Richard
    Myers
    LeFevre
    Oldfield
    Myers
    Apke
    & Payne
    Law
    Group,
    Ltd.
    303
    S
    Seventh St,
    P
    0
    Box
    399
    Vandalia,
    IL
    62471
    and
    the
    original
    and
    ten
    copies
    of
    the
    Notice
    of
    Filing
    by
    First
    Class
    Mail
    with
    postage
    thereon
    fully
    prepaid
    of the
    same
    foregoing
    instrument(s):
    To:
    John
    T.
    Therriault,
    Assistant
    Clerk
    Illinois
    Pollution
    Control
    Board
    James
    R.
    Thompson
    Center
    Suite
    11-500
    100
    West
    Randolph
    Chicago,
    Illinois
    60601
    A
    copy
    of
    the
    Notice
    of
    Filing
    was
    also
    sent
    by
    First
    Class
    Mail
    with
    postage
    thereon
    fully
    prepaid
    to:
    Carol
    Webb
    Hearing
    Officer
    Illinois
    Pollution
    Control
    Board
    1021
    North
    Grand
    Avenue
    East
    Springfield,
    IL 62794
    Andrew
    J. N6holas
    Assistant
    Attorney
    General
    This
    filing
    is
    submitted
    on
    recycled
    paper.

    BEFORE THE
    ILLINOIS
    POLLUTION
    CONTROL
    BOARD
    PEOPLE
    OF
    THE
    STATE
    )
    OF
    ILLINOIS,
    )
    )
    Complainant,
    )
    )
    v.
    )
    PCB
    No.
    07-70
    )
    (Enforcement
    -
    Water)
    J.
    B.
    TIMMERMANN
    FARMS,
    LTD.
    )
    an
    Illinois
    corporation,
    )
    CLERK’S
    OFFICE
    Respondent.
    DEC
    !
    L
    1
    2008
    STATE
    OF
    ILLINOIS
    Pollution
    Control
    Board
    COMPLAINANT’S
    MOTION
    FOR
    LEAVE
    TO
    FILE
    A
    REPLY
    BRIEF
    1.
    The
    PEOPLE
    OF
    THE
    STATE
    OF
    ILLINOIS,
    ex
    rel,
    LISA
    MADIGAN,
    Attorney
    General
    of
    the
    State
    of
    Illinois,
    hereby
    moves
    this
    Board
    for
    an
    order
    pursuant
    to
    35
    Ill,
    Adm.
    Code
    10
    1.500
    (2005)
    seeking
    leave to
    file
    a
    reply
    in
    support
    of
    its
    Motion
    to
    Strike
    Respondent’s
    Affirmative
    Defenses.
    In
    support
    of
    this
    Motion
    for
    Leave
    to
    File
    a
    Reply
    Brief,
    the
    Complainant
    states
    as
    follows:
    2.
    On
    January
    29,
    2007,
    the
    Complainant
    filed
    its
    Complaint
    in
    this
    matter.
    On
    October
    15,
    2007,
    the
    Respondent
    filed
    its
    Answer
    to
    the
    Complaint
    and
    included
    three (3)
    Affirmative
    Defenses.
    On
    October
    29,
    2008,
    the
    Complainant
    filed
    a
    Motion
    to
    Strike
    Respondent’s
    Affirmative
    Defenses.
    3.
    On
    December
    1,
    2008,
    the
    Parties
    participated
    in
    a
    telephone
    status
    conference
    with
    the
    Hearing
    Officer.
    The
    Respondent
    was
    given to
    December
    15,
    2008
    to
    file
    a
    response
    to
    Complainant’s
    Motion
    and
    the
    Complainant
    was
    given
    to
    December
    29,
    2008
    to
    file
    a reply.
    (See
    12/2/08
    Board
    Order
    attached
    as
    Exhibit A).
    4.
    On
    December
    15,
    2008,
    the
    Respondent
    filed
    its
    Response
    to
    Motion to
    Strike

    Affirmative
    Defenses
    (See
    Respondent’s
    Response attached
    as
    Exhibit B).
    5.
    As
    per
    Section
    101.500(e)
    of
    the
    Board’s
    Rules
    and
    Regulations,
    35111.
    Adm.
    Code
    10
    1.500(e)
    (2005),
    the Complainant
    requests
    leave
    to file
    its
    attached
    Reply
    in
    Support
    of
    its
    Motion
    to
    Strike
    Respondent’s
    Affirmative
    Defenses.
    WHEREFORE,
    the Complainant,
    PEOPLE
    OF THE
    STATE
    OF
    ILLINOIS, respectfully
    requests
    that
    the
    Board
    enter
    an
    order
    granting
    the
    Complainant
    leave
    to file
    its
    Reply
    in Support
    of
    its
    Motion
    to
    Strike
    Respondent’s
    Affirmative
    Defenses
    and
    granting any
    other
    relief
    it deems
    appropriate.
    Respectfully
    submitted,
    PEOPLE
    OF
    THE
    STATE
    OF
    ILLINOIS
    ex
    rel.
    LISA
    MADIGAN,
    Attorney
    General
    of the
    State
    of
    Illinois
    MATTHEW
    J.
    DUNN
    Environmental
    Enforcement/Asbestos
    Litigation
    Division
    BY:____
    ANDREW’I
    NICHOLAS
    Assistant
    Attorney
    General
    Environmental
    Bureau
    500
    South
    Second
    Street
    Springfield,
    Illinois
    62706
    217/557-9457
    Dated:
    December
    22,
    2008

    RECEIVED
    CLERK’S
    OFFJCE
    DEC
    1
    2008
    ILLINOIS POLLUTION
    CONTROL
    BOARD
    STATE
    OF
    IWNOIS
    December
    2,
    2008
    Pollution
    Control
    Board
    PEOPLE OF
    THE STATE OF
    ILLINOIS,
    )
    )
    Complainant,
    )
    )
    v.
    )
    PCB07-70
    )
    (Enforcement
    - Water)
    J.B.
    TJMMERMANN
    FARMS, LTD.,
    an
    )
    Illinois incorporated
    cooperative,
    )
    )
    Respondent.
    )
    HEARING
    OFFICER ORDER
    On
    December
    1,
    2008, the parties
    participated
    in
    a telephone status
    conference
    with
    the
    hearing
    officer.
    On
    October
    29, 2008,
    complainant moved
    to strike respondent’s
    affirmative
    defenses.
    The
    parties
    agree
    that
    respondent’s
    response to this
    motion is due by
    December 15,
    2008, and complainant’s
    reply
    is due by December
    29, 2008.
    The
    parties
    are
    directed
    to participate in a telephone
    status
    conference with the hearing
    officer
    at
    10:00 a.m.
    on
    February 2,
    2009. The status conference
    shall be
    initiated
    by
    the
    complainant.
    IT IS SO
    ORDERED.
    Carol
    Webb
    Hearing
    Officer
    Illinois
    Pollution Control
    Board
    1021 North Grand Avenue
    East
    P.O.
    Box
    19274
    Springfield, Illinois 62794-9274
    217/524-8509
    webbc@ipcb.state.il.us
    EXI-UBIT

    BEFORE
    THE
    ILLINOIS POLLUTION CONTROL BOARD
    PEOPLE OF THE
    STATE
    OF
    )
    ILLiNOIS,
    )
    )
    Complainant,
    )
    )
    vs.
    )
    PCBNo. 07-70
    )
    (Enforcement-Water)
    J.
    B. TIMMERMANN
    FARMS,
    LTD.
    )
    an
    Illinois Corporation,
    )
    Respondent.
    )
    RESPONSE TO MOTION TO STRIKE
    AFFIRMATIVE
    DEFENSES
    COMES NOW
    the Respondent,
    J. B.
    Timrnermann Farms, Ltd.,
    by and through
    its
    attorney, James Richard Myers ofLeFevre Oldfield Myers Apke & Payne Law Group, Ltd.,
    and
    for its Response to the Motion
    to Strike Respondent’s Affirmative Defenses
    states:
    1.
    The Motion
    alleges that the Affirmative Defenses should be stricken
    as being
    both
    factually and
    legally deficient.
    2.
    The
    allegations in the Affirmative
    Defenses are not factually
    deficient. The detail
    lacking in
    the allegations are issues for discovery, not pleading. The
    pleadings
    serve
    to
    advise the
    parties
    of the
    factual basis
    for
    the defenses, which
    is all that is required
    by law.
    3.
    The
    affirmative
    defenses are legally relevant. The Complaint
    filed in this matter
    seeks
    not only a
    finding of a violation of the
    Illinois Environmental
    Protection Act,
    but also
    the assessment
    of a
    civil
    penalty. In
    determining the
    appropriate civil penalty
    to
    be
    imposed,
    the trial
    court
    is
    authorized, but
    not
    limited,
    by section 42(h)
    of the Act to

    consider
    the
    following
    factors:
    (1) the
    duration
    and
    gravity
    of
    the
    violation;
    (2)
    the
    presence
    or absence
    of
    due
    diligence
    on
    the
    part
    of the
    violator
    in attempting
    to comply
    with
    requirements
    of this
    Act
    and regulations
    thereunder
    or
    to secure
    relief
    therefrom
    as
    provided
    by this
    Act;
    (3) any
    economic
    benefits
    accrued
    by
    the
    violator
    because
    of
    delay
    in
    compliance with
    requirements;
    (4) the
    amount
    of
    monetary
    penalty which
    will
    serve
    to
    deter
    further
    violations
    by
    the
    violator
    and
    to
    otherwise
    aid
    in enhancing
    voluntary
    compliance
    with
    this
    Act
    by the
    violator
    and other
    persons
    similarly
    subject
    to
    the
    Act;
    and
    (5) the
    number,
    proximity in
    time,
    and gravity
    of
    previously
    adjudicated
    violations
    of
    this
    Act
    by
    the violator.
    415
    JLCS
    5/42(h)
    (West
    1994).
    In addition,
    the
    court
    can
    consider any
    other
    factor
    it
    chooses
    as this
    list
    is not
    exclusive. See
    People ex
    rel. Ryan
    v. McHenry
    Shores
    Water
    Co.,
    295
    Jll.App.3d
    628,
    693
    N.E.2d
    393
    (2d Dist.
    1998).
    4.
    The
    affirmative
    defenses
    plead
    are
    relevant
    and
    material
    to
    the
    issue
    of the
    possible
    imposition
    of
    a
    penalty
    in
    this case.
    WHEREFORE,
    the
    Respondent,
    I. B.
    Tirnmermann
    Farms,
    Ltd.,
    respectfully
    requests
    that
    the
    Board
    enter
    an
    Order
    denying
    the
    Motion
    to Strike
    and
    requiring
    that
    a
    reply
    be
    filed
    within
    a
    short
    date
    certain.
    -2-

    Dated:
    O-5_
    6,
    2008
    J.B.
    By
    James
    Richard
    Myers
    Reg.
    No.
    06225705
    Attorney
    for
    J. B.
    Timmermann
    Farms,
    Ltd.
    LeFevre
    OIdfie(d
    Myers
    Apke
    & Payne
    Law
    Group,
    Ltd.
    303
    S.
    Seventh
    St.,
    P.O. Box
    399
    Vandatia,
    IL 62471
    Telephone:
    (618)
    283-3034
    Fax:
    (618) 283-3037
    FiIe#5753/9601
    -3-

    BEFORE
    THE ILLINOIS
    POLLUTION
    CONTROL
    BOARD
    PEOPLE
    OF
    THE STATE
    )
    OF
    ILLINOIS,
    )
    )
    Complainant,
    )
    )
    v.
    )
    PCB
    No. 07-70
    )
    (Enforcement
    -
    Water)
    J.
    B.
    TIMMERMANN
    FARMS,
    LTD.
    )
    an
    Illinois
    corporation,
    )
    CL.
    Respondent.
    )
    DEC
    std
    COMPLAINANT’S
    REPLY
    IN
    SUPPORfPITS
    MOTION
    TO
    STRIKE
    RESPONDENT’S
    AFFIRMATIVE
    DEFENSES
    The
    PEOPLE
    OF
    THE
    STATE
    OF
    ILLINOIS,ex
    rel.
    LISA
    MADIGAN,
    Attorney
    General
    of
    the
    State
    of
    Illinois,
    hereby
    replies
    in
    support
    of
    its
    Motion
    to
    Strike
    Respondent’s
    Affirmative
    Defenses.
    In
    support
    of
    this
    Reply,
    the
    Complainant
    states as
    follows:
    I.
    INTRODUCTION
    On
    October
    15,
    2008,
    the
    Respondent
    raised the
    following
    Affirmative
    Defenses
    in
    its
    Answer
    to
    Complainant’s
    Complaint:
    1)
    Act
    of
    God
    -
    The
    lagoon
    overflow
    referenced
    in
    the
    Complaint
    6ccurred
    subsequent
    to
    a
    unusually
    heavy
    rainfall.
    Rainfall
    is
    an
    act
    of
    God,
    not
    within
    the
    control
    of
    the
    Respondent.
    2)
    Third-Party
    Interveiltion
    -
    The
    lagoon
    overflow
    referenced
    in
    the
    Complaint
    occurred
    subsequent
    to
    a
    unusually
    heavy
    rainfall.
    Several
    other
    landowners
    in
    the
    area
    of
    Respondent
    have
    waste
    and
    water
    retention
    systems
    which
    failed at
    the
    same
    time
    as
    Respondent’s.
    3)
    Mitigation
    -
    The
    lagoon
    overflow
    referenced
    in
    the
    Complaint
    occurred
    subsequent
    to
    a
    unusually
    heavy
    rainfall.
    Respondent
    has
    acted
    with
    all
    due
    attentiveness
    and
    speed
    to
    rectify
    the
    situation
    and
    to
    prevent
    further
    overflows
    of
    its
    lagoon
    at
    its
    significant
    cost
    and
    expense.

    The
    Respondent’s
    Affirmative
    Defenses
    are
    both
    factually
    and
    legally
    insufficient
    and,
    therefore,
    should
    be
    stricken.
    II. ARGUMENT
    A.
    Respondent’s
    Affirmative
    Defenses
    are
    Factually
    Insufficient
    The
    Respondent
    does
    not
    plead
    sufficient
    facts to
    support
    its
    Affirmative
    Defenses.
    Facts
    establishing
    an
    affirmative
    defense
    must be
    pled
    specifically,
    in
    the same
    manner
    as
    facts
    in
    a
    complaint.
    Int’l Ins.
    Co.
    v.
    Sargent
    &
    Luhdy,
    242
    Iii.
    App.
    3d
    614,
    609
    N.E.2d
    842,
    853
    (1St
    Dist.
    1993).
    In
    mt
    ‘1
    Ins.
    Co.,
    an
    insurer
    sued its
    insured
    for
    rescission
    of
    a
    policy
    and
    restitution
    for
    money
    paid.
    Int’l
    Ins. Co.,
    609
    N.E.2d
    at
    844-845.
    The defendant
    included
    ten
    affirmative
    defenses
    in
    its
    answer.
    While
    the
    appellate
    court
    later
    allowed
    nine
    of
    the
    ten
    defenses
    to
    stand,
    it
    held
    that
    facts
    establishing
    an
    affirmative
    defense
    must
    be
    pleaded
    with the
    same
    degree
    of
    specificity
    required
    by
    a
    plaintiff
    to
    establish
    a
    cause
    of
    action.
    Id.
    at
    853.
    The
    court
    did,
    however, dismiss
    the
    defendant’s
    affirmative
    defense
    of
    “unclean
    hands.”
    It
    reasoned
    that
    the
    defendant
    merely
    alleged
    plaintiffs
    conduct
    was
    unconscionable
    and
    tainted with
    bad
    faith. Id.
    at
    856.
    It
    found
    this
    affirmative
    defense
    to
    be
    totally
    conclusory
    in
    nature
    and
    did
    not
    include
    any
    specific
    facts
    to
    support
    its
    conclusion.
    Id.
    In
    this
    case,
    the
    Respondent
    admits
    that
    its
    Affirmative
    Defenses
    are
    lacking
    in
    detail.
    (See
    Resp’t[s]
    Resp.
    to
    Mot.
    to
    Strike,
    2,
    attached
    as
    Exhibit
    A).
    It
    argues,
    however,
    that
    these
    are
    issues
    for
    discovery.
    The
    law
    in
    Illinois
    is
    clear;
    facts
    included
    in
    pleadings
    must
    be
    specific.
    As
    in
    the
    affirmative
    defense
    of
    unclean
    hands
    in
    Int’l
    Ins.
    Co.,
    the
    Respondent’s
    Affirmative
    Defenses
    do
    not
    include
    sufficient
    facts.
    Furthermore,
    the
    Respondent
    does
    not
    need
    2

    discovery
    to
    provide
    the
    necessary
    details.
    For
    example,
    rather
    than
    concluding
    there
    was
    an
    Act
    of
    God, e.g.,
    heavy
    rainfall,
    Affirmative
    Defense
    #1
    could
    easily be
    supported
    with
    information
    such
    as;
    when it
    rained,
    how
    long
    it rained
    or
    how
    much
    rainfall
    was
    received.
    Rather
    than
    concluding
    that
    the
    neighbors
    also
    experienced
    system
    overflows,
    Affirmative
    Defense
    #2
    could
    easily
    be
    supported
    with
    more
    specific
    facts
    to
    show
    how many
    neighbors
    were
    affected
    and
    where they
    are
    located
    in
    relation
    to
    the
    Respondent’s
    property.
    Rather
    than concluding
    that
    the
    Respondent
    has
    made
    repairs
    to
    its
    property,
    Affirmative
    Defense
    #3
    could
    easily
    be
    supported
    with
    information
    that
    shows
    what
    work
    was
    done,
    or
    where
    and
    when
    it
    was
    done.
    This
    is
    information
    that
    is
    available
    only
    to
    the
    Respondent.
    Therefore,
    Respondent’s
    Affirmative
    Defenses
    are
    totally
    conclusory
    in
    nature and
    devoid
    of
    specific
    facts
    to
    support
    their
    conclusions.
    B.
    Respondent’s
    Affirmative
    Defenses
    are
    Legally
    Insufficient
    Respondent’s
    Affirmative
    Defenses
    are
    legally
    insufficient.
    A
    proper
    affirmative
    defense
    admits
    the
    legal
    sufficiency
    of
    a
    cause.
    of
    action
    but
    then asserts
    new
    matter
    which
    is
    capable
    of
    defeating
    a
    plaintiff’s
    right
    to
    recover.
    Vroegh
    v.
    J&
    MForklift,
    165
    IIl.2d
    523,
    651
    N.E.2d
    121,
    125-126
    (1995).
    See
    also
    Pryweller
    v.
    Cohen,
    282
    Iii.
    App.
    3d
    899,
    668
    N.E.2d
    1144
    (1St
    Dist.
    1996)
    (affirmative
    defenses
    must
    offer
    facts
    which are
    capable
    of
    negating
    the
    alleged
    cause
    of
    action).
    In
    this
    case,
    the
    Respondent
    argues
    that
    its
    Affirmative
    Defenses
    are
    legally
    relevant.
    (See
    Resp’t[s]
    Resp.
    to
    Mot.
    to
    Strike,
    2,
    attached
    as
    Exhibit
    A).
    Relevancy
    is
    an
    evidentiary
    standard
    used
    at
    trial.
    In
    re
    Stephen
    K,
    373
    Ill.
    App.
    3d
    7,
    867
    N.E.2d
    81,
    101
    (1St
    Dist.
    2007).
    Respondent’s
    Affirmative
    Defenses
    will
    be
    evaluated
    on
    whether
    they
    are
    capable
    of
    defeating

    Complainant’s
    claims,
    not
    on
    whether
    they are
    admissible
    at
    trial. Respondent’s
    Affirmative
    Defenses
    do
    not meet
    this
    standard
    for
    the
    following
    reasons:
    First,
    in
    Illinois,
    the
    ‘Act
    of
    God”
    defense
    is
    not
    a
    defense
    against
    water
    pollution
    claims
    brought
    under
    Section
    12
    of
    the
    Illinois
    Environmental
    Protection
    Act (“Act”),
    415
    ILCS 5/12
    (2006).
    See
    Perkinson
    v.
    Illinois
    Pollution
    Control
    Board,
    187
    Ill.
    App.
    3d
    689,
    543
    N.E.2d
    901,
    904
    (3rd
    Dist.
    1989),
    citing
    Freeman
    Coal Mining
    Corp. v.
    Illinois
    Pollution
    Control
    Board
    (5th
    Dist.
    1974).
    The
    Freemam
    Court
    ruled
    it
    was
    no
    defense
    that
    the
    discharges
    were
    accidental
    or
    unintentional
    or
    that
    they
    were
    the
    result
    of
    an
    “Act
    of
    God”
    beyond
    the
    Defendant’s
    control.
    The
    fact
    that
    there
    was
    an
    unusually
    heavy
    rainfall
    does
    not
    provide
    new
    facts
    capable
    of
    defeating
    this
    cause
    of
    action.
    Second,
    Section
    12(a)
    of
    the
    Act
    provides
    that
    no
    person
    shall
    cause
    or
    allow
    water
    pollution
    “either alone
    or
    in
    combination
    with
    matter
    from
    other
    sources.”
    415
    ILCS
    5/12(a)
    (2006).
    It
    does
    not
    matter
    whether
    the
    Respondent’s
    neighbors
    contributed
    to
    the
    discharge..
    The
    legal
    issue
    is
    whether
    the
    Respondent
    caused
    or
    allowed
    the
    discharge.
    Asserting
    there
    was
    discharge
    from
    the
    Respondent’s
    neighbors
    does
    not
    offer
    new
    information
    that
    is
    capable
    of
    defeating
    the
    Complaint.
    Finally,
    Section
    33(a)
    of
    the
    Act,
    states:
    “It
    shall
    not
    be
    a
    defense
    to
    findings
    of
    violations
    of
    the
    provisions
    of
    the
    Act
    or
    Board
    regulations....that
    the
    person
    has
    come
    into
    compliance
    subsequent
    to
    the
    violation.”
    415
    ILCS 5/33(a)
    (2006).
    The
    fact
    that
    the
    Respondent
    claims
    it
    has
    worked
    to
    rectify
    the
    situation
    is
    not
    a
    defense
    to
    liability.
    In
    its
    Response,
    Respondent
    correctly
    notes
    that
    a
    number
    of
    factors
    may
    be
    considered
    by
    the
    Court
    when
    making
    a
    penalty
    determination,
    however,
    Complainant’s
    Motion
    only
    attacks
    the
    sufficiency
    of
    Respondent’s
    4

    Affirmative
    Defenses,
    it
    does
    not
    raise the
    issue
    of
    penalty.
    Therefore,
    Respondent’s
    Affirmative
    Defenses
    are
    legally
    insufficient.
    III.
    CONCLUSION
    The
    Respondent’s
    Affirmative
    Defenses
    are
    both
    factually
    and
    legally
    insufficient.
    Therefore,
    they
    should
    be
    stricken
    pursuant
    to
    Section
    2-615
    of
    the
    Illinois
    Code
    of
    Civil
    Procedure,
    735
    JLCS
    5/2-615
    (2007).
    WHEREFORE,
    the
    Complainant,
    PEOPLE
    OF
    THE
    STATE
    OF
    ILLINOIS,
    respectfully
    requests
    that
    the
    Board
    enter
    an
    order striking
    the
    Respondent’s
    Affirmative
    Defenses
    and
    granting
    any
    other
    relief it
    deems
    appropriate.
    Respectfully
    submitted,
    PEOPLE
    OF
    THE
    STATE
    OF
    ILLINOIS
    ex
    rel.
    LISA
    MADIGAN
    Attorney
    General
    of
    the
    State
    of
    Illinois
    MATTHEW
    J.
    DUNN,
    Chief
    Environmental
    Enforcement/Asbestos
    Litigation
    Division
    BY:
    ANDREW
    J.
    NICHOLAS
    Assistant
    Attorney
    General
    Environmental
    Bureau
    500
    South
    Second
    Street
    Springfield,
    Illinois
    62706
    2
    17/557-9457
    Dated:
    5

    BEFORE
    THE
    ILLINOiS
    POLLUTiON
    CONTROL
    BOARD
    PEOPLE
    OF
    THE
    STATE
    OF
    )
    ILLINOIS,
    )
    )
    Complainant,
    )
    )
    vs.
    )
    PCB
    No.
    07-70
    )
    (Enforcement-Water)
    J.
    B. TIMMERMANN
    FARMS,
    LTD.
    )
    an Illinois
    Corporation,
    )
    Respondent.
    )
    RESPONSE
    TO
    MOTION
    TO
    STRIKE
    AFFIRMATIVE
    DEFENSES
    COMES
    NOW
    the
    Respondent,
    J. B.
    Timmermann
    Farms,
    Ltd.,
    by
    and
    through
    its
    attorney,
    James
    Richard
    Myers
    ofLeFevre
    Oldfield
    Myers
    Apke &
    Payne
    Law Group,
    Ltd.,
    and
    for
    its Response to
    the
    Motion
    to Strike
    Respondent’s
    Affirmative
    Defenses
    states:
    1.
    The
    Motion
    alleges
    that the
    Affirmative
    Defenses
    should
    be stricken
    as
    being
    both
    factually
    and
    legally
    deficient.
    2.
    The
    allegations
    in
    the
    Affirmative
    Defenses
    are
    not
    factually
    deficient.
    The detail
    lacking
    in the
    allegations
    are issues
    for
    discovery,
    not pleading.
    The
    pleadings
    serve
    to advise
    the
    parties
    of
    the factual
    basis
    for
    the
    defenses,
    which
    is
    all
    that
    is
    required
    bylaw.
    3.
    The
    affirmative
    defenses
    are
    legally
    relevant.
    The
    Complaint
    filed
    in
    this
    matter
    seeks
    not
    only
    a finding
    of
    a violation
    of
    the
    Illinois
    Environmental
    Protection
    Act,
    but
    also
    the
    assessment
    of
    a civil
    penalty.
    In
    determining
    the
    appropriate
    civil penalty
    to
    be
    imposed,
    the
    trial
    court
    is authorized,
    but not
    limited,
    by
    section
    .42(h)
    of
    the Act
    to

    consider
    the
    following
    factors:
    (1)
    the
    duration
    and
    gravity
    of
    the
    violation;
    (2)
    the
    presence
    or
    absence
    of
    due
    diligence
    on
    the
    part
    of
    the
    violator
    in
    attempting
    to
    comply
    with
    requirements
    of
    this
    Act
    and
    regulations
    thereunder
    or
    to
    secure relief
    therefrom
    as
    provided
    by
    this
    Act;
    (3)
    any
    economic
    benefits
    accrued
    by
    the
    violator
    because
    of
    delay
    in
    compliance
    with.
    requirements;
    (4)
    the
    amount
    of
    monetary
    penalty
    which
    will
    serve
    to
    deter
    further
    violations
    by
    the
    violator
    and
    to
    otherwise
    aid
    in
    enhancing
    voluntary
    compliance
    with
    this
    Act
    by
    the
    violator
    and
    other
    persons
    similarly
    subject
    to
    the
    Act;
    and
    (5)
    the
    number,
    proximity
    in
    time,
    and
    gravity
    of
    previously
    adjudicated
    violations
    of
    this
    Act
    by
    the
    violator.
    415
    ILCS
    5/42(h)
    (West
    1994). In
    addition,
    the
    court
    can
    consider
    any
    other
    factor
    it
    chooses
    as
    this
    list
    is
    not
    exclusive.
    See
    People
    ex
    rel.
    Ryan
    v.
    McHenry
    Shores
    Water
    Co.,
    295
    Ill.App.3d
    628,
    693
    N.E.2d 393
    (2d
    Dist.
    1998).
    4.
    The
    affirmative
    defenses
    plead
    are
    relevant
    and
    material
    to
    the
    issue of
    the
    possible
    imposition
    of
    a
    penalty
    in
    this
    case.
    WHEREFORE,
    the
    Respondent,
    J.
    B.
    Timmermann
    Farms,
    Ltd.,
    respectfully requests
    that
    the
    Board
    enter
    an
    Order
    denying
    the
    Motion
    to
    Strike
    and
    requiring
    that
    a
    reply
    be
    filed
    within
    a
    short
    date
    certain.
    -2-

    Dated:
    6,
    2008
    J.B.
    By:
    James
    Richard
    Myers
    Reg.
    No. 06225705
    Attorney
    for
    J. B.
    Timmermann
    Farms,
    Ltd.
    LeFevre
    Odfleid
    Myers
    Apke
    &
    Payne
    Law Group,
    Ltd.
    303
    S.
    Seventh
    St.,
    P.O.
    Box
    399
    Vandalia,
    IL 62471
    Telephone: (618)
    283-3034
    Fax:
    (618)
    283-3037
    File
    #5753/9601
    LTD.

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