Judge denies Sterigenics temporary restraining order, Willowbrook facility remains closed

WILLOWBROOK, Ill. (WLS) -- A judge denied Sterigenics' emergency request for a temporary restraining order that would allow their facility in Willowbrook to reopen after the Illinois EPA shut it down on Friday.

RELATED: Willowbrook Sterigenics plant shut down Friday night

In court, attorneys for Sterigenics argued before a federal judge that operations should be allowed to restart, saying the forced shutdown Friday "is causing a crisis in the industry." They also said they were forced to stop operations for exactly what their state permit allows.

Attorneys for the state of Illinois argued the Illinois EPA had an obligation to suspend operations after high levels of ethylene oxide were detected in the air near Sterigenics, saying, "It's no longer a suspected carcinogen, it's a known carcinogen."

RELATED: Illinois AG files lawsuit against Sterigenics over alleged toxic air pollution violations

Friday the EPA ordered Sterigenics to stop using ethylene oxide for the time being.

Attorneys for Sterigenics filed a temporary restraining order to lift the EPA's order, saying their operations were suspended without any hearings.

Per the judge's ruling, the Willowbrook facility will remain closed under the Illinois EPA's order.

RELATED: Andrea Thome believes carcinogenic emissions from Sterigenics in Willowbrook sickened family