Illinois v. Indiana

Background

The States of Illinois and Indiana and the City of East Chicago had an amended bill of complaint against several companies. The case involved multiple corporate defendants, including two entities named Bates Expanded Steel Corporation (one Delaware, now called East Chicago Expanded Steel Company, and one Indiana), Rogers Galvanizing Company, and U. S. S. Lead Refinery, Inc. A Special Master prepared a Third Special Report addressing issues and recommendations in the case.

Reasoning

The Court considered whether to approve the Special Master’s Third Report and whether the amended bill of complaint should be dismissed as to some defendants. Citing stipulations and joint motions filed among the States, the City, and those companies, the Court approved the Special Master’s report and dismissed the amended complaint as to the four listed corporate defendants. The dismissals were entered pursuant to the stipulation and joint motions noted in the report and the opinion.

Real world impact

As a result, the four named companies are removed from the amended complaint in this case. The Court also ordered that costs against those defendants be taxed in accordance with the Special Master’s recommendations. The ruling resolves these defendants’ involvement in the amended complaint but does not describe outcomes for any remaining parties or claims in the broader litigation.