ALTON, Ill. — Federal investigators with the Mine Safety Health Administration are asking people to avoid Gordon F. Moore Park due to mine subsidence.
“It’s scary,” Seantra Vaughn said. “If it can happen there, there’s no telling how many places in the park it can happen too.”
As scary as the situation may seem, the Illinois State Geological Survey says more than 330,000 homes spread out across 201,000 acres are in close proximity to active or old mine works.
“It looks like a bomb went off,” Michael Haynes said. “It’s shocking to see especially in the middle of our fields here that we just spent $1.5 million on five years ago.”
In 1979, the Illinois general assembly established the Illinois Mine Subsidence Insurance Fund, requiring homeowners in 34 counties to have subsidence coverage in their insurance policies.
“New Frontier Materials is the company that mines underground here in the area,” Haynes said. “They’re responsible for the work that’s being done.”
"We are fully dedicated to working with the City of Alton to remediate this issue swiftly and safely," said Mike Clarke, CEO of New Frontier Materials. "The safety of our community is paramount, and we appreciate everyone's cooperation and understanding during this time."
While the Illinois Mine Subsidence Insurance Fund said most mine subsidence comes in the form of cracked concrete or shifting foundations, engineers from multiple agencies are currently trying to determine what caused the catastrophic failure in Alton.
"The safety of our citizens is our utmost priority,” Alton Mayor David Goins said. “We are working diligently with New Frontier Materials and MSHA to ensure that all necessary measures are taken to address this issue promptly and effectively. The impacted area will remain off-limits until thorough inspections are completed and the grounds are deemed safe for public use."
If you believe your house was damaged by mine subsidence, click here.
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker released a statement addressed to MSHA regarding the mine collapse:
"On behalf of the residents of Madison County and the people of Illinois, I urge you to take all available action to address the June 26, 2024 mine collapse at Gordon Moore Park in the community of Alton.
"As you are aware, because this incident is the result of an aggregate mining operation, the state of Illinois relies on your office to address an incident of this type. Illinois asks for expedited action, thorough transparency and consistent communication from your office. The people of Alton deserve safety and should be quickly alerted to any information regarding this collapse and potential future impacts. The community has the right to know of inspections and/or any violations that may have been cited to the operator, New Frontier Materials or previous owners of this site.
"I offer my full support and assistance in this matter through the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and the Illinois Emergency Management Agency's professional experts and emergency personnel. I have asked Illinois Department of Natural Resources Director Natalie Finnie to coordinate our State's role in this ongoing response. Through the public service professionals of the division of Mines and Minerals - experts in underground and surface subsidence - I know your team will be well-served as we seek to protect the Alton community and hasten their return to normalcy."
