Contact: Sally Fox
Sally.Fox@mail.house.gov
WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Representatives Bryan Steil (R-WI-01) and Brad Schneider (D-IL-10) released a joint statement regarding Friday’s explosion at the AB Specialty Silicones factory in Waukegan. Three men from Kenosha County died in the explosion, and one person remains missing. Wisconsin’s First Congressional District includes Kenosha County and Waukegan is in Illinois’ Tenth Congressional District.
“Our Kenosha and Waukegan communities are hurting. The terrible explosion that occurred on Friday at AB Specialty Silicones factory claimed the lives of three individuals and a search is ongoing for one individual who remains missing. Our prayers are with the friends and families of Jeff Cummings, Byron Biehn, and Allen Stevens of Kenosha County. As we begin to learn more about that day and the heroic actions taken to save others, we are reminded of the sacrifices made by our first responders. Their prompt response helped extinguish the fire and save lives. Day in and day out, emergency professionals risk their lives to save others. In the coming days and weeks, we will work together to offer care to those affected by this tragedy, and support the work of the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board to identify the cause of the disaster,” said Steil and Schneider.
