Will County, IL – A powerful gas-like odor drifting across the south suburbs Monday triggered more than 500 calls to Nicor Gas, alarming residents across Will County before officials confirmed the source was a chemical spill.
According to Nicor Gas and local fire departments, reports of a strong “rotten egg” smell came in from communities including Frankfort and Tinley Park, prompting emergency responses for a suspected gas leak. Crews initially responded in Frankfort but cleared the scene once Nicor began investigating a broader issue.
Officials later determined the odor originated from a mercaptan spill in University Park. Mercaptan is the chemical added to natural gas to make leaks easier to detect, which explains why the smell spread quickly and caused widespread concern.
Despite the intensity of the odor, Nicor Gas confirmed the substance is not considered dangerous at the reported levels. No evacuations were ordered, and no injuries have been reported.
The smell traveled across multiple communities, creating confusion as it extended well beyond the initial spill location. Nicor Gas said it will continue responding to every call to ensure there are no active gas leaks, urging residents to report odors as a precaution.
Officials say monitoring will continue as crews work to pinpoint the exact source and assess the full scope of the spill. Further updates are expected as the situation develops.
