Metro East Green Alliance

More than half of Illinois' 23 coal plants are closed, and five more will be shuttered this decade. Without clear rules for demolitions, activists say more environmental problems are likely to occur.

The main building of the defunct coal plant came down Monday morning, but a last-minute change in demolition plans means three smokestacks remain standing.

They’re worried Madison County will see a repeat of what happened in Chicago last year, when a similar demolition sent a large cloud of dust over one of the city’s neighborhoods.