11 taken to hospitals after chemical spill at Itasca candy factory

Eleven workers from the Willy Wonka candy factory in Itasca were taken to area hospitals early Friday after getting sick while trying to clean a chemical spill inside the building, fire officials said.

The spill occurred around 1:20 a.m. in a production room of the factory at 1445 Norwood Ave.

Itasca Fire Protection District officials said a humidifier sprung a leak in the room, spilling about 5 gallons of a fluid containing lithium chloride.

When factory workers tried to clean the spill, they were overcome by fumes, officials said.

Deputy Fire Chief John Radzinski said the factory was being evacuated when firefighters arrived. He estimated there were 40 workers in the parking lot when he got there.

A total of 17 employees complained of respiratory issues. Seven were taken to Alexian Brothers Medical Center in Elk Grove Village; four others were taken to Adventist GlenOaks Hospital in Glendale Heights.

Six employees signed medical releases and weren't taken to hospitals.

Radzinski said all the workers taken to hospitals are expected to recover.

Firefighters isolated the area where the spill happened and a private company was brought in to clean up.

Radzinski said all the firefighters left the scene by 4 a.m.

Some firefighters returned around 7:15 a.m. for a report of a sick employee, but that illness wasn't related to the spill.

The factory has resumed operation.