On Monday, Illinois Environmental Protection Agency officials said Grainco elevator in Ransom could be doing a better job of reducing red chaff in the village, but nonetheless the company is trying.

On Feb. 26, The Times published a story about concerns raised by some Ransom residents about the chaff, which is produced by the drying of corn. Some of the chaff escapes to the outside, sometimes coating the village. The IEPA recently inspected the facility, finding some housekeeping problems and tubing that had an air leak, but "nothing major," in the words of Dick Breckenridge, of the IEPA in Springfield.

Breckenridge said no fines are to be ordered against Grainco because they are working to improve the situation, but some of the problem is out of the company's control — the harvest was particularly wet and late this year, leading to longer drying and increased chaff. Breckenridge added Grainco has also faced "challenges" because of expansion of the facility. Part of the expansion was the addition of a railroad spur a few years ago.

"We'll continue to work with them, to help them come into compliance."

Breckenridge invited residents to register their complaints with the IEPA so the agency can investigate and find solutions.