Illinois: Questions about oversight of funeral homes and crematories
Questions about Illinois’ oversight of funeral homes and crematories have emerged after 56 decomposing bodies were discovered at a Chicago funeral home, prompting the state to suspend the funeral director license of the facility’s owner. The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation said its authority extends to licensing and regulating funeral directors, but not funeral homes or crematoriums, raising questions about how regulatory responsibilities are divided among state agencies. The article notes that the same operators were previously involved with a Chicago Heights crematory that was shut down after improperly stored bodies and unreturned cremated remains were discovered. The earlier incident led to House Bill 4695, which was unanimously approved by the Illinois General Assembly and signed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker in June. Illinois House Bill 4695 amends the Crematory Regulation Act to strengthen oversight and enforcement of crematory operations. The legislation expands the Illinois Comptroller’s authority to inspect crematory records and premises, issue citations and fines, and impose civil penalties of up to $10,000 per violation. The legislation also gives the Comptroller authority to summarily suspend a crematory license when continued operation presents an imminent danger to the public, subject to specified hearing requirements.