In collaboration with Reverend Jesse Jackson and Rainbow PUSH and several members of the Legislative Black Caucus, Comptroller Dan Hynes today proposed a plan to increase oversight of cemeteries and close the gaps in the current regulation of cemeteries.

The initiative was developed in response to the atrocities involving Burr Oak Cemetery near Alsip, where employees of the facility are accused of digging up and casting aside human remains in order to resell grave sites to unsuspecting consumers for their own gain.

"The Burr Oak tragedy illustrates the urgent need for tighter regulations of cemeteries, an industry that interacts with consumers at one of the most vulnerable times in their lives," Hynes said. "While criminals will always find a way around laws and exploit people for their own gain, we must do what we can to make it more difficult for them to do so." "My constituents are suffering because of the criminal acts of workers at Burr Oak Cemetery," said Sen. Emil Jones III, D-Chicago. "But they are also suffering because Illinois law does not adequately protect them. This proposal fixes that. We need to act and we need to act now."

"How many more Burr Oaks do we need before the state of Illinois does something to address this? How many more families will be left in the dark, wondering day after day if their loved ones are still at rest where they should be?" asked Rep. Monique Davis, D-Chicago, whose district includes Burr Oak Cemetery. "We need to help restore the dignity that was robbed from these families and bring professionalism to cemetery operations. The legislation we have drafted should prevent this from happening in the future."

The proposal includes the following:

• All cemeteries and their staff who sell cemetery plots and other goods would be required to be licensed through the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, which already licenses a wide range of professions; adhere to a code of conduct and undergo continuing education.
• Cemeteries would be required to provide reasonable maintenance based on standards enforceable by both state and local officials.
• Requires cemeteries to keep detailed records and maps, to file a copy of those records with the county recorder of deeds and to provide the information to a deceased person's estate and relatives.
• Creates a consumer bill of rights, including requiring cemeteries to provide consumers with a booklet in plain English detailing those rights under the law.
• Extends crime victims assistance eligibility to family members of those who are victims of the crimes charged at Burr Oak Cemetery.
• Provides a cost of living increase for public aid burials. This proposal is modeled after legislation proposed by Rep. Bob Rita, D-Blue Island, a member of the House Funeral and Burial Pre-Arrangement Investigation Task Force.

Sen. James Meeks, Pastor of Salem Baptist Church in Chicago, said it is critical that the proposal gain quick approval by the Legislature.

"People have a right to demand that their loved loves will be treated with the dignity and respect in death that they are entitled to in life," Meeks said. "This proposal helps ensure that."

"Businesses of all kinds are licensed by the state of Illinois. Cemeteries should not be an exception," said Rep. David Miller, D-Lynwood, and a licensed dentist. "This legislation includes a code of conduct and continuing education that are important to the continued integrity of this profession and the confidence of the people who need their services."

Hynes noted that maintenance issues were the number one complaint among consumers during hearings he held during his first term as Comptroller. He fought for and won approval for many consumer protections involving the death care industry during his tenure, but efforts requiring cemeteries to carry out a minimum level of care were strongly opposed by the cemetery lobby and were not approved by the Legislature.