Jones Legislation Reduces Overbearing Provision on Cemeteries
Senate Bill 1830 reshapes the Cemetery Oversight Act to help Smaller Cemeteries

Springfield, IL – Today, Senator Emil Jones III (D-Chicago) passed historic cemetery legislation that rescinds caustic measures that cornered the cemetery industry. Senate Bill 1830 increases the types of cemeteries that are eligible for either full or partial exemption from the cemetery oversight legislation passed in 2009.

“I’m pleased that our efforts to undue overreaching provisions has been accomplished,” Senator Emil Jones III said. “The Illinois cemetery industry has consistently voiced the need for legislation that protects the industry and citizens. We have finally found a reasonable solution.”

The contemptuous regulations in the original cemetery oversight legislation was in response to the events that occurred in 2009 at Burr Oak Cemetery when at least 300 bodies were illegally dug up and discarded so that their gravesites could be resold. Burr Oak is a historic cemetery that houses the remains of several celebrated African American’s that made large contributions to society including Emmitt Till.

                                  

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The new measure reduces strenuous provisions that prompted the closure of several smaller not-for-profit-cemeteries that are often family burial grounds or owned by churches. SB 1830 also removes provisions that required volunteers working for a cemetery to obtain and maintain licensing from the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.

“The original legislation produced a vast amount regulatory measures in an attempt to prevent events like those that occurred at Burr Oak,” Jones said. “Senate Bill 1830 cleans up several rigid regulations that smaller cemeteries simply couldn’t possibly comply with.”

“Cemeteries in Illinois continue to have the strictest regulations in that nation,” Jones continued

In an effort to keep cemeteries accountable for the placement of our loved ones, SB 1830 requires cemeteries to maintain a detailed plot database. Additionally, caskets are required to have a DNA log number for that individual and location buried.

“Restructuring the cemetery regulatory framework provides strong consumer protections that the General Assembly always intended,” Senator Jones said.

Throughout the past year Senator Jones has led the effort in the Illinois Senate to reduce the grossly overreaching elements of the Cemetery Oversight Act. In that effort, Senator Jones inspected numerous cemeteries though Illinois, including religious, township, fraternal and privately-held cemeteries. Jones also held various sessions with industry stakeholders to craft a cemetery regulation law that better balances the needs of Illinois citizens.
 
Senate Bill 1830 now goes to the Governor Quinn for his approval.

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