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A closer look at that shocking Adams County Coroner story

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Illinois

* AP…

A coroner in western Illinois is facing sharp criticism for how he handles poor people who can’t afford to bury their loved ones: He has them sign over their rights to the deceased, leaving them without the death certificate, then cremates the body and keeps the ashes until the family pays $1,000.

If they cannot come up with the money, the ashes are eventually buried, along with others, in an unmarked grave. If the family needs the death certificate to access bank accounts or life insurance, the coroner first arranges for the county to recoup its costs from any proceeds.

Adams County Coroner James Keller says the policy started after the state, which for years has faced billion-dollar deficits and unpaid bills, announced it was too broke to pay for indigent funerals and burials — shifting the cost to funeral homes and county coroners. Of the $1,000 people pay, he says $800 goes to the funeral homes and $200 to the crematory. […]

Illinois provides up to $1,655 — $1,103 for funerals and $552 for cremation and burial. But the money was cut off in 2010 and again in 2015 as the state headed into a more than two-year budget impasse. In some cases, counties ended up picking up the costs.

* Not mentioned in the story is that money was appropriated last year…

For Funeral and Burial Expenses under Articles III, IV, and V, including prior year costs 9,271,600

* From October of last year, after the General Assembly passed its own budget…

(A)gencies that get assistance from three-dozen state human service programs learned in recent weeks that Rauner had unilaterally decided to withhold some of the money promised them in the state budget lawmakers passed this summer over the governor’s veto.

As of last October, funeral and burial expenses had been cut by 35 percent. And this wasn’t the first, or even second time that the governor has tried to cut or zero out burial expenses.

* From the comptroller, with emphasis added by me…

Illinois Comptroller Susana A. Mendoza is urging the Illinois Department of Human Services to ensure that county coroners, funeral directors and cemeteries are aware that there are state reimbursements available to help cover the costs of funerals and burial for those in Illinois who cannot afford these services.

The move comes after the Associated Press reported that Adams County Coroner James Keller is refusing to release remains and death certificates to families who cannot afford to pay for a funeral and burial.

“Holding the remains of people’s loved ones for ransom is unthinkable. Everyone deserves a respectful burial. Being poor is not a crime, but disrespecting grieving families the way Coroner Keller is should be,” said Comptroller Mendoza. “This disgusting behavior by Coroner Keller isn’t reflective of who we are as a state.”

The two-year budget impasse has left county officials and funeral directors feeling as though they cannot count on the indigent funeral and burial program. No state money was spent on the program for Fiscal Year 2016. In FY 17, only $2.1 million of the $8.8 million appropriation was expended. This lack of state support created an environment that allowed for Keller’s gross abuse of power.

The AP story reveals a sad reality that many coroners, funeral directors and family members of the indigent are not aware of existing funding administered by DHS. There is a $9.3 million appropriation in the current fiscal year for the program, but only $1.5 million has been expended to date. The Comptroller’s office pays these reimbursements within a few days of receiving the vouchers for them from DHS. In fact, the office is currently prioritizing payment of all vouchers from DHS.

“We are urging the Rauner administration to do more to let county officials and funeral directors know that this money is set aside at the state level, so the costs aren’t pushed onto local taxpayers and businesses, and families aren’t faced with added stress in a time of mourning,” Mendoza said. “Through my office’s role working with cemeteries and funeral homes in a regulatory capacity, we have confirmed that many in the industry are not aware that these funds are available.”

In an effort to increase awareness of the program, the Comptroller’s office will inform funeral directors and burial entities in the Office’s regulatory listing that funding is available for the program in the current year and provide them with the appropriate contact information at DHS.

“When DHS receives these reimbursement applications, they should process them as quickly as possible and send the vouchers to my office for payment. If there are any outstanding applications, I would ask the department to expedite them. Doing so will allow us to bring relief to the funeral homes, that have been shouldering the cost of the state’s financial dysfunction, and lift some of this unnecessary burden on grieving families,” Comptroller Mendoza said.

If DHS is sitting on lots of vouchers, this could get uglier. Both the comptroller and the governor need to get on this.

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, May 8, 18 @ 3:43 pm

Comments

This is disgusting. Get it together State of Illinois.

Comment by Shytown Tuesday, May 8, 18 @ 3:58 pm
Yet, once again, Comptroller Mendoza has proven herself to be the responsible adult in the room.

In addition, she proves herself to be a perfect foil for those who would choose make to political points by making irresponsible statements and claims. And being proactive to avert future situations like this is commendable.

Comment by illini Tuesday, May 8, 18 @ 3:58 pm
“eventually buried, along with others, in an unmarked grave.”

I so hope that is foreshadowing for Coroner Keller’s political career

Comment by Michelle Flaherty Tuesday, May 8, 18 @ 4:00 pm
This coroner is a very odd dude. I’m not a lawyer, but it’s hard for me to believe that an administrative certificate can be withheld beyond the fee for the certificate itself (absolutely not $1000) Maybe $30 at the most. Holding the cremains comes with some liability. If any of those remains/cremains are those of a veteran, they are entitled to a free burial at a National Cemetery. This coroner is a heartless jerk.
If he’s holding a Death Certificate preventing an heir from accessing assets, he could be breaking the law. I get the problem he’s dealing with, but sue the estate if there’s something there to cover those expenses.

Can’t believe you could withhold a Death Certificate. Seems you could receive social security until this genius issues one. Ugh.

Comment by A guy Tuesday, May 8, 18 @ 4:05 pm
This coroner should be investigated for something… maybe extortion? He’s a funeral director, I wonder if he got so aggressive because he’s steering these burials to his business then wasn’t getting paid for a while. This definitely is not normal behavior, no matter how concerned you are about how tax dollars are spent.

Comment by TopHatMonocle Tuesday, May 8, 18 @ 4:10 pm
@ A guy

According to the story, the Coroner “doesn’t withhold the death certificate”, he just ensures that if there are any financial assets Bank account or insurance policy) the County is reimbursed for its expenses.

Seems fair to me.

Comment by Soapbox Derby Tuesday, May 8, 18 @ 4:17 pm
Soap, here’s what I read:

==A coroner in western Illinois is facing sharp criticism for how he handles poor people who can’t afford to bury their loved ones: He has them sign over their rights to the deceased,

**leaving them without the deathcertificate**

and then cremates the body and keeps the ashes until the family pays $1,000.==

Comment by A guy Tuesday, May 8, 18 @ 4:21 pm
Rauner is denying indigent people a decent burial? So his cruelty is directed to helpless people from the womb to the grave. Unbelievable.

Comment by IllinoisBoi Tuesday, May 8, 18 @ 4:24 pm
Here’s what I read.

“If the family needs the death certificate to access bank accounts or life insurance, the coroner first arranges for the county to recoup its costs from any proceeds.”

I think the families should get the death certificate as long as they make sure the County gets reimbursed if possible. If they are truly indigent, then no charges. BTW, not defending all the actions of the Coroner in this matter.

Comment by Soapbox Derby Tuesday, May 8, 18 @ 4:29 pm
Just because we’re bereaved doesn’t make us saps

Comment by KTM350 Tuesday, May 8, 18 @ 4:30 pm
I would think that a body belongs to the next of kin. How you could cremate without permission is beyond me. Perhaps desicration of a body Then to place in unmarked grave is probably theft of a body
At best he could claim a lein for services
He is on very thin ice

Comment by DuPage Saint Tuesday, May 8, 18 @ 4:54 pm
–If DHS is sitting on lots of vouchers, this could get uglier. –

If they are not, it would be in their interest to say so right now. Because they have a history of not paying their bills.

You know the Rauner crew monitors the blog all day long, so an answer should be forthcoming.

Or, this will fester:

–As of last October, funeral and burial expenses had been cut by 35 percent. And this wasn’t the first, or even second time that the governor has tried to cut or zero out burial expenses.–

Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, May 8, 18 @ 5:32 pm
Our sorry state. Seems to me that a certain number of birth and death certificates should be available without additional charge. This is a county office funded by taxpayers. So we should consider them paid for all.
Can’t even wrap my head around holding dead people for ransom.

Comment by Thoughts Matter Tuesday, May 8, 18 @ 5:46 pm
I do not know why the coroner holds the death certificate if they are signed by a physician and come out of the Illinois Department of Public Health, Division of Vital Records. That being said, an executor or representative must pay funeral expenses before any disrtibutions are done. Funeral expenses must be paid first and supersede other bills.

Comment by Barrington Tuesday, May 8, 18 @ 5:47 pm
Quincy’s in Adams County. In light of the economic circumstances that result in one living at a Veterans Home, I feel compelled to ask when the coroner started implementing this policy.

Comment by Graduated College Student Tuesday, May 8, 18 @ 6:07 pm
I wonder if this nuclear option has had to be used? Or is it just another stick-in-your eye to get some action.

Comment by blue dog dem Tuesday, May 8, 18 @ 6:25 pm
=That being said, an executor or representative must pay funeral expenses before any disrtibutions are done. Funeral expenses must be paid first and supersede other bills. =

The deceased’s estate is responsible for funeral expenses. Sounds like the deceased in these situations doesn’t *have* an estate.

Comment by JoanP Tuesday, May 8, 18 @ 7:32 pm
Just another unfit public official like that sheriff from Arizona Trump saw fir to pardon.

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, May 8, 18 @ 7:32 pm
fit

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, May 8, 18 @ 7:33 pm
Coroner is by definition, a goul. “Feeds on dead bodies”. But, the Governor is unbelievable. 9 million for funerals and withholding it? Less than back porch money for him.

Comment by wondering Tuesday, May 8, 18 @ 7:37 pm
Adams County is out of control

Comment by Anon Tuesday, May 8, 18 @ 8:15 pm
coroner@co.adams.il.us

Comment by anon Tuesday, May 8, 18 @ 9:31 pm
we have $2 billion to subsidize an HQx, but no money to bury the indigent deceased?

Comment by Ares Tuesday, May 8, 18 @ 10:37 pm
From the ABC 7 story: “I just think they pick on the people that are poor,” Smith said.

The regular folks get it, what’s the problem with the county board? Attend a county board meeting anywhere in Illinois outside of Cook, Will, or Lake county, and you’ll be amazed at all the “good Christians” who are one step from the nursing home themselves, but have no heart for anyone else. It’s a class system, the self-appointed local gentry need someone to look down on.

“Keller also works as a funeral director, but he insists his decision to create the policy was unrelated to his other job.”

Oh sure, yeah right. After attending a few “public safety” meetings and seeing how chummy the coroner is with the Sheriff, I often wonder how they could possibly conduct an “independent” death investigation of a police shooting for instance. These good old boys all go to party picnics together.

This coroner is just a good old boy, he’s doing what they do: discriminate against poor folks and “outsiders.” Clowns like James Keller are so corrupt that they don’t even know that what they are doing is wrong.

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, May 8, 18 @ 10:39 pm
Perhaps the Coroner should heed the advice of the public servant who said this upon taking the job, “You’ve got to have a deep, caring compassion for people.” Some guy named James Keller said that upon taking office in 2011.

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, May 8, 18 @ 11:16 pm
^^whoops^^

Comment by OurMagician Tuesday, May 8, 18 @ 11:17 pm