Daywatch: After funeral home misidentified remains, legislators pass measure calling for stricter regulation

Good morning, Chicago.

Without any opposition, the Illinois Senate passed a measure yesterday that would tighten identification standards for human remains that are being handled by funeral homes and enhance punishment for businesses that break the law.

The legislation comes after a funeral home in central Illinois last year was found to have given dozens of families the wrong remains. The owner of Heinz Funeral Home in Carlinville had his license revoked by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation after the discovery for “professional incompetence,” among other things.

The measure passed in the Senate Tuesday by a 55-0 vote would tighten funeral home regulations designed to ensure the human remains in their possession are identified properly. The bill now moves to the House for consideration.

Read the full story from the Tribune’s Jeremy Gorner.

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