Springfield, IL- State Senator Ed Maloney (D-Chicago) believes that the passage of House Bill 1188 will prevent a tragedy like the one uncovered at Burr Oak Cemetery last summer from ever happening again.

"It is nearly unthinkable that anyone would show such disrespect for human remains and for the families of the departed," Maloney said. "Today, the State is taking definitive action to protect Illinois families from the horror of learning that their loved ones’ final resting places have been disturbed."

House Bill 1188 establishes a host of new regulations to ensure that cemetery owners and managers are held accountable for their actions and serve as legitimate stewards for the remains of the dead.

"I’m glad that we took the time to craft legislation that will ensure strict regulation of cemeteries like Burr Oak without unnecessarily penalizing cemeteries that have always conducted their business in a responsible and dignified manner," Maloney said. "Instead of acting in the haste of the moment, we have put together a law that should be able to operate for years to come."

The legislation gives the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation the authority to inspect cemeteries to ensure that they are well cared for and that cemetery managers know the location of all buried remains. The legislation now goes to the Illinois House.