Cook County commissioner proposes morgue reform

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Updated: March 10, 2012 8:12AM

On the heels of a crisis at the Cook County Morgue, Cook County Commissioner Jeff Tobolski (D-16th) is introducing an ordinance amendment to make the Medical Examiner’s Office responsible for notifying a decedent’s next of kin.

A recent investigation by ABC 7 told the story of Brian Warren’s missing body. On Jan. 11, someone at St. Bernard Hospital told the family that Brian Warren had died of a heart attack and was taken to the County Morgue. After repeatedly calling the morgue and being told that their brother’s body was not in their custody, the Warrens finally found out that Brian’s body was at the morgue. It was among hundreds of bodies that had been stacked up in open boxes and bags, thrown onto shelves and piled on the floor of the morgue. He had been there, unaccounted for, for two weeks.

“For a family to have their loved one’s remains shuffled around at the morgue like they’re a returned sweater without a tag is wholly unacceptable,” said Tobolski. “This is 2012.

“There are no more excuses, just incompetence run amok.”

Tobolski’s ordinance amendment was introduced at the Feb. 2 County Board meeting and is aimed at making the Medical Examiner’s Office more accountable for the overflow of bodies at the morgue and quicker response time to families searching for their missing loved ones. “It is our job to ensure that no other family has to go through what the Warrens did,” said Tobolski.

Cook County District 16 includes Schiller Park, Franklin Park, Northlake, Berwyn, Cicero, McCook, Hodgkins, Lyons, Summit, Willow Springs, Countryside, Western Springs, LaGrange, LaGrange Park, Forest Park, Westchester, Stone Park, Berkeley, Broadview, Hillside, Melrose Park, Brookfield, Riverside, North Riverside and Stickney.