The first meeting is planned for an Illinois task force formed after allegations of grave desecration at a historic Black graveyard in suburban Chicago.
The first meeting is planned for an Illinois task force formed after allegations of grave desecration at a historic Black graveyard in suburban Chicago. The Illinois Cemetery Oversight Task Force meets Thursday afternoon in downtown Chicago. An attorney for the Illinois Cemetery and Funeral Home Association is scheduled to appear before the nine-member panel. Gov. Pat Quinn formed the task force after four workers at Burr Oak Cemetery in Alsip were charged with digging up and reselling plots in a moneymaking scheme. The task force is responsible for examining operations at all Illinois cemeteries and making recommendations about regulating the industry. They’re expected to submit a report to Quinn by Sept. 15. ______ In photo: This Monday July 20, 2009 photo shows Willie Esper departing the Burr Oak Cemetery after his shift in Alsip, Ill. Esper, a gravedigger who helped expose an alleged scheme to dig up graves and resell plots at a suburban Chicago cemetery, says he only spoke up after another worker warned him to keep his mouth shut or risk losing his job. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast) Click here to see the photo gallery. Copyright 2009 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
About Post Author
