IllinoisHB4695104th General Assembly (2025–2026)HouseWALLET

CREMATORY-CEMETERY REGULATION

Sponsored By: Sponsor information unavailable

Signed by Governor

Summary

Amends the Crematory Regulation Act. Authorizes the Comptroller to issue citations or fines, or both, to licensees. Requires a cemetery authority to implement (i) a standard operating procedure and provide a copy to all employees; and (ii) a medical waste management plan. Authorizes the Comptroller to impose a fine not to exceed $10,000 for each violation under the Act. Allows the Comptroller to refuse to issue a license or take disciplinary action if the applicant or licensee has failed to pay delinquent taxes or child support. Requires the Comptroller, upon revocation or suspension of a license, to notify the county coroner or medical examiner who is responsible for the area where the crematory is located to immediately make arrangements to take possession of bodies and cremated remains and arrange for final disposition of any decedents in the possession of the suspended licensee after consulting with the authorized agents for those bodies. Provides that if no authorized agent can be contacted, the county coroner or medical examiner shall take possession of bodies and cremated remains within 72 hours of notification from the Comptroller. Requires a crematory authority to perform a cremation no more than 60 days from the date the human remains have been delivered to it unless the crematory authority has received specific instructions to the contrary on its cremation authorization form. Requires the crematory authority to notify the Comptroller and the coroner or medical examiner in the county in which the death occurred as to why the cremation cannot be performed if it is not done within the 60-day period. Provides that pacemakers do not need to be removed in alkaline hydrolysis cremations. Requires that cremated remains must be stored in a place free from exposure to the elements and be responsibly maintained until disposal. Makes other changes. Amends the Cemetery Care Act. Provides that if a cemetery authority owning or operating a privately owned cemetery has accepted care funds and is considered abandoned or seeks dissolution, it allows, if no receiver is available, a circuit court to order a willing unit of local government to take over the cemetery. Makes other changes.

state government administrationassignmentsexecutive

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.

Better records and care for remains

For each cremation, the crematory must record the final disposition of the remains if known. If remains are not cremated within 30 days after delivery, the crematory must tell the Comptroller and county coroner or medical examiner why, unless law enforcement ordered a hold. The 30-day period triggers notice; it is not a deadline for cremation. Anyone storing cremated remains must protect them from the weather until final disposition.

More pacemaker options for cremation

A crematory can use alkaline hydrolysis on remains with a pacemaker without removing it. The funeral director must first receive written notice that the vessel is certified to handle pacemakers safely. The director must also receive written confirmation that the wastewater meets hazardous-waste rules and sewer pretreatment standards.

State oversight protects crematory families

The Comptroller can examine crematory records, facilities, and operations to check compliance. The Comptroller can suspend a license when evidence shows an immediate danger to the public, but must give written notice and start hearing proceedings. If a license is suspended or revoked, the county coroner or medical examiner arranges care and final disposition with the authorizing agent. If no agent can be reached, that official must take possession within 72 hours after notice and keep trying to contact the agent.

Crematories face new rules and fines

Crematory authorities must create operating procedures and medical waste plans suited to their work. Corporate license applicants must list each officer and director and each shareholder who owns at least 25%. The Comptroller can impose civil penalties and disciplinary fines of up to $10,000 per violation; the prior maximum was $5,000. These are maximum penalties, not automatic charges.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

There is no primary sponsor on record.

Cosponsors

  • Anthony DeLuca

    Democratic • House

  • Diane Blair-Sherlock

    Democratic • House

  • Justin Cochran

    Democratic • House

  • Matt Hanson

    Democratic • House

  • Natalie A. Manley

    Democratic • House

  • Nicolle Grasse

    Democratic • House

  • Patrick J. Joyce

    Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 208 • No: 0

Senate vote • 5/21/2026

Third Reading - Passed;

Yes: 59 • No: 0

Senate vote • 5/6/2026

Do Pass Executive;

Yes: 13 • No: 0

House vote • 4/16/2026

Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed

Yes: 112 • No: 0

House vote • 4/15/2026

House Floor Amendment No. 2 Recommends Be Adopted State Government Administration Committee;

Yes: 8 • No: 0

House vote • 4/8/2026

House Floor Amendment No. 1 Recommends Be Adopted State Government Administration Committee;

Yes: 7 • No: 0

House vote • 2/25/2026

Do Pass / Short Debate State Government Administration Committee;

Yes: 9 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Public Act . . . . . . . . . 104-0501

    6/26/2026House
  2. Effective Date January 1, 2027

    6/26/2026House
  3. Governor Approved

    6/26/2026House
  4. Sent to the Governor

    6/18/2026House
  5. Passed Both Houses

    5/21/2026House
  6. Third Reading - Passed; 059-000-000

    5/21/2026Senate
  7. Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading **

    5/19/2026Senate
  8. Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading May 18, 2026

    5/14/2026Senate
  9. Second Reading

    5/14/2026Senate
  10. Placed on Calendar Order of 2nd Reading May 7, 2026

    5/6/2026Senate
  11. Do Pass Executive; 013-000-000

    5/6/2026Senate
  12. Assigned to Executive

    4/28/2026Senate
  13. Referred to Assignments

    4/21/2026Senate
  14. First Reading

    4/21/2026Senate
  15. Chief Senate Sponsor Sen. Patrick J. Joyce

    4/21/2026Senate
  16. Placed on Calendar Order of First Reading

    4/21/2026Senate
  17. Arrive in Senate

    4/21/2026Senate
  18. Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Natalie A. Manley

    4/16/2026House
  19. Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Matt Hanson

    4/16/2026House
  20. Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Justin Cochran

    4/16/2026House
  21. Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed 112-000-000

    4/16/2026House
  22. Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading - Short Debate

    4/16/2026House
  23. House Floor Amendment No. 2 Adopted

    4/16/2026House
  24. House Floor Amendment No. 1 Adopted

    4/16/2026House
  25. House Floor Amendment No. 2 Recommends Be Adopted State Government Administration Committee; 008-000-000

    4/15/2026House

Bill Text

  • Engrossed

  • Enrolled

  • House Amendment 1

  • House Amendment 2

  • Introduced

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