A bill headed to the governor’s desk was prompted by last year’s death of an Illinois State University student. The “Jelani Day Act” requires county coroners to notify the FBI if a body is not identified within 72 hours. It’s sponsored by Representative Kam Buckner of Chicago.

“It is named after a young man who lost his life. His family had to suffer the painful experience of not knowing where his body was, and it took the coroner a very long time to identify who he was.”

Day was reported missing in late August. Remains were found in the Illinois River a little over a week later, but they were not identified as Day’s until September 23rd, causing his family additional trauma.

***Report Courtesy of the Illinois Department of Central Management Services***