By Eric Stock

SPRINGFIELD – A former coroner-turned-lawmaker has sponsored a measure to help ensure coroners are getting specialized training.

State Rep. Dan Brady, R-Bloomington, said the legislation creating a new coroner training board is an important step in acknowledging the differences between coroners and police homicide investigators.

“The role of a coroner in a death investigation is very different from the role of a law enforcement homicide investigator, yet under current law they are lumped together,” Brady said. “This legislation makes sure coroners and forensic pathologists are well prepared to tackle their unique responsibilities.”

Brady said creation of the new board was initiated by the Illinois Coroners and Medical Examiners Association to provide specialized training for coroners and forensic pathologists that will be separate and distinct from training police homicide investigators receive.

The Coroner Training Board will establish application, training and certification standards for coroners in Illinois, certify coroner training schools, conduct and approve the death investigation training protocols for coroners statewide.

The governor would be tasked with appointing the five-member board. It would be comprised of two forensic pathologists, two coroners and a private citizen.

The bill redirects fees from the death certificate surcharge, which Brady said was intended for coroner training but had been diverted.

“This funding was intended for coroner training and now there will be no question that’s what it will be used for,” Brady said. “Our criminal justice system can only benefit when coroners working with police on death investigations have had the very best training possible.”

The measure goes to Gov. Rauner’s desk after being approved by the Illinois House and Senate.

Eric Stock can be reached at [email protected].