Coroner

The Coroner is an elected position serving a four year term. This office is a law enforcement agency which is part of the checks and balances, acting as conservator of the peace and carrying the same powers and obligations as the sheriff. My goal as Coroner has been to provide the citizens of Clay County with timely death investigations in a professional and courteous way while ensuing compassion, dignity and respect for the deceased and surviving family. Continuing certified education is a must for the office to be effective as “we serve those who no longer can serve themselves”.

The Clay County Coroner is entrusted with the below responsibilities.

• Maintain a 24 hour office
• Respond to death scenes
• Operate and maintain the county morgue
• Collect toxicological samples and submit for analysis
• Make death notifications
• Coordinate and facilitate organ/ tissue donations
• Determine necessity for autopsy
• Facilitate autopsy process
• Coordinate transport of deceased from death scene
• Conduct death investigations when necessary
• Schedule and conduct inquests
• Issue temporary death certificates
• Issue permanent death certificates
• Issue permits to cremate
• Maintain records of reported deaths
• Maintain vital statistics related to all reported cases
• Take charge of personal property of deceased until release
• Report child deaths along with traffic, boating and work related fatalities to the State of Illinois
• Enlist and support investigative deputies and volunteer deputies
• Enforcement of Grave Robbery Act
• Upkeep the County’s Emergency plan
• Upkeep Clay County Homicide Protocol
• A minimum of 24 hours of continuing education annually

No information will be released on any case until the inquest is held and or investigation is complete. When a case is closed information will be released upon written request to this office.

Coroner’s Fees:

• A copy of the transcript of sworn testimony $3.00 per page
• A copy of an autopsy report (if not included in transcripts) $30.00
• A copy of the verdict of a coroner’s jury $5.00
• A copy of a toxicology report $15.00
• A print of a picture obtained by the coroner $3.00 (minimum, price based on actual cost)
• A copy of miscellaneous reports, including artist’s drawings but not including police departs. $15.00 (minimum, price based on actual cost)
• A Coroner’s or Medical Examiner’s permit to cremate a dead body $10.00

The State of Illinois has set for the following fees for the Coroner’s Office: Fees for the above items when released for copying are controlled by Public Act 84-337 of the Illinois Revised Statutes as stated above, effective September 14, 1985. Payments must be received in advance. All other Public information released from the Coroner’s Office will be controlled by the Freedom of Information Act, Public Act 83-1013 on file in this office.