**New Illinois Legislation Proposed to Reform Medical Examiner Identification Process Following ABC7 Chicago Investigation**
CHICAGO (WLS) – New state legislation has been proposed in Illinois to create significant changes across the state after ABC7 Chicago’s I-Team reported on cases of loved ones remaining unidentified at the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office.
The proposed legislation aims to reform how medical examiners’ offices statewide identify bodies and notify family members. Additionally, it would make it easier for families to pursue legal action against a medical examiner in cases of negligence.
Two new House bills were recently filed in Illinois, inspired by the fight for accountability led by West Rogers Park resident Ruthie McKinnie. Her son, Kelvin Davis, remained unidentified at the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office for six weeks while she and her family repeatedly contacted the morgue.
“What this means to me is to help other families. Because me, myself personally, I was disrespected,” McKinnie said.
The medical examiner’s office previously explained the mix-up resulted from Davis not having identification, compounded by a name error on a police report that listed his name as “Kevin” instead of “Kelvin” when he was found. Despite the family providing a detailed description of Kelvin—a 6-foot, 4-inch tall man with freckles—employees at the morgue did not make the connection. The body was ultimately identified after a missing person report included a description of his tattoo.
“Right now, there’s obligations when unidentified remains come in. But there’s no consequence for not following the protocol,” stated lawyer Christopher Jahnke.
Jahnke emphasized that the new legislation would hold medical examiner offices accountable by ending immunity for negligence and expanding the definition of medical facilities to explicitly include medical examiners’ offices. The bills would also establish clearer standards and mandate enhanced training procedures.
“Because, as we’ve seen, things keep falling through the cracks, people keep falling through the cracks, families falling through the cracks,” Jahnke added.
In its investigation, the ABC7 I-Team uncovered three other similar complaints in recent years. In each instance, the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office maintained that it had done everything possible with the information available, especially in cases where a body was decomposed.
The medical examiner’s office encourages people with missing loved ones to check its website regularly and to participate in the annual “Missing Persons Day” event held each spring. They handle approximately 7,000 cases annually and state that the vast majority pose no identification challenges.
“I hope deeply that this will bring upon a change,” said Forrest McKinnie.
The McKinnie family played a key role in helping to advance the legislation after ABC7’s reporting, collaborating with 16th District State Representative Kevin Olickal. Rep. Olickal said, “The misidentification of a loved one can cause deep and unnecessary trauma for families who are already grieving. When Ruthie and Forrest first shared their story with me, it was clear that we had a responsibility to act. No family should ever have to endure the uncertainty and heartbreak they’ve experienced. We’ve got to pull together as people in the state of Illinois to get this law in place so future families do not suffer.”
One of the bills is also known as the “Kelvin F. Davis Act.” Both pieces of legislation are currently being submitted to the Rules Committee for consideration.
As of now, the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office has not commented on the proposed state legislation.
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https://abc7chicago.com/post/new-illinois-legislation-proposal-aimed-reforming-how-medical-examiners-id-bodies-notify-family-ease-legal-action-option/18659158/
