- 4 Killed, 11 Wounded In Shootings Across Chicago Since Friday Evening
- LIVE COVERAGE: Lori Lightfoot Inauguration
- Lori Lightfoot To Be Sworn In As Chicago's First African-American, Female Mayor
- Incoming Chicago Mayor Has Path To Historic Police Reforms
- Police Investigate Attempted Arson At Lakeview Synagogue
- Student Robbed At University Of Chicago
- Several Vehicle Windows Smashed Across North Side: Police
- Person In Custody In Connection To Threats Against Argo Community High School
- Dan Ryan Expressway Southbound Lanes Reopen After Reports Of Shooting
- Trooper's Encounter With DUI Suspect Goes 'Downhill' With Fight Over Taser
- Hundreds Honor Marlen Ochoa-Lopez At South Side Vigil: 'Rest In Peace'
- 'Shocking': Ohio State Doc Abused 177, Officials Were Aware
- Missouri's GOP-Led Legislature Passes 8-Week Abortion Ban
- PHOTOS: Rare, Albino Animals You’ve Probably Never Seen Before
- Internet Sensation Grumpy Cat Has Died At Age 7
- Trump Plan Would Shift Immigration Focus To 'Merit'
- Expert: Fetal Abduction Rare Yet Endures Over 30 Years
- VIDEO: Mick Jagger Has His Moves Back After Health Problems
- Police: 5-Year-Old Brings Crack Cocaine To Preschool
- Alabama Lawmakers Send Governor Sweeping Abortion Ban
- Newsmakers Making A Difference: Rashanah Baldwin, Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago
- Newsmakers Making A Difference: Victor Ciardelli, Guaranteed Rate Foundation
- Newsmakers Making A Difference: Tim Brigham, The Superheroes Collective
- Newsmakers Making A Difference: Reverend Gloria Randolph, GGG Ministries
- Newsmakers Making A Difference: Marge Nykaza, Harmony, Hope, & Healing
- Newsmakers Making A Difference: Denise Urban, WINGS Resale Shop
- Newsmakers Making A Difference: Harriet Levy, The Center For Enriched Living
- Newsmakers Making A Difference: Heather Owen, CRISP
- Newsmakers Making A Difference: West Town Health Market
- Newsmakers Making A Difference: Gary Mechanic, Friends of the Fox
On Air Now
RADIO.COM
Cook County Lays Indigent, Unborn To Rest
WBBM Newsradio/Bob Roberts
CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- It’s an important, but little-discussed act performed quarterly by Cook County: the burying of the cremated remains of the indigent, unidentified and unborn.
The latest commitment ceremony was Wednesday at Mt. Olivet Cemetery on Chicago’s South Side.
More than 100 of those buried were indigent, meaning they left behind too little money for cremation and burial, or their families could not afford the cost.
Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Ponny Arunkamar said efforts to identify four individuals failed, despite using everything from dental records and body markings to DNA.
Another 60 were unborn. County Board President Toni Preckwinkle said all were someone’s son or daughter and said all deserve a dignified burial.
In any given year, Mt. Olivet becomes the final resting place for the cremains of 500 to 600 indigent Cook County residents. The county works in conjunction with the Catholic Archdiocese, which made the space available at Mt. Olivet for the burials.