Senators approve plan creating legal protections for Illinois certified pathologists

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — A proposal to protect certified pathologists from legal action passed unanimously out of the Illinois Senate Friday.

The bill would require counties to indemnify and hold harmless the medical professionals responsible for conducting autopsies. Cook County is the only county in Illinois that currently provides this protection.

Sen. Doris Turner (D-Springfield) said this change could help address the drastic shortage of forensic pathologists in Illinois, as there are only three working south of I-80.

"When you have so few people that are available, you want to make sure that you're having the most qualified people performing this work," Turner said. "But, you also want to open the door to have more people come in."

The legislation now moves to the House for further consideration. Turner and Sangamon County Coroner Jim Allmon hope Senate Bill 2779 can receive approval from representatives before session is scheduled to adjourn next Friday.