Political Rewind: Illinois House Pushes for Ban on Sex with Corpses, Considers Fees for Visiting State Parks

Editor's Note: This article was created by aggregating news articles from Illinois Statehouse News that were written by various Illinois Statehouse News reporters.

IL House Pushes for Ban on Sex with Corpses

SPRINGFIELD — Necrophilia is not illegal in Illinois. Not yet. 

A measure outlawing fornication with a corpse, along with banning the unauthorized movement of a corpse, passed the Illinois House, 114-0, Wednesday.

“It’s all out of respect for the deceased,” said state Rep. Daniel Beiser, D-Alton, who is sponsoring the legislation.

 State laws don’t address the issue of sex with a corpse, and prosecutors have resorted to charging suspects with criminal damage to property. 

“When you think of that, you think of someone … breaking a mailbox or something similar,” Beiser said. “We obviously understand that isn’t adequate, that anybody who abuses or mishandles a deceased just demeans the meaning of that person’s life." 

If the measure becomes law, sex with a corpse would result in a Class 2 felony, with punishments ranging from probation to seven years in prison. Anyone caught moving a corpse would face a Class 4 felony, with penalties ranging from probation to three years in jail. 

The legislation stems from investigations that found corpses had been moved. 

“People were trying to cover up a crime scene and avoid prosecution by actually physically moving the deceased from one spot to another,” Beiser said.

— Stephanie Fryer

Park Fees Needed for Maintenance, Say Advocates and Lawmakers

SPRINGFIELD — Those interested in visiting state parks in Illinois may have to pay a fee to offset a cut in funding to the state Department of Natural Resources.

Gov. Pat Quinn wants to reduce the department’s budget by 13.5 percent, or $16.2 million. IDNR currently has a budget of $61 million. 

House Bill 5789 passed the Illinois House with an 81-29 vote Monday and now heads to the state Senate. 

The bill — which has Quinn’s support — gives IDNR the discretion to set the fee. IDNR is considering $25 per person for an annual pass to the state park system and between $5 to $10 for a daily pass, said spokesman Chris McCloud. 

The fees could generate about $9 million, said state. Rep. JoAnn Osmond, R-Antioch. 

Supporters of the bill said it would allow IDNR to perform much-needed maintenance. 

“I think it's a small price to pay. Illinoians are used to going to state parks in Wisconsin, which does charge user fees. Those parks are in great shape. Our parks are not,” said Jack Darin, director of the Illinois Sierra Club, an environmental advocacy organization.

— Anthony Brino