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State funding for funerals for the poor cut, counties to pay bill

A state program that helped pay for funerals for the poor has been cut since January 15th, and county coroners around the state say they will inherit the bill n...

A state program that helped pay for funerals for the poor has been cut since January 15th, and county coroners around the state say they will inherit the bill now.

Governor Bruce Rauner suspended the program that helped pay for indigent funerals because of the state's budget crisis.

Rock Island County Coroner Brian Gustafson says the change will be a drain on his already cash-strapped budget.  Without state funds, the burden of the burial for those without any money to pay goes to the county and the coroner's office.

"I'm very angry and irritated," Gustafson said.

Gustafson says funeral homes are helping to absorb much of the cost, but says it's not sustainable.

"I am very concerned because the longer this drags on, I could see this doubling, even tripling," he said.

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