A BILL HEADED TO THE GOVERNOR’S DESK WAS PROMPTED BY LAST YEAR’S DEATH OF AN ILLINOIS STATE UNIVERSITY STUDENT. 

THE “JELANI DAY ACT” REQUIRES COUNTY CORONERS TO NOTIFY THE F-B-I IF A BODY IS NOT IDENTIFIED WITHIN 72 HOURS. IT’S SPONSORED BY REPRESENTATIVE KAM BUCKNER OF CHICAGO.

DAY WAS REPORTED MISSING IN LATE AUGUST. REMAINS WERE FOUND IN THE ILLINOIS RIVER A LITTLE OVER A WEEK LATER BUT THEY WERE NOT IDENTIFIED AS DAY’S UNTIL SEPTEMBER 23RD, CAUSING HIS FAMILY ADDITIONAL TRAUMA.

THE CAUSE OF DEATH WAS RULED AS DROWNING BUT DAY’S CASE REMAINS OPEN. THE LEGISLATION STILL NEEDS TO BE SIGNED INTO LAW BY THE GOVERNOR.