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The Illinois Historic Cemetery Handbook:
A Guide to Basic Preservation was
developed in response to many inquires to
the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency (IHPA)
and the Illinois Department of Natural
Resources (IDNR). Most often, those
questions focused on how to clean and repair
gravestones, sources of assistance, and the
laws that govern cemeteries.
The IHPA is responsible for protecting nonregistered
Illinois cemeteries that are more
than 100 years old. The IDNR owns and
manages over 50 cemeteries statewide.
Together both agencies have hosted
workshops and provided guidance to
numerous groups responsible for maintaining
and preserving cemeteries. This handbook
provides basic information for groups or
individuals who wish to embark on a
successful cemetery preservation program.
Download the entire Cemetery Preservation Handbook information in .pdf
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The first Illinois laws protecting historically significant
cemeteries were enacted in 1851. Since that time the
state legislature has passed a number of laws governing
the management of public cemeteries, including sales
and ownership, the creation of local cemetery authorities,
burial places of Illinois soldiers and sailors, and the
care and maintenance of cemeteries. Those laws encourage
local government and private organizations to
maintain, regulate, and protect cemeteries. Also established
by law are provisions for creating a local cemetery
authority when none exists.
In 1989, Illinois passed into law the Human Skeletal Remains Protection Act (20 ILCS 3440; 17 IAC 4170). This law protects all unregistered graves, grave markers (including prehistoric burial mounds), and grave artifacts that are over 100 years old and are not located in a cemetery that is registered with the State Comptroller’s Office. This Act offers protection from desecration, including vandalism, excavation (includes cultivation), removal, exposure, defacement and destruction. The Illinois Historic Preservation Agency administers this act.
Download Stones and Statutes: Laws Governing Illinois Cemeteries.pdf
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Why preserve or protect cemeteries? They are memorials
to the past that offer a unique view of our history, culture,
and way of life. Their existence adds much to our
understanding of the history of Illinois and its people.
Vandalism in cemeteries destroys our history and the stories of the individuals who lived before us. It takes many forms – overturned monuments, discarded beer cans and trash, graffiti – and is a Class C misdemeanor. Tips to prevent vandalism are available in the Stones and Statutes: Laws Governing Illinois Cemeteries.pdf.
Want to know more about a local cemetery?
- Questions dealing with cemeteries and cemetery laws
should be directed to:
Illinois Historic Preservation
Agency
Division of Preservation Services
One Old State Capitol Plaza
Springfield, Illinois 62701
phone: (217) 782-4836
www.illinoishistory.gov/cemetery
- If you wish to erect a historical marker, write:
Illinois
State Historical Society, Marker’s Program,
210 ½ South Sixth Street, Suite 200
Springfield, Illinois
62701
phone: (217) 525-2781
www.historyillinois.org/Markers/markers.htm.
- Concerns dealing with the burial of Illinois war veterans
should be addressed to:
Illinois Department of Veterans
Affairs
833 South Spring Street, P. O. Box 19432
Springfield, Illinois 62794
1-800-437-9824 or in Springfield (217) 782-6641
www.state.il.us/agency/dva.
- For information on historic cemeteries as nature preserves,
write:
llinois Nature Preserves Commission,
Illinois Department of Natural Resources
One Natural
Resources Way
Springfield, Illinois 62702
(217) 524-2415
www.dnr.state.il.us/inpc
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