Politics & Government

Should the Cook County Use a Portion of Oak Forest Hospital as a Cemetery?

A Cook County plan calls for burying the poor and indigent in a 5-acre section of the hospital.

A Cook County commissioner has proposed a plan that would reserve a 5-acre portion of the former Oak Forest Hospital as a county cemetery.

Cook County Commissioner John Fritchey (D-Chicago) has put forward a proposed plan that could save the county $180 million and satisfy burial needs for 100 years, Sun-Times Media reports.

The burial of indigent and unclaimed bodies would be handled with more dignity under this proposal, Fritchey said.

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On Tuesday, Sun-Times Media published an editorial endorsing the plan for the section of the hospital property:

Eventually the land might have been used for something more profitable, but we can’t think of many uses more necessary.

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The editorial goes on to state that the county had "stumbled" in its duty to ensure dignity for the poor and should act quickly to approve the new cemetery.

In August, the Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board voted to convert into a 24-hour regional urgent care facility. The hospital houses more than 600 beds.

Do you think this is a good use for part of the Oak Forest Hospital property? Tell us in the comments?

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