Coroner's Inquests

Inquiry into Cause / Manner of Death

An inquest is neither a civil nor criminal trial proceeding. It is an inquiry into the cause and manner of an individual's death.

Inquests are open to the public and may not be closed pursuant to any request to do so. Anyone may attend. Family members and any other party requesting notification of an inquest will be notified, in writing, of the day, time, and place of the inquest.

Manner of Death Determination

As is now permitted by 55 ILCS 5/3-3013, Coroner Yoder is allowed to make manner of death determinations (natural, accident, suicide, homicide, and undetermined) without a formal inquest hearing. The ruling does not include any additional comments and/or recommendations. On average, ten coroner rulings are made every month. This manner of death determination takes into account the respective law enforcement agency's report, the coroner's office investigation findings, as well as any supplemental reports.

For More Information

If you have any questions regarding manner of death determinations in completed death investigations, please submit a Freedom of Information Act inquiry to the coroner's office. For other questions and/or concerns, please contact the coroner's office at (309) 888-5210.