Hynes and Quinn Point Fingers In Burr Oak Case

By Anna Deem in News on Jan 31, 2010 6:45PM

The investigation at Burr Oak Cemetery became the focal point in the race for governor on Saturday as Governor Quinn and Comptroller Dan Hynes traded barbs about the scandal. The ABC7 I-Team revealed through memos and emails they obtained that top officials in Comptroller Hynes' office knew in 2003 that there were unearthed human remains at Burr Oak Cemetery. Hynes claims that neither he nor anyone in his office suspected that occupied burial plots were being emptied and reused.

An internal email from 2003 from the comptroller's office documented the discussions at the time: "The main problem cemetery officials are encountering...is the discovery of human remains while they were in the process of cleaning and excavating." According to the memo, the head of Hyne's cemetery division wrote "sounds complicated...may have some legal implications...and needs follow-up and discussion." The follow-up included suggesting to Burr Oak management that they take the matter up with two outside agencies.

The remains were unearthed during excavation work to build a mausoleum. Hynes claimed that the comptroller's office only regulates the finances of cemeteries, not burial ground conditions. Gov. Pat Quinn said that Hynes had an obligation to take action. "You don't push your responsibility away when you see something horrifically wrong. You come forward and do what Sheriff Tom Dart did, do the decent thing and straighten things out," said Quinn.

"The governor has no limits to his own disingenuousness and shame to try and win an election," Hynes said in return.