CHICAGO — Authorities recovered at least 57 decomposing bodies Thursday from the South Chicago Chapel, located in the 2900 block of East 95th Street. The remains were found in the funeral home's basement, garage and an attached structure, according to law enforcement sources.

Police were alerted by a tip, which led to the discovery of the bodies, some in advanced stages of decay.

The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation is the primary state agency responsible for licensing and regulating funeral homes. The discovery is expected to trigger scrutiny of the agency's inspection protocols and enforcement actions.

Improper storage of human remains poses serious public health risks, including the potential spread of pathogens and environmental contamination to surrounding communities.

Families of the deceased face deep emotional distress and logistical challenges in identifying and re-interring their loved ones.

This is not the first such incident in the Chicago area. In 2020, more than 100 bodies were found improperly stored without refrigeration at the Chicago Heights Crematory, leading to its shutdown and a criminal investigation that exposed gaps in state oversight.

Investigators will examine the South Chicago Chapel's operating licenses, refrigeration capacity and adherence to state and local health codes. Potential charges against the funeral home's owner or operators include felony concealment of a death.

The scale of the discovery has placed pressure on city and state officials to address regulatory shortcomings. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson faces calls for a swift response and assurances that such a failure will not recur.

State lawmakers will likely consider new legislation or stricter enforcement mechanisms for funeral homes, including stiffer penalties for non-compliance and more frequent state inspections.

The Cook County Medical Examiner's Office is responsible for the careful removal and identification of the bodies. The funeral home's license faces immediate suspension or revocation by the state regulators.