Scott G. Burgh

  • Chief Law Librarian at City of Chicago Department of Law Library

Biography

Coroner Research Fee Reduction Bill Passes Illinois General Assembly

On May 8th this year, SB 686, the coroner fee reduction bill, passed both the Illinois House of Representatives and Senate and was sent to the Governor on June 6th.  Three days later on June 9th, Governor JB Pritzker sign the bill into law as PA 103-73, effective January 1 2024.

The newly signed legislation has two main provisions—1) provides that the fees for a copy of a transcript of testimony of a coroner’s inquest over 20 years old declaring the request is for research or genealogy purposes is a flat rate of $15.00; and 2) provides that, a coroner may waive, at his or her discretion, any coroner fees for those who are indigent or under other special circumstances. Continue reading Coroner Research Fee Reduction Bill Passes Illinois General Assembly

Traveling in Madagascar

In September 2003, I took a two week trip to Madagascar using my Delta Air Lines miles. Traveling solo, I had my excellent guide Jocelyn and my excellent driver Solofo, and together we traveled the whole country by air and car. When traveling by road, we would come upon various villages. At these villages, I would send the driver ahead, and Jocelyn and I would walk through the village, meet the local people, take photos, and often have a parade of children following us by the end of our “tour.”

While en route to Isalo National Park, we stopped in Ilakaka, a village in the south of Madagascar.  I met René Fulgence, a teenager who spoke very good English (in a country in which French and Malagasy are primarily spoken) and we walked the village together. René was delighted at the opportunity to practice his English and briefly told me of his plans to teach English. I had not much time in this town so I gave him my email address if he wanted to speak further. Continue reading Traveling in Madagascar