The McHenry County Coroner’s Office announced they have become one of only 37 counties in the United States to earn a top accreditation from an international association of coroners.
The coroner’s office said Friday they have earned accreditation from the International Association of Coroners and Medical Examiners (IACME).
Officials say it is a “high honor” that only three Illinois counties and 37 counties nationwide have achieved.
The two other coroner’s offices in Illinois to be IACME accredited are Lake County and Kane County.
The IACME subjected the coroner’s office to a review of 288 standards on administrative, forensic and investigative matters.
The review also included an on-site inspection of the coroner’s office.
Coroners’ offices are required to meet all mandatory standards and 90% of non-required standards to achieve accreditation.
The McHenry County Coroner’s Office exceeded requirements by meeting all mandatory standards and 99% of non-required standards, officials said.
“Modernizing the Coroner’s Office has been a top priority for me since before I was even elected,” McHenry County Coroner Dr. Michael Rein said.
“My office is often called to the most heart-wrenching of cases, and I am proud that we can better serve grieving families during their darkest hours and support justice for the entire community,” Rein said.
In 2021, the coroner’s office won a $113,175 grant from the U.S. Department of Justice.
The grant was used to pay for needed improvements and upgrades, including new software, security enhancements for the facility and modernized equipment, in order to achieve accreditation.