Macoupin County

The Heinz Funeral Home in Carlinville, Illinois.

Illinois funeral director accused of mishandled human remains faces forgery allegation

Beth Hundsdorfer

A Macoupin County judge approved the appointment of a special prosecutor to review a criminal case against August Heinz, the funeral home director accused of giving dozens of families the wrong ashes. Heinz's ex-wife is alleging he also committed forgery.

Logs are caught in the turbulent waters of a lock on Wednesday, July 26, 2023 at the Melvin Price Lock And Dam on the Mississippi River.

Government, Politics & Issues

Fosterburg Water District secures $4.2 million USDA loan to access new treatment plant

Will Bauer

The district north of Alton in Fosterburg township will soon break ground on the water treatment plant and more than 50 miles of pipe to connect to six other communities and water districts.

Government, Politics & Issues

Misdeeds by Carlinville funeral home director spur Illinois legislative proposals

Beth Hundsdorfer

At least 80 families have received the wrong remains from the Heinz Funeral Home in Carlinville, Illinois, according to the Sangamon County coroner.

Heinz Funeral Home Director Albert August “Gus” Heinz agreed to a permanent revocation of his state funeral director license in October. The revocation came at least six months after a local coroner complained to the state about conditions at the Carlinville, Illinois home that were “unacceptable and criminal in nature.”

Law & Order

For months, Illinois failed to act when Carlinville funeral director mishandled remains

Beth Hundsdorfer

Bodies were found decomposing and families given strangers’ ashes in the months following a coroner’s complaint on the Heinz Funeral Home.