Bureau of Finance

The Cook County Medical Examiner's Office (MEO) stands as the sole Medical Examiner system in Illinois, serving a jurisdiction that encompasses approximately 5.2 million residents, representing nearly 45% of the state's population. Established on December 6, 1976, following a 1972 referendum, the MEO plays a critical role in aiding the administration of justice and safeguarding public health by investigating over 16,000 deaths annually.

With that number, around 5,600 cases receive further investigation each year, including autopsies performed on approximately half of these cases. The MEO is equipped to handle all human death investigations across various circumstances, maintaining a commitment to forensic excellence through the renowned Robert J. Stein Institute of Forensic Medicine.

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