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Renovations begin after mold shut down Kane County morgue

Renovation work has begun at the Kane County coroner's office and morgue, which was shut down in June because of a mold infestation and autopsies outsourced to DuPage County.

Coroner Rob Russell said he hopes the project - the main component of which is a $76,000, 12-foot by 21-foot refrigerator/freezer combination unit - will be completed by Jan. 1, 2015.

Russell said Monday he sees the renovations as a fiscally responsible way that he and Kane County Board Chairman Chris Lauzen can work together.

The two sparred in the past over spending in Russell's office.

"My focus is doing my job and getting the morgue open. I think the chairman is in agreement with that," Russell said. "We both feel the need to move on. I think the approach we were taking was not successful. We all make mistakes. I'm very passionate about moving the office forward."

Lauzen also said he was willing to work with Russell to take the renovation plan to the county board for approval within the next two months.

The freezer unit was budgeted for; the remaining $54,500 for HVAC work, a new exhaust system, roof repairs, new lighting, painting and a swipe card security system must be approved by the county board.

Russell and Lauzen hope the renovations will sustain the office for the next five years.

"In the short run, this is a good compromise, With the coroner's support and my support, I think we can get the (county) board's support," Lauzen said. "Let's work together with what we can work together on."

Last November a freezer at the morgue failed, causing the partial thawing of bodies under investigation. Russell was researching the costs for a new freezer when black mold was discovered.

Russell said the old cooler and freezer were separate units and could only store two bodies. The new equipment can hold up to 16 bodies and will be armed with a fail-safe system to notify coroner's office officials if there is a malfunction.

Russell said if the office is moved or a new facility built in the future, the new freezer can come with.

"It can be reused and expanded depending on the dimensions of the next building," Russell said. "I think everyone is on the same page that 'We will do what is necessary to get the morgue back open because we have to.'"

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