Coroner reports rise in autopsies, holds overdose count steady and cites Narcan saves
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Summary
Coroner Bob Gessner reported several recent autopsies, multiple suicides and that overdose saves remain at about 20; he received an award from the Garden of Prayer for Narcan outreach.
KANKAKEE COUNTY, Ill. — Coroner Bob Gessner told the Criminal Justice Committee on Oct. 15 that his office had a busy weekend of autopsies and that homicides, suicides and accidental deaths have been occurring with several recent, high-impact cases.
Gessner said the office handled roughly 99 calls in September with six autopsies for that period — a figure he described as normal for the office. He told the committee he expected more autopsies in October because the weekend had been busy.
On overdoses, Gessner said the number of overdose (OD) saves the office tracks is holding at about 20; he credited outreach and education efforts, including community presentations and church and school engagement, for contributing to that number. “I can't tell you exactly the amount of, I think it was 33 odd saves that we've had,” he said, describing a broader count related to Narcan distribution.
Gessner said he was honored to receive a plaque from the Garden of Prayer for bringing Narcan into Kankakee County and for the lives saved by the effort. He emphasized that Narcan distribution is a team effort involving multiple partners.
Committee action: the committee accepted the coroner’s monthly reports by voice vote.
Why it matters: the coroner’s caseload and overdose-response efforts signal trends in public health and safety; Narcan saves and outreach affect emergency response planning and community education.