Chicago archdiocesan official to oversee Burr Oak: Alsip reopens probe of claims that remains were found 4 years ago at cemetery

As a Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago executive was chosen to oversee operations at scandal-plagued Burr Oak Cemetery, Alsip police said Wednesday that they are reopening an investigation into claims that dozens of skulls, bones and other human remains were discovered dumped in plain view four years ago at the cemetery. Also on Wednesday, U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush (D-Ill.) called for a federal criminal probe, while another class-action lawsuit was filed against the cemetery’s owners — this one involving relatives of former boxing champion Ezzard Charles. Attorneys representing the Cook County sheriff, the Illinois comptroller and families of those buried at the cemetery agreed on the choice of Roman Szabelski, 56, executive director for archdiocese cemeteries, to help clean up the mess at Burr Oak, where he will oversee financial and record-keeping duties. Cook County Judge Stuart Palmer is expected to sign an order Thursday making the appointment official and dissolve the authority of Perpetua Holdings of Illinois, owners since 2001.