# Judge orders new inspection of South Deering funeral home

> Judge mandates fresh inspection of South Deering funeral home after 56 bodies found.
- Title: Judge orders new inspection of South Deering funeral home
- Summary: Judge mandates fresh inspection of South Deering funeral home after 56 bodies found. Cook County Judge Rodriguez ordered new inspection of South Chicago…
- Keywords: south deering, south chicago chapel, cook county judge, clark morgan, johanna morgan, 56 bodies, building code violations, illinois state comptroller, marketa kristofek, news, local, Judge
- Source: Chicago Sun-Times — https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/2026/09/24/judge-orders-new-inspection-of-south-deering-funeral-home-where-56-bodies-found
- Published: 2026-09-24T19:41:21.137+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: south deering, south chicago chapel, cook county judge, clark morgan, johanna morgan, 56 bodies, building code violations, illinois state comptroller, marketa kristofek, news, local
## Judge orders new inspection
Cook County Judge Rodriguez ordered a new inspection of South Chicago Chapel after 56 decomposing bodies were found in South Deering neighborhood.
## Morgans barred from using facility
The Morgan couple was barred by court order from using, renting or leasing the South Chicago Chapel at 2939 E. 95th St.
## City sued Morgans for violations
City attorneys sued Clark and Johanna Morgan for alleged building code violations at the now-shuttered South Deering business.
## Inspection scheduled for Oct 23
The city wants a new inspection of the building to happen on October 23, with interior checks and Morgan presence required.
## Daily fine proposed
City’s Department of Buildings asked the judge to issue a $11,500 per day fine for every day violations are not corrected.
## Morgans not present at hearing
The Morgans were not present at the hearing but their attorney said they did not object to the court orders.
## 56 bodies discovered
State investigators found 56 decomposing bodies inside South Chicago Chapel on August 6 after receiving a tip about improper storage.
## Johanna Morgan’s license suspended
Illinois State Comptroller Susana Mendoza suspended Johanna Morgan’s funeral director and embalmer’s license following the discovery.
## Mendoza seeks permanent revocation
The agency is now seeking to permanently revoke Johanna Morgan’s license after the discovery of 56 bodies.
## Marketa Kristofek’s search
Marketa Kristofek, a mother searching for her son’s remains since his death in November 2010, sat in court hoping the Morgans would show up.
## Kristofek’s complaints
Kristofek filed more than 30 complaints about the Morgans with Mendoza’s office and the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.
## Kristofek’s concerns
Kristofek said the Morgans were able to leave one site and operate at another despite having a revoked license.
## Key takeaway

Cook County Judge Rodriguez ordered new inspection of South Chicago Chapel following discovery of 56 decomposing bodies, barring owners Clark and Johanna Morgan from using the facility.