STATE OF ILLINOIS OFFICE OF

LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR PAT QUINN (D)

For Immediate Release

Sunday, December 4, 2005 Contact: Eric Schuller: c. 815-341-9564
New legislation to limit vile, disruptive, and inflammatory protests at funerals
CHICAGO –Today, Lt. Governor Pat Quinn introduced the “Let Them Rest in Peace Act” – legislation to limit vile,
disruptive, and inflammatory protests within 300 feet of all Illinois funeral services.
The “Let Them Rest in Peace Act” is a response to a series of demonstrations at funeral services for Illinois
military personnel.
“No grieving military family should be subjected to vile epithets and signs at the funeral service of their loved
one who has made the ultimate sacrifice for our country,” Quinn said. “This legislation strikes an important balance
between the First Amendment religious rights of families to bury their dead with reverence and the expression rights
of those seeking to picket a funeral service.”
The “Let Them Rest in Peace Act” applies to all funerals and memorial services in Illinois. The legislation
creates a 300-foot buffer zone between protestors and the site of funeral services. Disruptive and inflammatory
protest would be prohibited 30 minutes before a funeral, during a funeral, and 30 minutes after the funeral within the
300-foot buffer zone.
Quinn was joined by Illinois Gold Star families including Dave and Ann Larson of Wheaton, John Collins of
Crystal Lake, John and Angela Giannopoulos of Inverness, and Jesse Alcozer of Villa Park. All four families have
lost a son in service to our country.
Lance Cpl. Nicholas D. Larson, died on November 9, 2004 in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He was assigned to
the 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment stationed in Camp Pendleton, California. He was 19 years old.
Lance Cpl. Jonathan W. Collins, died on August 8, 2004 in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He was assigned to the
2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment stationed in Camp Pendleton, California. He was 19 years old.
CPL Peter Giannopoulos died November 11, 2004 in Babil Province, Iraq. He was assigned to the 2nd
Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment stationed in Waukegan, Illinois. He was 22 years old.
Army Pvt. Christopher M. Alcozer died two weeks ago on November 19 in Mosul, Iraq. He was assigned to
the 2nd Battalion, 1st Infantry Regiment stationed at Fort Wainwright, Alaska. He was 21 years old.
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