Illinois Works to Return Native American Remains Ahead of Federal Deadline

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois museums, including the State Museum and University of Illinois, are working to repatriate Native American human remains by a 2029 deadline, following updates to the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA). The law now requires institutions to contact tribes first, but the process is slow due to paperwork and logistical challenges. Some museums, like the Center for American Archeology, have not yet published notices. Institutions face penalties for non-compliance, but progress is being made toward returning remains to tribal nations.