CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, IL (Chambana Today) – Champaign County Coroner Laurie Brauer is well aware of the compassion and sensitivity needed in her job – and the spotlight on her as the first female coroner in county history. Brauer, who has worked as Deputy Coroner for nearly four years, ran for Coroner on a platform focused on improving transparency, supporting grieving families, and addressing key operational issues in the office.
Brauer’s background in medicine, through her work at Carle Hospital and the Champaign County Sheriff’s Office, has prepared her for the role, but it’s her deep compassion and empathy for the community that she says truly drives her. “We’re not just handling paperwork—we’re handling grief, and that requires a level of compassion and understanding that can’t be taught,” she explained. “People don’t think about the coroner’s office until they need us. But when they do, we’re there, doing our best to guide them through an incredibly difficult situation.”
Brauer acknowledges that traditionally, the roles of coroner and deputy coroner have been predominantly held by men, but she sees that changing as more women step into these positions. “For years, this has been a male-dominated field, but it’s exciting to see that change,” Brauer said. “I’m proud to be the first female coroner in Champaign County’s history, and I hope my role can inspire other women to pursue leadership positions in fields like this.” Brauer is committed to breaking down barriers and demonstrating that compassionate, effective leadership can come from anyone, regardless of gender.
One of Brauer’s primary concerns is the strain on her small team. Currently, the office has just three full-time deputies, each of whom is responsible for going out on calls alone. Brauer emphasized the need for additional staff to help provide the necessary support to the community. “We need at least two more deputies, if not three, to help us respond to calls more efficiently. The way the system is set up now, is that each Deputy Coroner has to go on each call alone. It would be so much better to have back-up.”
Brauer is dedicated to supporting the mental health of her staff, who face the emotional challenges of working with grieving families day in and day out. “This job takes an emotional toll, and we’re often the ones holding up families when they need us the most. But who’s holding up my deputies?” she asked. “It’s crucial that we have a well-supported team, both in terms of resources and emotional care, so we can continue to be there for the community when they need us most.”
Brauer deeply values feedback from the community, believing that open communication is key to improving her office’s services. She recalls a poignant moment when a woman at Carle Hospital expressed her fear of calling the coroner’s office after her husband’s death. The woman was afraid of bothering the staff, but Brauer quickly reassured her. “I never feel bothered by families reaching out. It’s my job to be there for them.” Brauer is committed to hearing about both positive and negative experiences. “If someone has a good experience, I want to hear about it,” she said. “And if something went wrong, I want to know too, so I can make it right.” She encourages anyone with feedback to reach out directly to the Champaign County Coroner’s Office. “I want to make sure we’re always improving, always supporting families the best way we can,” Brauer added.
To contact Laurie Brauer or the Champaign County Coroner’s Office, residents can reach out by phone at (217) 217-384-3888 or email at coroner@co.champaign.il.us.