Summary of the proposed changes to IL Workers' Compensation Law

  

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After several days of negotiations with Rep. Bradley, Sen. Raoul, and the Governor’s Office with representatives of the Trial Lawyers Association and organized labor, the Illinois Chamber and other members of the Joint Employers were unable to come to an agreement on workers’ compensation reform. The legislators and the Governor’s Office took the two issues which were the obstacles to an agreement, AMA guidelines and physician choice, and presented their version of a compromise on those issues.

All parties were given until Monday 5/23/2011, to decide if they could support the proposal or not.  The IL Chamber was advised that if there was not an agreement then legislation to repeal the Workers’ Compensation Act would be pursued.

The Illinois Senate adopted amendments 3 and 5 to HB 1698 and later passed the legislation on a 46-10-3 vote. 

Senate amendment 3 was the underlying amendment. Amendment 5 made technical changes to the collective bargaining pilot provisions, the choice of physician section and the provision regarding commission employee process of filing a workers' compensation claim.

SB 1938 which repealed the Act was not called in Senate Executive Committee. 

At present, it is important to note, this bill has not been signed by the governor.

Gene Keefe recently wrote a summary of the proposed changes to the IL w/c law.  With his permission, here is a link to the summary: http://www.sandhmms.com/2011-Amendments?&t=60634 

In addition, Gene officiated a webinar on 6/8/11 that was very detailed in its discussion of these changes.  A second webinar is scheduled for 6/21 at 2 pm.  I encourage you to register for this second session. Here is the registration page for the webinar: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/253639584

Tomorrow I will post some additional information from the IL Chamber.  S&H Medical Management Services, Inc. is a Memberof the Illinois Chamber Employment Law Council Workers’ Compensation Committee.