HB2301 EnrolledLRB101 08580 TAE 53659 b

1    AN ACT concerning employment.
 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3represented in the General Assembly:
 
4    Section 5. The Civil Administrative Code of Illinois is
5amended by changing Sections 5-125, 5-155, and 5-540 as
6follows:
 
7    (20 ILCS 5/5-125)  (was 20 ILCS 5/5.13i)
8    Sec. 5-125. In the Department of Employment Security. The
9board of review, which shall consist of 5 members, 2 of whom
10shall be representatives of a labor organization recognized
11under the National Labor Relations Act representative citizens
12chosen from the employee class, 2 of whom shall be
13representative citizens chosen from the employing class, and
14one of whom shall be a representative citizen not identified
15with either the employing class or a labor organization
16employee classes.
17(Source: P.A. 91-239, eff. 1-1-00.)
 
18    (20 ILCS 5/5-155)  (was 20 ILCS 5/5.04)
19    Sec. 5-155. In the Office of Mines and Minerals of the
20Department of Natural Resources. In the Office of Mines and
21Minerals of the Department of Natural Resources, there shall be
22a State Mining Board, which shall consist of 6 officers

 

 

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1designated as mine officers and the Director of the Office of
2Mines and Minerals. Three officers shall be representatives of
3the employing class and 3 officers shall be chosen from a labor
4organization recognized under the National Labor Relations Act
5representing coal miners of the employee class. The 6 mine
6officers shall be qualified as follows:
7        (1) Two mine officers from the employing class shall
8    have at least 4 years' years experience in a supervisory
9    capacity in an underground coal mine and each shall hold a
10    certificate of competency as an Illinois a mine examiner or
11    Illinois mine manager.
12        (2) The third mine officer from the employing class
13    shall have at least 4 years' years experience in a
14    supervisory capacity in a surface coal mine.
15        (3) Two mine officers chosen from a labor organization
16    representing coal miners from the employee class shall have
17    4 years experience in an underground coal mine and shall
18    hold certificates a first class certificate of competency
19    as an Illinois mine examiner.
20        (4) The third mine officer chosen from a labor
21    organization representing coal miners from the employee
22    class shall have at least 4 years experience in a surface
23    coal mine.
24(Source: P.A. 91-239, eff. 1-1-00.)
 
25    (20 ILCS 5/5-540)  (was 20 ILCS 5/6.28 and 5/7.01)

 

 

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1    Sec. 5-540. In the Department of Employment Security. An
2Employment Security Advisory Board, composed of 12 persons. Of
3the 12 members of the Employment Security Advisory Board, 4
4members shall be chosen from a labor organization recognized
5under the National Labor Relations Act representative citizens
6chosen from the employee class, 4 members shall be
7representative citizens chosen from the employing class, and 4
8members shall be representative citizens not identified with
9either the employing class or a labor organization the employee
10class.
11(Source: P.A. 93-634, eff. 1-1-04.)
 
12    Section 7. The Coal Mining Act is amended by changing
13Sections 8.02 and 8.03 as follows:
 
14    (225 ILCS 705/8.02)  (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 802)
15    Sec. 8.02. There is created in the Department of Natural
16Resources, Office of Mines and Minerals, a Miners' Examining
17Board which shall consist of 4 four miners' examining officers
18to be appointed by the Governor, 2 of whom must be from a labor
19organization recognized under the National Labor Relations Act
20representing coal miners, for a term of 2 years and until their
21successors are appointed and qualified. Terms of office shall
22commence on the third Monday in January in each odd-numbered
23year. Three of such officers shall constitute a quorum.
24    This amendatory Act of 1995 does not affect the terms of

 

 

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1members of the Miners' Examining Board holding office on the
2effective date of this amendatory Act of 1995.
3    A complete record of the proceedings and acts of the
4Miners' Examining Board shall be kept and preserved. Said
5officers shall hold no other lucrative office or employment
6under the government of the United States, State of Illinois,
7or any political division thereof or any municipal corporation
8therein and each such officer before entering upon the duties
9of his office shall subscribe and take the oath prescribed by
10the Constitution of this State, and shall before entering upon
11the duties of his office give a bond with sufficient surety to
12be approved by the Governor, payable to the People of the State
13of Illinois in the penal sum of $5,000, conditioned for the
14faithful discharge of the duties of office and the delivery of
15all records, books, moneys, and other property pertaining to
16his successor in office, which said bond shall be deposited in
17the office of the Secretary of State. Vacancies shall be filled
18by appointment as provided herein for the balance of the
19unexpired term.
20(Source: P.A. 89-445, eff. 2-7-96.)
 
21    (225 ILCS 705/8.03)  (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 803)
22    Sec. 8.03. No person shall be appointed to the Miners'
23Examining Board who has not had at least 5 years' practical and
24continuous experience as an underground a coal miner. The
25members of the Miners' Examining Board shall hold certificates

 

 

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1of competency as an Illinois mine examiner. Two of the members
2of the Miners' Examining Board shall be representatives of a
3labor organization recognized under the National Labor
4Relations Act representing coal miners. Two of the members of
5the Miners' Examining Board shall be from the employing class. ,
6and who has not been actually engaged in coal mining as a miner
7in the State of Illinois continuously for 12 months next
8preceding his appointment; except that a miners' examining
9officer may be appointed to succeed himself.
10(Source: Laws 1953, p. 701.)
 
11    Section 10. The Workers' Compensation Act is amended by
12changing Sections 4, 8.3, 13, 13.1, and 19 as follows:
 
13    (820 ILCS 305/4)  (from Ch. 48, par. 138.4)
14    Sec. 4. (a) Any employer, including but not limited to
15general contractors and their subcontractors, who shall come
16within the provisions of Section 3 of this Act, and any other
17employer who shall elect to provide and pay the compensation
18provided for in this Act shall:
19        (1) File with the Commission annually an application
20    for approval as a self-insurer which shall include a
21    current financial statement, and annually, thereafter, an
22    application for renewal of self-insurance, which shall
23    include a current financial statement. Said application
24    and financial statement shall be signed and sworn to by the

 

 

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1    president or vice president and secretary or assistant
2    secretary of the employer if it be a corporation, or by all
3    of the partners, if it be a copartnership, or by the owner
4    if it be neither a copartnership nor a corporation. All
5    initial applications and all applications for renewal of
6    self-insurance must be submitted at least 60 days prior to
7    the requested effective date of self-insurance. An
8    employer may elect to provide and pay compensation as
9    provided for in this Act as a member of a group workers'
10    compensation pool under Article V 3/4 of the Illinois
11    Insurance Code. If an employer becomes a member of a group
12    workers' compensation pool, the employer shall not be
13    relieved of any obligations imposed by this Act.
14        If the sworn application and financial statement of any
15    such employer does not satisfy the Commission of the
16    financial ability of the employer who has filed it, the
17    Commission shall require such employer to,
18        (2) Furnish security, indemnity or a bond guaranteeing
19    the payment by the employer of the compensation provided
20    for in this Act, provided that any such employer whose
21    application and financial statement shall not have
22    satisfied the commission of his or her financial ability
23    and who shall have secured his liability in part by excess
24    liability insurance shall be required to furnish to the
25    Commission security, indemnity or bond guaranteeing his or
26    her payment up to the effective limits of the excess

 

 

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1    coverage, or
2        (3) Insure his entire liability to pay such
3    compensation in some insurance carrier authorized,
4    licensed, or permitted to do such insurance business in
5    this State. Every policy of an insurance carrier, insuring
6    the payment of compensation under this Act shall cover all
7    the employees and the entire compensation liability of the
8    insured: Provided, however, that any employer may insure
9    his or her compensation liability with 2 or more insurance
10    carriers or may insure a part and qualify under subsection
11    1, 2, or 4 for the remainder of his or her liability to pay
12    such compensation, subject to the following two
13    provisions:
14            Firstly, the entire compensation liability of the
15        employer to employees working at or from one location
16        shall be insured in one such insurance carrier or shall
17        be self-insured, and
18            Secondly, the employer shall submit evidence
19        satisfactorily to the Commission that his or her entire
20        liability for the compensation provided for in this Act
21        will be secured. Any provisions in any policy, or in
22        any endorsement attached thereto, attempting to limit
23        or modify in any way, the liability of the insurance
24        carriers issuing the same except as otherwise provided
25        herein shall be wholly void.
26        Nothing herein contained shall apply to policies of

 

 

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1    excess liability carriage secured by employers who have
2    been approved by the Commission as self-insurers, or
3        (4) Make some other provision, satisfactory to the
4    Commission, for the securing of the payment of compensation
5    provided for in this Act, and
6        (5) Upon becoming subject to this Act and thereafter as
7    often as the Commission may in writing demand, file with
8    the Commission in form prescribed by it evidence of his or
9    her compliance with the provision of this Section.
10    (a-1) Regardless of its state of domicile or its principal
11place of business, an employer shall make payments to its
12insurance carrier or group self-insurance fund, where
13applicable, based upon the premium rates of the situs where the
14work or project is located in Illinois if:
15        (A) the employer is engaged primarily in the building
16    and construction industry; and
17        (B) subdivision (a)(3) of this Section applies to the
18    employer or the employer is a member of a group
19    self-insurance plan as defined in subsection (1) of Section
20    4a.
21    The Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission shall impose
22a penalty upon an employer for violation of this subsection
23(a-1) if:
24        (i) the employer is given an opportunity at a hearing
25    to present evidence of its compliance with this subsection
26    (a-1); and

 

 

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1        (ii) after the hearing, the Commission finds that the
2    employer failed to make payments upon the premium rates of
3    the situs where the work or project is located in Illinois.
4    The penalty shall not exceed $1,000 for each day of work
5for which the employer failed to make payments upon the premium
6rates of the situs where the work or project is located in
7Illinois, but the total penalty shall not exceed $50,000 for
8each project or each contract under which the work was
9performed.
10    Any penalty under this subsection (a-1) must be imposed not
11later than one year after the expiration of the applicable
12limitation period specified in subsection (d) of Section 6 of
13this Act. Penalties imposed under this subsection (a-1) shall
14be deposited into the Illinois Workers' Compensation
15Commission Operations Fund, a special fund that is created in
16the State treasury. Subject to appropriation, moneys in the
17Fund shall be used solely for the operations of the Illinois
18Workers' Compensation Commission and by the Department of
19Insurance for the purposes authorized in subsection (c) of
20Section 25.5 of this Act.
21    (a-2) Every Employee Leasing Company (ELC), as defined in
22Section 15 of the Employee Leasing Company Act, shall at a
23minimum provide the following information to the Commission or
24any entity designated by the Commission regarding each workers'
25compensation insurance policy issued to the ELC:
26        (1) Any client company of the ELC listed as an

 

 

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1    additional named insured.
2        (2) Any informational schedule attached to the master
3    policy that identifies any individual client company's
4    name, FEIN, and job location.
5        (3) Any certificate of insurance coverage document
6    issued to a client company specifying its rights and
7    obligations under the master policy that establishes both
8    the identity and status of the client, as well as the dates
9    of inception and termination of coverage, if applicable.
10    (b) The sworn application and financial statement, or
11security, indemnity or bond, or amount of insurance, or other
12provisions, filed, furnished, carried, or made by the employer,
13as the case may be, shall be subject to the approval of the
14Commission.
15    Deposits under escrow agreements shall be cash, negotiable
16United States government bonds or negotiable general
17obligation bonds of the State of Illinois. Such cash or bonds
18shall be deposited in escrow with any State or National Bank or
19Trust Company having trust authority in the State of Illinois.
20    Upon the approval of the sworn application and financial
21statement, security, indemnity or bond or amount of insurance,
22filed, furnished or carried, as the case may be, the Commission
23shall send to the employer written notice of its approval
24thereof. The certificate of compliance by the employer with the
25provisions of subparagraphs (2) and (3) of paragraph (a) of
26this Section shall be delivered by the insurance carrier to the

 

 

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1Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission within five days
2after the effective date of the policy so certified. The
3insurance so certified shall cover all compensation liability
4occurring during the time that the insurance is in effect and
5no further certificate need be filed in case such insurance is
6renewed, extended or otherwise continued by such carrier. The
7insurance so certified shall not be cancelled or in the event
8that such insurance is not renewed, extended or otherwise
9continued, such insurance shall not be terminated until at
10least 10 days after receipt by the Illinois Workers'
11Compensation Commission of notice of the cancellation or
12termination of said insurance; provided, however, that if the
13employer has secured insurance from another insurance carrier,
14or has otherwise secured the payment of compensation in
15accordance with this Section, and such insurance or other
16security becomes effective prior to the expiration of the 10
17days, cancellation or termination may, at the option of the
18insurance carrier indicated in such notice, be effective as of
19the effective date of such other insurance or security.
20    (c) Whenever the Commission shall find that any
21corporation, company, association, aggregation of individuals,
22reciprocal or interinsurers exchange, or other insurer
23effecting workers' compensation insurance in this State shall
24be insolvent, financially unsound, or unable to fully meet all
25payments and liabilities assumed or to be assumed for
26compensation insurance in this State, or shall practice a

 

 

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1policy of delay or unfairness toward employees in the
2adjustment, settlement, or payment of benefits due such
3employees, the Commission may after reasonable notice and
4hearing order and direct that such corporation, company,
5association, aggregation of individuals, reciprocal or
6interinsurers exchange, or insurer, shall from and after a date
7fixed in such order discontinue the writing of any such
8workers' compensation insurance in this State. Subject to such
9modification of the order as the Commission may later make on
10review of the order, as herein provided, it shall thereupon be
11unlawful for any such corporation, company, association,
12aggregation of individuals, reciprocal or interinsurers
13exchange, or insurer to effect any workers' compensation
14insurance in this State. A copy of the order shall be served
15upon the Director of Insurance by registered mail. Whenever the
16Commission finds that any service or adjustment company used or
17employed by a self-insured employer or by an insurance carrier
18to process, adjust, investigate, compromise or otherwise
19handle claims under this Act, has practiced or is practicing a
20policy of delay or unfairness toward employees in the
21adjustment, settlement or payment of benefits due such
22employees, the Commission may after reasonable notice and
23hearing order and direct that such service or adjustment
24company shall from and after a date fixed in such order be
25prohibited from processing, adjusting, investigating,
26compromising or otherwise handling claims under this Act.

 

 

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1    Whenever the Commission finds that any self-insured
2employer has practiced or is practicing delay or unfairness
3toward employees in the adjustment, settlement or payment of
4benefits due such employees, the Commission may, after
5reasonable notice and hearing, order and direct that after a
6date fixed in the order such self-insured employer shall be
7disqualified to operate as a self-insurer and shall be required
8to insure his entire liability to pay compensation in some
9insurance carrier authorized, licensed and permitted to do such
10insurance business in this State, as provided in subparagraph 3
11of paragraph (a) of this Section.
12    All orders made by the Commission under this Section shall
13be subject to review by the courts, said review to be taken in
14the same manner and within the same time as provided by Section
1519 of this Act for review of awards and decisions of the
16Commission, upon the party seeking the review filing with the
17clerk of the court to which said review is taken a bond in an
18amount to be fixed and approved by the court to which the
19review is taken, conditioned upon the payment of all
20compensation awarded against the person taking said review
21pending a decision thereof and further conditioned upon such
22other obligations as the court may impose. Upon the review the
23Circuit Court shall have power to review all questions of fact
24as well as of law. The penalty hereinafter provided for in this
25paragraph shall not attach and shall not begin to run until the
26final determination of the order of the Commission.

 

 

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1    (d) Whenever a panel of 3 Commissioners comprised of one
2member of the employing class, one representative of a labor
3organization recognized under the National Labor Relations Act
4or an attorney who has represented labor organizations or has
5represented employees in workers' compensation cases member of
6the employee class, and one member not identified with either
7the employing class or a labor organization or employee class,
8with due process and after a hearing, determines an employer
9has knowingly failed to provide coverage as required by
10paragraph (a) of this Section, the failure shall be deemed an
11immediate serious danger to public health, safety, and welfare
12sufficient to justify service by the Commission of a work-stop
13order on such employer, requiring the cessation of all business
14operations of such employer at the place of employment or job
15site. Any law enforcement agency in the State shall, at the
16request of the Commission, render any assistance necessary to
17carry out the provisions of this Section, including, but not
18limited to, preventing any employee of such employer from
19remaining at a place of employment or job site after a
20work-stop order has taken effect. Any work-stop order shall be
21lifted upon proof of insurance as required by this Act. Any
22orders under this Section are appealable under Section 19(f) to
23the Circuit Court.
24    Any individual employer, corporate officer or director of a
25corporate employer, partner of an employer partnership, or
26member of an employer limited liability company who knowingly

 

 

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1fails to provide coverage as required by paragraph (a) of this
2Section is guilty of a Class 4 felony. This provision shall not
3apply to any corporate officer or director of any
4publicly-owned corporation. Each day's violation constitutes a
5separate offense. The State's Attorney of the county in which
6the violation occurred, or the Attorney General, shall bring
7such actions in the name of the People of the State of
8Illinois, or may, in addition to other remedies provided in
9this Section, bring an action for an injunction to restrain the
10violation or to enjoin the operation of any such employer.
11    Any individual employer, corporate officer or director of a
12corporate employer, partner of an employer partnership, or
13member of an employer limited liability company who negligently
14fails to provide coverage as required by paragraph (a) of this
15Section is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor. This provision
16shall not apply to any corporate officer or director of any
17publicly-owned corporation. Each day's violation constitutes a
18separate offense. The State's Attorney of the county in which
19the violation occurred, or the Attorney General, shall bring
20such actions in the name of the People of the State of
21Illinois.
22    The criminal penalties in this subsection (d) shall not
23apply where there exists a good faith dispute as to the
24existence of an employment relationship. Evidence of good faith
25shall include, but not be limited to, compliance with the
26definition of employee as used by the Internal Revenue Service.

 

 

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1    Employers who are subject to and who knowingly fail to
2comply with this Section shall not be entitled to the benefits
3of this Act during the period of noncompliance, but shall be
4liable in an action under any other applicable law of this
5State. In the action, such employer shall not avail himself or
6herself of the defenses of assumption of risk or negligence or
7that the injury was due to a co-employee. In the action, proof
8of the injury shall constitute prima facie evidence of
9negligence on the part of such employer and the burden shall be
10on such employer to show freedom of negligence resulting in the
11injury. The employer shall not join any other defendant in any
12such civil action. Nothing in this amendatory Act of the 94th
13General Assembly shall affect the employee's rights under
14subdivision (a)3 of Section 1 of this Act. Any employer or
15carrier who makes payments under subdivision (a)3 of Section 1
16of this Act shall have a right of reimbursement from the
17proceeds of any recovery under this Section.
18    An employee of an uninsured employer, or the employee's
19dependents in case death ensued, may, instead of proceeding
20against the employer in a civil action in court, file an
21application for adjustment of claim with the Commission in
22accordance with the provisions of this Act and the Commission
23shall hear and determine the application for adjustment of
24claim in the manner in which other claims are heard and
25determined before the Commission.
26    All proceedings under this subsection (d) shall be reported

 

 

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1on an annual basis to the Workers' Compensation Advisory Board.
2    An investigator with the Illinois Workers' Compensation
3Commission Insurance Compliance Division may issue a citation
4to any employer that is not in compliance with its obligation
5to have workers' compensation insurance under this Act. The
6amount of the fine shall be based on the period of time the
7employer was in non-compliance, but shall be no less than $500,
8and shall not exceed $2,500. An employer that has been issued a
9citation shall pay the fine to the Commission and provide to
10the Commission proof that it obtained the required workers'
11compensation insurance within 10 days after the citation was
12issued. This Section does not affect any other obligations this
13Act imposes on employers.
14    Upon a finding by the Commission, after reasonable notice
15and hearing, of the knowing and wilful failure or refusal of an
16employer to comply with any of the provisions of paragraph (a)
17of this Section, the failure or refusal of an employer, service
18or adjustment company, or an insurance carrier to comply with
19any order of the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission
20pursuant to paragraph (c) of this Section disqualifying him or
21her to operate as a self insurer and requiring him or her to
22insure his or her liability, or the knowing and willful failure
23of an employer to comply with a citation issued by an
24investigator with the Illinois Workers' Compensation
25Commission Insurance Compliance Division, the Commission may
26assess a civil penalty of up to $500 per day for each day of

 

 

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1such failure or refusal after the effective date of this
2amendatory Act of 1989. The minimum penalty under this Section
3shall be the sum of $10,000. Each day of such failure or
4refusal shall constitute a separate offense. The Commission may
5assess the civil penalty personally and individually against
6the corporate officers and directors of a corporate employer,
7the partners of an employer partnership, and the members of an
8employer limited liability company, after a finding of a
9knowing and willful refusal or failure of each such named
10corporate officer, director, partner, or member to comply with
11this Section. The liability for the assessed penalty shall be
12against the named employer first, and if the named employer
13fails or refuses to pay the penalty to the Commission within 30
14days after the final order of the Commission, then the named
15corporate officers, directors, partners, or members who have
16been found to have knowingly and willfully refused or failed to
17comply with this Section shall be liable for the unpaid penalty
18or any unpaid portion of the penalty. Upon investigation by the
19insurance non-compliance unit of the Commission, the Attorney
20General shall have the authority to prosecute all proceedings
21to enforce the civil and administrative provisions of this
22Section before the Commission. The Commission shall promulgate
23procedural rules for enforcing this Section.
24    Upon the failure or refusal of any employer, service or
25adjustment company or insurance carrier to comply with the
26provisions of this Section and with the orders of the

 

 

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1Commission under this Section, or the order of the court on
2review after final adjudication, the Commission may bring a
3civil action to recover the amount of the penalty in Cook
4County or in Sangamon County in which litigation the Commission
5shall be represented by the Attorney General. The Commission
6shall send notice of its finding of non-compliance and
7assessment of the civil penalty to the Attorney General. It
8shall be the duty of the Attorney General within 30 days after
9receipt of the notice, to institute prosecutions and promptly
10prosecute all reported violations of this Section.
11    Any individual employer, corporate officer or director of a
12corporate employer, partner of an employer partnership, or
13member of an employer limited liability company who, with the
14intent to avoid payment of compensation under this Act to an
15injured employee or the employee's dependents, knowingly
16transfers, sells, encumbers, assigns, or in any manner disposes
17of, conceals, secretes, or destroys any property belonging to
18the employer, officer, director, partner, or member is guilty
19of a Class 4 felony.
20    Penalties and fines collected pursuant to this paragraph
21(d) shall be deposited upon receipt into a special fund which
22shall be designated the Injured Workers' Benefit Fund, of which
23the State Treasurer is ex-officio custodian, such special fund
24to be held and disbursed in accordance with this paragraph (d)
25for the purposes hereinafter stated in this paragraph (d), upon
26the final order of the Commission. The Injured Workers' Benefit

 

 

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1Fund shall be deposited the same as are State funds and any
2interest accruing thereon shall be added thereto every 6
3months. The Injured Workers' Benefit Fund is subject to audit
4the same as State funds and accounts and is protected by the
5general bond given by the State Treasurer. The Injured Workers'
6Benefit Fund is considered always appropriated for the purposes
7of disbursements as provided in this paragraph, and shall be
8paid out and disbursed as herein provided and shall not at any
9time be appropriated or diverted to any other use or purpose.
10Moneys in the Injured Workers' Benefit Fund shall be used only
11for payment of workers' compensation benefits for injured
12employees when the employer has failed to provide coverage as
13determined under this paragraph (d) and has failed to pay the
14benefits due to the injured employee. The Commission shall have
15the right to obtain reimbursement from the employer for
16compensation obligations paid by the Injured Workers' Benefit
17Fund. Any such amounts obtained shall be deposited by the
18Commission into the Injured Workers' Benefit Fund. If an
19injured employee or his or her personal representative receives
20payment from the Injured Workers' Benefit Fund, the State of
21Illinois has the same rights under paragraph (b) of Section 5
22that the employer who failed to pay the benefits due to the
23injured employee would have had if the employer had paid those
24benefits, and any moneys recovered by the State as a result of
25the State's exercise of its rights under paragraph (b) of
26Section 5 shall be deposited into the Injured Workers' Benefit

 

 

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1Fund. The custodian of the Injured Workers' Benefit Fund shall
2be joined with the employer as a party respondent in the
3application for adjustment of claim. After July 1, 2006, the
4Commission shall make disbursements from the Fund once each
5year to each eligible claimant. An eligible claimant is an
6injured worker who has within the previous fiscal year obtained
7a final award for benefits from the Commission against the
8employer and the Injured Workers' Benefit Fund and has notified
9the Commission within 90 days of receipt of such award. Within
10a reasonable time after the end of each fiscal year, the
11Commission shall make a disbursement to each eligible claimant.
12At the time of disbursement, if there are insufficient moneys
13in the Fund to pay all claims, each eligible claimant shall
14receive a pro-rata share, as determined by the Commission, of
15the available moneys in the Fund for that year. Payment from
16the Injured Workers' Benefit Fund to an eligible claimant
17pursuant to this provision shall discharge the obligations of
18the Injured Workers' Benefit Fund regarding the award entered
19by the Commission.
20    (e) This Act shall not affect or disturb the continuance of
21any existing insurance, mutual aid, benefit, or relief
22association or department, whether maintained in whole or in
23part by the employer or whether maintained by the employees,
24the payment of benefits of such association or department being
25guaranteed by the employer or by some person, firm or
26corporation for him or her: Provided, the employer contributes

 

 

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1to such association or department an amount not less than the
2full compensation herein provided, exclusive of the cost of the
3maintenance of such association or department and without any
4expense to the employee. This Act shall not prevent the
5organization and maintaining under the insurance laws of this
6State of any benefit or insurance company for the purpose of
7insuring against the compensation provided for in this Act, the
8expense of which is maintained by the employer. This Act shall
9not prevent the organization or maintaining under the insurance
10laws of this State of any voluntary mutual aid, benefit or
11relief association among employees for the payment of
12additional accident or sick benefits.
13    (f) No existing insurance, mutual aid, benefit or relief
14association or department shall, by reason of anything herein
15contained, be authorized to discontinue its operation without
16first discharging its obligations to any and all persons
17carrying insurance in the same or entitled to relief or
18benefits therein.
19    (g) Any contract, oral, written or implied, of employment
20providing for relief benefit, or insurance or any other device
21whereby the employee is required to pay any premium or premiums
22for insurance against the compensation provided for in this Act
23shall be null and void. Any employer withholding from the wages
24of any employee any amount for the purpose of paying any such
25premium shall be guilty of a Class B misdemeanor.
26    In the event the employer does not pay the compensation for

 

 

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1which he or she is liable, then an insurance company,
2association or insurer which may have insured such employer
3against such liability shall become primarily liable to pay to
4the employee, his or her personal representative or beneficiary
5the compensation required by the provisions of this Act to be
6paid by such employer. The insurance carrier may be made a
7party to the proceedings in which the employer is a party and
8an award may be entered jointly against the employer and the
9insurance carrier.
10    (h) It shall be unlawful for any employer, insurance
11company or service or adjustment company to interfere with,
12restrain or coerce an employee in any manner whatsoever in the
13exercise of the rights or remedies granted to him or her by
14this Act or to discriminate, attempt to discriminate, or
15threaten to discriminate against an employee in any way because
16of his or her exercise of the rights or remedies granted to him
17or her by this Act.
18    It shall be unlawful for any employer, individually or
19through any insurance company or service or adjustment company,
20to discharge or to threaten to discharge, or to refuse to
21rehire or recall to active service in a suitable capacity an
22employee because of the exercise of his or her rights or
23remedies granted to him or her by this Act.
24    (i) If an employer elects to obtain a life insurance policy
25on his employees, he may also elect to apply such benefits in
26satisfaction of all or a portion of the death benefits payable

 

 

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1under this Act, in which case, the employer's compensation
2premium shall be reduced accordingly.
3    (j) Within 45 days of receipt of an initial application or
4application to renew self-insurance privileges the
5Self-Insurers Advisory Board shall review and submit for
6approval by the Chairman of the Commission recommendations of
7disposition of all initial applications to self-insure and all
8applications to renew self-insurance privileges filed by
9private self-insurers pursuant to the provisions of this
10Section and Section 4a-9 of this Act. Each private self-insurer
11shall submit with its initial and renewal applications the
12application fee required by Section 4a-4 of this Act.
13    The Chairman of the Commission shall promptly act upon all
14initial applications and applications for renewal in full
15accordance with the recommendations of the Board or, should the
16Chairman disagree with any recommendation of disposition of the
17Self-Insurer's Advisory Board, he shall within 30 days of
18receipt of such recommendation provide to the Board in writing
19the reasons supporting his decision. The Chairman shall also
20promptly notify the employer of his decision within 15 days of
21receipt of the recommendation of the Board.
22    If an employer is denied a renewal of self-insurance
23privileges pursuant to application it shall retain said
24privilege for 120 days after receipt of a notice of
25cancellation of the privilege from the Chairman of the
26Commission.

 

 

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1    All orders made by the Chairman under this Section shall be
2subject to review by the courts, such review to be taken in the
3same manner and within the same time as provided by subsection
4(f) of Section 19 of this Act for review of awards and
5decisions of the Commission, upon the party seeking the review
6filing with the clerk of the court to which such review is
7taken a bond in an amount to be fixed and approved by the court
8to which the review is taken, conditioned upon the payment of
9all compensation awarded against the person taking such review
10pending a decision thereof and further conditioned upon such
11other obligations as the court may impose. Upon the review the
12Circuit Court shall have power to review all questions of fact
13as well as of law.
14(Source: P.A. 97-18, eff. 6-28-11.)
 
15    (820 ILCS 305/8.3)
16    Sec. 8.3. Workers' Compensation Medical Fee Advisory
17Board. There is created a Workers' Compensation Medical Fee
18Advisory Board consisting of 9 members appointed by the
19Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate. Three
20members of the Advisory Board shall be representatives of a
21labor organization recognized under the National Labor
22Relations Act or an attorney who has represented labor
23organizations or has represented employees in workers'
24compensation cases representative citizens chosen from the
25employee class, 3 members shall be representative citizens

 

 

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1chosen from the employing class, and 3 members shall be
2representative citizens chosen from the medical provider
3class. Each member shall serve a 4-year term and shall continue
4to serve until a successor is appointed. A vacancy on the
5Advisory Board shall be filled by the Governor for the
6unexpired term.
7    Members of the Advisory Board shall receive no compensation
8for their services but shall be reimbursed for expenses
9incurred in the performance of their duties by the Commission
10from appropriations made to the Commission for that purpose.
11    The Advisory Board shall advise the Commission on
12establishment of fees for medical services and accessibility of
13medical treatment.
14(Source: P.A. 94-277, eff. 7-20-05.)
 
15    (820 ILCS 305/13)  (from Ch. 48, par. 138.13)
16    Sec. 13. There is created an Illinois Workers' Compensation
17Commission consisting of 10 members to be appointed by the
18Governor, by and with the consent of the Senate, 3 of whom
19shall be representative citizens of the employing class
20operating under this Act and 3 of whom shall be from a labor
21organization recognized under the National Labor Relations Act
22or an attorney who has represented labor organizations or has
23represented employees in workers' compensation cases,
24representative citizens of the class of employees covered under
25this Act, and 4 of whom shall be representative citizens not

 

 

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1identified with either the employing or employee classes. Not
2more than 6 members of the Commission shall be of the same
3political party.
4    One of the members not identified with either the employing
5or employee classes shall be designated by the Governor as
6Chairman. The Chairman shall be the chief administrative and
7executive officer of the Commission; and he or she shall have
8general supervisory authority over all personnel of the
9Commission, including arbitrators and Commissioners, and the
10final authority in all administrative matters relating to the
11Commissioners, including but not limited to the assignment and
12distribution of cases and assignment of Commissioners to the
13panels, except in the promulgation of procedural rules and
14orders under Section 16 and in the determination of cases under
15this Act.
16    Notwithstanding the general supervisory authority of the
17Chairman, each Commissioner, except those assigned to the
18temporary panel, shall have the authority to hire and supervise
192 staff attorneys each. Such staff attorneys shall report
20directly to the individual Commissioner.
21    A formal training program for newly-appointed
22Commissioners shall be implemented. The training program shall
23include the following:
24        (a) substantive and procedural aspects of the office of
25    Commissioner;
26        (b) current issues in workers' compensation law and

 

 

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1    practice;
2        (c) medical lectures by specialists in areas such as
3    orthopedics, ophthalmology, psychiatry, rehabilitation
4    counseling;
5        (d) orientation to each operational unit of the
6    Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission;
7        (e) observation of experienced arbitrators and
8    Commissioners conducting hearings of cases, combined with
9    the opportunity to discuss evidence presented and rulings
10    made;
11        (f) the use of hypothetical cases requiring the
12    newly-appointed Commissioner to issue judgments as a means
13    to evaluating knowledge and writing ability;
14        (g) writing skills;
15        (h) professional and ethical standards pursuant to
16    Section 1.1 of this Act;
17        (i) detection of workers' compensation fraud and
18    reporting obligations of Commission employees and
19    appointees;
20        (j) standards of evidence-based medical treatment and
21    best practices for measuring and improving quality and
22    health care outcomes in the workers' compensation system,
23    including but not limited to the use of the American
24    Medical Association's "Guides to the Evaluation of
25    Permanent Impairment" and the practice of utilization
26    review; and

 

 

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1        (k) substantive and procedural aspects of coal
2    workers' pneumoconiosis (black lung) cases.
3    A formal and ongoing professional development program
4including, but not limited to, the above-noted areas shall be
5implemented to keep Commissioners informed of recent
6developments and issues and to assist them in maintaining and
7enhancing their professional competence. Each Commissioner
8shall complete 20 hours of training in the above-noted areas
9during every 2 years such Commissioner shall remain in office.
10    The Commissioner candidates, other than the Chairman, must
11meet one of the following qualifications: (a) licensed to
12practice law in the State of Illinois; or (b) served as an
13arbitrator at the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission
14for at least 3 years; or (c) has at least 4 years of
15professional labor relations experience. The Chairman
16candidate must have public or private sector management and
17budget experience, as determined by the Governor.
18    Each Commissioner shall devote full time to his duties and
19any Commissioner who is an attorney-at-law shall not engage in
20the practice of law, nor shall any Commissioner hold any other
21office or position of profit under the United States or this
22State or any municipal corporation or political subdivision of
23this State, nor engage in any other business, employment, or
24vocation.
25    The term of office of each member of the Commission holding
26office on the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1989 is

 

 

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1abolished, but the incumbents shall continue to exercise all of
2the powers and be subject to all of the duties of Commissioners
3until their respective successors are appointed and qualified.
4    The Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission shall
5administer this Act.
6    In the promulgation of procedural rules, the determination
7of cases heard en banc, and other matters determined by the
8full Commission, the Chairman's vote shall break a tie in the
9event of a tie vote.
10    The members shall be appointed by the Governor, with the
11advice and consent of the Senate, as follows:
12        (a) After the effective date of this amendatory Act of
13    1989, 3 members, at least one of each political party, and
14    one of whom shall be a representative citizen of the
15    employing class operating under this Act, one of whom shall
16    be a representative citizen of the class of employees
17    covered under this Act, and one of whom shall be a
18    representative citizen not identified with either the
19    employing or employee classes, shall be appointed to hold
20    office until the third Monday in January of 1993, and until
21    their successors are appointed and qualified, and 4
22    members, one of whom shall be a representative citizen of
23    the employing class operating under this Act, one of whom
24    shall be a representative citizen of the class of employees
25    covered in this Act, and two of whom shall be
26    representative citizens not identified with either the

 

 

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1    employing or employee classes, one of whom shall be
2    designated by the Governor as Chairman (at least one of
3    each of the two major political parties) shall be appointed
4    to hold office until the third Monday of January in 1991,
5    and until their successors are appointed and qualified.
6        (a-5) Notwithstanding any other provision of this
7    Section, the term of each member of the Commission who was
8    appointed by the Governor and is in office on June 30, 2003
9    shall terminate at the close of business on that date or
10    when all of the successor members to be appointed pursuant
11    to this amendatory Act of the 93rd General Assembly have
12    been appointed by the Governor, whichever occurs later. As
13    soon as possible, the Governor shall appoint persons to
14    fill the vacancies created by this amendatory Act. Of the
15    initial commissioners appointed pursuant to this
16    amendatory Act of the 93rd General Assembly, 3 shall be
17    appointed for terms ending on the third Monday in January,
18    2005, and 4 shall be appointed for terms ending on the
19    third Monday in January, 2007.
20        (a-10) After the effective date of this amendatory Act
21    of the 94th General Assembly, the Commission shall be
22    increased to 10 members. As soon as possible after the
23    effective date of this amendatory Act of the 94th General
24    Assembly, the Governor shall appoint, by and with the
25    consent of the Senate, the 3 members added to the
26    Commission under this amendatory Act of the 94th General

 

 

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1    Assembly, one of whom shall be a representative citizen of
2    the employing class operating under this Act, one of whom
3    shall be a representative of the class of employees covered
4    under this Act, and one of whom shall be a representative
5    citizen not identified with either the employing or
6    employee classes. Of the members appointed under this
7    amendatory Act of the 94th General Assembly, one shall be
8    appointed for a term ending on the third Monday in January,
9    2007, and 2 shall be appointed for terms ending on the
10    third Monday in January, 2009, and until their successors
11    are appointed and qualified.
12        (b) Members shall thereafter be appointed to hold
13    office for terms of 4 years from the third Monday in
14    January of the year of their appointment, and until their
15    successors are appointed and qualified. All such
16    appointments shall be made so that the composition of the
17    Commission is in accordance with the provisions of the
18    first paragraph of this Section.
19    The Chairman shall receive an annual salary of $42,500, or
20a salary set by the Compensation Review Board, whichever is
21greater, and each other member shall receive an annual salary
22of $38,000, or a salary set by the Compensation Review Board,
23whichever is greater.
24    In case of a vacancy in the office of a Commissioner during
25the recess of the Senate, the Governor shall make a temporary
26appointment until the next meeting of the Senate, when he shall

 

 

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1nominate some person to fill such office. Any person so
2nominated who is confirmed by the Senate shall hold office
3during the remainder of the term and until his successor is
4appointed and qualified.
5    The Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission created by
6this amendatory Act of 1989 shall succeed to all the rights,
7powers, duties, obligations, records and other property and
8employees of the Industrial Commission which it replaces as
9modified by this amendatory Act of 1989 and all applications
10and reports to actions and proceedings of such prior Industrial
11Commission shall be considered as applications and reports to
12actions and proceedings of the Illinois Workers' Compensation
13Commission created by this amendatory Act of 1989.
14    Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, in the
15event the Chairman shall make a finding that a member is or
16will be unavailable to fulfill the responsibilities of his or
17her office, the Chairman shall advise the Governor and the
18member in writing and shall designate a certified arbitrator to
19serve as acting Commissioner. The certified arbitrator shall
20act as a Commissioner until the member resumes the duties of
21his or her office or until a new member is appointed by the
22Governor, by and with the consent of the Senate, if a vacancy
23occurs in the office of the Commissioner, but in no event shall
24a certified arbitrator serve in the capacity of Commissioner
25for more than 6 months from the date of appointment by the
26Chairman. A finding by the Chairman that a member is or will be

 

 

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1unavailable to fulfill the responsibilities of his or her
2office shall be based upon notice to the Chairman by a member
3that he or she will be unavailable or facts and circumstances
4made known to the Chairman which lead him to reasonably find
5that a member is unavailable to fulfill the responsibilities of
6his or her office. The designation of a certified arbitrator to
7act as a Commissioner shall be considered representative of
8citizens not identified with either the employing or employee
9classes and the arbitrator shall serve regardless of his or her
10political affiliation. A certified arbitrator who serves as an
11acting Commissioner shall have all the rights and powers of a
12Commissioner, including salary.
13    Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, the
14Governor shall appoint a special panel of Commissioners
15comprised of 3 members who shall be chosen by the Governor, by
16and with the consent of the Senate, from among the current
17ranks of certified arbitrators. Three members shall hold office
18until the Commission in consultation with the Governor
19determines that the caseload on review has been reduced
20sufficiently to allow cases to proceed in a timely manner or
21for a term of 18 months from the effective date of their
22appointment by the Governor, whichever shall be earlier. The 3
23members shall be considered representative of citizens not
24identified with either the employing or employee classes and
25shall serve regardless of political affiliation. Each of the 3
26members shall have only such rights and powers of a

 

 

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1Commissioner necessary to dispose of those cases assigned to
2the special panel. Each of the 3 members appointed to the
3special panel shall receive the same salary as other
4Commissioners for the duration of the panel.
5    The Commission may have an Executive Director; if so, the
6Executive Director shall be appointed by the Governor with the
7advice and consent of the Senate. The salary and duties of the
8Executive Director shall be fixed by the Commission.
9    On the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 93rd
10General Assembly, the name of the Industrial Commission is
11changed to the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission.
12References in any law, appropriation, rule, form, or other
13document: (i) to the Industrial Commission are deemed, in
14appropriate contexts, to be references to the Illinois Workers'
15Compensation Commission for all purposes; (ii) to the
16Industrial Commission Operations Fund are deemed, in
17appropriate contexts, to be references to the Illinois Workers'
18Compensation Commission Operations Fund for all purposes;
19(iii) to the Industrial Commission Operations Fund Fee are
20deemed, in appropriate contexts, to be references to the
21Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission Operations Fund Fee
22for all purposes; and (iv) to the Industrial Commission
23Operations Fund Surcharge are deemed, in appropriate contexts,
24to be references to the Illinois Workers' Compensation
25Commission Operations Fund Surcharge for all purposes.
26(Source: P.A. 97-18, eff. 6-28-11.)
 

 

 

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1    (820 ILCS 305/13.1)  (from Ch. 48, par. 138.13-1)
2    Sec. 13.1. (a) There is created a Workers' Compensation
3Advisory Board hereinafter referred to as the Advisory Board.
4After the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 94th
5General Assembly, the Advisory Board shall consist of 12
6members appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent
7of the Senate. Six members of the Advisory Board shall be
8representative citizens chosen from a labor organization
9recognized under the National Labor Relations Act or an
10attorney who has represented labor organizations or has
11represented employees in workers' compensation cases the
12employee class, and 6 members shall be representative citizens
13chosen from the employing class. The Chairman of the Commission
14shall serve as the ex officio Chairman of the Advisory Board.
15After the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 94th
16General Assembly, each member of the Advisory Board shall serve
17a term ending on the third Monday in January 2007 and shall
18continue to serve until his or her successor is appointed and
19qualified. Members of the Advisory Board shall thereafter be
20appointed for 4 year terms from the third Monday in January of
21the year of their appointment, and until their successors are
22appointed and qualified. Seven members of the Advisory Board
23shall constitute a quorum to do business, but in no case shall
24there be less than one representative from each class. A
25vacancy on the Advisory Board shall be filled by the Governor

 

 

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1for the unexpired term.
2    (b) Members of the Advisory Board shall receive no
3compensation for their services but shall be reimbursed for
4expenses incurred in the performance of their duties by the
5Commission from appropriations made to the Commission for such
6purpose.
7    (c) The Advisory Board shall aid the Commission in
8formulating policies, discussing problems, setting priorities
9of expenditures, reviewing advisory rates filed by an advisory
10organization as defined in Section 463 of the Illinois
11Insurance Code, and establishing short and long range
12administrative goals. Prior to making the (1) initial set of
13arbitrator appointments pursuant to this amendatory Act of the
1497th General Assembly and (2) appointment of Commissioners, the
15Governor shall request that the Advisory Board make
16recommendations as to candidates to consider for appointment
17and the Advisory Board may then make such recommendations.
18    (d) The terms of all Advisory Board members serving on the
19effective date of this amendatory Act of the 97th General
20Assembly are terminated. The Governor shall appoint new members
21to the Advisory Board within 30 days after the effective date
22of the amendatory Act of the 97th General Assembly, subject to
23the advice and consent of the Senate.
24(Source: P.A. 97-18, eff. 6-28-11.)
 
25    (820 ILCS 305/19)  (from Ch. 48, par. 138.19)

 

 

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1    Sec. 19. Any disputed questions of law or fact shall be
2determined as herein provided.
3    (a) It shall be the duty of the Commission upon
4notification that the parties have failed to reach an
5agreement, to designate an Arbitrator.
6        1. Whenever any claimant misconceives his remedy and
7    files an application for adjustment of claim under this Act
8    and it is subsequently discovered, at any time before final
9    disposition of such cause, that the claim for disability or
10    death which was the basis for such application should
11    properly have been made under the Workers' Occupational
12    Diseases Act, then the provisions of Section 19, paragraph
13    (a-1) of the Workers' Occupational Diseases Act having
14    reference to such application shall apply.
15        2. Whenever any claimant misconceives his remedy and
16    files an application for adjustment of claim under the
17    Workers' Occupational Diseases Act and it is subsequently
18    discovered, at any time before final disposition of such
19    cause that the claim for injury or death which was the
20    basis for such application should properly have been made
21    under this Act, then the application so filed under the
22    Workers' Occupational Diseases Act may be amended in form,
23    substance or both to assert claim for such disability or
24    death under this Act and it shall be deemed to have been so
25    filed as amended on the date of the original filing
26    thereof, and such compensation may be awarded as is

 

 

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1    warranted by the whole evidence pursuant to this Act. When
2    such amendment is submitted, further or additional
3    evidence may be heard by the Arbitrator or Commission when
4    deemed necessary. Nothing in this Section contained shall
5    be construed to be or permit a waiver of any provisions of
6    this Act with reference to notice but notice if given shall
7    be deemed to be a notice under the provisions of this Act
8    if given within the time required herein.
9    (b) The Arbitrator shall make such inquiries and
10investigations as he or they shall deem necessary and may
11examine and inspect all books, papers, records, places, or
12premises relating to the questions in dispute and hear such
13proper evidence as the parties may submit.
14    The hearings before the Arbitrator shall be held in the
15vicinity where the injury occurred after 10 days' notice of the
16time and place of such hearing shall have been given to each of
17the parties or their attorneys of record.
18    The Arbitrator may find that the disabling condition is
19temporary and has not yet reached a permanent condition and may
20order the payment of compensation up to the date of the
21hearing, which award shall be reviewable and enforceable in the
22same manner as other awards, and in no instance be a bar to a
23further hearing and determination of a further amount of
24temporary total compensation or of compensation for permanent
25disability, but shall be conclusive as to all other questions
26except the nature and extent of said disability.

 

 

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1    The decision of the Arbitrator shall be filed with the
2Commission which Commission shall immediately send to each
3party or his attorney a copy of such decision, together with a
4notification of the time when it was filed. As of the effective
5date of this amendatory Act of the 94th General Assembly, all
6decisions of the Arbitrator shall set forth in writing findings
7of fact and conclusions of law, separately stated, if requested
8by either party. Unless a petition for review is filed by
9either party within 30 days after the receipt by such party of
10the copy of the decision and notification of time when filed,
11and unless such party petitioning for a review shall within 35
12days after the receipt by him of the copy of the decision, file
13with the Commission either an agreed statement of the facts
14appearing upon the hearing before the Arbitrator, or if such
15party shall so elect a correct transcript of evidence of the
16proceedings at such hearings, then the decision shall become
17the decision of the Commission and in the absence of fraud
18shall be conclusive. The Petition for Review shall contain a
19statement of the petitioning party's specific exceptions to the
20decision of the arbitrator. The jurisdiction of the Commission
21to review the decision of the arbitrator shall not be limited
22to the exceptions stated in the Petition for Review. The
23Commission, or any member thereof, may grant further time not
24exceeding 30 days, in which to file such agreed statement or
25transcript of evidence. Such agreed statement of facts or
26correct transcript of evidence, as the case may be, shall be

 

 

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1authenticated by the signatures of the parties or their
2attorneys, and in the event they do not agree as to the
3correctness of the transcript of evidence it shall be
4authenticated by the signature of the Arbitrator designated by
5the Commission.
6    Whether the employee is working or not, if the employee is
7not receiving or has not received medical, surgical, or
8hospital services or other services or compensation as provided
9in paragraph (a) of Section 8, or compensation as provided in
10paragraph (b) of Section 8, the employee may at any time
11petition for an expedited hearing by an Arbitrator on the issue
12of whether or not he or she is entitled to receive payment of
13the services or compensation. Provided the employer continues
14to pay compensation pursuant to paragraph (b) of Section 8, the
15employer may at any time petition for an expedited hearing on
16the issue of whether or not the employee is entitled to receive
17medical, surgical, or hospital services or other services or
18compensation as provided in paragraph (a) of Section 8, or
19compensation as provided in paragraph (b) of Section 8. When an
20employer has petitioned for an expedited hearing, the employer
21shall continue to pay compensation as provided in paragraph (b)
22of Section 8 unless the arbitrator renders a decision that the
23employee is not entitled to the benefits that are the subject
24of the expedited hearing or unless the employee's treating
25physician has released the employee to return to work at his or
26her regular job with the employer or the employee actually

 

 

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1returns to work at any other job. If the arbitrator renders a
2decision that the employee is not entitled to the benefits that
3are the subject of the expedited hearing, a petition for review
4filed by the employee shall receive the same priority as if the
5employee had filed a petition for an expedited hearing by an
6Arbitrator. Neither party shall be entitled to an expedited
7hearing when the employee has returned to work and the sole
8issue in dispute amounts to less than 12 weeks of unpaid
9compensation pursuant to paragraph (b) of Section 8.
10    Expedited hearings shall have priority over all other
11petitions and shall be heard by the Arbitrator and Commission
12with all convenient speed. Any party requesting an expedited
13hearing shall give notice of a request for an expedited hearing
14under this paragraph. A copy of the Application for Adjustment
15of Claim shall be attached to the notice. The Commission shall
16adopt rules and procedures under which the final decision of
17the Commission under this paragraph is filed not later than 180
18days from the date that the Petition for Review is filed with
19the Commission.
20    Where 2 or more insurance carriers, private self-insureds,
21or a group workers' compensation pool under Article V 3/4 of
22the Illinois Insurance Code dispute coverage for the same
23injury, any such insurance carrier, private self-insured, or
24group workers' compensation pool may request an expedited
25hearing pursuant to this paragraph to determine the issue of
26coverage, provided coverage is the only issue in dispute and

 

 

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1all other issues are stipulated and agreed to and further
2provided that all compensation benefits including medical
3benefits pursuant to Section 8(a) continue to be paid to or on
4behalf of petitioner. Any insurance carrier, private
5self-insured, or group workers' compensation pool that is
6determined to be liable for coverage for the injury in issue
7shall reimburse any insurance carrier, private self-insured,
8or group workers' compensation pool that has paid benefits to
9or on behalf of petitioner for the injury.
10    (b-1) If the employee is not receiving medical, surgical or
11hospital services as provided in paragraph (a) of Section 8 or
12compensation as provided in paragraph (b) of Section 8, the
13employee, in accordance with Commission Rules, may file a
14petition for an emergency hearing by an Arbitrator on the issue
15of whether or not he is entitled to receive payment of such
16compensation or services as provided therein. Such petition
17shall have priority over all other petitions and shall be heard
18by the Arbitrator and Commission with all convenient speed.
19    Such petition shall contain the following information and
20shall be served on the employer at least 15 days before it is
21filed:
22        (i) the date and approximate time of accident;
23        (ii) the approximate location of the accident;
24        (iii) a description of the accident;
25        (iv) the nature of the injury incurred by the employee;
26        (v) the identity of the person, if known, to whom the

 

 

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1    accident was reported and the date on which it was
2    reported;
3        (vi) the name and title of the person, if known,
4    representing the employer with whom the employee conferred
5    in any effort to obtain compensation pursuant to paragraph
6    (b) of Section 8 of this Act or medical, surgical or
7    hospital services pursuant to paragraph (a) of Section 8 of
8    this Act and the date of such conference;
9        (vii) a statement that the employer has refused to pay
10    compensation pursuant to paragraph (b) of Section 8 of this
11    Act or for medical, surgical or hospital services pursuant
12    to paragraph (a) of Section 8 of this Act;
13        (viii) the name and address, if known, of each witness
14    to the accident and of each other person upon whom the
15    employee will rely to support his allegations;
16        (ix) the dates of treatment related to the accident by
17    medical practitioners, and the names and addresses of such
18    practitioners, including the dates of treatment related to
19    the accident at any hospitals and the names and addresses
20    of such hospitals, and a signed authorization permitting
21    the employer to examine all medical records of all
22    practitioners and hospitals named pursuant to this
23    paragraph;
24        (x) a copy of a signed report by a medical
25    practitioner, relating to the employee's current inability
26    to return to work because of the injuries incurred as a

 

 

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1    result of the accident or such other documents or
2    affidavits which show that the employee is entitled to
3    receive compensation pursuant to paragraph (b) of Section 8
4    of this Act or medical, surgical or hospital services
5    pursuant to paragraph (a) of Section 8 of this Act. Such
6    reports, documents or affidavits shall state, if possible,
7    the history of the accident given by the employee, and
8    describe the injury and medical diagnosis, the medical
9    services for such injury which the employee has received
10    and is receiving, the physical activities which the
11    employee cannot currently perform as a result of any
12    impairment or disability due to such injury, and the
13    prognosis for recovery;
14        (xi) complete copies of any reports, records,
15    documents and affidavits in the possession of the employee
16    on which the employee will rely to support his allegations,
17    provided that the employer shall pay the reasonable cost of
18    reproduction thereof;
19        (xii) a list of any reports, records, documents and
20    affidavits which the employee has demanded by subpoena and
21    on which he intends to rely to support his allegations;
22        (xiii) a certification signed by the employee or his
23    representative that the employer has received the petition
24    with the required information 15 days before filing.
25    Fifteen days after receipt by the employer of the petition
26with the required information the employee may file said

 

 

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1petition and required information and shall serve notice of the
2filing upon the employer. The employer may file a motion
3addressed to the sufficiency of the petition. If an objection
4has been filed to the sufficiency of the petition, the
5arbitrator shall rule on the objection within 2 working days.
6If such an objection is filed, the time for filing the final
7decision of the Commission as provided in this paragraph shall
8be tolled until the arbitrator has determined that the petition
9is sufficient.
10    The employer shall, within 15 days after receipt of the
11notice that such petition is filed, file with the Commission
12and serve on the employee or his representative a written
13response to each claim set forth in the petition, including the
14legal and factual basis for each disputed allegation and the
15following information: (i) complete copies of any reports,
16records, documents and affidavits in the possession of the
17employer on which the employer intends to rely in support of
18his response, (ii) a list of any reports, records, documents
19and affidavits which the employer has demanded by subpoena and
20on which the employer intends to rely in support of his
21response, (iii) the name and address of each witness on whom
22the employer will rely to support his response, and (iv) the
23names and addresses of any medical practitioners selected by
24the employer pursuant to Section 12 of this Act and the time
25and place of any examination scheduled to be made pursuant to
26such Section.

 

 

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1    Any employer who does not timely file and serve a written
2response without good cause may not introduce any evidence to
3dispute any claim of the employee but may cross examine the
4employee or any witness brought by the employee and otherwise
5be heard.
6    No document or other evidence not previously identified by
7either party with the petition or written response, or by any
8other means before the hearing, may be introduced into evidence
9without good cause. If, at the hearing, material information is
10discovered which was not previously disclosed, the Arbitrator
11may extend the time for closing proof on the motion of a party
12for a reasonable period of time which may be more than 30 days.
13No evidence may be introduced pursuant to this paragraph as to
14permanent disability. No award may be entered for permanent
15disability pursuant to this paragraph. Either party may
16introduce into evidence the testimony taken by deposition of
17any medical practitioner.
18    The Commission shall adopt rules, regulations and
19procedures whereby the final decision of the Commission is
20filed not later than 90 days from the date the petition for
21review is filed but in no event later than 180 days from the
22date the petition for an emergency hearing is filed with the
23Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission.
24    All service required pursuant to this paragraph (b-1) must
25be by personal service or by certified mail and with evidence
26of receipt. In addition for the purposes of this paragraph, all

 

 

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1service on the employer must be at the premises where the
2accident occurred if the premises are owned or operated by the
3employer. Otherwise service must be at the employee's principal
4place of employment by the employer. If service on the employer
5is not possible at either of the above, then service shall be
6at the employer's principal place of business. After initial
7service in each case, service shall be made on the employer's
8attorney or designated representative.
9    (c)(1) At a reasonable time in advance of and in connection
10with the hearing under Section 19(e) or 19(h), the Commission
11may on its own motion order an impartial physical or mental
12examination of a petitioner whose mental or physical condition
13is in issue, when in the Commission's discretion it appears
14that such an examination will materially aid in the just
15determination of the case. The examination shall be made by a
16member or members of a panel of physicians chosen for their
17special qualifications by the Illinois State Medical Society.
18The Commission shall establish procedures by which a physician
19shall be selected from such list.
20    (2) Should the Commission at any time during the hearing
21find that compelling considerations make it advisable to have
22an examination and report at that time, the commission may in
23its discretion so order.
24    (3) A copy of the report of examination shall be given to
25the Commission and to the attorneys for the parties.
26    (4) Either party or the Commission may call the examining

 

 

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1physician or physicians to testify. Any physician so called
2shall be subject to cross-examination.
3    (5) The examination shall be made, and the physician or
4physicians, if called, shall testify, without cost to the
5parties. The Commission shall determine the compensation and
6the pay of the physician or physicians. The compensation for
7this service shall not exceed the usual and customary amount
8for such service.
9    (6) The fees and payment thereof of all attorneys and
10physicians for services authorized by the Commission under this
11Act shall, upon request of either the employer or the employee
12or the beneficiary affected, be subject to the review and
13decision of the Commission.
14    (d) If any employee shall persist in insanitary or
15injurious practices which tend to either imperil or retard his
16recovery or shall refuse to submit to such medical, surgical,
17or hospital treatment as is reasonably essential to promote his
18recovery, the Commission may, in its discretion, reduce or
19suspend the compensation of any such injured employee. However,
20when an employer and employee so agree in writing, the
21foregoing provision shall not be construed to authorize the
22reduction or suspension of compensation of an employee who is
23relying in good faith, on treatment by prayer or spiritual
24means alone, in accordance with the tenets and practice of a
25recognized church or religious denomination, by a duly
26accredited practitioner thereof.

 

 

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1    (e) This paragraph shall apply to all hearings before the
2Commission. Such hearings may be held in its office or
3elsewhere as the Commission may deem advisable. The taking of
4testimony on such hearings may be had before any member of the
5Commission. If a petition for review and agreed statement of
6facts or transcript of evidence is filed, as provided herein,
7the Commission shall promptly review the decision of the
8Arbitrator and all questions of law or fact which appear from
9the statement of facts or transcript of evidence.
10    In all cases in which the hearing before the arbitrator is
11held after December 18, 1989, no additional evidence shall be
12introduced by the parties before the Commission on review of
13the decision of the Arbitrator. In reviewing decisions of an
14arbitrator the Commission shall award such temporary
15compensation, permanent compensation and other payments as are
16due under this Act. The Commission shall file in its office its
17decision thereon, and shall immediately send to each party or
18his attorney a copy of such decision and a notification of the
19time when it was filed. Decisions shall be filed within 60 days
20after the Statement of Exceptions and Supporting Brief and
21Response thereto are required to be filed or oral argument
22whichever is later.
23    In the event either party requests oral argument, such
24argument shall be had before a panel of 3 members of the
25Commission (or before all available members pursuant to the
26determination of 7 members of the Commission that such argument

 

 

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1be held before all available members of the Commission)
2pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Commission. A
3panel of 3 members, which shall be comprised of not more than
4one representative citizen of the employing class and not more
5than one representative from a labor organization recognized
6under the National Labor Relations Act or an attorney who has
7represented labor organizations or has represented employees
8in workers' compensation cases citizen of the employee class,
9shall hear the argument; provided that if all the issues in
10dispute are solely the nature and extent of the permanent
11partial disability, if any, a majority of the panel may deny
12the request for such argument and such argument shall not be
13held; and provided further that 7 members of the Commission may
14determine that the argument be held before all available
15members of the Commission. A decision of the Commission shall
16be approved by a majority of Commissioners present at such
17hearing if any; provided, if no such hearing is held, a
18decision of the Commission shall be approved by a majority of a
19panel of 3 members of the Commission as described in this
20Section. The Commission shall give 10 days' notice to the
21parties or their attorneys of the time and place of such taking
22of testimony and of such argument.
23    In any case the Commission in its decision may find
24specially upon any question or questions of law or fact which
25shall be submitted in writing by either party whether ultimate
26or otherwise; provided that on issues other than nature and

 

 

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1extent of the disability, if any, the Commission in its
2decision shall find specially upon any question or questions of
3law or fact, whether ultimate or otherwise, which are submitted
4in writing by either party; provided further that not more than
55 such questions may be submitted by either party. Any party
6may, within 20 days after receipt of notice of the Commission's
7decision, or within such further time, not exceeding 30 days,
8as the Commission may grant, file with the Commission either an
9agreed statement of the facts appearing upon the hearing, or,
10if such party shall so elect, a correct transcript of evidence
11of the additional proceedings presented before the Commission,
12in which report the party may embody a correct statement of
13such other proceedings in the case as such party may desire to
14have reviewed, such statement of facts or transcript of
15evidence to be authenticated by the signature of the parties or
16their attorneys, and in the event that they do not agree, then
17the authentication of such transcript of evidence shall be by
18the signature of any member of the Commission.
19    If a reporter does not for any reason furnish a transcript
20of the proceedings before the Arbitrator in any case for use on
21a hearing for review before the Commission, within the
22limitations of time as fixed in this Section, the Commission
23may, in its discretion, order a trial de novo before the
24Commission in such case upon application of either party. The
25applications for adjustment of claim and other documents in the
26nature of pleadings filed by either party, together with the

 

 

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1decisions of the Arbitrator and of the Commission and the
2statement of facts or transcript of evidence hereinbefore
3provided for in paragraphs (b) and (c) shall be the record of
4the proceedings of the Commission, and shall be subject to
5review as hereinafter provided.
6    At the request of either party or on its own motion, the
7Commission shall set forth in writing the reasons for the
8decision, including findings of fact and conclusions of law
9separately stated. The Commission shall by rule adopt a format
10for written decisions for the Commission and arbitrators. The
11written decisions shall be concise and shall succinctly state
12the facts and reasons for the decision. The Commission may
13adopt in whole or in part, the decision of the arbitrator as
14the decision of the Commission. When the Commission does so
15adopt the decision of the arbitrator, it shall do so by order.
16Whenever the Commission adopts part of the arbitrator's
17decision, but not all, it shall include in the order the
18reasons for not adopting all of the arbitrator's decision. When
19a majority of a panel, after deliberation, has arrived at its
20decision, the decision shall be filed as provided in this
21Section without unnecessary delay, and without regard to the
22fact that a member of the panel has expressed an intention to
23dissent. Any member of the panel may file a dissent. Any
24dissent shall be filed no later than 10 days after the decision
25of the majority has been filed.
26    Decisions rendered by the Commission and dissents, if any,

 

 

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1shall be published together by the Commission. The conclusions
2of law set out in such decisions shall be regarded as
3precedents by arbitrators for the purpose of achieving a more
4uniform administration of this Act.
5    (f) The decision of the Commission acting within its
6powers, according to the provisions of paragraph (e) of this
7Section shall, in the absence of fraud, be conclusive unless
8reviewed as in this paragraph hereinafter provided. However,
9the Arbitrator or the Commission may on his or its own motion,
10or on the motion of either party, correct any clerical error or
11errors in computation within 15 days after the date of receipt
12of any award by such Arbitrator or any decision on review of
13the Commission and shall have the power to recall the original
14award on arbitration or decision on review, and issue in lieu
15thereof such corrected award or decision. Where such correction
16is made the time for review herein specified shall begin to run
17from the date of the receipt of the corrected award or
18decision.
19        (1) Except in cases of claims against the State of
20    Illinois other than those claims under Section 18.1, in
21    which case the decision of the Commission shall not be
22    subject to judicial review, the Circuit Court of the county
23    where any of the parties defendant may be found, or if none
24    of the parties defendant can be found in this State then
25    the Circuit Court of the county where the accident
26    occurred, shall by summons to the Commission have power to

 

 

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1    review all questions of law and fact presented by such
2    record.
3        A proceeding for review shall be commenced within 20
4    days of the receipt of notice of the decision of the
5    Commission. The summons shall be issued by the clerk of
6    such court upon written request returnable on a designated
7    return day, not less than 10 or more than 60 days from the
8    date of issuance thereof, and the written request shall
9    contain the last known address of other parties in interest
10    and their attorneys of record who are to be served by
11    summons. Service upon any member of the Commission or the
12    Secretary or the Assistant Secretary thereof shall be
13    service upon the Commission, and service upon other parties
14    in interest and their attorneys of record shall be by
15    summons, and such service shall be made upon the Commission
16    and other parties in interest by mailing notices of the
17    commencement of the proceedings and the return day of the
18    summons to the office of the Commission and to the last
19    known place of residence of other parties in interest or
20    their attorney or attorneys of record. The clerk of the
21    court issuing the summons shall on the day of issue mail
22    notice of the commencement of the proceedings which shall
23    be done by mailing a copy of the summons to the office of
24    the Commission, and a copy of the summons to the other
25    parties in interest or their attorney or attorneys of
26    record and the clerk of the court shall make certificate

 

 

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1    that he has so sent said notices in pursuance of this
2    Section, which shall be evidence of service on the
3    Commission and other parties in interest.
4        The Commission shall not be required to certify the
5    record of their proceedings to the Circuit Court, unless
6    the party commencing the proceedings for review in the
7    Circuit Court as above provided, shall file with the
8    Commission notice of intent to file for review in Circuit
9    Court. It shall be the duty of the Commission upon such
10    filing of notice of intent to file for review in the
11    Circuit Court to prepare a true and correct copy of such
12    testimony and a true and correct copy of all other matters
13    contained in such record and certified to by the Secretary
14    or Assistant Secretary thereof. The changes made to this
15    subdivision (f)(1) by this amendatory Act of the 98th
16    General Assembly apply to any Commission decision entered
17    after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 98th
18    General Assembly.
19        No request for a summons may be filed and no summons
20    shall issue unless the party seeking to review the decision
21    of the Commission shall exhibit to the clerk of the Circuit
22    Court proof of filing with the Commission of the notice of
23    the intent to file for review in the Circuit Court or an
24    affidavit of the attorney setting forth that notice of
25    intent to file for review in the Circuit Court has been
26    given in writing to the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of

 

 

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1    the Commission.
2        (2) No such summons shall issue unless the one against
3    whom the Commission shall have rendered an award for the
4    payment of money shall upon the filing of his written
5    request for such summons file with the clerk of the court a
6    bond conditioned that if he shall not successfully
7    prosecute the review, he will pay the award and the costs
8    of the proceedings in the courts. The amount of the bond
9    shall be fixed by any member of the Commission and the
10    surety or sureties of the bond shall be approved by the
11    clerk of the court. The acceptance of the bond by the clerk
12    of the court shall constitute evidence of his approval of
13    the bond.
14        Every county, city, town, township, incorporated
15    village, school district, body politic or municipal
16    corporation against whom the Commission shall have
17    rendered an award for the payment of money shall not be
18    required to file a bond to secure the payment of the award
19    and the costs of the proceedings in the court to authorize
20    the court to issue such summons.
21        The court may confirm or set aside the decision of the
22    Commission. If the decision is set aside and the facts
23    found in the proceedings before the Commission are
24    sufficient, the court may enter such decision as is
25    justified by law, or may remand the cause to the Commission
26    for further proceedings and may state the questions

 

 

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1    requiring further hearing, and give such other
2    instructions as may be proper. Appeals shall be taken to
3    the Appellate Court in accordance with Supreme Court Rules
4    22(g) and 303. Appeals shall be taken from the Appellate
5    Court to the Supreme Court in accordance with Supreme Court
6    Rule 315.
7        It shall be the duty of the clerk of any court
8    rendering a decision affecting or affirming an award of the
9    Commission to promptly furnish the Commission with a copy
10    of such decision, without charge.
11        The decision of a majority of the members of the panel
12    of the Commission, shall be considered the decision of the
13    Commission.
14    (g) Except in the case of a claim against the State of
15Illinois, either party may present a certified copy of the
16award of the Arbitrator, or a certified copy of the decision of
17the Commission when the same has become final, when no
18proceedings for review are pending, providing for the payment
19of compensation according to this Act, to the Circuit Court of
20the county in which such accident occurred or either of the
21parties are residents, whereupon the court shall enter a
22judgment in accordance therewith. In a case where the employer
23refuses to pay compensation according to such final award or
24such final decision upon which such judgment is entered the
25court shall in entering judgment thereon, tax as costs against
26him the reasonable costs and attorney fees in the arbitration

 

 

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1proceedings and in the court entering the judgment for the
2person in whose favor the judgment is entered, which judgment
3and costs taxed as therein provided shall, until and unless set
4aside, have the same effect as though duly entered in an action
5duly tried and determined by the court, and shall with like
6effect, be entered and docketed. The Circuit Court shall have
7power at any time upon application to make any such judgment
8conform to any modification required by any subsequent decision
9of the Supreme Court upon appeal, or as the result of any
10subsequent proceedings for review, as provided in this Act.
11    Judgment shall not be entered until 15 days' notice of the
12time and place of the application for the entry of judgment
13shall be served upon the employer by filing such notice with
14the Commission, which Commission shall, in case it has on file
15the address of the employer or the name and address of its
16agent upon whom notices may be served, immediately send a copy
17of the notice to the employer or such designated agent.
18    (h) An agreement or award under this Act providing for
19compensation in installments, may at any time within 18 months
20after such agreement or award be reviewed by the Commission at
21the request of either the employer or the employee, on the
22ground that the disability of the employee has subsequently
23recurred, increased, diminished or ended.
24    However, as to accidents occurring subsequent to July 1,
251955, which are covered by any agreement or award under this
26Act providing for compensation in installments made as a result

 

 

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1of such accident, such agreement or award may at any time
2within 30 months, or 60 months in the case of an award under
3Section 8(d)1, after such agreement or award be reviewed by the
4Commission at the request of either the employer or the
5employee on the ground that the disability of the employee has
6subsequently recurred, increased, diminished or ended.
7    On such review, compensation payments may be
8re-established, increased, diminished or ended. The Commission
9shall give 15 days' notice to the parties of the hearing for
10review. Any employee, upon any petition for such review being
11filed by the employer, shall be entitled to one day's notice
12for each 100 miles necessary to be traveled by him in attending
13the hearing of the Commission upon the petition, and 3 days in
14addition thereto. Such employee shall, at the discretion of the
15Commission, also be entitled to 5 cents per mile necessarily
16traveled by him within the State of Illinois in attending such
17hearing, not to exceed a distance of 300 miles, to be taxed by
18the Commission as costs and deposited with the petition of the
19employer.
20    When compensation which is payable in accordance with an
21award or settlement contract approved by the Commission, is
22ordered paid in a lump sum by the Commission, no review shall
23be had as in this paragraph mentioned.
24    (i) Each party, upon taking any proceedings or steps
25whatsoever before any Arbitrator, Commission or court, shall
26file with the Commission his address, or the name and address

 

 

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1of any agent upon whom all notices to be given to such party
2shall be served, either personally or by registered mail,
3addressed to such party or agent at the last address so filed
4with the Commission. In the event such party has not filed his
5address, or the name and address of an agent as above provided,
6service of any notice may be had by filing such notice with the
7Commission.
8    (j) Whenever in any proceeding testimony has been taken or
9a final decision has been rendered and after the taking of such
10testimony or after such decision has become final, the injured
11employee dies, then in any subsequent proceedings brought by
12the personal representative or beneficiaries of the deceased
13employee, such testimony in the former proceeding may be
14introduced with the same force and effect as though the witness
15having so testified were present in person in such subsequent
16proceedings and such final decision, if any, shall be taken as
17final adjudication of any of the issues which are the same in
18both proceedings.
19    (k) In case where there has been any unreasonable or
20vexatious delay of payment or intentional underpayment of
21compensation, or proceedings have been instituted or carried on
22by the one liable to pay the compensation, which do not present
23a real controversy, but are merely frivolous or for delay, then
24the Commission may award compensation additional to that
25otherwise payable under this Act equal to 50% of the amount
26payable at the time of such award. Failure to pay compensation

 

 

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1in accordance with the provisions of Section 8, paragraph (b)
2of this Act, shall be considered unreasonable delay.
3    When determining whether this subsection (k) shall apply,
4the Commission shall consider whether an Arbitrator has
5determined that the claim is not compensable or whether the
6employer has made payments under Section 8(j).
7    (l) If the employee has made written demand for payment of
8benefits under Section 8(a) or Section 8(b), the employer shall
9have 14 days after receipt of the demand to set forth in
10writing the reason for the delay. In the case of demand for
11payment of medical benefits under Section 8(a), the time for
12the employer to respond shall not commence until the expiration
13of the allotted 30 days specified under Section 8.2(d). In case
14the employer or his or her insurance carrier shall without good
15and just cause fail, neglect, refuse, or unreasonably delay the
16payment of benefits under Section 8(a) or Section 8(b), the
17Arbitrator or the Commission shall allow to the employee
18additional compensation in the sum of $30 per day for each day
19that the benefits under Section 8(a) or Section 8(b) have been
20so withheld or refused, not to exceed $10,000. A delay in
21payment of 14 days or more shall create a rebuttable
22presumption of unreasonable delay.
23    (m) If the commission finds that an accidental injury was
24directly and proximately caused by the employer's wilful
25violation of a health and safety standard under the Health and
26Safety Act or the Occupational Safety and Health Act in force

 

 

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1at the time of the accident, the arbitrator or the Commission
2shall allow to the injured employee or his dependents, as the
3case may be, additional compensation equal to 25% of the amount
4which otherwise would be payable under the provisions of this
5Act exclusive of this paragraph. The additional compensation
6herein provided shall be allowed by an appropriate increase in
7the applicable weekly compensation rate.
8    (n) After June 30, 1984, decisions of the Illinois Workers'
9Compensation Commission reviewing an award of an arbitrator of
10the Commission shall draw interest at a rate equal to the yield
11on indebtedness issued by the United States Government with a
1226-week maturity next previously auctioned on the day on which
13the decision is filed. Said rate of interest shall be set forth
14in the Arbitrator's Decision. Interest shall be drawn from the
15date of the arbitrator's award on all accrued compensation due
16the employee through the day prior to the date of payments.
17However, when an employee appeals an award of an Arbitrator or
18the Commission, and the appeal results in no change or a
19decrease in the award, interest shall not further accrue from
20the date of such appeal.
21    The employer or his insurance carrier may tender the
22payments due under the award to stop the further accrual of
23interest on such award notwithstanding the prosecution by
24either party of review, certiorari, appeal to the Supreme Court
25or other steps to reverse, vacate or modify the award.
26    (o) By the 15th day of each month each insurer providing

 

 

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1coverage for losses under this Act shall notify each insured
2employer of any compensable claim incurred during the preceding
3month and the amounts paid or reserved on the claim including a
4summary of the claim and a brief statement of the reasons for
5compensability. A cumulative report of all claims incurred
6during a calendar year or continued from the previous year
7shall be furnished to the insured employer by the insurer
8within 30 days after the end of that calendar year.
9    The insured employer may challenge, in proceeding before
10the Commission, payments made by the insurer without
11arbitration and payments made after a case is determined to be
12noncompensable. If the Commission finds that the case was not
13compensable, the insurer shall purge its records as to that
14employer of any loss or expense associated with the claim,
15reimburse the employer for attorneys' fees arising from the
16challenge and for any payment required of the employer to the
17Rate Adjustment Fund or the Second Injury Fund, and may not
18reflect the loss or expense for rate making purposes. The
19employee shall not be required to refund the challenged
20payment. The decision of the Commission may be reviewed in the
21same manner as in arbitrated cases. No challenge may be
22initiated under this paragraph more than 3 years after the
23payment is made. An employer may waive the right of challenge
24under this paragraph on a case by case basis.
25    (p) After filing an application for adjustment of claim but
26prior to the hearing on arbitration the parties may voluntarily

 

 

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1agree to submit such application for adjustment of claim for
2decision by an arbitrator under this subsection (p) where such
3application for adjustment of claim raises only a dispute over
4temporary total disability, permanent partial disability or
5medical expenses. Such agreement shall be in writing in such
6form as provided by the Commission. Applications for adjustment
7of claim submitted for decision by an arbitrator under this
8subsection (p) shall proceed according to rule as established
9by the Commission. The Commission shall promulgate rules
10including, but not limited to, rules to ensure that the parties
11are adequately informed of their rights under this subsection
12(p) and of the voluntary nature of proceedings under this
13subsection (p). The findings of fact made by an arbitrator
14acting within his or her powers under this subsection (p) in
15the absence of fraud shall be conclusive. However, the
16arbitrator may on his own motion, or the motion of either
17party, correct any clerical errors or errors in computation
18within 15 days after the date of receipt of such award of the
19arbitrator and shall have the power to recall the original
20award on arbitration, and issue in lieu thereof such corrected
21award. The decision of the arbitrator under this subsection (p)
22shall be considered the decision of the Commission and
23proceedings for review of questions of law arising from the
24decision may be commenced by either party pursuant to
25subsection (f) of Section 19. The Advisory Board established
26under Section 13.1 shall compile a list of certified Commission

 

 

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1arbitrators, each of whom shall be approved by at least 7
2members of the Advisory Board. The chairman shall select 5
3persons from such list to serve as arbitrators under this
4subsection (p). By agreement, the parties shall select one
5arbitrator from among the 5 persons selected by the chairman
6except that if the parties do not agree on an arbitrator from
7among the 5 persons, the parties may, by agreement, select an
8arbitrator of the American Arbitration Association, whose fee
9shall be paid by the State in accordance with rules promulgated
10by the Commission. Arbitration under this subsection (p) shall
11be voluntary.
12(Source: P.A. 97-18, eff. 6-28-11; 98-40, eff. 6-28-13; 98-874,
13eff. 1-1-15.)
 
14    Section 15. The Workers' Occupational Diseases Act is
15amended by changing Section 19 as follows:
 
16    (820 ILCS 310/19)  (from Ch. 48, par. 172.54)
17    Sec. 19. Any disputed questions of law or fact shall be
18determined as herein provided.
19    (a) It shall be the duty of the Commission upon
20notification that the parties have failed to reach an agreement
21to designate an Arbitrator.
22        (1) The application for adjustment of claim filed with
23    the Commission shall state:
24            A. The approximate date of the last day of the last

 

 

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1        exposure and the approximate date of the disablement.
2            B. The general nature and character of the illness
3        or disease claimed.
4            C. The name and address of the employer by whom
5        employed on the last day of the last exposure and if
6        employed by any other employer after such last exposure
7        and before disablement the name and address of such
8        other employer or employers.
9            D. In case of death, the date and place of death.
10        (2) Amendments to applications for adjustment of claim
11    which relate to the same disablement or disablement
12    resulting in death originally claimed upon may be allowed
13    by the Commissioner or an Arbitrator thereof, in their
14    discretion, and in the exercise of such discretion, they
15    may in proper cases order a trial de novo; such amendment
16    shall relate back to the date of the filing of the original
17    application so amended.
18        (3) Whenever any claimant misconceives his remedy and
19    files an application for adjustment of claim under this Act
20    and it is subsequently discovered, at any time before final
21    disposition of such cause, that the claim for disability or
22    death which was the basis for such application should
23    properly have been made under the Workers' Compensation
24    Act, then the provisions of Section 19 paragraph (a-1) of
25    the Workers' Compensation Act having reference to such
26    application shall apply.

 

 

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1        Whenever any claimant misconceives his remedy and
2    files an application for adjustment of claim under the
3    Workers' Compensation Act and it is subsequently
4    discovered, at any time before final disposition of such
5    cause that the claim for injury or death which was the
6    basis for such application should properly have been made
7    under this Act, then the application so filed under the
8    Workers' Compensation Act may be amended in form, substance
9    or both to assert claim for such disability or death under
10    this Act and it shall be deemed to have been so filed as
11    amended on the date of the original filing thereof, and
12    such compensation may be awarded as is warranted by the
13    whole evidence pursuant to the provisions of this Act. When
14    such amendment is submitted, further or additional
15    evidence may be heard by the Arbitrator or Commission when
16    deemed necessary; provided, that nothing in this Section
17    contained shall be construed to be or permit a waiver of
18    any provisions of this Act with reference to notice, but
19    notice if given shall be deemed to be a notice under the
20    provisions of this Act if given within the time required
21    herein.
22    (b) The Arbitrator shall make such inquiries and
23investigations as he shall deem necessary and may examine and
24inspect all books, papers, records, places, or premises
25relating to the questions in dispute and hear such proper
26evidence as the parties may submit.

 

 

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1    The hearings before the Arbitrator shall be held in the
2vicinity where the last exposure occurred, after 10 days'
3notice of the time and place of such hearing shall have been
4given to each of the parties or their attorneys of record.
5    The Arbitrator may find that the disabling condition is
6temporary and has not yet reached a permanent condition and may
7order the payment of compensation up to the date of the
8hearing, which award shall be reviewable and enforceable in the
9same manner as other awards, and in no instance be a bar to a
10further hearing and determination of a further amount of
11temporary total compensation or of compensation for permanent
12disability, but shall be conclusive as to all other questions
13except the nature and extent of such disability.
14    The decision of the Arbitrator shall be filed with the
15Commission which Commission shall immediately send to each
16party or his attorney a copy of such decision, together with a
17notification of the time when it was filed. As of the effective
18date of this amendatory Act of the 94th General Assembly, all
19decisions of the Arbitrator shall set forth in writing findings
20of fact and conclusions of law, separately stated, if requested
21by either party. Unless a petition for review is filed by
22either party within 30 days after the receipt by such party of
23the copy of the decision and notification of time when filed,
24and unless such party petitioning for a review shall within 35
25days after the receipt by him of the copy of the decision, file
26with the Commission either an agreed statement of the facts

 

 

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1appearing upon the hearing before the Arbitrator, or if such
2party shall so elect a correct transcript of evidence of the
3proceedings at such hearings, then the decision shall become
4the decision of the Commission and in the absence of fraud
5shall be conclusive. The Petition for Review shall contain a
6statement of the petitioning party's specific exceptions to the
7decision of the arbitrator. The jurisdiction of the Commission
8to review the decision of the arbitrator shall not be limited
9to the exceptions stated in the Petition for Review. The
10Commission, or any member thereof, may grant further time not
11exceeding 30 days, in which to file such agreed statement or
12transcript of evidence. Such agreed statement of facts or
13correct transcript of evidence, as the case may be, shall be
14authenticated by the signatures of the parties or their
15attorneys, and in the event they do not agree as to the
16correctness of the transcript of evidence it shall be
17authenticated by the signature of the Arbitrator designated by
18the Commission.
19    Whether the employee is working or not, if the employee is
20not receiving or has not received medical, surgical, or
21hospital services or other services or compensation as provided
22in paragraph (a) of Section 8 of the Workers' Compensation Act,
23or compensation as provided in paragraph (b) of Section 8 of
24the Workers' Compensation Act, the employee may at any time
25petition for an expedited hearing by an Arbitrator on the issue
26of whether or not he or she is entitled to receive payment of

 

 

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1the services or compensation. Provided the employer continues
2to pay compensation pursuant to paragraph (b) of Section 8 of
3the Workers' Compensation Act, the employer may at any time
4petition for an expedited hearing on the issue of whether or
5not the employee is entitled to receive medical, surgical, or
6hospital services or other services or compensation as provided
7in paragraph (a) of Section 8 of the Workers' Compensation Act,
8or compensation as provided in paragraph (b) of Section 8 of
9the Workers' Compensation Act. When an employer has petitioned
10for an expedited hearing, the employer shall continue to pay
11compensation as provided in paragraph (b) of Section 8 of the
12Workers' Compensation Act unless the arbitrator renders a
13decision that the employee is not entitled to the benefits that
14are the subject of the expedited hearing or unless the
15employee's treating physician has released the employee to
16return to work at his or her regular job with the employer or
17the employee actually returns to work at any other job. If the
18arbitrator renders a decision that the employee is not entitled
19to the benefits that are the subject of the expedited hearing,
20a petition for review filed by the employee shall receive the
21same priority as if the employee had filed a petition for an
22expedited hearing by an arbitrator. Neither party shall be
23entitled to an expedited hearing when the employee has returned
24to work and the sole issue in dispute amounts to less than 12
25weeks of unpaid compensation pursuant to paragraph (b) of
26Section 8 of the Workers' Compensation Act.

 

 

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1    Expedited hearings shall have priority over all other
2petitions and shall be heard by the Arbitrator and Commission
3with all convenient speed. Any party requesting an expedited
4hearing shall give notice of a request for an expedited hearing
5under this paragraph. A copy of the Application for Adjustment
6of Claim shall be attached to the notice. The Commission shall
7adopt rules and procedures under which the final decision of
8the Commission under this paragraph is filed not later than 180
9days from the date that the Petition for Review is filed with
10the Commission.
11    Where 2 or more insurance carriers, private self-insureds,
12or a group workers' compensation pool under Article V 3/4 of
13the Illinois Insurance Code dispute coverage for the same
14disease, any such insurance carrier, private self-insured, or
15group workers' compensation pool may request an expedited
16hearing pursuant to this paragraph to determine the issue of
17coverage, provided coverage is the only issue in dispute and
18all other issues are stipulated and agreed to and further
19provided that all compensation benefits including medical
20benefits pursuant to Section 8(a) of the Workers' Compensation
21Act continue to be paid to or on behalf of petitioner. Any
22insurance carrier, private self-insured, or group workers'
23compensation pool that is determined to be liable for coverage
24for the disease in issue shall reimburse any insurance carrier,
25private self-insured, or group workers' compensation pool that
26has paid benefits to or on behalf of petitioner for the

 

 

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1disease.
2    (b-1) If the employee is not receiving, pursuant to Section
37, medical, surgical or hospital services of the type provided
4for in paragraph (a) of Section 8 of the Workers' Compensation
5Act or compensation of the type provided for in paragraph (b)
6of Section 8 of the Workers' Compensation Act, the employee, in
7accordance with Commission Rules, may file a petition for an
8emergency hearing by an Arbitrator on the issue of whether or
9not he is entitled to receive payment of such compensation or
10services as provided therein. Such petition shall have priority
11over all other petitions and shall be heard by the Arbitrator
12and Commission with all convenient speed.
13    Such petition shall contain the following information and
14shall be served on the employer at least 15 days before it is
15filed:
16        (i) the date and approximate time of the last exposure;
17        (ii) the approximate location of the last exposure;
18        (iii) a description of the last exposure;
19        (iv) the nature of the disability incurred by the
20    employee;
21        (v) the identity of the person, if known, to whom the
22    disability was reported and the date on which it was
23    reported;
24        (vi) the name and title of the person, if known,
25    representing the employer with whom the employee conferred
26    in any effort to obtain pursuant to Section 7 compensation

 

 

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1    of the type provided for in paragraph (b) of Section 8 of
2    the Workers' Compensation Act or medical, surgical or
3    hospital services of the type provided for in paragraph (a)
4    of Section 8 of the Workers' Compensation Act and the date
5    of such conference;
6        (vii) a statement that the employer has refused to pay
7    compensation pursuant to Section 7 of the type provided for
8    in paragraph (b) of Section 8 of the Workers' Compensation
9    Act or for medical, surgical or hospital services pursuant
10    to Section 7 of the type provided for in paragraph (a) of
11    Section 8 of the Workers' Compensation Act;
12        (viii) the name and address, if known, of each witness
13    to the last exposure and of each other person upon whom the
14    employee will rely to support his allegations;
15        (ix) the dates of treatment related to the disability
16    by medical practitioners, and the names and addresses of
17    such practitioners, including the dates of treatment
18    related to the disability at any hospitals and the names
19    and addresses of such hospitals, and a signed authorization
20    permitting the employer to examine all medical records of
21    all practitioners and hospitals named pursuant to this
22    paragraph;
23        (x) a copy of a signed report by a medical
24    practitioner, relating to the employee's current inability
25    to return to work because of the disability incurred as a
26    result of the exposure or such other documents or

 

 

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1    affidavits which show that the employee is entitled to
2    receive pursuant to Section 7 compensation of the type
3    provided for in paragraph (b) of Section 8 of the Workers'
4    Compensation Act or medical, surgical or hospital services
5    of the type provided for in paragraph (a) of Section 8 of
6    the Workers' Compensation Act. Such reports, documents or
7    affidavits shall state, if possible, the history of the
8    exposure given by the employee, and describe the disability
9    and medical diagnosis, the medical services for such
10    disability which the employee has received and is
11    receiving, the physical activities which the employee
12    cannot currently perform as a result of such disability,
13    and the prognosis for recovery;
14        (xi) complete copies of any reports, records,
15    documents and affidavits in the possession of the employee
16    on which the employee will rely to support his allegations,
17    provided that the employer shall pay the reasonable cost of
18    reproduction thereof;
19        (xii) a list of any reports, records, documents and
20    affidavits which the employee has demanded by subpoena and
21    on which he intends to rely to support his allegations;
22        (xiii) a certification signed by the employee or his
23    representative that the employer has received the petition
24    with the required information 15 days before filing.
25    Fifteen days after receipt by the employer of the petition
26with the required information the employee may file said

 

 

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1petition and required information and shall serve notice of the
2filing upon the employer. The employer may file a motion
3addressed to the sufficiency of the petition. If an objection
4has been filed to the sufficiency of the petition, the
5arbitrator shall rule on the objection within 2 working days.
6If such an objection is filed, the time for filing the final
7decision of the Commission as provided in this paragraph shall
8be tolled until the arbitrator has determined that the petition
9is sufficient.
10    The employer shall, within 15 days after receipt of the
11notice that such petition is filed, file with the Commission
12and serve on the employee or his representative a written
13response to each claim set forth in the petition, including the
14legal and factual basis for each disputed allegation and the
15following information: (i) complete copies of any reports,
16records, documents and affidavits in the possession of the
17employer on which the employer intends to rely in support of
18his response, (ii) a list of any reports, records, documents
19and affidavits which the employer has demanded by subpoena and
20on which the employer intends to rely in support of his
21response, (iii) the name and address of each witness on whom
22the employer will rely to support his response, and (iv) the
23names and addresses of any medical practitioners selected by
24the employer pursuant to Section 12 of this Act and the time
25and place of any examination scheduled to be made pursuant to
26such Section.

 

 

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1    Any employer who does not timely file and serve a written
2response without good cause may not introduce any evidence to
3dispute any claim of the employee but may cross examine the
4employee or any witness brought by the employee and otherwise
5be heard.
6    No document or other evidence not previously identified by
7either party with the petition or written response, or by any
8other means before the hearing, may be introduced into evidence
9without good cause. If, at the hearing, material information is
10discovered which was not previously disclosed, the Arbitrator
11may extend the time for closing proof on the motion of a party
12for a reasonable period of time which may be more than 30 days.
13No evidence may be introduced pursuant to this paragraph as to
14permanent disability. No award may be entered for permanent
15disability pursuant to this paragraph. Either party may
16introduce into evidence the testimony taken by deposition of
17any medical practitioner.
18    The Commission shall adopt rules, regulations and
19procedures whereby the final decision of the Commission is
20filed not later than 90 days from the date the petition for
21review is filed but in no event later than 180 days from the
22date the petition for an emergency hearing is filed with the
23Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission.
24    All service required pursuant to this paragraph (b-1) must
25be by personal service or by certified mail and with evidence
26of receipt. In addition, for the purposes of this paragraph,

 

 

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1all service on the employer must be at the premises where the
2accident occurred if the premises are owned or operated by the
3employer. Otherwise service must be at the employee's principal
4place of employment by the employer. If service on the employer
5is not possible at either of the above, then service shall be
6at the employer's principal place of business. After initial
7service in each case, service shall be made on the employer's
8attorney or designated representative.
9    (c)(1) At a reasonable time in advance of and in connection
10with the hearing under Section 19(e) or 19(h), the Commission
11may on its own motion order an impartial physical or mental
12examination of a petitioner whose mental or physical condition
13is in issue, when in the Commission's discretion it appears
14that such an examination will materially aid in the just
15determination of the case. The examination shall be made by a
16member or members of a panel of physicians chosen for their
17special qualifications by the Illinois State Medical Society.
18The Commission shall establish procedures by which a physician
19shall be selected from such list.
20    (2) Should the Commission at any time during the hearing
21find that compelling considerations make it advisable to have
22an examination and report at that time, the Commission may in
23its discretion so order.
24    (3) A copy of the report of examination shall be given to
25the Commission and to the attorneys for the parties.
26    (4) Either party or the Commission may call the examining

 

 

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1physician or physicians to testify. Any physician so called
2shall be subject to cross-examination.
3    (5) The examination shall be made, and the physician or
4physicians, if called, shall testify, without cost to the
5parties. The Commission shall determine the compensation and
6the pay of the physician or physicians. The compensation for
7this service shall not exceed the usual and customary amount
8for such service.
9    The fees and payment thereof of all attorneys and
10physicians for services authorized by the Commission under this
11Act shall, upon request of either the employer or the employee
12or the beneficiary affected, be subject to the review and
13decision of the Commission.
14    (d) If any employee shall persist in insanitary or
15injurious practices which tend to either imperil or retard his
16recovery or shall refuse to submit to such medical, surgical,
17or hospital treatment as is reasonably essential to promote his
18recovery, the Commission may, in its discretion, reduce or
19suspend the compensation of any such employee; provided, that
20when an employer and employee so agree in writing, the
21foregoing provision shall not be construed to authorize the
22reduction or suspension of compensation of an employee who is
23relying in good faith, on treatment by prayer or spiritual
24means alone, in accordance with the tenets and practice of a
25recognized church or religious denomination, by a duly
26accredited practitioner thereof.

 

 

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1    (e) This paragraph shall apply to all hearings before the
2Commission. Such hearings may be held in its office or
3elsewhere as the Commission may deem advisable. The taking of
4testimony on such hearings may be had before any member of the
5Commission. If a petition for review and agreed statement of
6facts or transcript of evidence is filed, as provided herein,
7the Commission shall promptly review the decision of the
8Arbitrator and all questions of law or fact which appear from
9the statement of facts or transcripts of evidence. In all cases
10in which the hearing before the arbitrator is held after the
11effective date of this amendatory Act of 1989, no additional
12evidence shall be introduced by the parties before the
13Commission on review of the decision of the Arbitrator. The
14Commission shall file in its office its decision thereon, and
15shall immediately send to each party or his attorney a copy of
16such decision and a notification of the time when it was filed.
17Decisions shall be filed within 60 days after the Statement of
18Exceptions and Supporting Brief and Response thereto are
19required to be filed or oral argument whichever is later.
20    In the event either party requests oral argument, such
21argument shall be had before a panel of 3 members of the
22Commission (or before all available members pursuant to the
23determination of 7 members of the Commission that such argument
24be held before all available members of the Commission)
25pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Commission. A
26panel of 3 members, which shall be comprised of not more than

 

 

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1one representative citizen of the employing class and not more
2than one representative from a labor organization recognized
3under the National Labor Relations Act or an attorney who has
4represented labor organizations or has represented employees
5in workers' compensation cases citizen of the employee class,
6shall hear the argument; provided that if all the issues in
7dispute are solely the nature and extent of the permanent
8partial disability, if any, a majority of the panel may deny
9the request for such argument and such argument shall not be
10held; and provided further that 7 members of the Commission may
11determine that the argument be held before all available
12members of the Commission. A decision of the Commission shall
13be approved by a majority of Commissioners present at such
14hearing if any; provided, if no such hearing is held, a
15decision of the Commission shall be approved by a majority of a
16panel of 3 members of the Commission as described in this
17Section. The Commission shall give 10 days' notice to the
18parties or their attorneys of the time and place of such taking
19of testimony and of such argument.
20    In any case the Commission in its decision may in its
21discretion find specially upon any question or questions of law
22or facts which shall be submitted in writing by either party
23whether ultimate or otherwise; provided that on issues other
24than nature and extent of the disablement, if any, the
25Commission in its decision shall find specially upon any
26question or questions of law or fact, whether ultimate or

 

 

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1otherwise, which are submitted in writing by either party;
2provided further that not more than 5 such questions may be
3submitted by either party. Any party may, within 20 days after
4receipt of notice of the Commission's decision, or within such
5further time, not exceeding 30 days, as the Commission may
6grant, file with the Commission either an agreed statement of
7the facts appearing upon the hearing, or, if such party shall
8so elect, a correct transcript of evidence of the additional
9proceedings presented before the Commission in which report the
10party may embody a correct statement of such other proceedings
11in the case as such party may desire to have reviewed, such
12statement of facts or transcript of evidence to be
13authenticated by the signature of the parties or their
14attorneys, and in the event that they do not agree, then the
15authentication of such transcript of evidence shall be by the
16signature of any member of the Commission.
17    If a reporter does not for any reason furnish a transcript
18of the proceedings before the Arbitrator in any case for use on
19a hearing for review before the Commission, within the
20limitations of time as fixed in this Section, the Commission
21may, in its discretion, order a trial de novo before the
22Commission in such case upon application of either party. The
23applications for adjustment of claim and other documents in the
24nature of pleadings filed by either party, together with the
25decisions of the Arbitrator and of the Commission and the
26statement of facts or transcript of evidence hereinbefore

 

 

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1provided for in paragraphs (b) and (c) shall be the record of
2the proceedings of the Commission, and shall be subject to
3review as hereinafter provided.
4    At the request of either party or on its own motion, the
5Commission shall set forth in writing the reasons for the
6decision, including findings of fact and conclusions of law,
7separately stated. The Commission shall by rule adopt a format
8for written decisions for the Commission and arbitrators. The
9written decisions shall be concise and shall succinctly state
10the facts and reasons for the decision. The Commission may
11adopt in whole or in part, the decision of the arbitrator as
12the decision of the Commission. When the Commission does so
13adopt the decision of the arbitrator, it shall do so by order.
14Whenever the Commission adopts part of the arbitrator's
15decision, but not all, it shall include in the order the
16reasons for not adopting all of the arbitrator's decision. When
17a majority of a panel, after deliberation, has arrived at its
18decision, the decision shall be filed as provided in this
19Section without unnecessary delay, and without regard to the
20fact that a member of the panel has expressed an intention to
21dissent. Any member of the panel may file a dissent. Any
22dissent shall be filed no later than 10 days after the decision
23of the majority has been filed.
24    Decisions rendered by the Commission after the effective
25date of this amendatory Act of 1980 and dissents, if any, shall
26be published together by the Commission. The conclusions of law

 

 

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1set out in such decisions shall be regarded as precedents by
2arbitrators, for the purpose of achieving a more uniform
3administration of this Act.
4    (f) The decision of the Commission acting within its
5powers, according to the provisions of paragraph (e) of this
6Section shall, in the absence of fraud, be conclusive unless
7reviewed as in this paragraph hereinafter provided. However,
8the Arbitrator or the Commission may on his or its own motion,
9or on the motion of either party, correct any clerical error or
10errors in computation within 15 days after the date of receipt
11of any award by such Arbitrator or any decision on review of
12the Commission, and shall have the power to recall the original
13award on arbitration or decision on review, and issue in lieu
14thereof such corrected award or decision. Where such correction
15is made the time for review herein specified shall begin to run
16from the date of the receipt of the corrected award or
17decision.
18        (1) Except in cases of claims against the State of
19    Illinois, in which case the decision of the Commission
20    shall not be subject to judicial review, the Circuit Court
21    of the county where any of the parties defendant may be
22    found, or if none of the parties defendant be found in this
23    State then the Circuit Court of the county where any of the
24    exposure occurred, shall by summons to the Commission have
25    power to review all questions of law and fact presented by
26    such record.

 

 

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1        A proceeding for review shall be commenced within 20
2    days of the receipt of notice of the decision of the
3    Commission. The summons shall be issued by the clerk of
4    such court upon written request returnable on a designated
5    return day, not less than 10 or more than 60 days from the
6    date of issuance thereof, and the written request shall
7    contain the last known address of other parties in interest
8    and their attorneys of record who are to be served by
9    summons. Service upon any member of the Commission or the
10    Secretary or the Assistant Secretary thereof shall be
11    service upon the Commission, and service upon other parties
12    in interest and their attorneys of record shall be by
13    summons, and such service shall be made upon the Commission
14    and other parties in interest by mailing notices of the
15    commencement of the proceedings and the return day of the
16    summons to the office of the Commission and to the last
17    known place of residence of other parties in interest or
18    their attorney or attorneys of record. The clerk of the
19    court issuing the summons shall on the day of issue mail
20    notice of the commencement of the proceedings which shall
21    be done by mailing a copy of the summons to the office of
22    the Commission, and a copy of the summons to the other
23    parties in interest or their attorney or attorneys of
24    record and the clerk of the court shall make certificate
25    that he has so sent such notices in pursuance of this
26    Section, which shall be evidence of service on the

 

 

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1    Commission and other parties in interest.
2        The Commission shall not be required to certify the
3    record of their proceedings in the Circuit Court unless the
4    party commencing the proceedings for review in the Circuit
5    Court as above provided, shall file with the Commission
6    notice of intent to file for review in Circuit Court. It
7    shall be the duty of the Commission upon such filing of
8    notice of intent to file for review in Circuit Court to
9    prepare a true and correct copy of such testimony and a
10    true and correct copy of all other matters contained in
11    such record and certified to by the Secretary or Assistant
12    Secretary thereof. The changes made to this subdivision
13    (f)(1) by this amendatory Act of the 98th General Assembly
14    apply to any Commission decision entered after the
15    effective date of this amendatory Act of the 98th General
16    Assembly.
17        No request for a summons may be filed and no summons
18    shall issue unless the party seeking to review the decision
19    of the Commission shall exhibit to the clerk of the Circuit
20    Court proof of filing with the Commission of the notice of
21    the intent to file for review in the Circuit Court or an
22    affidavit of the attorney setting forth that notice of
23    intent to file for review in Circuit Court has been given
24    in writing to the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of the
25    Commission.
26        (2) No such summons shall issue unless the one against

 

 

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1    whom the Commission shall have rendered an award for the
2    payment of money shall upon the filing of his written
3    request for such summons file with the clerk of the court a
4    bond conditioned that if he shall not successfully
5    prosecute the review, he will pay the award and the costs
6    of the proceedings in the court. The amount of the bond
7    shall be fixed by any member of the Commission and the
8    surety or sureties of the bond shall be approved by the
9    clerk of the court. The acceptance of the bond by the clerk
10    of the court shall constitute evidence of his approval of
11    the bond.
12        Every county, city, town, township, incorporated
13    village, school district, body politic or municipal
14    corporation having a population of 500,000 or more against
15    whom the Commission shall have rendered an award for the
16    payment of money shall not be required to file a bond to
17    secure the payment of the award and the costs of the
18    proceedings in the court to authorize the court to issue
19    such summons.
20        The court may confirm or set aside the decision of the
21    Commission. If the decision is set aside and the facts
22    found in the proceedings before the Commission are
23    sufficient, the court may enter such decision as is
24    justified by law, or may remand the cause to the Commission
25    for further proceedings and may state the questions
26    requiring further hearing, and give such other

 

 

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1    instructions as may be proper. Appeals shall be taken to
2    the Appellate Court in accordance with Supreme Court Rules
3    22(g) and 303. Appeals shall be taken from the Appellate
4    Court to the Supreme Court in accordance with Supreme Court
5    Rule 315.
6        It shall be the duty of the clerk of any court
7    rendering a decision affecting or affirming an award of the
8    Commission to promptly furnish the Commission with a copy
9    of such decision, without charge.
10        The decision of a majority of the members of the panel
11    of the Commission, shall be considered the decision of the
12    Commission.
13    (g) Except in the case of a claim against the State of
14Illinois, either party may present a certified copy of the
15award of the Arbitrator, or a certified copy of the decision of
16the Commission when the same has become final, when no
17proceedings for review are pending, providing for the payment
18of compensation according to this Act, to the Circuit Court of
19the county in which such exposure occurred or either of the
20parties are residents, whereupon the court shall enter a
21judgment in accordance therewith. In case where the employer
22refuses to pay compensation according to such final award or
23such final decision upon which such judgment is entered, the
24court shall in entering judgment thereon, tax as costs against
25him the reasonable costs and attorney fees in the arbitration
26proceedings and in the court entering the judgment for the

 

 

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1person in whose favor the judgment is entered, which judgment
2and costs taxed as herein provided shall, until and unless set
3aside, have the same effect as though duly entered in an action
4duly tried and determined by the court, and shall with like
5effect, be entered and docketed. The Circuit Court shall have
6power at any time upon application to make any such judgment
7conform to any modification required by any subsequent decision
8of the Supreme Court upon appeal, or as the result of any
9subsequent proceedings for review, as provided in this Act.
10    Judgment shall not be entered until 15 days' notice of the
11time and place of the application for the entry of judgment
12shall be served upon the employer by filing such notice with
13the Commission, which Commission shall, in case it has on file
14the address of the employer or the name and address of its
15agent upon whom notices may be served, immediately send a copy
16of the notice to the employer or such designated agent.
17    (h) An agreement or award under this Act providing for
18compensation in installments, may at any time within 18 months
19after such agreement or award be reviewed by the Commission at
20the request of either the employer or the employee on the
21ground that the disability of the employee has subsequently
22recurred, increased, diminished or ended.
23    However, as to disablements occurring subsequently to July
241, 1955, which are covered by any agreement or award under this
25Act providing for compensation in installments made as a result
26of such disablement, such agreement or award may at any time

 

 

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1within 30 months after such agreement or award be reviewed by
2the Commission at the request of either the employer or the
3employee on the ground that the disability of the employee has
4subsequently recurred, increased, diminished or ended.
5    On such review compensation payments may be
6re-established, increased, diminished or ended. The Commission
7shall give 15 days' notice to the parties of the hearing for
8review. Any employee, upon any petition for such review being
9filed by the employer, shall be entitled to one day's notice
10for each 100 miles necessary to be traveled by him in attending
11the hearing of the Commission upon the petition, and 3 days in
12addition thereto. Such employee shall, at the discretion of the
13Commission, also be entitled to 5 cents per mile necessarily
14traveled by him within the State of Illinois in attending such
15hearing, not to exceed a distance of 300 miles, to be taxed by
16the Commission as costs and deposited with the petition of the
17employer.
18    When compensation which is payable in accordance with an
19award or settlement contract approved by the Commission, is
20ordered paid in a lump sum by the Commission, no review shall
21be had as in this paragraph mentioned.
22    (i) Each party, upon taking any proceedings or steps
23whatsoever before any Arbitrator, Commission or court, shall
24file with the Commission his address, or the name and address
25of any agent upon whom all notices to be given to such party
26shall be served, either personally or by registered mail,

 

 

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1addressed to such party or agent at the last address so filed
2with the Commission. In the event such party has not filed his
3address, or the name and address of an agent as above provided,
4service of any notice may be had by filing such notice with the
5Commission.
6    (j) Whenever in any proceeding testimony has been taken or
7a final decision has been rendered, and after the taking of
8such testimony or after such decision has become final, the
9employee dies, then in any subsequent proceeding brought by the
10personal representative or beneficiaries of the deceased
11employee, such testimony in the former proceeding may be
12introduced with the same force and effect as though the witness
13having so testified were present in person in such subsequent
14proceedings and such final decision, if any, shall be taken as
15final adjudication of any of the issues which are the same in
16both proceedings.
17    (k) In any case where there has been any unreasonable or
18vexatious delay of payment or intentional underpayment of
19compensation, or proceedings have been instituted or carried on
20by one liable to pay the compensation, which do not present a
21real controversy, but are merely frivolous or for delay, then
22the Commission may award compensation additional to that
23otherwise payable under this Act equal to 50% of the amount
24payable at the time of such award. Failure to pay compensation
25in accordance with the provisions of Section 8, paragraph (b)
26of this Act, shall be considered unreasonable delay.

 

 

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1    When determining whether this subsection (k) shall apply,
2the Commission shall consider whether an arbitrator has
3determined that the claim is not compensable or whether the
4employer has made payments under Section 8(j) of the Workers'
5Compensation Act.
6    (k-1) If the employee has made written demand for payment
7of benefits under Section 8(a) or Section 8(b) of the Workers'
8Compensation Act, the employer shall have 14 days after receipt
9of the demand to set forth in writing the reason for the delay.
10In the case of demand for payment of medical benefits under
11Section 8(a) of the Workers' Compensation Act, the time for the
12employer to respond shall not commence until the expiration of
13the allotted 60 days specified under Section 8.2(d) of the
14Workers' Compensation Act. In case the employer or his or her
15insurance carrier shall without good and just cause fail,
16neglect, refuse, or unreasonably delay the payment of benefits
17under Section 8(a) or Section 8(b) of the Workers' Compensation
18Act, the Arbitrator or the Commission shall allow to the
19employee additional compensation in the sum of $30 per day for
20each day that the benefits under Section 8(a) or Section 8(b)
21of the Workers' Compensation Act have been so withheld or
22refused, not to exceed $10,000. A delay in payment of 14 days
23or more shall create a rebuttable presumption of unreasonable
24delay.
25    (l) By the 15th day of each month each insurer providing
26coverage for losses under this Act shall notify each insured

 

 

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1employer of any compensable claim incurred during the preceding
2month and the amounts paid or reserved on the claim including a
3summary of the claim and a brief statement of the reasons for
4compensability. A cumulative report of all claims incurred
5during a calendar year or continued from the previous year
6shall be furnished to the insured employer by the insurer
7within 30 days after the end of that calendar year.
8    The insured employer may challenge, in proceeding before
9the Commission, payments made by the insurer without
10arbitration and payments made after a case is determined to be
11noncompensable. If the Commission finds that the case was not
12compensable, the insurer shall purge its records as to that
13employer of any loss or expense associated with the claim,
14reimburse the employer for attorneys fee arising from the
15challenge and for any payment required of the employer to the
16Rate Adjustment Fund or the Second Injury Fund, and may not
17effect the loss or expense for rate making purposes. The
18employee shall not be required to refund the challenged
19payment. The decision of the Commission may be reviewed in the
20same manner as in arbitrated cases. No challenge may be
21initiated under this paragraph more than 3 years after the
22payment is made. An employer may waive the right of challenge
23under this paragraph on a case by case basis.
24    (m) After filing an application for adjustment of claim but
25prior to the hearing on arbitration the parties may voluntarily
26agree to submit such application for adjustment of claim for

 

 

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1decision by an arbitrator under this subsection (m) where such
2application for adjustment of claim raises only a dispute over
3temporary total disability, permanent partial disability or
4medical expenses. Such agreement shall be in writing in such
5form as provided by the Commission. Applications for adjustment
6of claim submitted for decision by an arbitrator under this
7subsection (m) shall proceed according to rule as established
8by the Commission. The Commission shall promulgate rules
9including, but not limited to, rules to ensure that the parties
10are adequately informed of their rights under this subsection
11(m) and of the voluntary nature of proceedings under this
12subsection (m). The findings of fact made by an arbitrator
13acting within his or her powers under this subsection (m) in
14the absence of fraud shall be conclusive. However, the
15arbitrator may on his own motion, or the motion of either
16party, correct any clerical errors or errors in computation
17within 15 days after the date of receipt of such award of the
18arbitrator and shall have the power to recall the original
19award on arbitration, and issue in lieu thereof such corrected
20award. The decision of the arbitrator under this subsection (m)
21shall be considered the decision of the Commission and
22proceedings for review of questions of law arising from the
23decision may be commenced by either party pursuant to
24subsection (f) of Section 19. The Advisory Board established
25under Section 13.1 of the Workers' Compensation Act shall
26compile a list of certified Commission arbitrators, each of

 

 

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1whom shall be approved by at least 7 members of the Advisory
2Board. The chairman shall select 5 persons from such list to
3serve as arbitrators under this subsection (m). By agreement,
4the parties shall select one arbitrator from among the 5
5persons selected by the chairman except, that if the parties do
6not agree on an arbitrator from among the 5 persons, the
7parties may, by agreement, select an arbitrator of the American
8Arbitration Association, whose fee shall be paid by the State
9in accordance with rules promulgated by the Commission.
10Arbitration under this subsection (m) shall be voluntary.
11(Source: P.A. 98-40, eff. 6-28-13.)