101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2019 and 2020
SB1424

 

Introduced 2/13/2019, by Sen. Laura M. Murphy

 

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 
820 ILCS 305/4b
820 ILCS 305/12  from Ch. 48, par. 138.12
820 ILCS 305/19  from Ch. 48, par. 138.19

    Amends the Workers' Compensation Act. Authorizes the recording of an employee's medical examination with the consent of the employee and the physician. Provides for the use of the recording as evidence.


LRB101 08101 JLS 53164 b

 

 

A BILL FOR

 

SB1424LRB101 08101 JLS 53164 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 Workers' Compensation Act is amended by
5changing Sections 4b, 12, and 19 as follows:
 
6    (820 ILCS 305/4b)
7    Sec. 4b. Collective bargaining pilot program.
8    (a) The Director of the Department of Labor shall adopt a
9selection process to designate 2 international, national, or
10statewide organizations made up of affiliates who are the
11exclusive representatives of construction employer employees
12recognized or certified pursuant to the National Labor
13Relations Act to participate in the collective bargaining pilot
14program provided for in this Section.
15    (a-5) For purposes of this Section, the term "construction
16employer" means any person or legal entity or group of persons
17or legal entities engaging in or planning to engage in any
18constructing, altering, reconstructing, repairing,
19rehabilitating, refinishing, refurbishing, remodeling,
20remediating, renovating, custom fabricating, maintaining,
21landscaping, improving, wrecking, painting, decorating,
22demolishing, and adding to or subtracting from any building,
23structure, airport facility, highway, roadway, street, alley,

 

 

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1bridge, sewer, drain, ditch, sewage disposal plant, water
2works, parking facility, railroad, excavation or other
3project, structure, development, real property or improvement,
4or to do any part thereof, whether or not the performance of
5the work herein described involves the addition to, or
6fabrication into, any project, structure, development, real
7property or improvement herein described, and shall also
8include any moving of construction-related materials on the job
9site or to or from the job site.
10    For purposes of this Section, "labor organization" means an
11affiliate of an international, national, or statewide
12organization that has been selected by the Department of Labor
13to participate in the collective bargaining pilot program as
14provided for in this Section.
15    (b) Upon appropriate filing, the Commission and the courts
16of this State shall recognize as valid and binding any
17provision in a collective bargaining agreement between any
18construction employer or group of construction employers and a
19labor organization, which contains certain obligations and
20procedures relating to workers' compensation. This agreement
21must be limited to, but need not include, all of the following:
22        (1) An alternative dispute resolution ("ADR") system
23    to supplement, modify or replace the procedural or dispute
24    resolution provisions of this Act. The system may include
25    mediation, arbitration, or other dispute resolution
26    proceedings, the results of which shall be final and

 

 

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1    binding upon the parties;
2        (2) An agreed list of medical treatment providers that
3    may be the exclusive source of all medical and related
4    treatment provided under this Act;
5        (3) The use of a limited list of impartial physicians
6    to conduct independent medical examinations that may be
7    openly recorded for later use as evidence so long as the
8    employee and physician both consent;
9        (4) The creation of a light duty, modified job, or
10    return to work program;
11        (5) The use of a limited list of individuals and
12    companies for the establishment of vocational
13    rehabilitation or retraining programs that may be the
14    exclusive source of rehabilitation and retraining services
15    provided under this Act; or
16        (6) The establishment of joint labor management safety
17    committees and safety procedures.
18    (c) Void agreements. Nothing in this Section shall be
19construed to authorize any provision in a collective bargaining
20agreement that diminishes or increases a construction
21employer's entitlements under this Act or an employee's
22entitlement to benefits as otherwise set forth in this Act. For
23the purposes of this Section, the procedural rights and dispute
24resolution agreements under subparagraphs (1) through (6) of
25subsection (b) of this Section are not agreements which
26diminish or increase a construction employer's entitlements

 

 

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1under this Act or an employee's entitlement to benefits under
2this Act. Any agreement that diminishes or increases a
3construction employer's entitlements under this Act or an
4employee's entitlement to benefits as set forth in this Act is
5null and void. Nothing in this Section shall be construed as
6creating a mandatory subject of bargaining.
7    (d) Form of agreement. The agreement reached herein shall
8demonstrate that:
9        (1) The construction employer or group of construction
10    employers and the recognized or certified exclusive
11    bargaining representative have entered into a binding
12    collective bargaining agreement adopting the ADR plan for a
13    period of no less than 2 years;
14        (2) Contractual agreements have been reached with the
15    construction employer's workers' compensation carrier,
16    group self-insurance fund, and any excess carriers
17    relating to the ADR plan;
18        (3) Procedures have been established by which claims
19    for benefits by employees will be lodged, administered, and
20    decided while affording procedural due process;
21        (4) The plan has designated forms upon which claims for
22    benefits shall be made;
23        (5) The system and means by which the construction
24    employer's obligation to furnish medical services and
25    vocational rehabilitation and retraining benefits shall be
26    fulfilled and provider selected;

 

 

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1        (6) The method by which mediators or arbitrators are to
2    be selected.
3    (e) Filing. A copy of the agreement and a statement
4identifying the parties to the agreement shall be filed with
5the Commission. Within 21 days of receipt of an agreement, the
6Chairman shall review the agreement for compliance with this
7Section and notify the parties of its acceptance or notify the
8parties of any additional information required or any
9recommended modification that would bring the agreement into
10compliance. If no additional information or modification is
11required, the agreement shall be valid and binding from the
12time the parties receive acceptance of the agreement from the
13Chairman. Upon receipt of any requested information or
14modification, the Chairman shall notify the parties within 21
15days whether the agreement is in compliance with this Section.
16All rejections made by the Chairman under this subsection shall
17be subject to review by the courts of this State, said review
18to be taken in the same manner and within the same time as
19provided by Section 19 of this Act for review of awards and
20decisions of the Commission. Upon the review, the Circuit Court
21shall have power to review all questions of fact as well as of
22law.
23    (f) Notice to insurance carrier. If the construction
24employer is insured under this Act, it shall provide notice to
25and obtain consent from its insurance carrier, in the manner
26provided in the insurance contract, of its intent to enter into

 

 

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1an agreement as provided in this Section with its employees.
2    (g) Employees' claims for workers' compensation benefits.
3        (1) Claims for benefits shall be filed with the ADR
4    plan administrator within those periods of limitation
5    prescribed by this Act. Within 10 days of the filing of a
6    claim, the ADR plan administrator shall serve a copy of the
7    claim application upon the Commission, which shall
8    maintain records of all ADR claims and resolutions.
9        (2) Settlements of claims presented to the ADR plan
10    administrator shall be evidenced by a settlement
11    agreement. All such settlements shall be filed with the ADR
12    plan administrator, who within 10 days shall forward a copy
13    to the Commission for recording.
14        (3) Upon assignment of claims, unless settled,
15    mediators and arbitrators shall render final orders
16    containing essential findings of fact, rulings of law and
17    referring to other matters as pertinent to the questions at
18    issue. The ADR plan administrator shall maintain a record
19    of the proceedings.
20    (h) Reporting requirements. Annually, each ADR plan
21administrator shall submit a report to the Commission
22containing the following information:
23        (1) The number of employees within the ADR program;
24        (2) The number of occurrences of work-related injuries
25    or diseases;
26        (3) The breakdown within the ADR program of injuries

 

 

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1    and diseases treated;
2        (4) The total amount of disability benefits paid within
3    the ADR program;
4        (5) The total medical treatment cost paid within the
5    ADR program;
6        (6) The number of claims filed within the ADR program;
7    and
8        (7) The disposition of all claims.
9(Source: P.A. 97-18, eff. 6-28-11.)
 
10    (820 ILCS 305/12)  (from Ch. 48, par. 138.12)
11    Sec. 12. An employee entitled to receive disability
12payments shall be required, if requested by the employer, to
13submit himself, at the expense of the employer, for examination
14to a duly qualified medical practitioner or surgeon selected by
15the employer, at any time and place reasonably convenient for
16the employee, either within or without the State of Illinois,
17for the purpose of determining the nature, extent and probable
18duration of the injury received by the employee, and for the
19purpose of ascertaining the amount of compensation which may be
20due the employee from time to time for disability according to
21the provisions of this Act. The examination may be recorded
22with the consent of the employee and the practitioner for later
23use as evidence. An employee may also be required to submit
24himself for examination by medical experts under subsection (c)
25of Section 19.

 

 

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1    An employer requesting such an examination, of an employee
2residing within the State of Illinois, shall deliver to the
3employee with the notice of the time and place of examination
4sufficient money to defray the necessary expense of travel by
5the most convenient means to and from the place of examination,
6and the cost of meals necessary during the trip, and if the
7examination or travel to and from the place of examination
8causes any loss of working time on the part of the employee,
9the employer shall reimburse him for such loss of wages upon
10the basis of his average daily wage. Such examination shall be
11made in the presence of a duly qualified medical practitioner
12or surgeon provided and paid for by the employee, if such
13employee so desires.
14    In all cases where the examination is made by a surgeon
15engaged by the employer, and the injured employee has no
16surgeon present at such examination, it shall be the duty of
17the surgeon making the examination at the instance of the
18employer to deliver to the injured employee, or his
19representative, a statement in writing of the condition and
20extent of the injury to the same extent that said surgeon
21reports to the employer and the same shall be an exact copy of
22that furnished to the employer, said copy to be furnished the
23employee, or his representative as soon as practicable but not
24later than 48 hours before the time the case is set for
25hearing. Such delivery shall be made in person either to the
26employee or his representative, or by registered mail to

 

 

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1either, and the receipt of either shall be proof of such
2delivery. If such surgeon refuses to furnish the employee with
3such statement to the same extent as that furnished the
4employer said surgeon shall not be permitted to testify at the
5hearing next following said examination.
6    If the employee refuses so to submit himself to examination
7or unnecessarily obstructs the same, his right to compensation
8payments shall be temporarily suspended until such examination
9shall have taken place, and no compensation shall be payable
10under this Act for such period.
11    It shall be the duty of surgeons treating an injured
12employee who is likely to die, and treating him at the instance
13of the employer, to have called in another surgeon to be
14designated and paid for by either the injured employee or by
15the person or persons who would become his beneficiary or
16beneficiaries, to make an examination before the death of such
17injured employee.
18    In all cases where the examination is made by a surgeon
19engaged by the injured employee, and the employer has no
20surgeon present at such examination, it shall be the duty of
21the surgeon making the examination at the instance of the
22employee, to deliver to the employer, or his representative, a
23statement in writing of the condition and extent of the injury
24to the same extent that said surgeon reports to the employee
25and the same shall be an exact copy of that furnished to the
26employee, said copy to be furnished the employer, or his

 

 

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1representative, as soon as practicable but not later than 48
2hours before the time the case is set for hearing. Such
3delivery shall be made in person either to the employer, or his
4representative, or by registered mail to either, and the
5receipt of either shall be proof of such delivery. If such
6surgeon refuses to furnish the employer with such statement to
7the same extent as that furnished the employee, said surgeon
8shall not be permitted to testify at the hearing next following
9said examination.
10(Source: P.A. 94-277, eff. 7-20-05.)
 
11    (820 ILCS 305/19)  (from Ch. 48, par. 138.19)
12    Sec. 19. Any disputed questions of law or fact shall be
13determined as herein provided.
14    (a) It shall be the duty of the Commission upon
15notification that the parties have failed to reach an
16agreement, to designate an Arbitrator.
17        1. Whenever any claimant misconceives his remedy and
18    files an application for adjustment of claim under this Act
19    and it is subsequently discovered, at any time before final
20    disposition of such cause, that the claim for disability or
21    death which was the basis for such application should
22    properly have been made under the Workers' Occupational
23    Diseases Act, then the provisions of Section 19, paragraph
24    (a-1) of the Workers' Occupational Diseases Act having
25    reference to such application shall apply.

 

 

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1        2. Whenever any claimant misconceives his remedy and
2    files an application for adjustment of claim under the
3    Workers' Occupational Diseases 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' Occupational Diseases Act may be amended in form,
9    substance or both to assert claim for such disability or
10    death under this Act and it shall be deemed to have been so
11    filed as amended on the date of the original filing
12    thereof, and such compensation may be awarded as is
13    warranted by the whole evidence pursuant to 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. Nothing in this Section contained shall
17    be construed to be or permit a waiver of any provisions of
18    this Act with reference to notice but notice if given shall
19    be deemed to be a notice under the provisions of this Act
20    if given within the time required herein.
21    (b) The Arbitrator shall make such inquiries and
22investigations as he or they shall deem necessary and may
23examine and inspect all books, papers, records, places, or
24premises relating to the questions in dispute and hear such
25proper evidence as the parties may submit.
26    The hearings before the Arbitrator shall be held in the

 

 

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

 

 

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

 

 

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

 

 

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1of Claim shall be attached to the notice. The Commission shall
2adopt rules and procedures under which the final decision of
3the Commission under this paragraph is filed not later than 180
4days from the date that the Petition for Review is filed with
5the Commission.
6    Where 2 or more insurance carriers, private self-insureds,
7or a group workers' compensation pool under Article V 3/4 of
8the Illinois Insurance Code dispute coverage for the same
9injury, any such insurance carrier, private self-insured, or
10group workers' compensation pool may request an expedited
11hearing pursuant to this paragraph to determine the issue of
12coverage, provided coverage is the only issue in dispute and
13all other issues are stipulated and agreed to and further
14provided that all compensation benefits including medical
15benefits pursuant to Section 8(a) continue to be paid to or on
16behalf of petitioner. Any insurance carrier, private
17self-insured, or group workers' compensation pool that is
18determined to be liable for coverage for the injury in issue
19shall reimburse any insurance carrier, private self-insured,
20or group workers' compensation pool that has paid benefits to
21or on behalf of petitioner for the injury.
22    (b-1) If the employee is not receiving medical, surgical or
23hospital services as provided in paragraph (a) of Section 8 or
24compensation as provided in paragraph (b) of Section 8, the
25employee, in accordance with Commission Rules, may file a
26petition for an emergency hearing by an Arbitrator on the issue

 

 

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1of whether or not he is entitled to receive payment of such
2compensation or services as provided therein. Such petition
3shall have priority over all other petitions and shall be heard
4by the Arbitrator and Commission with all convenient speed.
5    Such petition shall contain the following information and
6shall be served on the employer at least 15 days before it is
7filed:
8        (i) the date and approximate time of accident;
9        (ii) the approximate location of the accident;
10        (iii) a description of the accident;
11        (iv) the nature of the injury incurred by the employee;
12        (v) the identity of the person, if known, to whom the
13    accident was reported and the date on which it was
14    reported;
15        (vi) the name and title of the person, if known,
16    representing the employer with whom the employee conferred
17    in any effort to obtain compensation pursuant to paragraph
18    (b) of Section 8 of this Act or medical, surgical or
19    hospital services pursuant to paragraph (a) of Section 8 of
20    this Act and the date of such conference;
21        (vii) a statement that the employer has refused to pay
22    compensation pursuant to paragraph (b) of Section 8 of this
23    Act or for medical, surgical or hospital services pursuant
24    to paragraph (a) of Section 8 of this Act;
25        (viii) the name and address, if known, of each witness
26    to the accident and of each other person upon whom the

 

 

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1    employee will rely to support his allegations;
2        (ix) the dates of treatment related to the accident by
3    medical practitioners, and the names and addresses of such
4    practitioners, including the dates of treatment related to
5    the accident at any hospitals and the names and addresses
6    of such hospitals, and a signed authorization permitting
7    the employer to examine all medical records of all
8    practitioners and hospitals named pursuant to this
9    paragraph;
10        (x) a copy of a signed report by a medical
11    practitioner, relating to the employee's current inability
12    to return to work because of the injuries incurred as a
13    result of the accident or such other documents or
14    affidavits which show that the employee is entitled to
15    receive compensation pursuant to paragraph (b) of Section 8
16    of this Act or medical, surgical or hospital services
17    pursuant to paragraph (a) of Section 8 of this Act. Such
18    reports, documents or affidavits shall state, if possible,
19    the history of the accident given by the employee, and
20    describe the injury and medical diagnosis, the medical
21    services for such injury which the employee has received
22    and is receiving, the physical activities which the
23    employee cannot currently perform as a result of any
24    impairment or disability due to such injury, and the
25    prognosis for recovery;
26        (xi) complete copies of any reports, records,

 

 

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1    documents and affidavits in the possession of the employee
2    on which the employee will rely to support his allegations,
3    provided that the employer shall pay the reasonable cost of
4    reproduction thereof;
5        (xii) a list of any reports, records, documents and
6    affidavits which the employee has demanded by subpoena and
7    on which he intends to rely to support his allegations;
8        (xiii) a certification signed by the employee or his
9    representative that the employer has received the petition
10    with the required information 15 days before filing.
11    Fifteen days after receipt by the employer of the petition
12with the required information the employee may file said
13petition and required information and shall serve notice of the
14filing upon the employer. The employer may file a motion
15addressed to the sufficiency of the petition. If an objection
16has been filed to the sufficiency of the petition, the
17arbitrator shall rule on the objection within 2 working days.
18If such an objection is filed, the time for filing the final
19decision of the Commission as provided in this paragraph shall
20be tolled until the arbitrator has determined that the petition
21is sufficient.
22    The employer shall, within 15 days after receipt of the
23notice that such petition is filed, file with the Commission
24and serve on the employee or his representative a written
25response to each claim set forth in the petition, including the
26legal and factual basis for each disputed allegation and the

 

 

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1following information: (i) complete copies of any reports,
2records, documents and affidavits in the possession of the
3employer on which the employer intends to rely in support of
4his response, (ii) a list of any reports, records, documents
5and affidavits which the employer has demanded by subpoena and
6on which the employer intends to rely in support of his
7response, (iii) the name and address of each witness on whom
8the employer will rely to support his response, and (iv) the
9names and addresses of any medical practitioners selected by
10the employer pursuant to Section 12 of this Act and the time
11and place of any examination scheduled to be made pursuant to
12such Section.
13    Any employer who does not timely file and serve a written
14response without good cause may not introduce any evidence to
15dispute any claim of the employee but may cross examine the
16employee or any witness brought by the employee and otherwise
17be heard.
18    No document or other evidence not previously identified by
19either party with the petition or written response, or by any
20other means before the hearing, may be introduced into evidence
21without good cause. If, at the hearing, material information is
22discovered which was not previously disclosed, the Arbitrator
23may extend the time for closing proof on the motion of a party
24for a reasonable period of time which may be more than 30 days.
25No evidence may be introduced pursuant to this paragraph as to
26permanent disability. No award may be entered for permanent

 

 

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1disability pursuant to this paragraph. Either party may
2introduce into evidence the testimony taken by deposition of
3any medical practitioner.
4    The Commission shall adopt rules, regulations and
5procedures whereby the final decision of the Commission is
6filed not later than 90 days from the date the petition for
7review is filed but in no event later than 180 days from the
8date the petition for an emergency hearing is filed with the
9Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission.
10    All service required pursuant to this paragraph (b-1) must
11be by personal service or by certified mail and with evidence
12of receipt. In addition for the purposes of this paragraph, all
13service on the employer must be at the premises where the
14accident occurred if the premises are owned or operated by the
15employer. Otherwise service must be at the employee's principal
16place of employment by the employer. If service on the employer
17is not possible at either of the above, then service shall be
18at the employer's principal place of business. After initial
19service in each case, service shall be made on the employer's
20attorney or designated representative.
21    (c)(1) At a reasonable time in advance of and in connection
22with the hearing under Section 19(e) or 19(h), the Commission
23may on its own motion order an impartial physical or mental
24examination of a petitioner whose mental or physical condition
25is in issue, when in the Commission's discretion it appears
26that such an examination will materially aid in the just

 

 

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1determination of the case. The examination shall be made by a
2member or members of a panel of physicians chosen for their
3special qualifications by the Illinois State Medical Society.
4The Commission shall establish procedures by which a physician
5shall be selected from such list.
6    (2) Should the Commission at any time during the hearing
7find that compelling considerations make it advisable to have
8an examination and report at that time, the commission may in
9its discretion so order.
10    (3) A copy of the report of examination shall be given to
11the Commission and to the attorneys for the parties.
12    (3.5) The examination may be recorded with the consent of
13the employee and the examining physicians, and any such
14recording shall be given to the Commission and to the attorneys
15for the parties.
16    (4) Either party or the Commission may call the examining
17physician or physicians to testify. Any physician so called
18shall be subject to cross-examination.
19    (5) The examination shall be made, and the physician or
20physicians, if called, shall testify, without cost to the
21parties. The Commission shall determine the compensation and
22the pay of the physician or physicians. The compensation for
23this service shall not exceed the usual and customary amount
24for such service.
25    (6) The fees and payment thereof of all attorneys and
26physicians for services authorized by the Commission under this

 

 

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1Act shall, upon request of either the employer or the employee
2or the beneficiary affected, be subject to the review and
3decision of the Commission.
4    (d) If any employee shall persist in insanitary or
5injurious practices which tend to either imperil or retard his
6recovery or shall refuse to submit to such medical, surgical,
7or hospital treatment as is reasonably essential to promote his
8recovery, the Commission may, in its discretion, reduce or
9suspend the compensation of any such injured employee. However,
10when an employer and employee so agree in writing, the
11foregoing provision shall not be construed to authorize the
12reduction or suspension of compensation of an employee who is
13relying in good faith, on treatment by prayer or spiritual
14means alone, in accordance with the tenets and practice of a
15recognized church or religious denomination, by a duly
16accredited practitioner thereof.
17    (e) This paragraph shall apply to all hearings before the
18Commission. Such hearings may be held in its office or
19elsewhere as the Commission may deem advisable. The taking of
20testimony on such hearings may be had before any member of the
21Commission. If a petition for review and agreed statement of
22facts or transcript of evidence is filed, as provided herein,
23the Commission shall promptly review the decision of the
24Arbitrator and all questions of law or fact which appear from
25the statement of facts or transcript of evidence.
26    In all cases in which the hearing before the arbitrator is

 

 

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1held after December 18, 1989, no additional evidence shall be
2introduced by the parties before the Commission on review of
3the decision of the Arbitrator. In reviewing decisions of an
4arbitrator the Commission shall award such temporary
5compensation, permanent compensation and other payments as are
6due under this Act. The Commission shall file in its office its
7decision thereon, and shall immediately send to each party or
8his attorney a copy of such decision and a notification of the
9time when it was filed. Decisions shall be filed within 60 days
10after the Statement of Exceptions and Supporting Brief and
11Response thereto are required to be filed or oral argument
12whichever is later.
13    In the event either party requests oral argument, such
14argument shall be had before a panel of 3 members of the
15Commission (or before all available members pursuant to the
16determination of 7 members of the Commission that such argument
17be held before all available members of the Commission)
18pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Commission. A
19panel of 3 members, which shall be comprised of not more than
20one representative citizen of the employing class and not more
21than one representative citizen of the employee class, shall
22hear the argument; provided that if all the issues in dispute
23are solely the nature and extent of the permanent partial
24disability, if any, a majority of the panel may deny the
25request for such argument and such argument shall not be held;
26and provided further that 7 members of the Commission may

 

 

SB1424- 24 -LRB101 08101 JLS 53164 b

1determine that the argument be held before all available
2members of the Commission. A decision of the Commission shall
3be approved by a majority of Commissioners present at such
4hearing if any; provided, if no such hearing is held, a
5decision of the Commission shall be approved by a majority of a
6panel of 3 members of the Commission as described in this
7Section. The Commission shall give 10 days' notice to the
8parties or their attorneys of the time and place of such taking
9of testimony and of such argument.
10    In any case the Commission in its decision may find
11specially upon any question or questions of law or fact which
12shall be submitted in writing by either party whether ultimate
13or otherwise; provided that on issues other than nature and
14extent of the disability, if any, the Commission in its
15decision shall find specially upon any question or questions of
16law or fact, whether ultimate or otherwise, which are submitted
17in writing by either party; provided further that not more than
185 such questions may be submitted by either party. Any party
19may, within 20 days after receipt of notice of the Commission's
20decision, or within such further time, not exceeding 30 days,
21as the Commission may grant, file with the Commission either an
22agreed statement of the facts appearing upon the hearing, or,
23if such party shall so elect, a correct transcript of evidence
24of the additional proceedings presented before the Commission,
25in which report the party may embody a correct statement of
26such other proceedings in the case as such party may desire to

 

 

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1have reviewed, such statement of facts or transcript of
2evidence to be authenticated by the signature of the parties or
3their attorneys, and in the event that they do not agree, then
4the authentication of such transcript of evidence shall be by
5the signature of any member of the Commission.
6    If a reporter does not for any reason furnish a transcript
7of the proceedings before the Arbitrator in any case for use on
8a hearing for review before the Commission, within the
9limitations of time as fixed in this Section, the Commission
10may, in its discretion, order a trial de novo before the
11Commission in such case upon application of either party. The
12applications for adjustment of claim and other documents in the
13nature of pleadings filed by either party, together with the
14decisions of the Arbitrator and of the Commission and the
15statement of facts or transcript of evidence hereinbefore
16provided for in paragraphs (b) and (c) shall be the record of
17the proceedings of the Commission, and shall be subject to
18review as hereinafter provided.
19    At the request of either party or on its own motion, the
20Commission shall set forth in writing the reasons for the
21decision, including findings of fact and conclusions of law
22separately stated. The Commission shall by rule adopt a format
23for written decisions for the Commission and arbitrators. The
24written decisions shall be concise and shall succinctly state
25the facts and reasons for the decision. The Commission may
26adopt in whole or in part, the decision of the arbitrator as

 

 

SB1424- 26 -LRB101 08101 JLS 53164 b

1the decision of the Commission. When the Commission does so
2adopt the decision of the arbitrator, it shall do so by order.
3Whenever the Commission adopts part of the arbitrator's
4decision, but not all, it shall include in the order the
5reasons for not adopting all of the arbitrator's decision. When
6a majority of a panel, after deliberation, has arrived at its
7decision, the decision shall be filed as provided in this
8Section without unnecessary delay, and without regard to the
9fact that a member of the panel has expressed an intention to
10dissent. Any member of the panel may file a dissent. Any
11dissent shall be filed no later than 10 days after the decision
12of the majority has been filed.
13    Decisions rendered by the Commission and dissents, if any,
14shall be published together by the Commission. The conclusions
15of law set out in such decisions shall be regarded as
16precedents by arbitrators for the purpose of achieving a more
17uniform administration of this Act.
18    (f) The decision of the Commission acting within its
19powers, according to the provisions of paragraph (e) of this
20Section shall, in the absence of fraud, be conclusive unless
21reviewed as in this paragraph hereinafter provided. However,
22the Arbitrator or the Commission may on his or its own motion,
23or on the motion of either party, correct any clerical error or
24errors in computation within 15 days after the date of receipt
25of any award by such Arbitrator or any decision on review of
26the Commission and shall have the power to recall the original

 

 

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1award on arbitration or decision on review, and issue in lieu
2thereof such corrected award or decision. Where such correction
3is made the time for review herein specified shall begin to run
4from the date of the receipt of the corrected award or
5decision.
6        (1) Except in cases of claims against the State of
7    Illinois other than those claims under Section 18.1, in
8    which case the decision of the Commission shall not be
9    subject to judicial review, the Circuit Court of the county
10    where any of the parties defendant may be found, or if none
11    of the parties defendant can be found in this State then
12    the Circuit Court of the county where the accident
13    occurred, shall by summons to the Commission have power to
14    review all questions of law and fact presented by such
15    record.
16        A proceeding for review shall be commenced within 20
17    days of the receipt of notice of the decision of the
18    Commission. The summons shall be issued by the clerk of
19    such court upon written request returnable on a designated
20    return day, not less than 10 or more than 60 days from the
21    date of issuance thereof, and the written request shall
22    contain the last known address of other parties in interest
23    and their attorneys of record who are to be served by
24    summons. Service upon any member of the Commission or the
25    Secretary or the Assistant Secretary thereof shall be
26    service upon the Commission, and service upon other parties

 

 

SB1424- 28 -LRB101 08101 JLS 53164 b

1    in interest and their attorneys of record shall be by
2    summons, and such service shall be made upon the Commission
3    and other parties in interest by mailing notices of the
4    commencement of the proceedings and the return day of the
5    summons to the office of the Commission and to the last
6    known place of residence of other parties in interest or
7    their attorney or attorneys of record. The clerk of the
8    court issuing the summons shall on the day of issue mail
9    notice of the commencement of the proceedings which shall
10    be done by mailing a copy of the summons to the office of
11    the Commission, and a copy of the summons to the other
12    parties in interest or their attorney or attorneys of
13    record and the clerk of the court shall make certificate
14    that he has so sent said notices in pursuance of this
15    Section, which shall be evidence of service on the
16    Commission and other parties in interest.
17        The Commission shall not be required to certify the
18    record of their proceedings to the Circuit Court, unless
19    the party commencing the proceedings for review in the
20    Circuit Court as above provided, shall file with the
21    Commission notice of intent to file for review in Circuit
22    Court. It shall be the duty of the Commission upon such
23    filing of notice of intent to file for review in the
24    Circuit Court to prepare a true and correct copy of such
25    testimony and a true and correct copy of all other matters
26    contained in such record and certified to by the Secretary

 

 

SB1424- 29 -LRB101 08101 JLS 53164 b

1    or Assistant Secretary thereof. The changes made to this
2    subdivision (f)(1) by this amendatory Act of the 98th
3    General Assembly apply to any Commission decision entered
4    after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 98th
5    General Assembly.
6        No request for a summons may be filed and no summons
7    shall issue unless the party seeking to review the decision
8    of the Commission shall exhibit to the clerk of the Circuit
9    Court proof of filing with the Commission of the notice of
10    the intent to file for review in the Circuit Court or an
11    affidavit of the attorney setting forth that notice of
12    intent to file for review in the Circuit Court has been
13    given in writing to the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of
14    the Commission.
15        (2) No such summons shall issue unless the one against
16    whom the Commission shall have rendered an award for the
17    payment of money shall upon the filing of his written
18    request for such summons file with the clerk of the court a
19    bond conditioned that if he shall not successfully
20    prosecute the review, he will pay the award and the costs
21    of the proceedings in the courts. The amount of the bond
22    shall be fixed by any member of the Commission and the
23    surety or sureties of the bond shall be approved by the
24    clerk of the court. The acceptance of the bond by the clerk
25    of the court shall constitute evidence of his approval of
26    the bond.

 

 

SB1424- 30 -LRB101 08101 JLS 53164 b

1        Every county, city, town, township, incorporated
2    village, school district, body politic or municipal
3    corporation against whom the Commission shall have
4    rendered an award for the payment of money shall not be
5    required to file a bond to secure the payment of the award
6    and the costs of the proceedings in the court to authorize
7    the court to issue such summons.
8        The court may confirm or set aside the decision of the
9    Commission. If the decision is set aside and the facts
10    found in the proceedings before the Commission are
11    sufficient, the court may enter such decision as is
12    justified by law, or may remand the cause to the Commission
13    for further proceedings and may state the questions
14    requiring further hearing, and give such other
15    instructions as may be proper. Appeals shall be taken to
16    the Appellate Court in accordance with Supreme Court Rules
17    22(g) and 303. Appeals shall be taken from the Appellate
18    Court to the Supreme Court in accordance with Supreme Court
19    Rule 315.
20        It shall be the duty of the clerk of any court
21    rendering a decision affecting or affirming an award of the
22    Commission to promptly furnish the Commission with a copy
23    of such decision, without charge.
24        The decision of a majority of the members of the panel
25    of the Commission, shall be considered the decision of the
26    Commission.

 

 

SB1424- 31 -LRB101 08101 JLS 53164 b

1    (g) Except in the case of a claim against the State of
2Illinois, either party may present a certified copy of the
3award of the Arbitrator, or a certified copy of the decision of
4the Commission when the same has become final, when no
5proceedings for review are pending, providing for the payment
6of compensation according to this Act, to the Circuit Court of
7the county in which such accident occurred or either of the
8parties are residents, whereupon the court shall enter a
9judgment in accordance therewith. In a case where the employer
10refuses to pay compensation according to such final award or
11such final decision upon which such judgment is entered the
12court shall in entering judgment thereon, tax as costs against
13him the reasonable costs and attorney fees in the arbitration
14proceedings and in the court entering the judgment for the
15person in whose favor the judgment is entered, which judgment
16and costs taxed as therein provided shall, until and unless set
17aside, have the same effect as though duly entered in an action
18duly tried and determined by the court, and shall with like
19effect, be entered and docketed. The Circuit Court shall have
20power at any time upon application to make any such judgment
21conform to any modification required by any subsequent decision
22of the Supreme Court upon appeal, or as the result of any
23subsequent proceedings for review, as provided in this Act.
24    Judgment shall not be entered until 15 days' notice of the
25time and place of the application for the entry of judgment
26shall be served upon the employer by filing such notice with

 

 

SB1424- 32 -LRB101 08101 JLS 53164 b

1the Commission, which Commission shall, in case it has on file
2the address of the employer or the name and address of its
3agent upon whom notices may be served, immediately send a copy
4of the notice to the employer or such designated agent.
5    (h) An agreement or award under this Act providing for
6compensation in installments, may at any time within 18 months
7after such agreement or award be reviewed by the Commission at
8the request of either the employer or the employee, on the
9ground that the disability of the employee has subsequently
10recurred, increased, diminished or ended.
11    However, as to accidents occurring subsequent to July 1,
121955, which are covered by any agreement or award under this
13Act providing for compensation in installments made as a result
14of such accident, such agreement or award may at any time
15within 30 months, or 60 months in the case of an award under
16Section 8(d)1, after such agreement or award be reviewed by the
17Commission at the request of either the employer or the
18employee on the ground that the disability of the employee has
19subsequently recurred, increased, diminished or ended.
20    On such review, compensation payments may be
21re-established, increased, diminished or ended. The Commission
22shall give 15 days' notice to the parties of the hearing for
23review. Any employee, upon any petition for such review being
24filed by the employer, shall be entitled to one day's notice
25for each 100 miles necessary to be traveled by him in attending
26the hearing of the Commission upon the petition, and 3 days in

 

 

SB1424- 33 -LRB101 08101 JLS 53164 b

1addition thereto. Such employee shall, at the discretion of the
2Commission, also be entitled to 5 cents per mile necessarily
3traveled by him within the State of Illinois in attending such
4hearing, not to exceed a distance of 300 miles, to be taxed by
5the Commission as costs and deposited with the petition of the
6employer.
7    When compensation which is payable in accordance with an
8award or settlement contract approved by the Commission, is
9ordered paid in a lump sum by the Commission, no review shall
10be had as in this paragraph mentioned.
11    (i) Each party, upon taking any proceedings or steps
12whatsoever before any Arbitrator, Commission or court, shall
13file with the Commission his address, or the name and address
14of any agent upon whom all notices to be given to such party
15shall be served, either personally or by registered mail,
16addressed to such party or agent at the last address so filed
17with the Commission. In the event such party has not filed his
18address, or the name and address of an agent as above provided,
19service of any notice may be had by filing such notice with the
20Commission.
21    (j) Whenever in any proceeding testimony has been taken or
22a final decision has been rendered and after the taking of such
23testimony or after such decision has become final, the injured
24employee dies, then in any subsequent proceedings brought by
25the personal representative or beneficiaries of the deceased
26employee, such testimony in the former proceeding may be

 

 

SB1424- 34 -LRB101 08101 JLS 53164 b

1introduced with the same force and effect as though the witness
2having so testified were present in person in such subsequent
3proceedings and such final decision, if any, shall be taken as
4final adjudication of any of the issues which are the same in
5both proceedings.
6    (k) In case where there has been any unreasonable or
7vexatious delay of payment or intentional underpayment of
8compensation, or proceedings have been instituted or carried on
9by the one liable to pay the compensation, which do not present
10a real controversy, but are merely frivolous or for delay, then
11the Commission may award compensation additional to that
12otherwise payable under this Act equal to 50% of the amount
13payable at the time of such award. Failure to pay compensation
14in accordance with the provisions of Section 8, paragraph (b)
15of this Act, shall be considered unreasonable delay.
16    When determining whether this subsection (k) shall apply,
17the Commission shall consider whether an Arbitrator has
18determined that the claim is not compensable or whether the
19employer has made payments under Section 8(j).
20    (l) If the employee has made written demand for payment of
21benefits under Section 8(a) or Section 8(b), the employer shall
22have 14 days after receipt of the demand to set forth in
23writing the reason for the delay. In the case of demand for
24payment of medical benefits under Section 8(a), the time for
25the employer to respond shall not commence until the expiration
26of the allotted 30 days specified under Section 8.2(d). In case

 

 

SB1424- 35 -LRB101 08101 JLS 53164 b

1the employer or his or her insurance carrier shall without good
2and just cause fail, neglect, refuse, or unreasonably delay the
3payment of benefits under Section 8(a) or Section 8(b), the
4Arbitrator or the Commission shall allow to the employee
5additional compensation in the sum of $30 per day for each day
6that the benefits under Section 8(a) or Section 8(b) have been
7so withheld or refused, not to exceed $10,000. A delay in
8payment of 14 days or more shall create a rebuttable
9presumption of unreasonable delay.
10    (m) If the commission finds that an accidental injury was
11directly and proximately caused by the employer's wilful
12violation of a health and safety standard under the Health and
13Safety Act or the Occupational Safety and Health Act in force
14at the time of the accident, the arbitrator or the Commission
15shall allow to the injured employee or his dependents, as the
16case may be, additional compensation equal to 25% of the amount
17which otherwise would be payable under the provisions of this
18Act exclusive of this paragraph. The additional compensation
19herein provided shall be allowed by an appropriate increase in
20the applicable weekly compensation rate.
21    (n) After June 30, 1984, decisions of the Illinois Workers'
22Compensation Commission reviewing an award of an arbitrator of
23the Commission shall draw interest at a rate equal to the yield
24on indebtedness issued by the United States Government with a
2526-week maturity next previously auctioned on the day on which
26the decision is filed. Said rate of interest shall be set forth

 

 

SB1424- 36 -LRB101 08101 JLS 53164 b

1in the Arbitrator's Decision. Interest shall be drawn from the
2date of the arbitrator's award on all accrued compensation due
3the employee through the day prior to the date of payments.
4However, when an employee appeals an award of an Arbitrator or
5the Commission, and the appeal results in no change or a
6decrease in the award, interest shall not further accrue from
7the date of such appeal.
8    The employer or his insurance carrier may tender the
9payments due under the award to stop the further accrual of
10interest on such award notwithstanding the prosecution by
11either party of review, certiorari, appeal to the Supreme Court
12or other steps to reverse, vacate or modify the award.
13    (o) By the 15th day of each month each insurer providing
14coverage for losses under this Act shall notify each insured
15employer of any compensable claim incurred during the preceding
16month and the amounts paid or reserved on the claim including a
17summary of the claim and a brief statement of the reasons for
18compensability. A cumulative report of all claims incurred
19during a calendar year or continued from the previous year
20shall be furnished to the insured employer by the insurer
21within 30 days after the end of that calendar year.
22    The insured employer may challenge, in proceeding before
23the Commission, payments made by the insurer without
24arbitration and payments made after a case is determined to be
25noncompensable. If the Commission finds that the case was not
26compensable, the insurer shall purge its records as to that

 

 

SB1424- 37 -LRB101 08101 JLS 53164 b

1employer of any loss or expense associated with the claim,
2reimburse the employer for attorneys' fees arising from the
3challenge and for any payment required of the employer to the
4Rate Adjustment Fund or the Second Injury Fund, and may not
5reflect the loss or expense for rate making purposes. The
6employee shall not be required to refund the challenged
7payment. The decision of the Commission may be reviewed in the
8same manner as in arbitrated cases. No challenge may be
9initiated under this paragraph more than 3 years after the
10payment is made. An employer may waive the right of challenge
11under this paragraph on a case by case basis.
12    (p) After filing an application for adjustment of claim but
13prior to the hearing on arbitration the parties may voluntarily
14agree to submit such application for adjustment of claim for
15decision by an arbitrator under this subsection (p) where such
16application for adjustment of claim raises only a dispute over
17temporary total disability, permanent partial disability or
18medical expenses. Such agreement shall be in writing in such
19form as provided by the Commission. Applications for adjustment
20of claim submitted for decision by an arbitrator under this
21subsection (p) shall proceed according to rule as established
22by the Commission. The Commission shall promulgate rules
23including, but not limited to, rules to ensure that the parties
24are adequately informed of their rights under this subsection
25(p) and of the voluntary nature of proceedings under this
26subsection (p). The findings of fact made by an arbitrator

 

 

SB1424- 38 -LRB101 08101 JLS 53164 b

1acting within his or her powers under this subsection (p) in
2the absence of fraud shall be conclusive. However, the
3arbitrator may on his own motion, or the motion of either
4party, correct any clerical errors or errors in computation
5within 15 days after the date of receipt of such award of the
6arbitrator and shall have the power to recall the original
7award on arbitration, and issue in lieu thereof such corrected
8award. The decision of the arbitrator under this subsection (p)
9shall be considered the decision of the Commission and
10proceedings for review of questions of law arising from the
11decision may be commenced by either party pursuant to
12subsection (f) of Section 19. The Advisory Board established
13under Section 13.1 shall compile a list of certified Commission
14arbitrators, each of whom shall be approved by at least 7
15members of the Advisory Board. The chairman shall select 5
16persons from such list to serve as arbitrators under this
17subsection (p). By agreement, the parties shall select one
18arbitrator from among the 5 persons selected by the chairman
19except that if the parties do not agree on an arbitrator from
20among the 5 persons, the parties may, by agreement, select an
21arbitrator of the American Arbitration Association, whose fee
22shall be paid by the State in accordance with rules promulgated
23by the Commission. Arbitration under this subsection (p) shall
24be voluntary.
25(Source: P.A. 97-18, eff. 6-28-11; 98-40, eff. 6-28-13; 98-874,
26eff. 1-1-15.)