Sen. Thomas Cullerton

Filed: 4/2/2014

 

 


 

 


 
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1
AMENDMENT TO SENATE BILL 1103

2    AMENDMENT NO. ______. Amend Senate Bill 1103 by replacing
3everything after the enacting clause with the following:
 
4    "Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the
5Occupational Safety and Health Act.
 
6    Section 2. References to prior Acts. On and after the
7effective date of this Act, a reference to the Safety
8Inspection and Education Act or the Health and Safety Act in
9any other Act or in any rule contained in the Illinois
10Administrative Code shall be deemed to be a reference to this
11Act.
 
12    Section 5. Definitions. In this Act:
13    "Department" means the Department of Labor.
14    "Director" means the Director of Labor.
15    "Division" means the Division of Occupational Safety and

 

 

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1Health within the Department of Labor.
2    "Employee" means a person in the service of any of the
3following entities, regardless of whether the service is by
4virtue of election, by appointment or contract, or by hire, and
5regardless of whether the relationship is express or implied or
6established orally or in writing:
7        (1) The State. For purposes of this paragraph (1), the
8    term includes a member of the General Assembly, a member of
9    the Illinois Commerce Commission, a member of the Illinois
10    Workers' Compensation Commission, and any person in the
11    service of a public university or college in Illinois.
12        (2) An Illinois county. For purposes of this paragraph
13    (2), the term includes a deputy sheriff and an assistant
14    State's Attorney.
15        (3) An Illinois township.
16        (4) An Illinois city, village, incorporated town,
17    school district, or other municipal corporation or body
18    politic.
19    "Public employer" or "employer" means the State of Illinois
20or any political subdivision of the State.
 
21    Section 10. Administration of Act; Division of
22Occupational Safety and Health.
23    (a) The Department shall administer this Act. For the
24purpose of assisting in the administration of this Act, the
25Director may authorize his or her representatives in the

 

 

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1Department to perform any necessary inspections or
2investigations under this Act.
3    (b) The Department shall maintain a division within the
4Department to be known as the Division of Occupational Safety
5and Health.
 
6    Section 15. Application of Act. This Act applies to every
7public employer in this State and its employees. Nothing in
8this Act, however, applies to working conditions of employees
9with respect to which federal agencies, and State agencies
10acting under Section 274 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (42
11U.S.C. 2021), exercise statutory authority to prescribe or
12enforce standards or regulations affecting occupational safety
13and health. Any State regulations more strict than applicable
14federal standards shall, before being promulgated, be the
15subject of hearings as required by this Act.
 
16    Section 20. Duties of employers and employees.
17    (a) Every public employer must provide reasonable
18protection to the lives, health, and safety of its employees
19and must furnish to each of its employees employment and a
20workplace which are free from recognized hazards that cause or
21are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to its
22employees.
23    (b) Every public employer must comply with the occupational
24safety and health standards promulgated under this Act.

 

 

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1    (c) Every public employer must keep its employees informed
2of their protections and obligations under this Act, including
3the provisions of applicable standards or rules adopted under
4this Act.
5    (d) Every public employer must furnish its employees with
6information regarding hazards in the workplace, including
7information about suitable precautions, relevant symptoms, and
8emergency treatment.
9    (e) Every employee must comply with the rules that are
10promulgated from time to time by the Director under this Act
11and that are applicable to the employee's actions and conduct.
 
12    Section 25. Occupational safety and health standards.
13    (a) All federal occupational safety and health standards
14which the United States Secretary of Labor has promulgated or
15modified in accordance with the federal Occupational Safety and
16Health Act of 1970 and which are in effect on the effective
17date of this Act shall be and are hereby made rules of the
18Department unless the Director promulgates an alternate
19standard that is at least as effective in providing safe and
20healthful employment and places of employment as a federal
21standard. Before developing and adopting an alternate standard
22or modifying or revoking an existing standard, the Director
23must consider factual information that includes:
24        (1) Expert technical knowledge.
25        (2) Input from interested persons, including

 

 

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1    employers, employees, recognized standards-producing
2    organizations, and the public.
3    (b) All federal occupational safety and health standards
4which the United States Secretary of Labor promulgates or
5modifies in accordance with the federal Occupational Safety and
6Health Act of 1970 on or after the effective date of this Act,
7unless revoked by the Secretary of Labor, shall become rules of
8the Department within 6 months after their federal promulgation
9date, unless there has been in effect in this State at the time
10of the promulgation or modification of the federal standard an
11alternate State standard that is at least as effective in
12providing safe and healthful employment and places of
13employment as a federal standard. The alternate State standard
14shall not become effective, however, unless the Department,
15within 45 days after the federal promulgation date, files with
16the office of the Secretary of State in Springfield, Illinois,
17a certified copy of the rule as provided in the Illinois
18Administrative Procedure Act.
 
19    Section 30. Standards; required features.
20    (a) A standard promulgated under this Act shall prescribe
21the use of labels or other appropriate forms of warning as are
22necessary to ensure that employees are apprised of all hazards
23to which they are exposed, relevant symptoms and appropriate
24emergency treatment, and proper conditions and precautions of
25safe use or exposure.

 

 

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1    (b) When appropriate, a standard shall also prescribe
2suitable protective equipment and control or technological
3procedures to be used in connection with such hazards and shall
4provide for monitoring or measuring employee exposure at
5locations and intervals and in a manner as necessary for the
6protection of employees.
7    (c) In addition, when appropriate, a standard shall
8prescribe the type and frequency of medical examinations or
9other tests which shall be made available, by the employer or
10at the employer's cost, to employees exposed to such hazards in
11order to most effectively determine whether the health of the
12employees is adversely affected by the exposure. The results of
13the examinations or tests shall be furnished by the employer
14only to the Department or, at the direction of the Department,
15to authorized medical personnel and, at the request of the
16employee, to the employee's physician.
17    (d) The Director, in promulgating standards dealing with
18toxic materials or harmful physical agents under this Section,
19shall set the standard which most adequately ensures, to the
20extent feasible, on the basis of the best available evidence,
21that no employee will suffer material impairment of health or
22functional capacity even if the employee has regular exposure
23to the hazard dealt with by the standard for the period of the
24employee's working life.
25    (e) Development of standards under this Section shall be
26based on research, demonstrations, experiments, and other

 

 

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1information as appropriate. In addition to the attainment of
2the highest degree of health and safety protection for the
3employee, other considerations shall be the latest available
4scientific data in the field, the feasibility of the standards,
5and experience gained under this and other health and safety
6laws. Whenever practicable, a standard shall be expressed in
7terms of objective criteria and of the performance desired.
 
8    Section 35. Emergency temporary standards.
9    (a) The Director may promulgate emergency temporary
10standards or rules, or both, to take effect immediately by
11filing the proposed standard with the Secretary of State,
12provided that the Director first expressly determines the
13following:
14        (1) Employees are exposed to grave danger from exposure
15    to substances or agents determined to be toxic or
16    physically harmful or from new hazards.
17        (2) The emergency temporary standard is necessary to
18    protect the employees from the danger described in
19    paragraph (1).
20    (b) The Director shall adopt emergency temporary standards
21promulgated by the federal Occupational Safety and Health
22Administration within 30 days of the federal notice of proposed
23emergency rulemaking. An emergency temporary standard shall be
24effective until superseded by a permanent standard but in no
25event for more than 6 months from the date of publication of

 

 

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1the emergency temporary standard. The publication of emergency
2temporary standards shall be deemed to be a petition to the
3Director for the promulgation of a permanent standard and shall
4be deemed to be filed with the Director on the date of
5publication. The proceeding for promulgation of the permanent
6standard shall be pursued in accordance with this Act.
 
7    Section 40. Variance from standards. The Director may grant
8a temporary or permanent variance from a State occupational
9safety and health standard upon application by a public
10employer to the Director. The Director may grant a variance
11from a standard or portion of a standard if the Director
12determines that the variance is necessary to permit an employer
13to participate in an experiment approved by the Director
14designed to demonstrate or validate new and improved techniques
15to safeguard the health or safety of workers. A variance from a
16State occupational safety and health standard may only have
17future effect.
 
18    Section 45. Temporary variance.
19    (a) A public employer may apply to the Director for a
20temporary variance from an occupational safety and health
21standard promulgated under this Act. The Director shall issue a
22temporary variance only if the employer first files with the
23Director an application which meets the requirements of this
24Section.

 

 

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1    (b) An application for a temporary variance under this
2Section shall contain all of the following:
3        (1) A specification of the standard or portion thereof
4    from which the employer seeks a variance.
5        (2) A representation by the employer, supported by
6    representations from qualified persons having first-hand
7    knowledge of the facts represented, that the employer is
8    unable to comply with the standard or portion thereof, and
9    a detailed statement of the reasons therefor.
10        (3) A statement of the steps the employer has taken and
11    will take to protect employees against a hazard covered by
12    the standard, including specific dates on which or by which
13    the employer has taken or will take those steps.
14        (4) A statement specifying the date by which the
15    employer expects to be able to comply with the standard.
16        (5) A certification that the employer has informed its
17    employees of the application by giving a copy of the
18    application to the employees' authorized representative,
19    by posting a statement at the place or places where notices
20    to employees are normally posted that summarizes the
21    application and specifies where a copy may be examined, and
22    by other appropriate means as determined by the employer.
23    The information provided to employees shall also inform
24    them of their right to petition the Director for a hearing
25    on the application.
26    (c) An application for a temporary variance under this

 

 

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1Section shall establish all of the following:
2        (1) The employer is unable to comply with a standard by
3    its effective date because professional or technical
4    personnel or materials and equipment needed to comply with
5    the standard are unavailable or because necessary
6    construction or alteration of facilities cannot be
7    completed by the effective date of the standard.
8        (2) The employer is taking all available steps to
9    safeguard its employees against the hazards covered by the
10    standard.
11        (3) The employer has an effective program for complying
12    with the standard as quickly as practicable.
13    (d) The Director may issue a temporary variance only after
14the Department provides notice to the employer's employees and
15an opportunity for a hearing. However, in a case involving only
16documentary evidence in support of the application for a
17temporary variance and in which no objection is made or hearing
18requested by the employees or their representative, the
19Director may issue a temporary variance in accordance with this
20Act without a hearing.
21    (e) If a hearing is requested on an application for a
22temporary variance, the application shall be heard and
23determined by the Director.
24    (f) A temporary variance issued under this Section shall
25prescribe the practices, means, methods, operations, and
26processes which the employer must adopt and use while the

 

 

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1temporary variance is in effect and shall state in detail the
2employer's program for achieving compliance with the standard.
 
3    Section 50. Permanent variance.
4    (a) A public employer affected by an occupational safety
5and health standard promulgated under this Act may apply to the
6Director for a permanent variance from that standard. The form
7and manner of the application shall be as provided in rules.
8    (b) Employees affected by a standard from which their
9employer has applied for a variance under this Section shall be
10given notice of the employer's application and an opportunity
11to participate in a hearing on the application.
12    (c) The Director shall issue a permanent variance if he or
13she determines on the record, after opportunity for an
14inspection where appropriate as determined by the Department
15and a hearing, that the employer has demonstrated by a
16preponderance of the evidence that the conditions, practices,
17means, methods, operations, or processes used or proposed to be
18used by the employer will provide employment and places of
19employment to its employees which are as safe and healthful as
20those which would prevail if the employer complied with the
21standard. The variance shall prescribe the conditions the
22employer must maintain, and the practices, means, methods,
23operations, and processes which the employer must adopt and
24utilize, to the extent they differ from the standard in
25question.

 

 

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1    (d) A variance issued under this Section may be modified or
2revoked upon application by the employer, by the employees, or
3by the Director on his or her own motion, in the manner
4prescribed for the issuance of a variance under this Section at
5any time after 6 months from the issuance of the variance.
 
6    Section 55. Rules generally.
7    (a) The Director, from time to time, shall promulgate rules
8that clearly describe the persons to whom those rules apply and
9that clearly describe the conduct that is required of those
10persons. Each such rule shall, by its terms, be uniform and
11general in its application wherever the subject matter of the
12rule exists in any workplace having employees in the service of
13a public employer. The rules may include rules that, when
14applicable to products which are distributed or used in
15interstate commerce, are required by compelling local
16conditions and do not unduly burden interstate commerce.
17    (b) Any standards or rules promulgated by the Director
18under the Safety Inspection and Education Act or the Health and
19Safety Act that are in full force on the effective date of this
20Act shall become the rules of the Department under this Act.
21This Act does not affect the legality of any such rules in the
22Illinois Administrative Code.
23    (c) Any proposed standards or rules filed with the
24Secretary of State by the Director under the Safety Inspection
25and Education Act or the Health and Safety Act that are pending

 

 

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1in the rulemaking process on the effective date of this Act
2shall be deemed to have been filed by the Director under this
3Act.
4    (d) As soon as practicable after the effective date of this
5Act, the Director shall revise and clarify the standards or
6rules described in subsections (b) and (c) as necessary to
7reflect the provisions of this Act.
 
8    Section 60. Employers' records.
9    (a) The Director shall adopt rules requiring public
10employers to maintain accurate records of, and to make reports
11on, work-related deaths, injuries, and illnesses, other than
12minor injuries requiring only first aid treatment which do not
13involve medical treatment, loss of consciousness, restriction
14of work or motion, or transfer to another job. The rules shall
15specifically include all of the reporting provisions of Section
166 of the Workers' Compensation Act and Section 6 of the
17Workers' Occupational Diseases Act. The records shall be
18available to any State agency requiring such information.
19    (b) The Director shall adopt rules requiring public
20employers to maintain accurate records of employee exposures to
21potentially toxic materials or harmful physical agents which
22are required to be monitored or measured under this Act. The
23rules shall provide employees or their authorized
24representative with an opportunity to observe the monitoring or
25measuring, and to have access to the records of the monitoring

 

 

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1or measuring. The rules shall provide appropriate means by
2which each employee or former employee may have access to such
3records as will indicate his or her exposure to toxic materials
4or harmful physical agents.
5    (c) A public employer shall promptly notify any employee
6who has been or is being exposed to toxic materials or harmful
7physical agents in concentrations or at levels which exceed
8those prescribed by an occupational safety and health standard
9and shall inform the employee who is being thus exposed of the
10action being taken by the employer to correct such exposure.
 
11    Section 65. Periodic inspection of workplaces.
12    (a) The Director shall enforce the occupational safety and
13health standards and rules promulgated under this Act and any
14occupational health and safety regulations relating to
15inspection of places of employment, and shall visit and
16inspect, as often as practicable, the places of employment
17covered by this Act.
18    (b) The Director or his or her authorized representative,
19upon presenting appropriate credentials to a public employer's
20agent in charge, has the right to enter and inspect all places
21of employment covered by this Act as follows:
22        (1) An inspector may enter without delay and at
23    reasonable times any establishment, construction site, or
24    other area, workplace, or environment where work is
25    performed by an employee of a public employer, in order to

 

 

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1    enforce the occupational safety and health standards
2    adopted under this Act.
3        (2) If a public employer refuses entry to an inspector
4    upon being presented with proper credentials or allows
5    entry but then refuses to permit or hinders the inspection
6    in any way, the inspector shall leave the premises and
7    immediately report the refusal to authorized management
8    within the Division. Authorized management shall notify
9    the Director to initiate the compulsory legal process to
10    obtain entry or obtain a warrant for entry, or both.
11        (3) An inspector may inspect and investigate during
12    regular working hours and at other reasonable times, and
13    within reasonable limits and in a reasonable manner, any
14    workplace described in paragraph (1) and all pertinent
15    conditions, structures, machines, apparatus, devices,
16    equipment, and materials therein, and to question
17    privately the employer or any agent or employee of the
18    employer.
19        (4) The owner, operator, manager, or lessee of any
20    workplace covered by this Act, and his or her agent or
21    employee, and any employer affected by this Act shall, when
22    requested by the Division of Occupational Safety and Health
23    or any duly authorized agent of that Division: (i) furnish
24    any information in his or her possession or under his or
25    her control which the Department is authorized to require,
26    (ii) answer truthfully all questions required to be put to

 

 

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1    him or her, and (iii) cooperate in the making of a proper
2    inspection.
 
3    Section 70. Inspection of workplace upon complaint.
4    (a) An employee or representative of employees who believes
5that a violation of an occupational safety and health standard
6exists in a workplace covered by this Act or that an imminent
7danger exists in such a place may request an inspection by
8submitting a written complaint to the Director or his or her
9authorized representative setting forth with reasonable
10particularity the grounds for the complaint. The complaint
11shall be signed by the employee or representative.
12    (b) If the Director or the Director's authorized
13representative determines there are no reasonable grounds to
14believe that a violation or imminent danger exists, he or she
15shall notify the employee or representative of employees of
16that determination in writing.
17    (c) If, upon receipt of the complaint, the Director or his
18or her authorized representative determines there are
19reasonable grounds to believe that a violation or imminent
20danger exists, he or she shall make a special inspection of the
21workplace in accordance with this Act as soon as practicable,
22to determine whether a violation or imminent danger exists.
23    (d) A copy of the complaint shall be provided to the public
24employer or its agent by the Director or his or her authorized
25representative at the time of the inspection, except that, upon

 

 

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1the request of the person making the complaint, that person's
2name and the names of individual employees referred to in the
3complaint shall not appear in the copy or on any record
4published, released, or made available by the Director or his
5or her authorized representative.
6    (e) Nonformal safety and health complaints shall be handled
7by an authorized representative of the Director. Based on the
8severity and legitimacy of the complaint as determined by the
9Division, the Director's authorized representative shall
10either schedule an inspection of the workplace or issue a
11letter to the employer stating the allegations set forth in the
12complaint.
 
13    Section 75. Opportunity to accompany inspection. Subject
14to rules adopted by the Director, a representative of the
15employer and a representative authorized by the employer's
16employees shall be given an opportunity to accompany the
17Director or his or her authorized representative during the
18physical inspection of any workplace under this Act for the
19purpose of aiding the inspection. If there is no authorized
20employee representative, the Director or his or her authorized
21representative shall consult with a reasonable number of
22employees concerning matters of occupational safety and health
23in the workplace.
 
24    Section 80. Violation of Act or standard; citation.

 

 

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1    (a) Upon inspection or investigation of a workplace, if the
2Director or his or her authorized representative believes that
3a public employer has violated a requirement of this Act or a
4standard, rule, or regulation promulgated under this Act, he or
5she shall with reasonable promptness issue a citation to the
6employer. A citation shall: (i) be in writing, (ii) describe
7with particularity the nature of the violation and include a
8reference to the provision of the Act, standard, rule, or
9regulation alleged to have been violated, and (iii) fix a
10reasonable time for the abatement of the violation.
11    (b) Each citation issued under this Section, or a copy or
12copies thereof, shall be prominently posted at or near the
13place at which the violation occurred as prescribed in rules
14adopted by the Director.
15    (c) A citation shall be served on the employer or the
16employer's agent by delivering a copy to the person upon whom
17the service is to be had, or by leaving a copy at his or her
18usual place of business or abode, or by sending a copy by
19certified mail to his or her place of business.
20    (d) A citation may not be issued under this Section after
21the expiration of 6 months following the occurrence of any
22violation.
 
23    Section 85. Civil penalties.
24    (a) After an inspection of a workplace under this Act, if
25the Director issues a citation, he or she shall within 5 days

 

 

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1after issuing the citation notify the employer by certified
2mail of any civil penalty proposed to be assessed for the
3violation set forth in the citation.
4    (b) If the Director has reason to believe that an employer
5has failed to correct a violation for which a citation has been
6issued within the period permitted for its correction, the
7Director shall notify the employer by certified mail of that
8failure and of the civil penalty proposed to be assessed for
9that failure.
10    (c) Civil penalties authorized under this Section are as
11follows:
12        (1) A public employer that repeatedly violates this
13    Act, the Safety Inspection and Education Act, or the Health
14    and Safety Act, or any combination of those Acts, or any
15    standard, rule, regulation, or order under any of those
16    Acts, may be assessed a civil penalty of not more than
17    $10,000 per violation.
18        (2) A public employer that intentionally violates this
19    Act, the Safety Inspection and Education Act, or the Health
20    and Safety Act, or any standard, rule, regulation, or order
21    under any of those Acts, or who demonstrates plain
22    indifference to any provision of any of those Acts or any
23    such standard, rule, regulation, or order, may be assessed
24    a civil penalty of not more than $10,000.
25        (3) A public employer that has received a citation for
26    a serious violation of this Act, the Safety Inspection and

 

 

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1    Education Act, or the Health and Safety Act, or any
2    standard, rule, regulation, or order under any of those
3    Acts, may be assessed a civil penalty up to $1,000 for each
4    such violation.
5        (4) A public employer that has received a citation for
6    a violation of this Act, the Safety Inspection and
7    Education Act, or the Health and Safety Act, or any
8    standard, rule, regulation, or order under any of those
9    Acts, which is not a serious violation, may be assessed a
10    civil penalty of up to $1,000 for each such violation.
11        (5) A public employer that violates a posting
12    requirement is subject to the following citations and
13    proposed penalty structure:
14            (A) Job Safety and Health Poster: an other than
15        serious citation and a proposed penalty of $1,000.
16            (B) Annual Summary of Work-Related Injuries and
17        Illnesses (OSHA Form 300A): an other than serious
18        citation and a proposed penalty of $1,000, even if
19        there are no recordable injuries or illnesses.
20            (C) Citation: an other than serious citation and a
21        proposed penalty of $1,000.
22        (6) A public employer that fails to correct a violation
23    for which a citation has been issued within the period
24    permitted may be assessed a civil penalty of up to $1,000
25    for each day the violation continues.
26    (d) For purposes of this Section, a "serious violation"

 

 

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1shall be deemed to exist in a workplace if there is a
2substantial probability that death or serious physical harm
3could result from (i) a condition which exists or (ii) one or
4more practices, means, methods, operations, or processes which
5have been adopted or are in use in the workplace, unless the
6employer did not know and could not, with the exercise of
7reasonable diligence, have known of the presence of the
8violation.
9    (e) The Director may assess civil penalties as provided in
10this Section, giving due consideration to the appropriateness
11of the penalty. A penalty may be reduced by the Director or the
12Director's authorized representative based on the public
13employer's good faith, size of business, and history of
14previous violations.
15    (f) The Attorney General may bring an action in the circuit
16court to enforce the collection of any civil penalty assessed
17under this Act.
18    (g) All civil penalties collected under this Act shall be
19deposited into the General Revenue Fund of the State of
20Illinois.
 
21    Section 90. Informal review.
22    (a) A public employer may submit in writing data relating
23to the abatement of a hazard to be considered by an authorized
24representative of the Director. The authorized representative
25shall notify the interested parties if such data will be used

 

 

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1to modify an abatement order.
2    (b) Within 15 working days after receiving a citation,
3proposed assessment of a civil penalty, or notice of failure to
4correct a violation, a public employer or the employer's agent
5may request that an authorized representative of the Director
6review abatement dates, reclassify violations (such as willful
7to serious, serious to other than serious), or modify or
8withdraw a penalty, a citation, or a citation item, or any
9combination of those, if the employer presents evidence during
10the informal conference which convinces the authorized
11representative that the changes are justified.
 
12    Section 95. Request for hearing.
13    (a) Within 15 working days after receiving a citation,
14proposed assessment of a civil penalty, or notice of failure to
15correct a violation, a public employer or the employer's agent,
16manager, or superintendent may request in writing a hearing
17before the Director to contest the citation, assessment of a
18civil penalty, or notice of failure to correct a violation.
19    (b) If, within 15 working days after receiving a citation
20and notice of penalty or notice of failure to correct a
21violation issued by the Director, the employer fails to notify
22the Director that it intends to contest the citation,
23assessment of a civil penalty, or notice of failure to correct
24a violation, and if no notice requesting a hearing is filed by
25an employee or employee representative under subsection (c)

 

 

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1within that time, the citation, assessment of a civil penalty,
2or notice of failure to correct a violation shall be deemed a
3final order and not subject to review by any court or agency.
4    (c) Within 15 working days after the issuance of a citation
5under Section 80, an employee or representative of an employee
6may file a request in writing for a hearing before the Director
7to contest the citation on the ground that the period of time
8fixed in the citation for the abatement of the violation
9identified in the citation is unreasonable.
 
10    Section 100. Hearing.
11    (a) If a public employer or the employer's representative
12notifies the Director that the employer intends to contest a
13citation and notice of penalty or if, within 15 working days
14after the issuance of the citation, an employee or
15representative of employees files a notice with the Director
16alleging that the period of time fixed in the citation for the
17abatement of the violation is unreasonable, the Director shall
18afford an opportunity for a hearing before an Administrative
19Law Judge designated by the Director.
20    (b) At the hearing, the employer or employee shall state
21his or her objections to the citation and provide evidence why
22the citation should not stand as issued. The Director or his or
23her representative shall be given the opportunity to state his
24or her reasons for issuing the citation. Affected employees
25shall be provided an opportunity to participate as parties to

 

 

09800SB1103sam001- 24 -LRB098 05369 JLS 57875 a

1hearings under the rules of procedure prescribed by the
2Director (56 Ill. Admin. Code, Part 120).
3    (c) The Director, or the Administrative Law Judge on behalf
4of the Director, has the power to do the following:
5        (1) Issue subpoenas for and compel the attendance of
6    witnesses.
7        (2) Hear testimony and receive evidence.
8        (3) Order testimony of a witness residing within or
9    without this State to be taken by deposition in the manner
10    prescribed by law for depositions in civil cases in the
11    circuit court in any proceeding pending before him or her
12    at any stage of such proceeding.
13    (d) Subpoenas and commissions to take testimony shall be
14under seal of the Director. Service of subpoenas may be made by
15a sheriff or any other person.
16    (e) The circuit court for the county where any hearing is
17pending may compel the attendance of witnesses, the production
18of pertinent books, papers, records, or documents, and the
19giving of testimony before the Director or an Administrative
20Law Judge by an attachment proceeding, as for contempt, in the
21same manner as the production of evidence may be compelled
22before the court.
23    (f) The Administrative Law Judge on behalf of the Director,
24after considering the evidence presented at the formal hearing,
25in accordance with the Director's rules, shall enter a final
26decision and order within a reasonable time affirming,

 

 

09800SB1103sam001- 25 -LRB098 05369 JLS 57875 a

1modifying, or vacating the citation or proposed assessment of a
2civil penalty, or directing other appropriate relief.
 
3    Section 105. Judicial review.
4    (a) Any party adversely affected by a final order or
5determination of the Administrative Law Judge on behalf of the
6Director may obtain judicial review of that order or
7determination by filing a complaint for review within 35 days
8after the entry of the order or other final action complained
9of, pursuant to the Administrative Review Law. If no appeal is
10taken within 35 days after the order or determination is
11issued, the order shall become final.
12    (b) A request for judicial review filed under this Section
13shall be heard expeditiously.
 
14    Section 110. Discrimination against employee prohibited.
15    (a) A person may not discharge or in any way discriminate
16against an employee because the employee has: (i) filed a
17complaint or instituted or caused to be instituted any
18proceeding under this Act, (ii) testified or is about to
19testify in any such proceeding, or (iii) exercised, on his or
20her own behalf or on behalf of another person, any right
21afforded by this Act.
22    (b) An employee who believes that he or she has been
23discharged or otherwise discriminated against by an employer in
24violation of this Section may, within 30 calendar days after

 

 

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1the violation occurs, file a complaint with the Director
2alleging the discrimination.
3    (c) Upon receipt of the complaint, the Director shall cause
4an investigation to be made as the Director deems appropriate.
5After the investigation, if the Director determines that the
6employer has violated this Section, the Director shall bring an
7action in the circuit court for appropriate relief, including
8rehiring or reinstatement of the employee to his or her former
9position with back pay, after taking into account any interim
10earnings of the employee.
 
11    Section 115. Abatement of imminent danger.
12    (a) Whenever the Director determines that an imminent
13danger exists in the working conditions of any public employee
14in this State, and that the danger may reasonably be expected
15to cause death or serious physical harm immediately or before
16the imminence of the danger can be eliminated through the
17enforcement procedures otherwise provided by this Act, the
18Director may file a complaint in the circuit court for
19appropriate relief, including an order that may require steps
20to be taken as necessary to abate, avoid, correct, or remove
21the imminent danger and prohibit the employment or presence of
22any individual in locations or under conditions where the
23imminent danger exists, except those individuals whose
24presence is necessary to abate, avoid, correct, or remove the
25imminent danger or to maintain the capacity of a continuous

 

 

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1process operation to assume normal operations without a
2complete cessation of operations, or, if a cessation of
3operations is necessary, to permit the cessation to be
4accomplished in a safe and orderly manner.
5    (b) If an inspector concludes that an imminent danger
6exists in any workplace, the inspector shall promptly inform
7the affected employees or their authorized representative and
8the employer of the danger and that the inspector will
9recommend to the Director that relief be sought as provided in
10subsection (a).
11    (c) If the Director arbitrarily or capriciously fails to
12seek relief under subsection (a) after receiving an inspector's
13recommendation under subsection (b), an employee who is injured
14by reason of such failure, or the representative of the
15employee, may bring an action against the Director in the
16circuit court for the county in which the imminent danger is
17alleged to exist or in which the employer has his or her
18principal office, for relief by mandamus to compel the Director
19to seek relief under subsection (a) and for such further relief
20as may be appropriate.
 
21    Section 120. Criminal penalties.
22    (a) Willful violation. A public employer that willfully
23violates any provision of this Act or any standard, rule,
24regulation, or order under this Act commits a Class 4 felony if
25that violation causes the death of any employee.

 

 

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1    (b) Advance notice of inspection. A person who gives
2advance notice to a public employer of any inspection to be
3conducted under this Act, without authority from the Director
4or the Director's authorized representative, commits a Class B
5misdemeanor.
6    (c) False statement. A person who knowingly makes a false
7statement, representation, or certification in any
8application, record, report, plan, or other document required
9under this Act, or any standard, rule, regulation, or order
10adopted or issued under this Act, commits a Class 4 felony.
 
11    Section 125. Confidentiality of trade secrets.
12    (a) All information reported to or otherwise obtained by
13the Director or the Director's authorized representative in
14connection with any inspection or proceeding under this Act or
15any standard, rule, regulation, or order adopted or issued
16under this Act which contains or might reveal a trade secret
17shall be considered confidential, except that such information
18may be disclosed confidentially to other officers or employees
19concerned with carrying out this Act or when relevant to any
20proceeding under this Act. In any such proceeding, the Director
21or the court shall issue such orders as may be appropriate,
22including an order for the impoundment of files or portions of
23files, to protect the confidentiality of trade secrets.
24    (b) A person who discloses a trade secret in violation of
25this Section commits a Class B misdemeanor.
 

 

 

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1    Section 130. Prosecution by Attorney General or State's
2Attorney. The Attorney General or a State's Attorney, upon
3request of the Department, shall prosecute any violation of
4this Act or a standard, rule, regulation, or order adopted or
5issued under this Act.
 
6    Section 135. Safety education and other programs.
7    (a) The Department shall encourage public employers as well
8as organizations and groups of employees to institute and
9maintain safety education programs for employees and promote
10the observation of safety practices.
11    (b) The Department shall provide and conduct educational
12programs specifically designed to meet the regulatory
13requirements set forth in the occupational safety and health
14standards and to meet the needs of public employers.
15    (c) The Department shall conduct regular public
16information programs to inform public employers of changes or
17updates to the standards and rules adopted under this Act as
18necessary.
19    (d) The Department shall provide support services for any
20public employer that needs assistance with the public
21employer's self-inspection programs.
 
22    Section 140. Director's reports.
23    (a) In the annual report to the Governor required by the

 

 

09800SB1103sam001- 30 -LRB098 05369 JLS 57875 a

1Civil Administrative Code of Illinois, the Director shall
2report the result of inspections and investigations made of
3establishments under this Act, together with such other
4information and recommendations as he or she deems proper.
5    (b) The Director shall make an annual report of his or her
6work under this Act to the Governor on or before the first day
7of February of each year. The Director shall make a biennial
8report to the General Assembly on or before the first day of
9February of each odd numbered year.
 
10    Section 145. Transition provisions. This Act does not
11affect any act done, ratified, or canceled, or any right
12occurring or established, or any action or proceeding had or
13commenced in an administrative, civil, or criminal cause, under
14the Safety Inspection and Education Act or the Health and
15Safety Act, or any standard or rule adopted under either of
16those Acts, before the effective date of this Act. An employee
17or public employer may enforce any such right under this Act.
18The Department, or the Attorney General or a State's Attorney,
19may prosecute or continue any such action or proceeding under
20this Act.
 
21    Section 900. The Civil Administrative Code of Illinois is
22amended by changing Sections 5-145 and 5-365 as follows:
 
23    (20 ILCS 5/5-145)  (was 20 ILCS 5/5.03)

 

 

09800SB1103sam001- 31 -LRB098 05369 JLS 57875 a

1    Sec. 5-145. In the Department of Labor. Assistant Director
2of Labor; Chief Safety Factory Inspector; and Superintendent of
3Occupational Safety and Health Inspection and Education.
4(Source: P.A. 91-239, eff. 1-1-00.)
 
5    (20 ILCS 5/5-365)  (was 20 ILCS 5/9.03)
6    Sec. 5-365. In the Department of Labor. The Director of
7Labor shall receive an annual salary as set by the Compensation
8Review Board.
9    The Assistant Director of Labor shall receive an annual
10salary as set by the Compensation Review Board.
11    The Chief Safety Factory Inspector shall receive $24,700
12from the third Monday in January, 1979 to the third Monday in
13January, 1980, and $25,000 thereafter, or as set by the
14Compensation Review Board, whichever is greater.
15    The Superintendent of Occupational Safety and Health
16Inspection and Education shall receive $27,500, or as set by
17the Compensation Review Board, whichever is greater.
18    The Superintendent of Women's and Children's Employment
19shall receive $22,000 from the third Monday in January, 1979 to
20the third Monday in January, 1980, and $22,500 thereafter, or
21as set by the Compensation Review Board, whichever is greater.
22(Source: P.A. 96-800, eff. 10-30-09.)
 
23    Section 905. The Good Samaritan Act is amended by changing
24Section 75 as follows:
 

 

 

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1    (745 ILCS 49/75)
2    Sec. 75. Employers and employees under the Health and
3Safety Act or the Occupational Safety and Health Act; exemption
4from civil liability for emergency care. Any employer, who in
5good faith provides emergency medical or first aid care without
6fee to any employee or any other person employed on the same
7project shall not, as a result of his or her acts or omissions,
8except willful and wanton misconduct on the part of the
9employer, in providing the care, be liable to such employee or
10such other person to whom such care is provided for civil
11damages.
12    Any employee who in good faith provides emergency medical
13or first aid care without fee to any other employee or any
14other person employed on the same project shall not, as a
15result of his or her acts or omissions, except for willful and
16wanton misconduct on the part of the employee in providing the
17care, be liable to the employee or other person to whom the
18care is provided for civil damages.
19    Excluded from the operation of this Section are any
20employees who are licensed physicians, nurses, dentists, or
21other licensed health services personnel.
22    The provisions of this Section do not affect or in any way
23diminish or change an employer's liability under the Workers'
24Compensation Act, or the Workers' Occupational Diseases Act.
25    This Section applies only to employers and employees under

 

 

09800SB1103sam001- 33 -LRB098 05369 JLS 57875 a

1the Health and Safety Act or the Occupational Safety and Health
2Act.
3(Source: P.A. 89-607, eff. 1-1-97; 90-742, eff. 8-13-98.)
 
4    (820 ILCS 220/Act rep.)
5    Section 910. The Safety Inspection and Education Act is
6repealed.
 
7    (820 ILCS 225/Act rep.)
8    Section 915. The Health and Safety Act is repealed.
 
9    Section 920. The Workers' Compensation Act is amended by
10changing Sections 6 and 19 as follows:
 
11    (820 ILCS 305/6)  (from Ch. 48, par. 138.6)
12    Sec. 6. (a) Every employer within the provisions of this
13Act, shall, under the rules and regulations prescribed by the
14Commission, post printed notices in their respective places of
15employment in such number and at such places as may be
16determined by the Commission, containing such information
17relative to this Act as in the judgment of the Commission may
18be necessary to aid employees to safeguard their rights under
19this Act in event of injury.
20    In addition thereto, the employer shall post in a
21conspicuous place on the place of the employment a printed or
22typewritten notice stating whether he is insured or whether he

 

 

09800SB1103sam001- 34 -LRB098 05369 JLS 57875 a

1has qualified and is operating as a self-insured employer. In
2the event the employer is insured, the notice shall state the
3name and address of his insurance carrier, the number of the
4insurance policy, its effective date and the date of
5termination. In the event of the termination of the policy for
6any reason prior to the termination date stated, the posted
7notice shall promptly be corrected accordingly. In the event
8the employer is operating as a self-insured employer the notice
9shall state the name and address of the company, if any,
10servicing the compensation payments of the employer, and the
11name and address of the person in charge of making compensation
12payments.
13    (b) Every employer subject to this Act shall maintain
14accurate records of work-related deaths, injuries and illness
15other than minor injuries requiring only first aid treatment
16and which do not involve medical treatment, loss of
17consciousness, restriction of work or motion, or transfer to
18another job and file with the Commission, in writing, a report
19of all accidental deaths, injuries and illnesses arising out of
20and in the course of the employment resulting in the loss of
21more than 3 scheduled work days. In the case of death such
22report shall be made no later than 2 working days following the
23accidental death. In all other cases such report shall be made
24between the 15th and 25th of each month unless required to be
25made sooner by rule of the Commission. In case the injury
26results in permanent disability, a further report shall be made

 

 

09800SB1103sam001- 35 -LRB098 05369 JLS 57875 a

1as soon as it is determined that such permanent disability has
2resulted or will result from the injury. All reports shall
3state the date of the injury, including the time of day or
4night, the nature of the employer's business, the name,
5address, age, sex, conjugal condition of the injured person,
6the specific occupation of the injured person, the direct cause
7of the injury and the nature of the accident, the character of
8the injury, the length of disability, and in case of death the
9length of disability before death, the wages of the injured
10person, whether compensation has been paid to the injured
11person, or to his or her legal representative or his heirs or
12next of kin, the amount of compensation paid, the amount paid
13for physicians', surgeons' and hospital bills, and by whom
14paid, and the amount paid for funeral or burial expenses if
15known. The reports shall be made on forms and in the manner as
16prescribed by the Commission and shall contain such further
17information as the Commission shall deem necessary and require.
18The making of these reports releases the employer from making
19such reports to any other officer of the State and shall
20satisfy the reporting provisions as contained in the Safety
21Inspection and Education Act, the "Health and Safety Act, " and
22the Occupational Safety and Health Act "An Act in relation to
23safety inspections and education in industrial and commercial
24establishments and to repeal an Act therein named", approved
25July 18, 1955, as now or hereafter amended. The reports filed
26with the Commission pursuant to this Section shall be made

 

 

09800SB1103sam001- 36 -LRB098 05369 JLS 57875 a

1available by the Commission to the Director of Labor or his
2representatives and to all other departments of the State of
3Illinois which shall require such information for the proper
4discharge of their official duties. Failure to file with the
5Commission any of the reports required in this Section is a
6petty offense.
7    Except as provided in this paragraph, all reports filed
8hereunder shall be confidential and any person having access to
9such records filed with the Illinois Workers' Compensation
10Commission as herein required, who shall release any
11information therein contained including the names or otherwise
12identify any persons sustaining injuries or disabilities, or
13give access to such information to any unauthorized person,
14shall be subject to discipline or discharge, and in addition
15shall be guilty of a Class B misdemeanor. The Commission shall
16compile and distribute to interested persons aggregate
17statistics, taken from the reports filed hereunder. The
18aggregate statistics shall not give the names or otherwise
19identify persons sustaining injuries or disabilities or the
20employer of any injured or disabled person.
21    (c) Notice of the accident shall be given to the employer
22as soon as practicable, but not later than 45 days after the
23accident. Provided:
24    (1) In case of the legal disability of the employee or any
25dependent of a deceased employee who may be entitled to
26compensation under the provisions of this Act, the limitations

 

 

09800SB1103sam001- 37 -LRB098 05369 JLS 57875 a

1of time by this Act provided do not begin to run against such
2person under legal disability until a guardian has been
3appointed.
4    (2) In cases of injuries sustained by exposure to
5radiological materials or equipment, notice shall be given to
6the employer within 90 days subsequent to the time that the
7employee knows or suspects that he has received an excessive
8dose of radiation.
9    No defect or inaccuracy of such notice shall be a bar to
10the maintenance of proceedings on arbitration or otherwise by
11the employee unless the employer proves that he is unduly
12prejudiced in such proceedings by such defect or inaccuracy.
13    Notice of the accident shall give the approximate date and
14place of the accident, if known, and may be given orally or in
15writing.
16    (d) Every employer shall notify each injured employee who
17has been granted compensation under the provisions of Section 8
18of this Act of his rights to rehabilitation services and advise
19him of the locations of available public rehabilitation centers
20and any other such services of which the employer has
21knowledge.
22    In any case, other than one where the injury was caused by
23exposure to radiological materials or equipment or asbestos
24unless the application for compensation is filed with the
25Commission within 3 years after the date of the accident, where
26no compensation has been paid, or within 2 years after the date

 

 

09800SB1103sam001- 38 -LRB098 05369 JLS 57875 a

1of the last payment of compensation, where any has been paid,
2whichever shall be later, the right to file such application
3shall be barred.
4    In any case of injury caused by exposure to radiological
5materials or equipment or asbestos, unless application for
6compensation is filed with the Commission within 25 years after
7the last day that the employee was employed in an environment
8of hazardous radiological activity or asbestos, the right to
9file such application shall be barred.
10    If in any case except one where the injury was caused by
11exposure to radiological materials or equipment or asbestos,
12the accidental injury results in death application for
13compensation for death may be filed with the Commission within
143 years after the date of death where no compensation has been
15paid or within 2 years after the date of the last payment of
16compensation where any has been paid, whichever shall be later,
17but not thereafter.
18    If an accidental injury caused by exposure to radiological
19material or equipment or asbestos results in death within 25
20years after the last day that the employee was so exposed
21application for compensation for death may be filed with the
22Commission within 3 years after the date of death, where no
23compensation has been paid, or within 2 years after the date of
24the last payment of compensation where any has been paid,
25whichever shall be later, but not thereafter.
26    (e) Any contract or agreement made by any employer or his

 

 

09800SB1103sam001- 39 -LRB098 05369 JLS 57875 a

1agent or attorney with any employee or any other beneficiary of
2any claim under the provisions of this Act within 7 days after
3the injury shall be presumed to be fraudulent.
4    (f) Any condition or impairment of health of an employee
5employed as a firefighter, emergency medical technician (EMT),
6or paramedic which results directly or indirectly from any
7bloodborne pathogen, lung or respiratory disease or condition,
8heart or vascular disease or condition, hypertension,
9tuberculosis, or cancer resulting in any disability
10(temporary, permanent, total, or partial) to the employee shall
11be rebuttably presumed to arise out of and in the course of the
12employee's firefighting, EMT, or paramedic employment and,
13further, shall be rebuttably presumed to be causally connected
14to the hazards or exposures of the employment. This presumption
15shall also apply to any hernia or hearing loss suffered by an
16employee employed as a firefighter, EMT, or paramedic. However,
17this presumption shall not apply to any employee who has been
18employed as a firefighter, EMT, or paramedic for less than 5
19years at the time he or she files an Application for Adjustment
20of Claim concerning this condition or impairment with the
21Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission. The rebuttable
22presumption established under this subsection, however, does
23not apply to an emergency medical technician (EMT) or paramedic
24employed by a private employer if the employee spends the
25preponderance of his or her work time for that employer engaged
26in medical transfers between medical care facilities or

 

 

09800SB1103sam001- 40 -LRB098 05369 JLS 57875 a

1non-emergency medical transfers to or from medical care
2facilities. The changes made to this subsection by this
3amendatory Act of the 98th General Assembly shall be narrowly
4construed. The Finding and Decision of the Illinois Workers'
5Compensation Commission under only the rebuttable presumption
6provision of this subsection shall not be admissible or be
7deemed res judicata in any disability claim under the Illinois
8Pension Code arising out of the same medical condition;
9however, this sentence makes no change to the law set forth in
10Krohe v. City of Bloomington, 204 Ill.2d 392.
11(Source: P.A. 98-291, eff. 1-1-14.)
 
12    (820 ILCS 305/19)  (from Ch. 48, par. 138.19)
13    Sec. 19. Any disputed questions of law or fact shall be
14determined as herein provided.
15    (a) It shall be the duty of the Commission upon
16notification that the parties have failed to reach an
17agreement, to designate an Arbitrator.
18        1. 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' Occupational
24    Diseases Act, then the provisions of Section 19, paragraph
25    (a-1) of the Workers' Occupational Diseases Act having

 

 

09800SB1103sam001- 41 -LRB098 05369 JLS 57875 a

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

 

 

09800SB1103sam001- 42 -LRB098 05369 JLS 57875 a

1    The hearings before the Arbitrator shall be held in the
2vicinity where the injury occurred after 10 days' notice of the
3time and place of such hearing shall have been given to each of
4the 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 said 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

 

 

09800SB1103sam001- 43 -LRB098 05369 JLS 57875 a

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, or compensation as provided in
23paragraph (b) of Section 8, the employee may at any time
24petition for an expedited hearing by an Arbitrator on the issue
25of whether or not he or she is entitled to receive payment of
26the services or compensation. Provided the employer continues

 

 

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

 

 

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

 

 

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

 

 

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

 

 

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

 

 

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

 

 

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

 

 

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

 

 

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1    (d) If any employee shall persist in insanitary or
2injurious practices which tend to either imperil or retard his
3recovery or shall refuse to submit to such medical, surgical,
4or hospital treatment as is reasonably essential to promote his
5recovery, the Commission may, in its discretion, reduce or
6suspend the compensation of any such injured employee. However,
7when an employer and employee so agree in writing, the
8foregoing provision shall not be construed to authorize the
9reduction or suspension of compensation of an employee who is
10relying in good faith, on treatment by prayer or spiritual
11means alone, in accordance with the tenets and practice of a
12recognized church or religious denomination, by a duly
13accredited practitioner thereof.
14    (e) This paragraph shall apply to all hearings before the
15Commission. Such hearings may be held in its office or
16elsewhere as the Commission may deem advisable. The taking of
17testimony on such hearings may be had before any member of the
18Commission. If a petition for review and agreed statement of
19facts or transcript of evidence is filed, as provided herein,
20the Commission shall promptly review the decision of the
21Arbitrator and all questions of law or fact which appear from
22the statement of facts or transcript of evidence.
23    In all cases in which the hearing before the arbitrator is
24held after December 18, 1989, no additional evidence shall be
25introduced by the parties before the Commission on review of
26the decision of the Arbitrator. In reviewing decisions of an

 

 

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1arbitrator the Commission shall award such temporary
2compensation, permanent compensation and other payments as are
3due under this Act. The Commission shall file in its office its
4decision thereon, and shall immediately send to each party or
5his attorney a copy of such decision and a notification of the
6time when it was filed. Decisions shall be filed within 60 days
7after the Statement of Exceptions and Supporting Brief and
8Response thereto are required to be filed or oral argument
9whichever is later.
10    In the event either party requests oral argument, such
11argument shall be had before a panel of 3 members of the
12Commission (or before all available members pursuant to the
13determination of 7 members of the Commission that such argument
14be held before all available members of the Commission)
15pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Commission. A
16panel of 3 members, which shall be comprised of not more than
17one representative citizen of the employing class and not more
18than one representative citizen of the employee class, shall
19hear the argument; provided that if all the issues in dispute
20are solely the nature and extent of the permanent partial
21disability, if any, a majority of the panel may deny the
22request for such argument and such argument shall not be held;
23and provided further that 7 members of the Commission may
24determine that the argument be held before all available
25members of the Commission. A decision of the Commission shall
26be approved by a majority of Commissioners present at such

 

 

09800SB1103sam001- 54 -LRB098 05369 JLS 57875 a

1hearing if any; provided, if no such hearing is held, a
2decision of the Commission shall be approved by a majority of a
3panel of 3 members of the Commission as described in this
4Section. The Commission shall give 10 days' notice to the
5parties or their attorneys of the time and place of such taking
6of testimony and of such argument.
7    In any case the Commission in its decision may find
8specially upon any question or questions of law or fact which
9shall be submitted in writing by either party whether ultimate
10or otherwise; provided that on issues other than nature and
11extent of the disability, if any, the Commission in its
12decision shall find specially upon any question or questions of
13law or fact, whether ultimate or otherwise, which are submitted
14in writing by either party; provided further that not more than
155 such questions may be submitted by either party. Any party
16may, within 20 days after receipt of notice of the Commission's
17decision, or within such further time, not exceeding 30 days,
18as the Commission may grant, file with the Commission either an
19agreed statement of the facts appearing upon the hearing, or,
20if such party shall so elect, a correct transcript of evidence
21of the additional proceedings presented before the Commission,
22in which report the party may embody a correct statement of
23such other proceedings in the case as such party may desire to
24have reviewed, such statement of facts or transcript of
25evidence to be authenticated by the signature of the parties or
26their attorneys, and in the event that they do not agree, then

 

 

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

 

 

09800SB1103sam001- 56 -LRB098 05369 JLS 57875 a

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

 

 

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

 

 

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1    commencement of the proceedings and the return day of the
2    summons to the office of the Commission and to the last
3    known place of residence of other parties in interest or
4    their attorney or attorneys of record. The clerk of the
5    court issuing the summons shall on the day of issue mail
6    notice of the commencement of the proceedings which shall
7    be done by mailing a copy of the summons to the office of
8    the Commission, and a copy of the summons to the other
9    parties in interest or their attorney or attorneys of
10    record and the clerk of the court shall make certificate
11    that he has so sent said notices in pursuance of this
12    Section, which shall be evidence of service on the
13    Commission and other parties in interest.
14        The Commission shall not be required to certify the
15    record of their proceedings to the Circuit Court, unless
16    the party commencing the proceedings for review in the
17    Circuit Court as above provided, shall file with the
18    Commission notice of intent to file for review in Circuit
19    Court. It shall be the duty of the Commission upon such
20    filing of notice of intent to file for review in the
21    Circuit Court to prepare a true and correct copy of such
22    testimony and a true and correct copy of all other matters
23    contained in such record and certified to by the Secretary
24    or Assistant Secretary thereof. The changes made to this
25    subdivision (f)(1) by this amendatory Act of the 98th
26    General Assembly apply to any Commission decision entered

 

 

09800SB1103sam001- 59 -LRB098 05369 JLS 57875 a

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

 

 

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

 

 

09800SB1103sam001- 61 -LRB098 05369 JLS 57875 a

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

 

 

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1of the notice to the employer or such designated agent.
2    (h) An agreement or award under this Act providing for
3compensation in installments, may at any time within 18 months
4after such agreement or award be reviewed by the Commission at
5the request of either the employer or the employee, on the
6ground that the disability of the employee has subsequently
7recurred, increased, diminished or ended.
8    However, as to accidents occurring subsequent to July 1,
91955, which are covered by any agreement or award under this
10Act providing for compensation in installments made as a result
11of such accident, such agreement or award may at any time
12within 30 months, or 60 months in the case of an award under
13Section 8(d)1, after such agreement or award be reviewed by the
14Commission at the request of either the employer or the
15employee on the ground that the disability of the employee has
16subsequently recurred, increased, diminished or ended.
17    On such review, compensation payments may be
18re-established, increased, diminished or ended. The Commission
19shall give 15 days' notice to the parties of the hearing for
20review. Any employee, upon any petition for such review being
21filed by the employer, shall be entitled to one day's notice
22for each 100 miles necessary to be traveled by him in attending
23the hearing of the Commission upon the petition, and 3 days in
24addition thereto. Such employee shall, at the discretion of the
25Commission, also be entitled to 5 cents per mile necessarily
26traveled by him within the State of Illinois in attending such

 

 

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

 

 

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1final adjudication of any of the issues which are the same in
2both proceedings.
3    (k) In case where there has been any unreasonable or
4vexatious delay of payment or intentional underpayment of
5compensation, or proceedings have been instituted or carried on
6by the one liable to pay the compensation, which do not present
7a real controversy, but are merely frivolous or for delay, then
8the Commission may award compensation additional to that
9otherwise payable under this Act equal to 50% of the amount
10payable at the time of such award. Failure to pay compensation
11in accordance with the provisions of Section 8, paragraph (b)
12of this Act, shall be considered unreasonable delay.
13    When determining whether this subsection (k) shall apply,
14the Commission shall consider whether an Arbitrator has
15determined that the claim is not compensable or whether the
16employer has made payments under Section 8(j).
17    (l) If the employee has made written demand for payment of
18benefits under Section 8(a) or Section 8(b), the employer shall
19have 14 days after receipt of the demand to set forth in
20writing the reason for the delay. In the case of demand for
21payment of medical benefits under Section 8(a), the time for
22the employer to respond shall not commence until the expiration
23of the allotted 30 days specified under Section 8.2(d). In case
24the employer or his or her insurance carrier shall without good
25and just cause fail, neglect, refuse, or unreasonably delay the
26payment of benefits under Section 8(a) or Section 8(b), the

 

 

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1Arbitrator or the Commission shall allow to the employee
2additional compensation in the sum of $30 per day for each day
3that the benefits under Section 8(a) or Section 8(b) have been
4so withheld or refused, not to exceed $10,000. A delay in
5payment of 14 days or more shall create a rebuttable
6presumption of unreasonable delay.
7    (m) If the commission finds that an accidental injury was
8directly and proximately caused by the employer's wilful
9violation of a health and safety standard under the Health and
10Safety Act or the Occupational Safety and Health Act in force
11at the time of the accident, the arbitrator or the Commission
12shall allow to the injured employee or his dependents, as the
13case may be, additional compensation equal to 25% of the amount
14which otherwise would be payable under the provisions of this
15Act exclusive of this paragraph. The additional compensation
16herein provided shall be allowed by an appropriate increase in
17the applicable weekly compensation rate.
18    (n) After June 30, 1984, decisions of the Illinois Workers'
19Compensation Commission reviewing an award of an arbitrator of
20the Commission shall draw interest at a rate equal to the yield
21on indebtedness issued by the United States Government with a
2226-week maturity next previously auctioned on the day on which
23the decision is filed. Said rate of interest shall be set forth
24in the Arbitrator's Decision. Interest shall be drawn from the
25date of the arbitrator's award on all accrued compensation due
26the employee through the day prior to the date of payments.

 

 

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

 

 

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

 

 

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1party, correct any clerical errors or errors in computation
2within 15 days after the date of receipt of such award of the
3arbitrator and shall have the power to recall the original
4award on arbitration, and issue in lieu thereof such corrected
5award. The decision of the arbitrator under this subsection (p)
6shall be considered the decision of the Commission and
7proceedings for review of questions of law arising from the
8decision may be commenced by either party pursuant to
9subsection (f) of Section 19. The Advisory Board established
10under Section 13.1 shall compile a list of certified Commission
11arbitrators, each of whom shall be approved by at least 7
12members of the Advisory Board. The chairman shall select 5
13persons from such list to serve as arbitrators under this
14subsection (p). By agreement, the parties shall select one
15arbitrator from among the 5 persons selected by the chairman
16except that if the parties do not agree on an arbitrator from
17among the 5 persons, the parties may, by agreement, select an
18arbitrator of the American Arbitration Association, whose fee
19shall be paid by the State in accordance with rules promulgated
20by the Commission. Arbitration under this subsection (p) shall
21be voluntary.
22(Source: P.A. 97-18, eff. 6-28-11; 98-40, eff. 6-28-13.)
 
23    Section 925. The Workers' Occupational Diseases Act is
24amended by changing Sections 3 and 6 as follows:
 

 

 

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1    (820 ILCS 310/3)  (from Ch. 48, par. 172.38)
2    Sec. 3. Where an employee in this State sustains injury to
3health or death by reason of a disease contracted or sustained
4in the course of the employment and proximately caused by the
5negligence of the employer, unless such employer shall be
6subject to this Act under the provisions of paragraph (a) of
7Section 2 of this Act or shall have elected to provide and pay
8compensation as provided in Section 2 of this Act, a right of
9action shall accrue to the employee whose health has been so
10injured for any damages sustained thereby; and in case of
11death, a right of action shall accrue to the widow or widower
12of such deceased person, his or her lineal heirs or adopted
13children, or to any person or persons who were, before such
14loss of life, dependent for support upon such deceased person,
15for a like recovery of damages for the injury sustained by
16reason of such death not to exceed the sum of $10,000.
17Violation by any employer of any effective rule or rules made
18by the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission pursuant to
19the "Health and Safety Act or the Occupational Safety and
20Health Act ", approved March 16, 1936, as amended, or violation
21by the employer of any statute of this State, intended for the
22protection of the health of employees shall be and constitute
23negligence of the employer within the meaning of this Section.
24Every such action for damage for injury to the health shall be
25commenced within 3 years after the last day of the last
26exposure to the hazards of the disease and every such action

 

 

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1for damages in case of death shall be commenced within one year
2after the death of such employee and within 5 years after the
3last day of the last exposure to the hazards of the disease
4except where the disease is caused by atomic radiation, in
5which case, every action for damages for injury to health shall
6be commenced within 15 years after the last day of last
7exposure to the hazard of such disease and every action for
8damages in case of death shall be commenced within one year
9after the death of such employee and within 15 years after last
10exposure to the hazards of the disease. In any action to
11recover damages under this Section, it shall not be a defense
12that the employee either expressly or impliedly assumed the
13risk of the employment, or that the contraction or sustaining
14of the disease or death was caused in whole or in part by the
15negligence of a fellow servant or fellow servants, or that the
16contraction or sustaining of the disease or death resulting was
17caused in whole or in part by the contributory negligence of
18the employee, where such contributory negligence was not
19wilful.
20(Source: P.A. 93-721, eff. 1-1-05.)
 
21    (820 ILCS 310/6)  (from Ch. 48, par. 172.41)
22    Sec. 6. (a) Every employer operating under the compensation
23provisions of this Act, shall post printed notices in their
24respective places of employment in conspicuous places and in
25such number and at such places as may be determined by the

 

 

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1Commission, containing such information relative to this Act as
2in the judgment of the Commission may be necessary to aid
3employees to safeguard their rights under this Act.
4    In addition thereto, the employer shall post in a
5conspicuous place on the premises of the employment a printed
6or typewritten notice stating whether he is insured or whether
7he has qualified and is operating as a self-insured employer.
8In the event the employer is insured, the notice shall state
9the name and address of his or her insurance carrier, the
10number of the insurance policy, its effective date and the date
11of termination. In the event of the termination of the policy
12for any reason prior to the termination date stated, the posted
13notice shall promptly be corrected accordingly. In the event
14the employer is operating as a self-insured employer the notice
15shall state the name and address of the company, if any,
16servicing the compensation payments of the employer, and the
17name and address of the person in charge of making compensation
18payments.
19    (b) Every employer subject to this Act shall maintain
20accurate records of work-related deaths, injuries and
21illnesses other than minor injuries requiring only first aid
22treatment and which do not involve medical treatment, loss of
23consciousness, restriction of work or motion or transfer to
24another job and file with the Illinois Workers' Compensation
25Commission, in writing, a report of all occupational diseases
26arising out of and in the course of the employment and

 

 

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1resulting in death, or disablement or illness resulting in the
2loss of more than 3 scheduled work days. In the case of death
3such report shall be made no later than 2 working days
4following the occupational death. In all other cases such
5report shall be made between the 15th and 25th of each month
6unless required to be made sooner by rule of the Illinois
7Workers' Compensation Commission. In case the occupational
8disease results in permanent disability, a further report shall
9be made as soon as it is determined that such permanent
10disability has resulted or will result therefrom. All reports
11shall state the date of the disablement, the nature of the
12employer's business, the name, address, the age, sex, conjugal
13condition of the disabled person, the specific occupation of
14the person, the nature and character of the occupational
15disease, the length of disability, and, in case of death, the
16length of disability before death, the wages of the employee,
17whether compensation has been paid to the employee, or to his
18legal representative or his heirs or next of kin, the amount of
19compensation paid, the amount paid for physicians', surgeons'
20and hospital bills, and by whom paid, and the amount paid for
21funeral or burial expenses, if known. The reports shall be made
22on forms and in the manner as prescribed by the Illinois
23Workers' Compensation Commission and shall contain such
24further information as the Commission shall deem necessary and
25require. The making of such reports releases the employer from
26making such reports to any other officer of the State and shall

 

 

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1satisfy the reporting provisions as contained in the Safety
2Inspection and Education Act, the "Health And Safety Act, " and
3the Occupational Safety and Health Act "An Act in relation to
4safety inspections and education in industrial and commercial
5establishments and to repeal an Act therein named", approved
6July 18, 1955, as amended. The report filed with the Illinois
7Workers' Compensation Commission pursuant to the provisions of
8this Section shall be made available by the Illinois Workers'
9Compensation Commission to the Director of Labor or his
10representatives, to the Department of Public Health pursuant to
11the Illinois Health and Hazardous Substances Registry Act, and
12to all other departments of the State of Illinois which shall
13require such information for the proper discharge of their
14official duties. Failure to file with the Commission any of the
15reports required in this Section is a petty offense.
16    Except as provided in this paragraph, all reports filed
17hereunder shall be confidential and any person having access to
18such records filed with the Illinois Workers' Compensation
19Commission as herein required, who shall release the names or
20otherwise identify any persons sustaining injuries or
21disabilities, or gives access to such information to any
22unauthorized person, shall be subject to discipline or
23discharge, and in addition shall be guilty of a Class B
24misdemeanor. The Commission shall compile and distribute to
25interested persons aggregate statistics, taken from the
26reports filed hereunder. The aggregate statistics shall not

 

 

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1give the names or otherwise identify persons sustaining
2injuries or disabilities or the employer of any injured or
3disabled person.
4    (c) There shall be given notice to the employer of
5disablement arising from an occupational disease as soon as
6practicable after the date of the disablement. If the
7Commission shall find that the failure to give such notice
8substantially prejudices the rights of the employer the
9Commission in its discretion may order that the right of the
10employee to proceed under this Act shall be barred.
11    In case of legal disability of the employee or any
12dependent of a deceased employee who may be entitled to
13compensation, under the provisions of this Act, the limitations
14of time in this Section of this Act provided shall not begin to
15run against such person who is under legal disability until a
16conservator or guardian has been appointed. No defect or
17inaccuracy of such notice shall be a bar to the maintenance of
18proceedings on arbitration or otherwise by the employee unless
19the employer proves that he or she is unduly prejudiced in such
20proceedings by such defect or inaccuracy. Notice of the
21disabling disease may be given orally or in writing. In any
22case, other than injury or death caused by exposure to
23radiological materials or equipment or asbestos, unless
24application for compensation is filed with the Commission
25within 3 years after the date of the disablement, where no
26compensation has been paid, or within 2 years after the date of

 

 

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1the last payment of compensation, where any has been paid,
2whichever shall be later, the right to file such application
3shall be barred. If the occupational disease results in death,
4application for compensation for death may be filed with the
5Commission within 3 years after the date of death where no
6compensation has been paid, or within 3 years after the last
7payment of compensation, where any has been paid, whichever is
8later, but not thereafter.
9    Effective July 1, 1973 in cases of disability caused by
10coal miners pneumoconiosis unless application for compensation
11is filed with the Commission within 5 years after the employee
12was last exposed where no compensation has been paid, or within
135 years after the last payment of compensation where any has
14been paid, the right to file such application shall be barred.
15    In cases of disability caused by exposure to radiological
16materials or equipment or asbestos, unless application for
17compensation is filed with the Commission within 25 years after
18the employee was so exposed, the right to file such application
19shall be barred.
20    In cases of death occurring within 25 years from the last
21exposure to radiological material or equipment or asbestos,
22application for compensation must be filed within 3 years of
23death where no compensation has been paid, or within 3 years,
24after the date of the last payment where any has been paid, but
25not thereafter.
26    (d) Any contract or agreement made by any employer or his

 

 

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1agent or attorney with any employee or any other beneficiary of
2any claim under the provisions of this Act within 7 days after
3the disablement shall be presumed to be fraudulent.
4(Source: P.A. 93-721, eff. 1-1-05.)".