August 25, 2017
To the Honorable
Members of
The Illinois House of
Representatives,
100th General
Assembly:
Today,
I veto House Bill 2525, which addresses Illinois’ Workers’ Compensation System.
Illinois
remains in a fiscal and economic crisis that taxes and regulations cannot solve.
The only way to truly improve our state’s financial status is to grow our
economy through the creation of jobs and opportunity. Our workers’ compensation
insurance is one of the most expensive in the nation, and the statutory scheme
underlying these costs is riddled with problems and stakeholders that stand in
the way of getting injured employees back to health and encouraging employers
to invest in Illinois again. We need thoughtful reform of this system, and we
must focus our efforts on solutions that encourage economic growth while also
making sure we are providing efficient and effective care to injured workers.
Unfortunately,
this bill does not make the changes necessary to achieve those goals. It fails
to acknowledge the cost-drivers that are putting our state at a competitive
disadvantage for jobs and growth. Instead, it imposes additional regulatory
structures where they are not needed.
This
legislation does not represent real reform. It does not address the competitive
disadvantages that are resulting in the disappearance of jobs in our manufacturing
sector, where middle-class workers once could find opportunities for growth and
advancement. It will not stop the flood of hardworking individuals who are
leaving our state when these opportunities are lacking.
Therefore,
pursuant to Section 9(b) of Article IV of the Illinois Constitution of 1970, I
hereby return House Bill 2525, entitled “AN ACT concerning employment,” with
the foregoing objections, vetoed in its entirety.
Sincerely,
Bruce Rauner
GOVERNOR