Yes. The first-time limit has to do with reporting the injury to your employer. The law requires that after an accident, the injured worker has to report the approximate date and place of the occurrence to a supervisory person with the employer, within 45 days of the occurrence. This is a mandatory requirement. The notice can be given orally or in writing.
The second time limit is known as a “statute of limitation”. The “statute of limitation” requires that you file an Application for Adjustment of Claim with the Worker’s Compensation Commission within three (3) years of your accident.
Please note that the fact that you may be receiving benefits from your employer, or their insurer, does not mean that your claim has been filed. In order to comply with the law and protect yourself, you need to file official paperwork with the Workers Compensation Commission in Chicago. If a case is not filed before the statute of limitations expires, your case can be dismissed.