In Illinois, the first workers’ compensation law was enacted in 1912. The law which currently governs workers compensation is called the Workers’ Compensation Act. Claims are overseen by the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission.
Under the current law, employers must purchase workers’ compensation insurance policies, or, if they meet certain requirements, they may self-insure. The premium rates are dependent upon the type of business and the number of employees. For example, businesses or jobs that carry a higher risk of injury will pay a higher premium.
If you sustain an injury or contract a disease that is related directly to your employment, you may make a claim for compensation against your employer’s workers' compensation policy. Further, you can do this without having to prove or show that the accident was a result of negligence. Workers compensation applies even if you were the cause of the injury or partially at fault.