2023 Illinois Compiled Statutes › Chapter 820 - EMPLOYMENT › 820 ILCS 305/ - Workers' Compensation Act.

(820 ILCS 305/1) (from Ch. 48, par. 138.1)
Sec. 1. This Act may be cited as the Workers' Compensation Act.
(a) The term "employer" as used in this Act means:
1.  The State and each county, city, town, township, incorporated
village, school district, body politic, or municipal corporation
therein.
2.  Every person, firm, public or private corporation, including
hospitals, public service, eleemosynary, religious or charitable
corporations or associations who has any person in service or under any
contract for hire, express or implied, oral or written, and who is
engaged in any of the enterprises or businesses enumerated in Section 3
of this Act, or who at or prior to the time of the accident to the
employee for which compensation under this Act may be claimed, has in
the manner provided in this Act elected to become subject to the
provisions of this Act, and who has not, prior to such accident,
effected a withdrawal of such election in the manner provided in this Act.
3. Any one engaging in any business or enterprise referred to in
subsections 1 and 2 of Section 3 of this Act who undertakes to do any
work enumerated therein, is liable to pay compensation to his own
immediate employees in accordance with the provisions of this Act, and
in addition thereto if he directly or indirectly engages any contractor
whether principal or sub-contractor to do any such work, he is liable to
pay compensation to the employees of any such contractor or
sub-contractor unless such contractor or sub-contractor has insured, in
any company or association authorized under the laws of this State to
insure the liability to pay compensation under this Act, or guaranteed
his liability to pay such compensation.  With respect to any time
limitation on the filing of claims provided by this Act, the timely
filing of a claim against a contractor or subcontractor, as the case may
be, shall be deemed to be a timely filing with respect to all persons
upon whom liability is imposed by this paragraph.
In the event any such person pays compensation under this subsection
he may recover the amount thereof from the contractor or sub-contractor,
if any, and in the event the contractor pays compensation under this
subsection he may recover the amount thereof from the sub-contractor, if any.
This subsection does not apply in any case where the accident occurs
elsewhere than on, in or about the immediate premises on which the
principal has contracted that the work be done.
4. Where an employer operating under and subject to the provisions
of this Act loans an employee to another such employer and such loaned
employee sustains a compensable accidental injury in the employment of
such borrowing employer and where such borrowing employer does not
provide or pay the benefits or payments due such injured employee, such
loaning employer is liable to provide or pay all benefits or payments
due such employee under this Act and as to such employee the liability
of such loaning and borrowing employers is joint and several, provided
that such loaning employer is in the absence of agreement to the
contrary entitled to receive from such borrowing employer full
reimbursement for all sums paid or incurred pursuant to this paragraph
together with reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses in any hearings
before the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission or in any action to secure such
reimbursement.  Where any benefit is provided or paid by such loaning
employer the employee has the duty of rendering reasonable cooperation
in any hearings, trials or proceedings in the case, including such
proceedings for reimbursement.
Where an employee files an Application for Adjustment of Claim with
the Illinois Workers' Compensation

Commission alleging that his claim is covered by the
provisions of the preceding paragraph, and joining both the alleged
loaning and borrowing employers, they and each of them, upon written
demand by the employee and within 7 days after receipt of such demand,
shall have the duty of filing with the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission a written
admission or denial of the allegation that the claim is covered by the
provisions of the preceding paragraph and in default of such filing or
if any such denial be ultimately determined not to have been bona fide
then the provisions of Paragraph K of Section 19 of this Act shall apply.
An employer whose business or enterprise or a substantial part
thereof consists of hiring, procuring or furnishing employees to or for
other employers operating under and subject to the provisions of this
Act for the performance of the work of such other employers and who pays
such employees their salary or wages notwithstanding that they are doing
the work of such other employers shall be deemed a loaning employer
within the meaning and provisions of this Section.
(b) The term "employee" as used in this Act means:
1. Every person in the service of the State, including members of
the General Assembly, members of the Commerce Commission, members of the
Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission, and all persons in the service of the University
of Illinois, county, including deputy sheriffs and assistant state's
attorneys, city, town, township, incorporated village or school
district, body politic, or municipal corporation therein, whether by
election, under appointment or contract of hire, express or implied,
oral or written, including all members of the Illinois National Guard
while on active duty in the service of the State, and all probation
personnel of the Juvenile Court appointed pursuant to Article VI
of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987, and including any official of the
State, any county, city, town, township, incorporated village, school
district, body politic or municipal corporation therein except any duly
appointed member of a police department  in any city whose
population exceeds 500,000 according to the last Federal or State
census, and except any member of a fire insurance patrol maintained by a
board of underwriters in this State. A duly appointed member of a fire
department in any city, the population of which exceeds 500,000 according
to the last federal or State census, is an employee under this Act only
with respect to claims brought under paragraph (c) of Section 8.
One employed by a contractor who has contracted with the State, or a
county, city, town, township, incorporated village, school district,
body politic or municipal corporation therein, through its
representatives, is not considered as an employee of the State, county,
city, town, township, incorporated village, school district, body
politic or municipal corporation which made the contract.
2. Every person in the service of another under any contract of
hire, express or implied, oral or written, including persons whose
employment is outside of the State of Illinois where the contract of
hire is made within the State of Illinois, persons whose employment
results in fatal or non-fatal injuries within the State of Illinois
where the contract of hire is made outside of the State of Illinois, and
persons whose employment is principally localized within the State of
Illinois, regardless of the place of the accident or the place where the
contract of hire was made, and including noncitizens, and minors who, for the
purpose of this Act are considered the same and have the same power to
contract, receive payments and give quittances therefor, as adult employees.
3. Every sole proprietor and every partner of a business may elect to
be covered by this Act.
An employee or his dependents under this Act who shall have a cause
of action by reason of any injury, disablement or death arising out of
and in the course of his employment may elect to pursue his remedy in
the State where injured or disabled, or in the State where the contract
of hire is made, or in the State where the employment is principally
localized.
However, any employer may elect to provide and pay compensation to
any employee other than those engaged in the usual course of the trade,
business, profession or occupation of the employer by complying with
Sections 2 and 4 of this Act.  Employees are not included within the
provisions of this Act when excluded by the laws of the United States
relating to liability of employers to their employees for personal
injuries where such laws are held to be exclusive.
The term "employee" does not include persons performing services as real
estate broker, broker-salesman, or salesman when such persons are paid by
commission only.
(c) "Commission" means the Industrial Commission created by Section
5 of "The Civil Administrative Code of Illinois", approved March 7,
1917, as amended, or the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission created by Section 13 of
this Act.
(d)  To obtain compensation under this Act, an employee bears the burden of showing, by a preponderance of the evidence, that he or she has sustained accidental injuries arising out of and in the course of the employment.
(Source: P.A. 102-1030, eff. 5-27-22.)
(820 ILCS 305/1.1)
Sec. 1.1. Standards of conduct.
(a) Commissioners and arbitrators shall dispose of all Workers' Compensation matters promptly, officially and fairly, without bias or prejudice. Commissioners and arbitrators shall be faithful to the law and maintain professional competence in it. They shall be unswayed by partisan interests, public clamor, or fear of criticism. Commissioners and arbitrators shall take appropriate action or initiate appropriate disciplinary measures against a Commissioner, arbitrator, lawyer, or others for unprofessional conduct of which the Commissioner or arbitrator may become aware.
(b) Except as otherwise provided in this Act, the Canons of the Code of Judicial Conduct as adopted by the Supreme Court of Illinois govern the hearing and non-hearing conduct of members of the Commission and arbitrators under this Act. The Commission may set additional rules and standards, not less stringent than those rules and standards established by the Code of Judicial Conduct, for the conduct of arbitrators.
(c) The following provisions of the Code of Judicial Conduct do not apply under this Section:
(1) Canon 3(B), relating to administrative     responsibilities of Judges.
(2) Canon 6(C), relating to annual filings of     economic interests. Instead of filing declarations of economic interests with the Clerk of the Illinois Supreme Court under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 68, members of the Commission and arbitrators shall make filings substantially similar to those required by Rule 68 with the Chairman, and such filings shall be made available for examination by the public.
(d) An arbitrator or a Commissioner may accept an uncompensated appointment to a governmental committee, commission or other position that is concerned with issues of policy on matters which may come before the arbitrator or Commissioner if such appointment neither affects his or her independent professional judgment nor the conduct of his or her duties.
(e) Decisions of an arbitrator or a Commissioner shall be based exclusively on evidence in the record of the proceeding and material that has been officially noticed. Any findings of fact made by the arbitrator based on inquiries, investigations, examinations, or inspections undertaken by the arbitrator shall be entered into the record of the proceeding.
(f) Nothing in this Section shall prohibit an arbitrator from holding a pre-trial conference in accordance with the rules of the Commission.
(Source: P.A. 97-18, eff. 6-28-11.)
(820 ILCS 305/1.2)
Sec. 1.2. Permitted civil actions. Subsection (a) of Section 5 and Section 11 do not apply to any injury or death sustained by an employee as to which the recovery of compensation benefits under this Act would be precluded due to the operation of any period of repose or repose provision. As to any such injury or death, the employee, the employee's heirs, and any person having standing under the law to bring a civil action at law, including an action for wrongful death and an action pursuant to Section 27-6 of the Probate Act of 1975, has the nonwaivable right to bring such an action against any employer or employers.
(Source: P.A. 101-6, eff. 5-17-19.)
(820 ILCS 305/2) (from Ch. 48, par. 138.2)
Sec. 2. 
		
		An employer in this State, who does not come within the classes
enumerated by Section 3 of this Act, may elect to provide and pay
compensation for accidental injuries sustained by himself or any employee,
arising out
of and in the course of the employment according to the provisions of this
Act, and thereby relieve himself from any liability for the recovery of
damages, except as herein provided. The State of Illinois hereby elects to
provide and pay compensation according to the provisions of this Act.
(a) Election by any employer to provide and pay compensation according
to the provisions of this Act shall be made by the employer filing notice
of such election with the Commission, or by insuring his liability to pay
compensation under this Act in some insurance carrier authorized, licensed
or permitted to do such insurance business in this State.
(b) Every employer within the provisions of this Act who has elected to
provide and pay compensation according to the provisions of this Act by
filing notice of such election with the Commission, shall be bound thereby
as to all his employees until January 1st of the next succeeding year and
for terms of each year thereafter.
Any such employer who may have once elected, may elect not to provide
and pay the compensation herein provided for accidents resulting in either
injury or death and occurring after the expiration of any such calendar
year by filing notice of such election with the Commission at least 60 days
prior to the expiration of any such calendar year, and by posting such
notice at a conspicuous place in the plant, shop, office, room or place
where such employee is employed, or by personal service, in written or
printed form, upon such employees, at least 60 days prior to the expiration
of any such calendar year.
Every employer within the provisions of this Act who has elected to
provide and pay compensation according to the provisions of this Act by
insuring his liability to pay compensation under this Act, as above
provided, shall be bound thereby as to all his employees until the date of
expiration or cancellation of such policy of insurance, or any renewal
thereof.
(c) In the event any employer mentioned in this section, elects to
provide and pay the compensation provided in this Act, then every employee
of such employer, as a part of his contract of hiring or who may be
employed at the time of the taking effect of this Act and the acceptance of
its provisions by such employer, shall be deemed to have accepted all the
provisions of this Act and shall be bound thereby unless within 30 days
after such hiring or after the taking effect of this Act, and its
acceptance by such employee, he shall file a notice to the contrary with
the Commission, whose duty it shall be to immediately notify the employer,
and until such notice to the contrary is given to the employer, the measure
of liability of such employer shall be determined according to the
compensation provisions of this Act.
However, any employee may withdraw from the operation of this Act,
except those under Section 3, upon filing a written notice of withdrawal at
least 10 days prior to January 1st of any year with the Commission, whose
duty it shall be to immediately notify such employer by registered mail,
and, until such notice to the contrary is given to such employer, the
measure of liability of such employer shall be determined according to the
compensation provisions of this Act.
(d) Any such employer or employee may, without prejudice to any existing
right or claim withdraw his election to reject this Act by giving 30 days'
written notice in such manner and form as may be provided by the
Commission.
(Source: P.A. 83-190.)
(820 ILCS 305/3) (from Ch. 48, par. 138.3)
Sec. 3. 
		
		The provisions of this Act hereinafter following shall apply
automatically and without election to the State, county, city, town,
township, incorporated village or school district, body politic or
municipal corporation, and to all employers and all their employees,
engaged in any department of the following enterprises or
businesses which are declared to be extra hazardous, namely:
1. The erection, maintaining, removing, remodeling, altering or
demolishing of any structure.
2. Construction, excavating or electrical work.
3. Carriage by land, water or aerial service and loading or
unloading in connection therewith, including the distribution of any
commodity by horsedrawn or motor vehicle where the employer employs more
than 2 employees in the enterprise or business.
4. The operation of any warehouse or general or terminal storehouses.
5. Mining, surface mining or quarrying.
6. Any enterprise in which explosive materials are manufactured,
handled or used in dangerous quantities.
7. In any business or enterprise, wherein molten metal, or explosive
or injurious gases, dusts or vapors, or inflammable vapors, dusts or
fluids, corrosive acids, or atomic radiation are manufactured, used,
generated, stored or conveyed.
8. Any enterprise in which sharp edged cutting tools, grinders or
implements are used, including all enterprises which buy, sell or handle
junk and salvage, demolish or reconstruct machinery.
9. In any enterprise in which statutory or municipal ordinance
regulations are now or shall hereafter be imposed for the regulating,
guarding, use or the placing of machinery or appliances or for the
protection and safeguarding of the employees or the public therein; each
of which occupations, enterprises or businesses are hereby declared to
be extra hazardous.
10. Any enterprise, business or work in connection with the laying
out or improvement of subdivisions of tracts of land.
11. Any enterprise for the treatment of cross-ties, switch-ties,
telegraph poles, timber or other wood with creosote or other
preservatives.
12. Establishments open to the general public wherein alcoholic
beverages are sold to the general public for consumption on the
premises.
13. The operation of any public beauty shop wherein
chemicals, solutions, or heated instruments or objects are used or
applied by any employee in the dressing, treatment or waving of human
hair.
14. Any business or enterprise serving food to the public for
consumption on the premises wherein any employee as a substantial part
of the employee's work uses handcutting instruments or slicing machines or
other devices for the cutting of meat or other food or wherein any employee
is in the hazard of being scalded or burned by hot grease, hot water, hot
foods, or other hot fluids, substances or objects.
15. Any business or enterprise in which electric, gasoline or other
power driven equipment is used in the operation thereof.
16. Any business or enterprise in which goods, wares or merchandise
are produced, manufactured or fabricated.
17. (a) Any business or enterprise in which goods, wares or merchandise
are sold or in which services are rendered to the public at large,
provided that this paragraph shall not apply to
such business or enterprise unless the annual payroll during the year
next preceding the date of injury shall be in excess of $1,000.
(b) The corporate
officers of any
domestic or foreign corporation employed by the corporation may elect to
withdraw themselves
as individuals from the operation of this Act. Upon an election by the
corporate
officers to withdraw, written notice shall be provided to the insurance
carrier of such election to withdraw, which election shall be effective
upon receipt by the insurance carrier of such
written notice. A corporate officer who thereafter elects to resume coverage
under the Act as an individual shall provide written notice of such election
to the insurance carrier which election shall be effective upon receipt by the
insurance carrier of such written notice.  For the purpose of this paragraph,
a "corporate officer" is defined as a bona fide President, Vice President,
Secretary or Treasurer of a corporation who voluntarily elects to withdraw.
18. On and after July 1, 1980, but not before, any household or residence
wherein domestic workers are employed for a total of 40 or
more hours per week for a period of 13 or more weeks during a calendar year.
19. Nothing contained in this Act shall be construed to apply to any
agricultural enterprise, including aquaculture, employing less than 400
working days of
agricultural or aquacultural labor per quarter during the preceding calendar
year,
exclusive of working hours of the employer's spouse and other members of
his or her immediate family residing with him or her.
20. Nothing contained in this Act shall be construed to apply to any sole
proprietor or partner
or member of a limited liability company
who elects not to provide and pay compensation for
accidental injuries sustained by himself, arising out of and in the course
of the employment according to the provisions of this Act.
(Source: P.A. 91-591, eff. 8-14-99.)
(820 ILCS 305/4) (from Ch. 48, par. 138.4)
(Text of Section from P.A. 101-40 and 102-37)
Sec. 4. (a) Any employer, including but not limited to general contractors
and their subcontractors, who shall come within the provisions of
Section 3 of this Act, and any other employer who shall elect to provide
and pay the compensation provided for in this Act shall:
(1) File with the Commission annually an application     for approval as a self-insurer which shall include a current financial statement, and annually, thereafter, an application for renewal of self-insurance, which shall include a current financial statement.  Said application and financial statement shall be signed and sworn to by the president or vice president and secretary or assistant secretary of the employer if it be a corporation, or by all of the partners, if it be a copartnership, or by the owner if it be neither a copartnership nor a corporation. All initial applications and all applications for renewal of self-insurance must be submitted at least 60 days prior to the requested effective date of self-insurance.  An employer may elect to provide and pay compensation as provided for in this Act as a member of a group workers' compensation pool under Article V 3/4 of the Illinois Insurance Code.  If an employer becomes a member of a group workers' compensation pool, the employer shall not be relieved of any obligations imposed by this Act.
If the sworn application and financial statement of     any such employer does not satisfy the Commission of the financial ability of the employer who has filed it, the Commission shall require such employer to,
(2) Furnish security, indemnity or a bond     guaranteeing the payment by the employer of the compensation provided for in this Act, provided that any such employer whose application and financial statement shall not have satisfied the commission of his or her financial ability and who shall have secured his liability in part by excess liability insurance shall be required to furnish to the Commission security, indemnity or bond guaranteeing his or her payment up to the effective limits of the excess coverage, or
(3) Insure his entire liability to pay such     compensation in some insurance carrier authorized, licensed, or permitted to do such insurance business in this State.  Every policy of an insurance carrier, insuring the payment of compensation under this Act shall cover all the employees and the entire compensation liability of the insured: Provided, however, that any employer may insure his or her compensation liability with 2 or more insurance carriers or may insure a part and qualify under subsection 1, 2, or 4 for the remainder of his or her liability to pay such compensation, subject to the following two provisions:
Firstly, the entire compensation liability of the         employer to employees working at or from one location shall be insured in one such insurance carrier or shall be self-insured, and
Secondly, the employer shall submit evidence         satisfactorily to the Commission that his or her entire liability for the compensation provided for in this Act will be secured.  Any provisions in any policy, or in any endorsement attached thereto, attempting to limit or modify in any way, the liability of the insurance carriers issuing the same except as otherwise provided herein shall be wholly void.
Nothing herein contained shall apply to policies of     excess liability carriage secured by employers who have been approved by the Commission as self-insurers, or
(4) Make some other provision, satisfactory to the     Commission, for the securing of the payment of compensation provided for in this Act, and
(5) Upon becoming subject to this Act and thereafter     as often as the Commission may in writing demand, file with the Commission in form prescribed by it evidence of his or her compliance with the provision of this Section.
(a-1) Regardless of its state of domicile or its principal place of
business, an employer shall make payments to its insurance carrier or group
self-insurance fund, where applicable, based upon the premium rates of the
situs where the work or project is located in Illinois if:
(A) the employer is engaged primarily in the building     and construction industry; and
(B) subdivision (a)(3) of this Section applies to the     employer or the employer is a member of a group self-insurance plan as defined in subsection (1) of Section 4a.
The Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission shall impose a penalty upon an employer
for violation of this subsection (a-1) if:
(i) the employer is given an opportunity at a hearing     to present evidence of its compliance with this subsection (a-1); and
(ii) after the hearing, the Commission finds that the     employer failed to make payments upon the premium rates of the situs where the work or project is located in Illinois.
The penalty shall not exceed $1,000 for each day of work for which
the employer failed to make payments upon the premium rates of the situs where
the
work or project is located in Illinois, but the total penalty shall not exceed
$50,000 for each project or each contract under which the work was
performed.
Any penalty under this subsection (a-1) must be imposed not later
than one year after the expiration of the applicable limitation period
specified in subsection (d) of Section 6 of this Act.  Penalties imposed under
this subsection (a-1) shall be deposited into the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission
Operations Fund, a special fund that is created in the State treasury.  Subject
to appropriation, moneys in the Fund shall be used solely for the operations
of the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission, the salaries and benefits of the Self-Insurers Advisory Board employees, the operating costs of the Self-Insurers Advisory Board, and by the Department of Insurance for the purposes authorized in subsection (c) of Section 25.5 of this Act.
(a-2) Every Employee Leasing Company (ELC), as defined in Section 15 of the Employee Leasing Company Act, shall at a minimum provide the following information to the Commission or any entity designated by the Commission regarding each workers' compensation insurance policy issued to the ELC:
(1) Any client company of the ELC listed as an     additional named insured.
(2) Any informational schedule attached to the master     policy that identifies any individual client company's name, FEIN, and job location.
(3) Any certificate of insurance coverage document     issued to a client company specifying its rights and obligations under the master policy that establishes both the identity and status of the client, as well as the dates of inception and termination of coverage, if applicable.
(b) The sworn application and financial statement, or security,
indemnity or bond, or amount of insurance, or other provisions, filed,
furnished, carried, or made by the employer, as the case may be, shall
be subject to the approval of the Commission.
Deposits under escrow agreements shall be cash, negotiable United
States government bonds or negotiable general obligation bonds of the
State of Illinois.  Such cash or bonds shall be deposited in
escrow with any State or National Bank or Trust Company having trust
authority in the State of Illinois.
Upon the approval of the sworn application and financial statement,
security, indemnity or bond or amount of insurance, filed, furnished or
carried, as the case may be, the Commission shall send to the employer
written notice of its approval thereof.  The certificate of compliance
by the employer with the provisions of subparagraphs (2) and (3) of
paragraph (a) of this Section shall be delivered by the insurance
carrier to the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission within five days after the
effective date of the policy so certified.  The insurance so certified
shall cover all compensation liability occurring during the time that
the insurance is in effect and no further certificate need be filed in case
such insurance is renewed, extended or otherwise continued by such
carrier.  The insurance so certified shall not be cancelled or in the
event that such insurance is not renewed, extended or otherwise
continued, such insurance shall not be terminated until at least 10
days after receipt by the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission of notice of the
cancellation or termination of said insurance; provided, however, that
if the employer has secured insurance from another insurance carrier, or
has otherwise secured the payment of compensation in accordance with
this Section, and such insurance or other security becomes effective
prior to the expiration of the 10 days, cancellation or termination may, at
the option of the insurance carrier indicated in such notice, be effective
as of the effective date of such other insurance or security.
(c) Whenever the Commission shall find that any corporation,
company, association, aggregation of individuals, reciprocal or
interinsurers exchange, or other insurer effecting workers' compensation
insurance in this State shall be insolvent, financially unsound, or
unable to fully meet all payments and liabilities assumed or to be
assumed for compensation insurance in this State, or shall practice a
policy of delay or unfairness toward employees in the adjustment,
settlement, or payment of benefits due such employees, the Commission
may after reasonable notice and hearing order and direct that such
corporation, company, association, aggregation of individuals,
reciprocal or interinsurers exchange, or insurer, shall from and after a
date fixed in such order discontinue the writing of any such workers'
compensation insurance in this State.  Subject to such modification of
the order as the Commission may later make on review of the order,
as herein provided, it shall thereupon be unlawful for any such
corporation, company, association, aggregation of individuals,
reciprocal or interinsurers exchange, or insurer to effect any workers'
compensation insurance in this State.  A copy of the order shall be served
upon the Director of Insurance by registered mail.  Whenever the Commission
finds that any service or adjustment company used or employed
by a self-insured employer or by an insurance carrier to process,
adjust, investigate, compromise or otherwise handle claims under this
Act, has practiced or is practicing a policy of delay or unfairness
toward employees in the adjustment, settlement or payment of benefits
due such employees, the Commission may after reasonable notice and
hearing order and direct that such service or adjustment company shall
from and after a date fixed in such order be prohibited from processing,
adjusting, investigating, compromising or otherwise handling claims
under this Act.
Whenever the Commission finds that any self-insured employer has
practiced or is practicing delay or unfairness toward employees in the
adjustment, settlement or payment of benefits due such employees, the
Commission may, after reasonable notice and hearing, order and direct
that after a date fixed in the order such self-insured employer shall be
disqualified to operate as a self-insurer and shall be required to
insure his entire liability to pay compensation in some insurance
carrier authorized, licensed and permitted to do such insurance business
in this State, as provided in subparagraph 3 of paragraph (a) of this
Section.
All orders made by the Commission under this Section shall be subject
to review by the courts, said review to be taken in the same manner and
within the same time as provided by Section 19 of this Act for review of
awards and decisions of the Commission, upon the party seeking the
review filing with the clerk of the court to which said review is taken
a bond in an amount to be fixed and approved by the court to which the
review is taken, conditioned upon the payment of all compensation awarded
against the person taking said review pending a decision thereof and
further conditioned upon such other obligations as the court may impose.
Upon the review the Circuit Court shall have power to review all questions
of fact as well as of law.  The penalty hereinafter provided for in this
paragraph shall not attach and shall not begin to run until the final
determination of the order of the Commission.
(d) Whenever a Commissioner, with due process and after a hearing, determines an employer has knowingly failed to provide coverage as required by paragraph (a) of this Section, the failure shall be deemed an immediate serious danger to public health, safety, and welfare sufficient to justify service by the Commission of a work-stop order on such employer, requiring the cessation of all business operations of such employer at the place of employment or job site. If a business is declared to be extra hazardous, as defined in Section 3, a Commissioner may issue an emergency work-stop order on such an employer ex parte, prior to holding a hearing, requiring the cessation of all business operations of such employer at the place of employment or job site while awaiting the ruling of the Commission. Whenever a Commissioner issues an emergency work-stop order, the Commission shall issue a notice of emergency work-stop hearing to be posted at the employer's places of employment and job sites. Any law enforcement agency in the State shall, at the request of the Commission, render any assistance necessary to carry out the provisions of this Section, including, but not limited to, preventing any employee of such employer from remaining at a place of employment or job site after a work-stop order has taken effect.  Any work-stop order shall be lifted upon proof of insurance as required by this Act. Any orders under this Section are appealable under Section 19(f) to the Circuit Court.
Any individual employer, corporate officer or director of a corporate employer, partner of an employer partnership, or member of an employer limited liability company who knowingly fails to provide coverage as required by paragraph (a) of this Section is guilty of a Class 4 felony.  This provision shall not apply to any corporate officer or director of any publicly-owned corporation. Each day's violation constitutes a separate offense.  The State's Attorney of the county in which the violation occurred, or the Attorney General, shall bring such actions in the name of the People of the State of Illinois, or may, in addition to other remedies provided in this Section, bring an action for an injunction to restrain the violation or to enjoin the operation of any such employer.
Any individual employer, corporate officer or director of a corporate employer, partner of an employer partnership, or member of an employer limited liability company who negligently fails to provide coverage as required by paragraph (a) of this Section is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.  This provision shall not apply to any corporate officer or director of any publicly-owned corporation. Each day's violation constitutes a separate offense.  The State's Attorney of the county in which the violation occurred, or the Attorney General, shall bring such actions in the name of the People of the State of Illinois.
The criminal penalties in this subsection (d) shall not apply where

there exists a good faith dispute as to the existence of an
employment relationship. Evidence of good faith shall
include, but not be limited to, compliance with the definition
of employee as used by the Internal Revenue Service.
All investigative actions must be acted upon within 90 days of the issuance of the complaint. Employers who are subject to and who knowingly fail to comply with this Section shall not be entitled to the benefits of this Act during the period of noncompliance, but shall be liable in an action under any other applicable law of this State.  In the action, such employer shall not avail himself or herself of the defenses of assumption of risk or negligence or that the injury was due to a co-employee.  In the action, proof of the injury shall constitute prima facie evidence of negligence on the part of such employer and the burden shall be on such employer to show freedom of negligence resulting in the injury.  The employer shall not join any other defendant in any such civil action.  Nothing in this amendatory Act of the 94th General Assembly shall affect the employee's rights under subdivision (a)3 of Section 1 of this Act. Any employer or carrier who makes payments under subdivision (a)3 of Section 1 of this Act shall have a right of reimbursement from the proceeds of any recovery under this Section.
An employee of an uninsured employer, or the employee's dependents in case death ensued, may, instead of proceeding against the employer in a civil action in court, file an application for adjustment of claim with the Commission in accordance with the provisions of this Act and the Commission shall hear and determine the application for adjustment of claim in the manner in which other claims are heard and determined before the Commission.
All proceedings under this subsection (d) shall be reported on an annual basis to the Workers' Compensation Advisory Board.
An investigator with the Department of Insurance may issue a citation to any employer that is not in compliance with its obligation to have workers' compensation insurance under this Act. The amount of the fine shall be based on the period of time the employer was in non-compliance, but shall be no less than $500, and shall not exceed $10,000. An employer that has been issued a citation shall pay the fine to the Department of Insurance and provide to the Department of Insurance proof that it obtained the required workers' compensation insurance within 10 days after the citation was issued. This Section does not affect any other obligations this Act imposes on employers.
Upon a finding by the Commission, after reasonable notice and
hearing, of the knowing and willful failure or refusal of an employer to
comply with
any of the provisions of paragraph (a) of this Section, the failure or
refusal of an employer, service or adjustment company, or an insurance
carrier to comply with any order of the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission pursuant to
paragraph (c) of this Section disqualifying him or her to operate as a self
insurer and requiring him or her to insure his or her liability, or the knowing and willful failure of an employer to comply with a citation issued by an investigator with the Department of Insurance, the
Commission may assess a civil penalty of up to $500 per day for each day of
such failure or refusal after the effective date of this amendatory Act of
1989. The minimum penalty under this Section shall be the sum of $10,000.
Each day of such failure or refusal shall constitute a separate offense.
The Commission may assess the civil penalty personally and individually
against the corporate officers and directors of a corporate employer, the
partners of an employer partnership, and the members of an employer limited
liability company, after a finding of a knowing and willful refusal or failure
of each such named corporate officer, director, partner, or member to comply
with this Section.  The liability for the assessed penalty shall be
against the named employer first, and
if the named employer fails or refuses to pay the penalty to the
Commission within 30 days after the final order of the Commission, then the
named
corporate officers, directors, partners, or members who have been found to have
knowingly and willfully refused or failed to comply with this Section shall be
liable for the unpaid penalty or any unpaid portion of the penalty.  Upon investigation by the Department of Insurance, the Attorney General shall have the authority to prosecute all proceedings to enforce the civil and administrative provisions of this Section before the Commission.  The Commission and the Department of Insurance shall promulgate procedural rules for enforcing this Section relating to their respective duties prescribed herein.
If an employer is found to be in non-compliance with any provisions of paragraph (a) of this Section more than once, all minimum penalties will double. Therefore, upon the failure or refusal of an employer, service or adjustment company, or insurance carrier to comply with any order of the Commission pursuant to paragraph (c) of this Section disqualifying him or her to operate as a self-insurer and requiring him or her to insure his or her liability, or the knowing and willful failure of an employer to comply with a citation issued by an investigator with the Department of Insurance, the Commission may assess a civil penalty of up to $1,000 per day for each day of such failure or refusal after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 101st General Assembly. The minimum penalty under this Section shall be the sum of $20,000. In addition, employers with 2 or more violations of any provisions of paragraph (a) of this Section may not self-insure for one year or until all penalties are paid.
Upon the failure or refusal of any employer, service or adjustment
company or insurance carrier to comply with the provisions of this Section
and with the orders of the Commission under this Section, or the order of
the court on review after final adjudication, the Commission may bring a
civil action to recover the amount of the penalty in Cook County or in
Sangamon County in which litigation the Commission shall be represented by
the Attorney General.  The Commission shall send notice of its finding of
non-compliance and assessment of the civil penalty to the Attorney General.
It shall be the duty of the Attorney General within 30 days after receipt
of the notice, to institute prosecutions and promptly prosecute all
reported violations of this Section.
Any individual employer, corporate officer or director of a corporate employer, partner of an employer partnership, or member of an employer limited liability company who, with the intent to avoid payment of compensation under this Act to an injured employee or the employee's dependents, knowingly transfers, sells, encumbers, assigns, or in any manner disposes of, conceals, secretes, or destroys any property belonging to the employer, officer, director, partner, or member is guilty of a Class 4 felony.
Penalties and fines collected pursuant to this paragraph (d) shall be deposited upon receipt into a special fund which shall be designated the Injured Workers' Benefit Fund, of which the State Treasurer is ex-officio custodian, such special fund to be held and disbursed in accordance with this paragraph (d) for the purposes hereinafter stated in this paragraph (d), upon the final order of the Commission.  The Injured Workers' Benefit Fund shall be deposited the same as are State funds and any interest accruing thereon shall be added thereto every 6 months.  The Injured Workers' Benefit Fund is subject to audit the same as State funds and accounts and is protected by the general bond given by the State Treasurer.  The Injured Workers' Benefit Fund is considered always appropriated for the purposes of disbursements as provided in this paragraph, and shall be paid out and disbursed as herein provided and shall not at any time be appropriated or diverted to any other use or purpose.  Moneys in the Injured Workers' Benefit Fund shall be used only for payment of workers' compensation benefits for injured employees when the employer has failed to provide coverage as determined under this paragraph (d) and has failed to pay the benefits due to the injured employee.  The Commission shall have the right to obtain reimbursement from the employer for compensation obligations paid by the Injured Workers' Benefit Fund.  Any such amounts obtained shall be deposited by the Commission into the Injured Workers' Benefit Fund.  If an injured employee or his or her personal representative receives payment from the Injured Workers' Benefit Fund, the State of Illinois has the same rights under paragraph (b) of Section 5 that the employer who failed to pay the benefits due to the injured employee would have had if the employer had paid those benefits, and any moneys recovered by the State as a result of the State's exercise of its rights under paragraph (b) of Section 5 shall be deposited into the Injured Workers' Benefit Fund.  The custodian of the Injured Workers' Benefit Fund shall be joined with the employer as a party respondent in the application for adjustment of claim. After July 1, 2006, the Commission shall make disbursements from the Fund once each year to each eligible claimant.  An eligible claimant is an injured worker who has within the previous fiscal year obtained a final award for benefits from the Commission against the employer and the Injured Workers' Benefit Fund and has notified the Commission within 90 days of receipt of such award.  Within a reasonable time after the end of each fiscal year, the Commission shall make a disbursement to each eligible claimant.  At the time of disbursement, if there are insufficient moneys in the Fund to pay all claims, each eligible claimant shall receive a pro-rata share, as determined by the Commission, of the available moneys in the Fund for that year.  Payment from the Injured Workers' Benefit Fund to an eligible claimant pursuant to this provision shall discharge the obligations of the Injured Workers' Benefit Fund regarding the award entered by the Commission.
(e) This Act shall not affect or disturb the continuance of any
existing insurance, mutual aid, benefit, or relief association or
department, whether maintained in whole or in part by the employer or
whether maintained by the employees, the payment of benefits of such
association or department being guaranteed by the employer or by some
person, firm or corporation for him or her: Provided, the employer contributes
to such association or department an amount not less than the full
compensation herein provided, exclusive of the cost of the maintenance
of such association or department and without any expense to the
employee.  This Act shall not prevent the organization and maintaining
under the insurance laws of this State of any benefit or insurance
company for the purpose of insuring against the compensation provided
for in this Act, the expense of which is maintained by the employer.
This Act shall not prevent the organization or maintaining under the
insurance laws of this State of any voluntary mutual aid, benefit or
relief association among employees for the payment of additional
accident or sick benefits.
(f) No existing insurance, mutual aid, benefit or relief association
or department shall, by reason of anything herein contained, be
authorized to discontinue its operation without first discharging its
obligations to any and all persons carrying insurance in the same or
entitled to relief or benefits therein.
(g) Any contract, oral, written or implied, of employment providing
for relief benefit, or insurance or any other device whereby the
employee is required to pay any premium or premiums for insurance
against the compensation provided for in this Act shall be null and
void.  Any employer withholding from the wages of any employee any
amount for the purpose of paying any such premium shall be guilty of a
Class B misdemeanor.
In the event the employer does not pay the compensation for which he or
she is liable, then an insurance company, association or insurer which may
have insured such employer against such liability shall become primarily
liable to pay to the employee, his or her personal representative or
beneficiary the compensation required by the provisions of this Act to
be paid by such employer.  The insurance carrier may be made a party to
the proceedings in which the employer is a party and an award may be
entered jointly against the employer and the insurance carrier.
(h) It shall be unlawful for any employer, insurance company or
service or adjustment company to interfere with, restrain or coerce an
employee in any manner whatsoever in the exercise of the rights or
remedies granted to him or her by this Act or to discriminate, attempt to
discriminate, or threaten to discriminate against an employee in any way
because of his or her exercise of the rights or remedies granted to
him or her by this Act.
It shall be unlawful for any employer, individually or through any
insurance company or service or adjustment company, to discharge or to
threaten to discharge, or to refuse to rehire or recall to active
service in a suitable capacity an employee because of the exercise of
his or her rights or remedies granted to him or her by this Act.
(i) If an employer elects to obtain a life insurance policy on his
employees, he may also elect to apply such benefits in satisfaction of all
or a portion of the death benefits payable under this Act, in which case,
the employer's compensation premium shall be reduced accordingly.
(j) Within 45 days of receipt of an initial application or application
to renew self-insurance privileges the Self-Insurers Advisory Board shall
review and submit for approval by the Chairman of the Commission
recommendations of disposition of all initial applications to self-insure
and all applications to renew self-insurance privileges filed by private
self-insurers pursuant to the provisions of this Section and Section 4a-9
of this Act.  Each private self-insurer shall submit with its initial and
renewal applications the application fee required by Section 4a-4 of this Act.
The Chairman of the Commission shall promptly act upon all initial
applications and applications for renewal in full accordance with the
recommendations of the Board or, should the Chairman disagree with any
recommendation of disposition of the Self-Insurer's Advisory Board, he
shall within 30 days of receipt of such recommendation provide to the Board
in writing the reasons supporting his decision.  The Chairman shall also
promptly notify the employer of his decision within 15 days of receipt of
the recommendation of the Board.
If an employer is denied a renewal of self-insurance privileges pursuant
to application it shall retain said privilege for 120 days after receipt of
a notice of cancellation of the privilege from the Chairman of the Commission.
All orders made by the Chairman under this Section shall be subject to
review by the courts, such review to be taken in the same manner and within
the same time as provided by subsection (f) of Section 19 of this Act for
review of awards and decisions of the Commission, upon the party seeking
the review filing with the clerk of the court to which such review is taken
a bond in an amount to be fixed and approved by the court to which the
review is taken, conditioned upon the payment of all compensation awarded
against the person taking such review pending a decision thereof and
further conditioned upon such other obligations as the court may impose.
Upon the review the Circuit Court shall have power to review all questions
of fact as well as of law.
(Source: P.A. 101-40, eff. 1-1-20; 102-37, eff. 7-1-21.)
(Text of Section from P.A. 101-384 and 102-37)
Sec. 4. (a) Any employer, including but not limited to general contractors
and their subcontractors, who shall come within the provisions of
Section 3 of this Act, and any other employer who shall elect to provide
and pay the compensation provided for in this Act shall:
(1) File with the Commission annually an application     for approval as a self-insurer which shall include a current financial statement, and annually, thereafter, an application for renewal of self-insurance, which shall include a current financial statement.  Said application and financial statement shall be signed and sworn to by the president or vice president and secretary or assistant secretary of the employer if it be a corporation, or by all of the partners, if it be a copartnership, or by the owner if it be neither a copartnership nor a corporation. All initial applications and all applications for renewal of self-insurance must be submitted at least 60 days prior to the requested effective date of self-insurance.  An employer may elect to provide and pay compensation as provided for in this Act as a member of a group workers' compensation pool under Article V 3/4 of the Illinois Insurance Code.  If an employer becomes a member of a group workers' compensation pool, the employer shall not be relieved of any obligations imposed by this Act.
If the sworn application and financial statement of     any such employer does not satisfy the Commission of the financial ability of the employer who has filed it, the Commission shall require such employer to,
(2) Furnish security, indemnity or a bond     guaranteeing the payment by the employer of the compensation provided for in this Act, provided that any such employer whose application and financial statement shall not have satisfied the commission of his or her financial ability and who shall have secured his liability in part by excess liability insurance shall be required to furnish to the Commission security, indemnity or bond guaranteeing his or her payment up to the effective limits of the excess coverage, or
(3) Insure his entire liability to pay such     compensation in some insurance carrier authorized, licensed, or permitted to do such insurance business in this State.  Every policy of an insurance carrier, insuring the payment of compensation under this Act shall cover all the employees and the entire compensation liability of the insured: Provided, however, that any employer may insure his or her compensation liability with 2 or more insurance carriers or may insure a part and qualify under subsection 1, 2, or 4 for the remainder of his or her liability to pay such compensation, subject to the following two provisions:
Firstly, the entire compensation liability of the         employer to employees working at or from one location shall be insured in one such insurance carrier or shall be self-insured, and
Secondly, the employer shall submit evidence         satisfactorily to the Commission that his or her entire liability for the compensation provided for in this Act will be secured.  Any provisions in any policy, or in any endorsement attached thereto, attempting to limit or modify in any way, the liability of the insurance carriers issuing the same except as otherwise provided herein shall be wholly void.
Nothing herein contained shall apply to policies of     excess liability carriage secured by employers who have been approved by the Commission as self-insurers, or
(4) Make some other provision, satisfactory to the     Commission, for the securing of the payment of compensation provided for in this Act, and
(5) Upon becoming subject to this Act and thereafter     as often as the Commission may in writing demand, file with the Commission in form prescribed by it evidence of his or her compliance with the provision of this Section.
(a-1) Regardless of its state of domicile or its principal place of
business, an employer shall make payments to its insurance carrier or group
self-insurance fund, where applicable, based upon the premium rates of the
situs where the work or project is located in Illinois if:
(A) the employer is engaged primarily in the building     and construction industry; and
(B) subdivision (a)(3) of this Section applies to the     employer or the employer is a member of a group self-insurance plan as defined in subsection (1) of Section 4a.
The Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission shall impose a penalty upon an employer
for violation of this subsection (a-1) if:
(i) the employer is given an opportunity at a hearing     to present evidence of its compliance with this subsection (a-1); and
(ii) after the hearing, the Commission finds that the     employer failed to make payments upon the premium rates of the situs where the work or project is located in Illinois.
The penalty shall not exceed $1,000 for each day of work for which
the employer failed to make payments upon the premium rates of the situs where
the
work or project is located in Illinois, but the total penalty shall not exceed
$50,000 for each project or each contract under which the work was
performed.
Any penalty under this subsection (a-1) must be imposed not later
than one year after the expiration of the applicable limitation period
specified in subsection (d) of Section 6 of this Act.  Penalties imposed under
this subsection (a-1) shall be deposited into the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission
Operations Fund, a special fund that is created in the State treasury.  Subject
to appropriation, moneys in the Fund shall be used solely for the operations
of the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission and by the Department of Insurance for the purposes authorized in subsection (c) of Section 25.5 of this Act.
(a-2) Every Employee Leasing Company (ELC), as defined in Section 15 of the Employee Leasing Company Act, shall at a minimum provide the following information to the Commission or any entity designated by the Commission regarding each workers' compensation insurance policy issued to the ELC:
(1) Any client company of the ELC listed as an     additional named insured.
(2) Any informational schedule attached to the master     policy that identifies any individual client company's name, FEIN, and job location.
(3) Any certificate of insurance coverage document     issued to a client company specifying its rights and obligations under the master policy that establishes both the identity and status of the client, as well as the dates of inception and termination of coverage, if applicable.
(b) The sworn application and financial statement, or security,
indemnity or bond, or amount of insurance, or other provisions, filed,
furnished, carried, or made by the employer, as the case may be, shall
be subject to the approval of the Commission.
Deposits under escrow agreements shall be cash, negotiable United
States government bonds or negotiable general obligation bonds of the
State of Illinois.  Such cash or bonds shall be deposited in
escrow with any State or National Bank or Trust Company having trust
authority in the State of Illinois.
Upon the approval of the sworn application and financial statement,
security, indemnity or bond or amount of insurance, filed, furnished or
carried, as the case may be, the Commission shall send to the employer
written notice of its approval thereof.  The certificate of compliance
by the employer with the provisions of subparagraphs (2) and (3) of
paragraph (a) of this Section shall be delivered by the insurance
carrier to the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission within five days after the
effective date of the policy so certified.  The insurance so certified
shall cover all compensation liability occurring during the time that
the insurance is in effect and no further certificate need be filed in case
such insurance is renewed, extended or otherwise continued by such
carrier.  The insurance so certified shall not be cancelled or in the
event that such insurance is not renewed, extended or otherwise
continued, such insurance shall not be terminated until at least 10
days after receipt by the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission of notice of the
cancellation or termination of said insurance; provided, however, that
if the employer has secured insurance from another insurance carrier, or
has otherwise secured the payment of compensation in accordance with
this Section, and such insurance or other security becomes effective
prior to the expiration of the 10 days, cancellation or termination may, at
the option of the insurance carrier indicated in such notice, be effective
as of the effective date of such other insurance or security.
(c) Whenever the Commission shall find that any corporation,
company, association, aggregation of individuals, reciprocal or
interinsurers exchange, or other insurer effecting workers' compensation
insurance in this State shall be insolvent, financially unsound, or
unable to fully meet all payments and liabilities assumed or to be
assumed for compensation insurance in this State, or shall practice a
policy of delay or unfairness toward employees in the adjustment,
settlement, or payment of benefits due such employees, the Commission
may after reasonable notice and hearing order and direct that such
corporation, company, association, aggregation of individuals,
reciprocal or interinsurers exchange, or insurer, shall from and after a
date fixed in such order discontinue the writing of any such workers'
compensation insurance in this State.  Subject to such modification of
the order as the Commission may later make on review of the order,
as herein provided, it shall thereupon be unlawful for any such
corporation, company, association, aggregation of individuals,
reciprocal or interinsurers exchange, or insurer to effect any workers'
compensation insurance in this State.  A copy of the order shall be served
upon the Director of Insurance by registered mail.  Whenever the Commission
finds that any service or adjustment company used or employed
by a self-insured employer or by an insurance carrier to process,
adjust, investigate, compromise or otherwise handle claims under this
Act, has practiced or is practicing a policy of delay or unfairness
toward employees in the adjustment, settlement or payment of benefits
due such employees, the Commission may after reasonable notice and
hearing order and direct that such service or adjustment company shall
from and after a date fixed in such order be prohibited from processing,
adjusting, investigating, compromising or otherwise handling claims
under this Act.
Whenever the Commission finds that any self-insured employer has
practiced or is practicing delay or unfairness toward employees in the
adjustment, settlement or payment of benefits due such employees, the
Commission may, after reasonable notice and hearing, order and direct
that after a date fixed in the order such self-insured employer shall be
disqualified to operate as a self-insurer and shall be required to
insure his entire liability to pay compensation in some insurance
carrier authorized, licensed and permitted to do such insurance business
in this State, as provided in subparagraph 3 of paragraph (a) of this
Section.
All orders made by the Commission under this Section shall be subject
to review by the courts, said review to be taken in the same manner and
within the same time as provided by Section 19 of this Act for review of
awards and decisions of the Commission, upon the party seeking the
review filing with the clerk of the court to which said review is taken
a bond in an amount to be fixed and approved by the court to which the
review is taken, conditioned upon the payment of all compensation awarded
against the person taking said review pending a decision thereof and
further conditioned upon such other obligations as the court may impose.
Upon the review the Circuit Court shall have power to review all questions
of fact as well as of law.  The penalty hereinafter provided for in this
paragraph shall not attach and shall not begin to run until the final
determination of the order of the Commission.
(d) Whenever a panel of 3 Commissioners comprised of one member of the employing class, one representative of a labor organization recognized under the National Labor Relations Act or an attorney who has represented labor organizations or has represented employees in workers' compensation cases, and one member not identified with either the employing class or a labor organization, with due process and after a hearing, determines an employer has knowingly failed to provide coverage as required by paragraph (a) of this Section, the failure shall be deemed an immediate serious danger to public health, safety, and welfare sufficient to justify service by the Commission of a work-stop order on such employer, requiring the cessation of all business operations of such employer at the place of employment or job site. Any law enforcement agency in the State shall, at the request of the Commission, render any assistance necessary to carry out the provisions of this Section, including, but not limited to, preventing any employee of such employer from remaining at a place of employment or job site after a work-stop order has taken effect.  Any work-stop order shall be lifted upon proof of insurance as required by this Act. Any orders under this Section are appealable under Section 19(f) to the Circuit Court.
Any individual employer, corporate officer or director of a corporate employer, partner of an employer partnership, or member of an employer limited liability company who knowingly fails to provide coverage as required by paragraph (a) of this Section is guilty of a Class 4 felony.  This provision shall not apply to any corporate officer or director of any publicly-owned corporation. Each day's violation constitutes a separate offense.  The State's Attorney of the county in which the violation occurred, or the Attorney General, shall bring such actions in the name of the People of the State of Illinois, or may, in addition to other remedies provided in this Section, bring an action for an injunction to restrain the violation or to enjoin the operation of any such employer.
Any individual employer, corporate officer or director of a corporate employer, partner of an employer partnership, or member of an employer limited liability company who negligently fails to provide coverage as required by paragraph (a) of this Section is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.  This provision shall not apply to any corporate officer or director of any publicly-owned corporation. Each day's violation constitutes a separate offense.  The State's Attorney of the county in which the violation occurred, or the Attorney General, shall bring such actions in the name of the People of the State of Illinois.
The criminal penalties in this subsection (d) shall not apply where

there exists a good faith dispute as to the existence of an
employment relationship. Evidence of good faith shall
include, but not be limited to, compliance with the definition
of employee as used by the Internal Revenue Service.
Employers who are subject to and who knowingly fail to comply with this Section shall not be entitled to the benefits of this Act during the period of noncompliance, but shall be liable in an action under any other applicable law of this State.  In the action, such employer shall not avail himself or herself of the defenses of assumption of risk or negligence or that the injury was due to a co-employee.  In the action, proof of the injury shall constitute prima facie evidence of negligence on the part of such employer and the burden shall be on such employer to show freedom of negligence resulting in the injury.  The employer shall not join any other defendant in any such civil action.  Nothing in this amendatory Act of the 94th General Assembly shall affect the employee's rights under subdivision (a)3 of Section 1 of this Act. Any employer or carrier who makes payments under subdivision (a)3 of Section 1 of this Act shall have a right of reimbursement from the proceeds of any recovery under this Section.
An employee of an uninsured employer, or the employee's dependents in case death ensued, may, instead of proceeding against the employer in a civil action in court, file an application for adjustment of claim with the Commission in accordance with the provisions of this Act and the Commission shall hear and determine the application for adjustment of claim in the manner in which other claims are heard and determined before the Commission.
All proceedings under this subsection (d) shall be reported on an annual basis to the Workers' Compensation Advisory Board.
An investigator with the Department of Insurance may issue a citation to any employer that is not in compliance with its obligation to have workers' compensation insurance under this Act. The amount of the fine shall be based on the period of time the employer was in non-compliance, but shall be no less than $500, and shall not exceed $2,500. An employer that has been issued a citation shall pay the fine to the Department of Insurance and provide to the Department of Insurance proof that it obtained the required workers' compensation insurance within 10 days after the citation was issued. This Section does not affect any other obligations this Act imposes on employers.
Upon a finding by the Commission, after reasonable notice and
hearing, of the knowing and wilful failure or refusal of an employer to
comply with
any of the provisions of paragraph (a) of this Section, the failure or
refusal of an employer, service or adjustment company, or an insurance
carrier to comply with any order of the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission pursuant to
paragraph (c) of this Section disqualifying him or her to operate as a self
insurer and requiring him or her to insure his or her liability, or the knowing and willful failure of an employer to comply with a citation issued by an investigator with the Department of Insurance, the
Commission may assess a civil penalty of up to $500 per day for each day of
such failure or refusal after the effective date of this amendatory Act of
1989. The minimum penalty under this Section shall be the sum of $10,000.
Each day of such failure or refusal shall constitute a separate offense.
The Commission may assess the civil penalty personally and individually
against the corporate officers and directors of a corporate employer, the
partners of an employer partnership, and the members of an employer limited
liability company, after a finding of a knowing and willful refusal or failure
of each such named corporate officer, director, partner, or member to comply
with this Section.  The liability for the assessed penalty shall be
against the named employer first, and
if the named employer fails or refuses to pay the penalty to the
Commission within 30 days after the final order of the Commission, then the
named
corporate officers, directors, partners, or members who have been found to have
knowingly and willfully refused or failed to comply with this Section shall be
liable for the unpaid penalty or any unpaid portion of the penalty.  Upon investigation by the Department of Insurance, the Attorney General shall have the authority to prosecute all proceedings to enforce the civil and administrative provisions of this Section before the Commission.  The Commission and the Department of Insurance shall promulgate procedural rules for enforcing this Section relating to their respective duties prescribed herein.
Upon the failure or refusal of any employer, service or adjustment
company or insurance carrier to comply with the provisions of this Section
and with the orders of the Commission under this Section, or the order of
the court on review after final adjudication, the Commission may bring a
civil action to recover the amount of the penalty in Cook County or in
Sangamon County in which litigation the Commission shall be represented by
the Attorney General.  The Commission shall send notice of its finding of
non-compliance and assessment of the civil penalty to the Attorney General.
It shall be the duty of the Attorney General within 30 days after receipt
of the notice, to institute prosecutions and promptly prosecute all
reported violations of this Section.
Any individual employer, corporate officer or director of a corporate employer, partner of an employer partnership, or member of an employer limited liability company who, with the intent to avoid payment of compensation under this Act to an injured employee or the employee's dependents, knowingly transfers, sells, encumbers, assigns, or in any manner disposes of, conceals, secretes, or destroys any property belonging to the employer, officer, director, partner, or member is guilty of a Class 4 felony.
Penalties and fines collected pursuant to this paragraph (d) shall be deposited upon receipt into a special fund which shall be designated the Injured Workers' Benefit Fund, of which the State Treasurer is ex-officio custodian, such special fund to be held and disbursed in accordance with this paragraph (d) for the purposes hereinafter stated in this paragraph (d), upon the final order of the Commission.  The Injured Workers' Benefit Fund shall be deposited the same as are State funds and any interest accruing thereon shall be added thereto every 6 months.  The Injured Workers' Benefit Fund is subject to audit the same as State funds and accounts and is protected by the general bond given by the State Treasurer.  The Injured Workers' Benefit Fund is considered always appropriated for the purposes of disbursements as provided in this paragraph, and shall be paid out and disbursed as herein provided and shall not at any time be appropriated or diverted to any other use or purpose.  Moneys in the Injured Workers' Benefit Fund shall be used only for payment of workers' compensation benefits for injured employees when the employer has failed to provide coverage as determined under this paragraph (d) and has failed to pay the benefits due to the injured employee.  The Commission shall have the right to obtain reimbursement from the employer for compensation obligations paid by the Injured Workers' Benefit Fund.  Any such amounts obtained shall be deposited by the Commission into the Injured Workers' Benefit Fund.  If an injured employee or his or her personal representative receives payment from the Injured Workers' Benefit Fund, the State of Illinois has the same rights under paragraph (b) of Section 5 that the employer who failed to pay the benefits due to the injured employee would have had if the employer had paid those benefits, and any moneys recovered by the State as a result of the State's exercise of its rights under paragraph (b) of Section 5 shall be deposited into the Injured Workers' Benefit Fund.  The custodian of the Injured Workers' Benefit Fund shall be joined with the employer as a party respondent in the application for adjustment of claim. After July 1, 2006, the Commission shall make disbursements from the Fund once each year to each eligible claimant.  An eligible claimant is an injured worker who has within the previous fiscal year obtained a final award for benefits from the Commission against the employer and the Injured Workers' Benefit Fund and has notified the Commission within 90 days of receipt of such award.  Within a reasonable time after the end of each fiscal year, the Commission shall make a disbursement to each eligible claimant.  At the time of disbursement, if there are insufficient moneys in the Fund to pay all claims, each eligible claimant shall receive a pro-rata share, as determined by the Commission, of the available moneys in the Fund for that year.  Payment from the Injured Workers' Benefit Fund to an eligible claimant pursuant to this provision shall discharge the obligations of the Injured Workers' Benefit Fund regarding the award entered by the Commission.
(e) This Act shall not affect or disturb the continuance of any
existing insurance, mutual aid, benefit, or relief association or
department, whether maintained in whole or in part by the employer or
whether maintained by the employees, the payment of benefits of such
association or department being guaranteed by the employer or by some
person, firm or corporation for him or her: Provided, the employer contributes
to such association or department an amount not less than the full
compensation herein provided, exclusive of the cost of the maintenance
of such association or department and without any expense to the
employee.  This Act shall not prevent the organization and maintaining
under the insurance laws of this State of any benefit or insurance
company for the purpose of insuring against the compensation provided
for in this Act, the expense of which is maintained by the employer.
This Act shall not prevent the organization or maintaining under the
insurance laws of this State of any voluntary mutual aid, benefit or
relief association among employees for the payment of additional
accident or sick benefits.
(f) No existing insurance, mutual aid, benefit or relief association
or department shall, by reason of anything herein contained, be
authorized to discontinue its operation without first discharging its
obligations to any and all persons carrying insurance in the same or
entitled to relief or benefits therein.
(g) Any contract, oral, written or implied, of employment providing
for relief benefit, or insurance or any other device whereby the
employee is required to pay any premium or premiums for insurance
against the compensation provided for in this Act shall be null and
void.  Any employer withholding from the wages of any employee any
amount for the purpose of paying any such premium shall be guilty of a
Class B misdemeanor.
In the event the employer does not pay the compensation for which he or
she is liable, then an insurance company, association or insurer which may
have insured such employer against such liability shall become primarily
liable to pay to the employee, his or her personal representative or
beneficiary the compensation required by the provisions of this Act to
be paid by such employer.  The insurance carrier may be made a party to
the proceedings in which the employer is a party and an award may be
entered jointly against the employer and the insurance carrier.
(h) It shall be unlawful for any employer, insurance company or
service or adjustment company to interfere with, restrain or coerce an
employee in any manner whatsoever in the exercise of the rights or
remedies granted to him or her by this Act or to discriminate, attempt to
discriminate, or threaten to discriminate against an employee in any way
because of his or her exercise of the rights or remedies granted to
him or her by this Act.
It shall be unlawful for any employer, individually or through any
insurance company or service or adjustment company, to discharge or to
threaten to discharge, or to refuse to rehire or recall to active
service in a suitable capacity an employee because of the exercise of
his or her rights or remedies granted to him or her by this Act.
(i) If an employer elects to obtain a life insurance policy on his
employees, he may also elect to apply such benefits in satisfaction of all
or a portion of the death benefits payable under this Act, in which case,
the employer's compensation premium shall be reduced accordingly.
(j) Within 45 days of receipt of an initial application or application
to renew self-insurance privileges the Self-Insurers Advisory Board shall
review and submit for approval by the Chairman of the Commission
recommendations of disposition of all initial applications to self-insure
and all applications to renew self-insurance privileges filed by private
self-insurers pursuant to the provisions of this Section and Section 4a-9
of this Act.  Each private self-insurer shall submit with its initial and
renewal applications the application fee required by Section 4a-4 of this Act.
The Chairman of the Commission shall promptly act upon all initial
applications and applications for renewal in full accordance with the
recommendations of the Board or, should the Chairman disagree with any
recommendation of disposition of the Self-Insurer's Advisory Board, he
shall within 30 days of receipt of such recommendation provide to the Board
in writing the reasons supporting his decision.  The Chairman shall also
promptly notify the employer of his decision within 15 days of receipt of
the recommendation of the Board.
If an employer is denied a renewal of self-insurance privileges pursuant
to application it shall retain said privilege for 120 days after receipt of
a notice of cancellation of the privilege from the Chairman of the Commission.
All orders made by the Chairman under this Section shall be subject to
review by the courts, such review to be taken in the same manner and within
the same time as provided by subsection (f) of Section 19 of this Act for
review of awards and decisions of the Commission, upon the party seeking
the review filing with the clerk of the court to which such review is taken
a bond in an amount to be fixed and approved by the court to which the
review is taken, conditioned upon the payment of all compensation awarded
against the person taking such review pending a decision thereof and
further conditioned upon such other obligations as the court may impose.
Upon the review the Circuit Court shall have power to review all questions
of fact as well as of law.
(Source: P.A. 101-384, eff. 1-1-20; 102-37, eff. 7-1-21.)
(820 ILCS 305/4a) (from Ch. 48, par. 138.4a)
Sec. 4a. 
		(Repealed).
(Source: P.A. 89-97, eff. 7-7-95. Repealed by P.A. 91-757, eff. 1-1-01.)
(820 ILCS 305/4a-1) (from Ch. 48, par. 138.4a-1)
Sec. 4a-1. 
		
		The Self-Insurers Advisory Board is hereby established
within the Commission for the purpose of providing for the continuation of
workers' compensation and occupational disease benefits due and unpaid or
interrupted due to the inability of an insolvent self-insurer as defined in
subsection (d) of Section 4a-2 to meet its compensation obligations when
the employers' financial resources, security deposit, guaranty agreements,
surety agreements and excess insurance are either inadequate or not
immediately accessible for the payment of benefits, and to review and
recommend to the Chairman of the Commission the disposition of all initial
and renewal applications to self-insure filed by private self-insurers
under this Act and the Workers' Occupational Diseases Act.
(Source: P.A. 85-1385.)
(820 ILCS 305/4a-2) (from Ch. 48, par. 138.4a-2)
Sec. 4a-2. As used in Sections 4a-1 through 4a-9:
(a) "Board" means the Self-Insurers Advisory Board created by Section 4a-1.
(b) "Chairman" means the Chairman of the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission.
(c) "Private self-insurer" means a private employer that has been
authorized to self-insure its payment of workers' compensation benefits
pursuant to subsection (a) of Section 4 of this Act or to self-insure its
payment of occupational disease benefits pursuant to subsection (a) of
Section 4 of the Workers' Occupational Diseases Act but does not include
group self-insured employers under Section 4a of this Act or Section 4a of
the Workers' Occupational Diseases Act or the State of Illinois, any
political subdivision of the State, unit of local government or school
district, or any other public authorities or quasi-governmental bodies
including any subunits of the foregoing entities.
(d) "Insolvent self-insurer" means a private self-insurer financially
unable to pay compensation due under this Act, which (i) has filed either prior
to or after the effective date of this Section or (ii) is the subject party
in any proceeding under the Federal Bankruptcy Reform Act of 1978, or is
the subject party in any proceeding in which a receiver, custodian,
liquidator, rehabilitator, sequestrator, trustee or similar officer has
been appointed by any Court to act in lieu of or on behalf of that self-insurer.
(e) "Fund" means the Self-Insurers Security Fund established by Section 4a-5.
(f) "Trustee" means a member of the Self-Insurers Advisory Board.
(g) (Blank).
(h) "Application fee" means the application fee provided for in Section 4a-4.
(Source: P.A. 102-910, eff. 5-27-22.)
(820 ILCS 305/4a-3) (from Ch. 48, par. 138.4a-3)
Sec. 4a-3. (a)  The Board shall consist of the Chairman of the
Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission, as Chairman of the Board, and six other members
appointed by the Chairman who shall be expert in matters of self-insurance
for workers' compensation liability.  One such member shall represent the
general public.  The Trustees shall initially be appointed by the Chairman
within 30 days of the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1985.  Three of the
Trustees initially appointed by the Chairman shall serve for a two-year
term ending January 1, 1988, and three shall serve for a four-year term
ending January 1, 1990.  Thereafter, each Trustee shall be appointed to a
four-year term and shall continue to serve until his successor is appointed.
(b) A vacancy in the office of any appointed member shall occur upon his
resignation, death, or conviction of a felony.  The Chairman may remove any
member from office on a formal finding of incompetence, neglect of duty or
malfeasance in office.  Within 30 days after the office of any appointed
member becomes vacant for any reason, the Chairman shall fill that vacancy
for the unexpired term in the same manner as that in which appointments are made.
(Source: P.A. 93-721, eff. 1-1-05.)
(820 ILCS 305/4a-4) (from Ch. 48, par. 138.4a-4)
Sec. 4a-4. 
The Self-Insurers Advisory Board shall possess all powers
necessary and convenient to accomplish the objects prescribed by this Act,
including but not limited to the following:
(a) The Board shall make such bylaws, rules,     regulations and resolutions as are necessary to carry out its responsibilities.  The Board may carry out its responsibilities directly or by contract or other instrument, and may purchase such services and collect and borrow such funds as it deems necessary to effectuate its activities and protect the members of the Board and its employees.  The Board shall appoint, retain and employ such persons as it deems necessary to achieve the purposes of the Board.  The Chairman shall be the chief administrative officer of the Board, and he or she shall have general supervisory authority over all employees of the Board. Designated employees shall be subject to the Illinois Personnel Code.  All expenses incurred pursuant to this provision shall be paid from the Self-Insurers Security Fund. Each private self-insurer applying for self-insurance and for renewal of the self-insurance privilege shall pay with its application a non-refundable application fee in the amount of $500, which shall be deposited upon receipt by the Commission into the Self-Insurers Security  Fund and used only for the purposes set forth in Sections 4a-1 through 4a-9.  An application fee shall be required of each corporation and each and every corporate subsidiary.
(b) The Board shall meet no less than quarterly and     shall meet at other times upon the call of the Chairman, issued to the Trustees in writing no less than 48 hours prior to the day and hour of the meeting, or upon a request for a meeting presented in writing to the Chairman no less than 72 hours prior to the proposed day and hour of the meeting and signed by at least a majority of the Trustees, whereupon the Chairman shall provide notice issued in writing to the Trustees no less than 48 hours prior to the meeting and shall convene the meeting at the time and place stated in the request.
(c) Four Trustees shall constitute a quorum to     transact business at any meeting, and the affirmative vote of four Trustees shall be necessary for any action taken by the Board.  No vacancy shall otherwise impair the rights of the remaining Trustees to exercise all of the powers of the Board.
(d) The Board shall serve without compensation, but     each member shall be entitled to be reimbursed for necessary and actual expenses incurred in the discharge of his official duties.
(e) The Board shall have the right to sue and be sued     in the name of the Commission.
(Source: P.A. 102-910, eff. 5-27-22.)
(820 ILCS 305/4a-5) (from Ch. 48, par. 138.4a-5)
Sec. 4a-5. There is hereby created a Self-Insurers Security Fund. The State
Treasurer shall be the ex officio custodian of the Self-Insurers Security
Fund. Moneys in the Fund shall be deposited in a separate account in the
same manner as are State Funds and any interest accruing thereon shall be
added thereto every 6 months.  It shall be subject to audit the same as
State funds and accounts and shall be protected by the general bond given
by the State Treasurer.  The funds in the Self-Insurers Security Fund shall
not be subject to appropriation and shall be made available for the
purposes of compensating employees who are eligible to receive benefits
from their employers pursuant to the provisions of the Workers'
Compensation Act or Workers' Occupational Diseases Act, when, pursuant to
this Section, the Board has determined that a private self-insurer has
become an insolvent self-insurer and is unable to pay compensation benefits
due to financial insolvency. Moneys in the Fund may be used to compensate
any type of injury or occupational disease which is compensable under either
Act, and all claims for related administrative fees,
operating costs of the Board, attorney's fees, and other costs reasonably
incurred by the Board. Moneys in the Self-Insurers Security Fund may also be used for paying the salaries and benefits of the Self-Insurers Advisory Board employees and the operating costs of the Board.  Payment from the Self-Insurers Security Fund shall
be made by the Comptroller only upon the authorization of the Chairman as
evidenced by properly certified vouchers of the Commission, upon the
direction of the Board.
(Source: P.A. 101-40, eff. 1-1-20; 102-558, eff. 8-20-21; 102-910, eff. 5-27-22.)
(820 ILCS 305/4a-6) (from Ch. 48, par. 138.4a-6)
Sec. 4a-6. 
		
		(a) Whenever a private self-insurer shall become an insolvent
self-insurer and the surety, the guarantor, the excess insurance company
and the holder of the securities, indemnities or bond provided by the
insolvent self-insurer to secure its payment of compensation under this
Act or the Workers' Occupational Diseases Act, are unwilling or unable to
administer and defend the claims against the insolvent self-insurer, the
Board is empowered to and shall assume on behalf of the Commission the
outstanding workers' compensation and occupational disease obligations
of the insolvent self-insured and shall take all steps necessary to
collect, recover and enforce all securities, indemnity, insurance or bonds
furnished by such self-insurer guaranteeing the payment of compensation
provided in such Acts for the purpose of paying outstanding obligations of
the insolvent self-insurer.  Upon the direction of the Board, the
Commission shall convert and deposit into the
Fund such securities and any amounts received under agreements of surety,
guaranty, insurance or otherwise.  Any amounts remaining from such
securities, indemnity, insurance, bonds, guaranties and sureties, following
payment of all compensation costs and related administrative fees of the
Board including attorneys' fees, and following exhaustion of all amounts
assessed and received pursuant to Section 4a-7, shall be refunded by
the Commission from the Fund as directed by the Board to the original
holder one year thereafter, provided no outstanding liabilities remain
against the Fund.
(i) Any private self-insurer who may become an insolvent self-insurer
subject to any of the proceedings set forth in this subsection (a) shall file
written notice of such fact with the Commission and the Board within 30
days of the occurrence of such event.  Upon receipt of notice by the
Commission and the Board from the insolvent
self-insurer, or upon receipt of a notice from any person who has filed an
application for adjustment of a claim against a private self-insurer which
raises a reasonable question with respect to that employer's ability to pay
compensation under this Act or the Workers' Occupational Diseases Act, the
Board on behalf of the Commission shall determine the ability of that
private self-insurer to pay compensation under such Acts.
(ii) The bond holder or excess insurance carrier, or both, shall
provide written notification to the Commission
within the 30-day period set forth in paragraph (i) that it is able and
willing to administer the claims pending against the insolvent
self-insurer.  Should said notice not be given, the bond
holder shall immediately deliver all such securities, guaranties, excess
insurance, indemnity or bonds it holds to the Board; otherwise the Board
shall take all action necessary on behalf of the Commission pursuant to
this Section to collect or recover all such securities, guaranties, excess
insurance, indemnities, or bonds.
(b) The Board shall be a party in interest in all proceedings involving
compensation claims against an insolvent self-insurer whose compensation
obligations have been paid or assumed by the Board and shall have all
rights of subrogation of the insolvent employer. In such proceedings the
Board shall assume and may exercise all rights and defenses of the
insolvent self-insurer, including but not limited to,
(1) The right to appear, defend and appeal claims.
(2) The right to receive notice of, investigate, adjust, compromise,
settle and pay claims.
(3) The right to investigate, handle and contest claims.
(4) The right to institute an action or to appear in any proceeding to
enforce the employer's rights under Section 5 of the Workers' Compensation
Act or Section 5 of the Workers' Occupational Diseases Act.
(c) In any proceeding in bankruptcy, the Commission at the direction of
the Board shall appear and move to lift the automatic stay and shall stand
in the place of the employees in the bankruptcy proceedings.
(d) The Commission shall notify all employees
of the name, address and telephone number of the party
administering and defending their claims.
(Source: P.A. 85-1385.)
(820 ILCS 305/4a-6.1) (from Ch. 48, par. 138.4a-6.1)
Sec. 4a-6.1. 
There is hereby created a Self-Insurers Administration
Fund.  The State Treasurer shall be the ex-officio custodian of the
Self-Insurers Administration Fund.  Monies in the Self-Insurers
Administration Fund shall be deposited in a separate account in the same
manner as are State Funds, and any interest accruing thereon shall be added
thereto every 6 months.  It shall be subject to audit the same as State
funds and accounts and shall be protected by the general bond given by the
State Treasurer.  The funds in the Self-Insurers Administration Fund shall
not be subject to appropriation and shall be made available only for paying
the salaries and benefits of the Self-Insurers Advisory Board employees and
the operating costs of the Board.  Payment from the Self-Insurers
Administration Fund shall be made by the Comptroller only upon the
authorization of the Chairman as evidenced by properly certified vouchers
of the Commission. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, in addition to any other transfers that may be provided by law, on the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 102nd General Assembly, or as soon thereafter as practical, the State Comptroller shall direct and the State Treasurer shall transfer the remaining balance from the Self-Insurers Administration Fund into the Self-Insurers Security Fund. Upon completion of the transfers, the Self-Insurers Administration Fund is dissolved, and any future deposits due to the Self-Insurers Administration Fund and any outstanding obligations or liabilities of the Self-Insurers Administration Fund pass to the Self-Insurers Security Fund.
(Source: P.A. 102-910, eff. 5-27-22.)
(820 ILCS 305/4a-7) (from Ch. 48, par. 138.4a-7)
Sec. 4a-7. (a) The Commission may upon direction of the Board from time
to time assess each of the private self-insurers a pro rata share of the
funding reasonably necessary to carry out its activities under Sections 4a-1 through 4a-9.  The prorations shall be made on the basis of each self-insured's
most recent payment into the rate adjustment fund under Section 7(f) of
this Act.  In no event shall a private self-insurer be assessed at one time
in excess of .6% of the compensation paid by that private self-insurer
during the previous calendar year for claims incurred as a self-insurer.
Total assessments against it in any calendar year shall not exceed 1.2% of
the compensation it has paid during the previous calendar year as a
self-insurer for claims incurred.  Funds obtained by such assessments shall
be used only for the purposes set forth in Sections 4a-1 through 4a-9, and shall be
deposited upon receipt by the Commission into the Self-Insurers Security
Fund.  If payment of any assessment made under this subsection is not made
within 30 days of the sending of the notice to the private self-insurer,
the Commission at the direction of the Board shall proceed in circuit court for
judgment against that private self-insurer which judgment shall include the
amount of the assessment, the costs of suit, interest and reasonable attorneys' fees.
(b) A private self-insurer which ceases to be a self-insurer shall be
liable for any and all assessments made pursuant to this Section during
the period following the date its certificate of authority to
self-insure is withdrawn, revoked or surrendered until such time as it
has discharged all obligations to pay compensation which arose during the
period of time said former self-insurer was self-insured.  Assessments of
such a former private self-insurer shall be based on the compensation paid
by the former private self-insurer during the preceding calendar year on
claims that arose during the period of time said former private
self-insurer was self-insured.
(c) The Board on behalf of the Commission shall annually contract for an
independent certified audit of the financial activities of the Fund, and an
annual report as of June 30 shall be submitted promptly by the Board to
the Chairman of the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission and to each Trustee.  Written
reports of all activities shall be submitted to the Commission by the Board
on a monthly basis.
(d) If there are monies remaining in the Fund after all outstanding
obligations of all insolvent self-insurers have been satisfied and the
costs of administration and defense have been paid, such amounts shall be
returned by the Commission from the Fund as directed by the Board to the
then private self-insurers in that proportion which each said private
self-insurer has contributed to the Fund one year thereafter, provided no
outstanding liabilities remain against the Fund.
(e) Each private self-insurer shall be subject to the direction of the
Commission as provided in  Sections 4a-1 through 4a-9 as a condition of obtaining and
maintaining its certificate of authority to self-insure.
(Source: P.A. 102-910, eff. 5-27-22.)
(820 ILCS 305/4a-8) (from Ch. 48, par. 138.4a-8)
Sec. 4a-8. 
		
		(a) The Board on behalf of the Commission shall have the right and
obligation to obtain reimbursement from an insolvent self-insurer for
compensation obligations in the amount of the insolvent
self-insurer's workers' compensation and occupational disease obligations assumed by
the Board on behalf of the Commission and paid from the Fund by the
Commission as directed by the Board, including but not limited to claims
for all benefits and reasonable administrative and legal costs.  Any such
amounts obtained pursuant to this subsection shall be deposited by the
Commission into the Fund.  The amount
of the claims for reimbursements of reasonable administrative and legal
costs shall be subject to the approval of the Chairman.
(b) The Board on behalf of the Commission shall have the right and
obligation to obtain from the security deposit of any insolvent
self-insurer, its excess insurance carrier and from any other guarantor the
amount of the insolvent self-insurer's workers' compensation and
occupational disease obligations assumed by the Board on behalf of the
Commission and paid from the Fund
by the Commission as directed by the Board, including reasonable
administrative and legal costs.  Any such amounts obtained pursuant to this
subsection shall be deposited by the Commission into the Fund.
Reimbursement of reasonable administrative
and legal costs shall be subject to the approval of the Chairman.  The
Board on behalf of the Commission shall be a party in interest in any
action or proceeding to obtain the security deposit of an insolvent
self-insurer for the payment of its compensation obligations,
and in any action or proceeding under the insolvent self-insurer's excess
insurance policy and in any other action or proceeding to enforce an
agreement of any security deposit, excess insurance carrier and from any
other guarantor to satisfy such obligations.
(Source: P.A. 84-1097.)
(820 ILCS 305/4a-9) (from Ch. 48, par. 138.4a-9)
Sec. 4a-9. 
		
		The Board shall on behalf of the Commission
review fully all initial applications to self-insure
and all applications to renew employers' self-insurance privileges under
this Act and the Workers' Occupational Diseases Act filed by
private self-insurers and all related documentation filed in support of such
applications, and all related documentation filed at any other time with
the Commission.  The Board shall advise the Chairman of the results of its
review and shall recommend for approval by the Chairman the disposition of
all such applications filed by private self-insurers.  The Chairman shall
promptly act upon all applications in full accordance with the
recommendations of the Board or, if the Chairman does not concur with the
recommendations of the Board he shall within 30 days of receipt of the
recommendation of the Board advise the Board in writing of the reasons
supporting his decision. The Board may also request that the Chairman of
the Commission from time to time require private self insurers to file
additional information related to a private self-insurer's ability to
adequately secure payment of its financial obligations under such Acts.
The Board may recommend to the Chairman of the Commission conditional
approval of an application upon the furnishing of satisfactory evidence of
appropriate and adequate security by the private self-insurer applying for
self-insurer status to insure payment of its financial obligations under such Acts.
(Source: P.A. 85-1385.)
(820 ILCS 305/4b)
Sec. 4b. Collective bargaining pilot program.
(a) The Director of the Department of Labor shall adopt a selection process to designate 2 international, national, or statewide organizations made up of affiliates who are the exclusive representatives of construction employer employees recognized or certified pursuant to the National Labor Relations Act

to
participate in the collective bargaining pilot program provided for in this Section.
(a-5)  For purposes of this Section, the term "construction employer" means any person or legal entity or group of persons or legal entities engaging in or planning to engage in any constructing, altering, reconstructing, repairing, rehabilitating, refinishing, refurbishing, remodeling, remediating, renovating, custom fabricating, maintaining, landscaping, improving, wrecking, painting, decorating, demolishing, and adding to or subtracting from any building, structure, airport facility, highway, roadway, street, alley, bridge, sewer, drain, ditch, sewage disposal plant, water works, parking facility, railroad, excavation or other project, structure, development, real property or improvement, or to do any part thereof, whether or not the performance of the work herein described involves the addition to, or fabrication into, any project, structure, development, real property or improvement herein described, and shall also include any moving of construction-related materials on the job site or to or from the job site.
For purposes of this Section, "labor organization" means an affiliate of an international, national, or statewide organization that has been selected by the Department of Labor to participate in the collective bargaining pilot program as provided for in this Section.
(b) Upon appropriate filing, the Commission and the courts of this State shall recognize as valid and binding any provision in a collective bargaining agreement between any construction employer or group of construction employers and a labor organization, which contains certain obligations and procedures relating to workers' compensation.  This agreement must be limited to, but need not include, all of the following:
(1) An alternative dispute resolution ("ADR") system     to supplement, modify or replace the procedural or dispute resolution provisions of this Act.  The system may include mediation, arbitration, or other dispute resolution proceedings, the results of which shall be final and binding upon the parties;
(2) An agreed list of medical treatment providers     that may be the exclusive source of all medical and related treatment provided under this Act;
(3) The use of a limited list of impartial physicians     to conduct independent medical examinations;
(4) The creation of a light duty, modified job, or     return to work program;
(5) The use of a limited list of individuals and     companies for the establishment of vocational rehabilitation or retraining programs that may be the exclusive source of rehabilitation and retraining services provided under this Act; or
(6) The establishment of joint labor management     safety committees and safety procedures.
(c)  Void agreements.  Nothing in this Section shall be construed to authorize any provision in a collective bargaining agreement that diminishes or increases a construction employer's entitlements under this Act or an employee's entitlement to benefits as otherwise set forth in this Act.  For the purposes of this Section, the procedural rights and dispute resolution agreements under subparagraphs (1) through (6) of subsection (b) of this Section are not agreements which diminish or increase a construction employer's entitlements under this Act or an employee's entitlement to benefits under this Act.  Any agreement that diminishes or increases a construction employer's entitlements under this Act or an employee's entitlement to benefits as set forth in this Act is null and void. Nothing in this Section shall be construed as creating a mandatory subject of bargaining.
(d) Form of agreement.  The agreement reached herein shall demonstrate that:
(1) The construction employer or group of     construction employers and the recognized or certified exclusive bargaining representative have entered into a binding collective bargaining agreement adopting the ADR plan for a period of no less than 2 years;
(2) Contractual agreements have been reached with the     construction employer's workers' compensation carrier, group self-insurance fund, and any excess carriers relating to the ADR plan;
(3) Procedures have been established by which claims     for benefits by employees will be lodged, administered, and decided while affording procedural due process;
(4) The plan has designated forms upon which claims     for benefits shall be made;
(5) The system and means by which the construction     employer's obligation to furnish medical services and vocational rehabilitation and retraining benefits shall be fulfilled and provider selected;
(6) The method by which mediators or arbitrators are     to be selected.
(e) Filing.  A copy of the agreement and a statement identifying the parties to the agreement shall be filed with the Commission.  Within 21 days of receipt of an agreement, the Chairman shall review the agreement for compliance with this Section and notify the parties of its acceptance or notify the parties of any additional information required or any recommended modification that would bring the agreement into compliance.   If no additional information or modification is required, the agreement shall be valid and binding from the time the parties receive acceptance of the agreement from the Chairman.  Upon receipt of any requested information or modification, the Chairman shall notify the parties within 21 days whether the agreement is in compliance with this Section.  All rejections made by the Chairman under this subsection shall be subject to review by the courts of this State, said review to be taken in the same manner and within the same time as provided by Section 19 of this Act for review of awards and decisions of the Commission.  Upon the review, the Circuit Court shall have power to review all questions of fact as well as of law.
(f) Notice to insurance carrier.  If the construction employer is insured under this Act, it shall provide notice to and obtain consent from its insurance carrier, in the manner provided in the insurance contract, of its intent to enter into an agreement as provided in this Section with its employees.
(g) Employees' claims for workers' compensation benefits.
(1) Claims for benefits shall be filed with the ADR     plan administrator within those periods of limitation prescribed by this Act.  Within 10 days of the filing of a claim, the ADR plan administrator shall serve a copy of the claim application upon the Commission, which shall maintain records of all ADR claims and resolutions.
(2) Settlements of claims presented to the ADR plan     administrator shall be evidenced by a settlement agreement.  All such settlements shall be filed with the ADR plan administrator, who within 10 days shall forward a copy to the Commission for recording.
(3) Upon assignment of claims, unless settled,     mediators and arbitrators shall render final orders containing essential findings of fact, rulings of law and referring to other matters as pertinent to the questions at issue.  The ADR plan administrator shall maintain a record of the proceedings.
(h) Reporting requirements. Annually, each ADR plan administrator shall submit a report to the Commission containing the following information:
(1) The number of employees within the ADR program;
(2) The number of occurrences of work-related     injuries or diseases;
(3) The breakdown within the ADR program of injuries     and diseases treated;
(4) The total amount of disability benefits paid     within the ADR program;
(5) The total medical treatment cost paid within the     ADR program;
(6) The number of claims filed within the ADR     program; and
(7) The disposition of all claims.
(Source: P.A. 97-18, eff. 6-28-11.)
(820 ILCS 305/4d)
Sec. 4d. Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission Operations Fund Fee.
(a) As of the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 93rd
General
Assembly, each employer that self-insures its liabilities arising under this
Act
or Workers' Occupational Diseases Act shall pay a fee measured by the annual
actual wages paid in this State of such an employer in the manner provided in
this Section. Such proceeds shall be deposited in the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission
Operations Fund. If an employer survives or was formed by a merger,
consolidation, reorganization, or reincorporation, the actual wages paid in
this
State of all employers party to the merger, consolidation, reorganization, or
reincorporation shall, for purposes of determining the amount of the fee
imposed
by this Section, be regarded as those of the surviving or new employer.
(b) Beginning on July 30, 2004 (the effective date of Public Act 93-840) and on July 1 of each year thereafter, the Chairman shall charge and
collect an annual Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission Operations Fund Fee from every employer
subject to subsection (a) of this Section equal to 0.0075% of its annual actual
wages paid in this State as reported in each employer's annual self-insurance
renewal filed for the previous year as required by Section 4 of this Act and
Section 4 of the Workers' Occupational Diseases Act. All sums collected by the
Commission under the provisions of this Section shall be paid promptly after
the
receipt of the same, accompanied by a detailed statement thereof, into the
Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission Operations Fund. The fee due pursuant to Public Act 93-840 shall be collected instead of the fee due on July 1, 2004 under Public Act 93-32. Payment of the fee due under Public Act 93-840 shall discharge the employer's obligations due on July 1, 2004.
(c) In addition to the authority specifically granted under Section 16, the
Chairman shall have such authority to adopt rules or establish forms as may be
reasonably necessary for purposes of enforcing this Section. The Commission
shall have authority to defer, waive, or abate the fee or any penalties imposed
by this Section if in the Commission's opinion the employer's solvency and
ability to meet its obligations to pay workers' compensation benefits would be
immediately threatened by payment of the fee due.
(d) When an employer fails to pay the full amount of any annual Illinois Workers' Compensation
Commission Operations Fund Fee of $100 or more due under this Section, there
shall be added to the amount due as a penalty the greater of $1,000 or an
amount
equal to 5% of the deficiency for each month or part of a month that the
deficiency remains unpaid.
(e) The Commission may enforce the collection of any delinquent payment,
penalty
or portion thereof by legal action or in any other manner by which the
collection of debts due the State of Illinois may be enforced under the laws of
this State.
(f) Whenever it appears to the satisfaction of the Chairman that an employer
has
paid pursuant to this Act an Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission Operations Fund Fee
in an amount in excess of the amount legally collectable from the employer, the
Chairman shall issue a credit memorandum for an amount equal to the amount of
such overpayment. A credit memorandum may be applied for the 2-year period from
the date of issuance against the payment of any amount due during that period
under the fee imposed by this Section or, subject to reasonable rule of the
Commission including requirement of notification, may be assigned to any other
employer subject to regulation under this Act. Any application of credit
memoranda after the period provided for in this Section is void.
(Source: P.A. 95-331, eff. 8-21-07.)
(820 ILCS 305/5) (from Ch. 48, par. 138.5)
Sec. 5. Damages; minors; third-party liability.
(a) Except as provided in Section 1.2, no common law or statutory right to recover damages from the
employer, his insurer, his broker, any service organization that is wholly owned by the
employer, his insurer or his broker and that provides safety service, advice or
recommendations for the employer or the agents or employees of any of them
for injury or death sustained by any employee while engaged in the line of
his duty as such employee, other than the compensation herein provided, is
available to any employee who is covered by the provisions of this Act, to
any one wholly or partially dependent upon him, the legal representatives
of his estate, or any one otherwise entitled to recover damages for such
injury.
However, in any action now pending or hereafter begun to enforce a
common law or statutory right to recover damages for negligently causing
the injury or death of any employee it is not necessary to allege in the
complaint that either the employee or the employer or both were not
governed by the provisions of this Act or of any similar Act in force in
this or any other State.
Any illegally employed minor or his legal representatives shall, except
as hereinafter provided, have the right within 6 months after the time of
injury or death, or within 6 months after the appointment of a legal representative,
whichever shall be later, to file with the Commission a rejection of his
right to the benefits under this Act, in which case such illegally employed
minor or his legal representatives shall have the right to pursue his or
their common law or statutory remedies to recover damages for such injury or death.
No payment of compensation under this Act shall be made to an illegally
employed minor, or his legal representatives, unless such payment and the
waiver of his right to reject the
benefits of this Act has first
been approved by the Commission or any member thereof, and if such payment
and the waiver of his right of rejection
has been so approved such payment is a bar to a subsequent rejection of the
provisions of this Act.
(b) Where the injury or death for which compensation is payable under
this Act was caused under circumstances creating a legal liability for
damages on the part of some person other than his employer to pay damages,
then legal proceedings may be taken against such other person to recover
damages notwithstanding such employer's payment of or liability to pay
compensation under this Act.  In such case, however, if the action against
such other person is brought by the injured employee or his personal
representative and judgment is obtained and paid, or settlement is made
with such other person, either with or without suit, then from the amount
received by such employee or personal representative there shall be paid to
the employer the amount of compensation paid or to be paid by him to such
employee or personal representative including amounts paid or to be paid
pursuant to paragraph (a) of Section 8 of this Act.
Out of any reimbursement received by the employer pursuant to this
Section the employer shall pay his pro rata share of all costs and
reasonably necessary expenses in connection with such third-party claim,
action or suit and where the services of an attorney at law of the employee
or dependents have resulted in or substantially contributed to the
procurement by suit, settlement or otherwise of the proceeds out of which
the employer is reimbursed, then, in the absence of other agreement, the
employer shall pay such attorney 25% of the gross amount of such
reimbursement.
If the injured employee or his personal representative agrees to receive
compensation from the employer or accept from the employer any payment on
account of such compensation, or to institute proceedings to recover the
same, the employer may have or claim a lien upon any award, judgment or
fund out of which such employee might be compensated from such third party.
In such actions brought by the employee or his personal representative,
he shall forthwith notify his employer by personal service or registered
mail, of such fact and of the name of the court in which the suit is
brought, filing proof thereof in the action.  The employer may, at any time
thereafter join in the action upon his motion so that all orders of court
after hearing and judgment shall be made for his protection.  No release or
settlement of claim for damages by reason of such injury or death, and no
satisfaction of judgment in such proceedings shall be valid without the
written consent of both employer and employee or his personal
representative, except in the case of the employers, such consent is not
required where the employer has been fully indemnified or protected by
Court order.
In the event the employee or his personal representative fails to
institute a proceeding against such third person at any time prior to 3
months before such action would be barred, the employer may in his own name
or in the name of the employee, or his personal representative, commence a
proceeding against such other person for the recovery of damages on account
of such injury or death to the employee, and out of any amount recovered
the employer shall pay over to the injured employee or his personal
representatives all sums collected from such other person by judgment or
otherwise in excess of the amount of such compensation paid or to be paid
under this Act, including amounts paid or to be paid pursuant to paragraph
(a) of Section 8 of this Act, and costs, attorney's fees and reasonable
expenses as may be incurred by such employer in making such collection or
in enforcing such liability.
(Source: P.A. 101-6, eff. 5-17-19.)
(820 ILCS 305/6) (from Ch. 48, par. 138.6)
Sec. 6. (a) Every employer within the provisions of this Act, shall,
under the rules and regulations prescribed by the Commission, post
printed notices in their respective places of employment in such number
and at such places as may be determined by the Commission, containing
such information relative to this Act as in the judgment of the
Commission may be necessary to aid employees to safeguard their rights
under this Act in event of injury.
In addition thereto, the employer shall post in a conspicuous place
on the place of the employment a printed or typewritten notice stating
whether he is insured or whether he has qualified and is operating as a
self-insured employer.  In the event the employer is insured, the notice
shall state the name and address of his insurance carrier, the number of
the insurance policy, its effective date and the date of termination. In
the event of the termination of the policy for any reason prior to the
termination date stated, the posted notice shall promptly be corrected
accordingly.  In the event the employer is operating as a self-insured
employer the notice shall state the name and address of the company, if
any, servicing the compensation payments of the employer, and the name
and address of the person in charge of making compensation payments.
(b) Every employer subject to this Act shall maintain accurate
records of work-related deaths, injuries and illness other than minor
injuries requiring only first aid treatment and which do not involve
medical treatment, loss of consciousness, restriction of work or motion,
or transfer to another job and file with the Commission, in writing, a
report of all accidental deaths, injuries and illnesses arising out of
and in the course of the employment resulting in the loss of more than
3 scheduled work days.  In the case of death such report shall be
made no later than 2 working days following the accidental death.  In
all other cases such report shall be made between the 15th and 25th of
each month unless required to be made sooner by rule of the Commission.
In case the injury results in permanent disability, a further report
shall be made as soon as it is determined that such permanent disability
has resulted or will result from the injury.  All reports shall state
the date of the injury, including the time of day or night, the nature
of the employer's business, the name, address, age, sex, conjugal
condition of the injured person, the specific occupation of the injured
person, the direct cause of the injury and the nature of the accident,
the character of the injury, the length of disability, and in case of
death the length of disability before death, the wages of the injured
person, whether compensation has been paid to the injured person, or to
his or her legal representative or his heirs or next of kin, the amount of
compensation paid, the amount paid for physicians', surgeons' and
hospital bills, and by whom paid, and the amount paid for funeral or
burial expenses if known.  The reports shall be made on forms and in the
manner as prescribed by the Commission and shall contain such further
information as the Commission shall deem necessary and require.  The
making of these reports releases the employer from making such reports
to any other officer of the State and shall satisfy the reporting
provisions as contained in the Safety Inspection and Education Act, the Health and Safety Act, and the Occupational Safety and Health Act.  The reports filed with the
Commission pursuant to this Section shall be made available by the
Commission to the Director of Labor or his representatives and to all
other departments of the State of Illinois which shall require such
information for the proper discharge of their official duties.  Failure
to file with the Commission any of the reports required in this Section
is a petty offense.
Except as provided in this paragraph, all reports filed hereunder shall
be confidential and any person
having access to such records filed with the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission as
herein required, who shall release any information therein contained
including the names or otherwise identify any persons sustaining
injuries or disabilities, or give access to such information to any
unauthorized person, shall be subject to discipline or discharge, and in
addition shall be guilty of a Class B misdemeanor. The Commission shall
compile and distribute to interested persons aggregate statistics, taken
from the reports filed hereunder. The aggregate statistics shall not give
the names or otherwise identify persons sustaining injuries or disabilities
or the employer of any injured person or person with a disability.
(c) Notice of the accident shall be given to the employer as soon as
practicable, but not later than 45 days after the accident. Provided:
(1) In case of the legal disability of the employee     or any dependent of a deceased employee who may be entitled to compensation under the provisions of this Act, the limitations of time by this Act provided do not begin to run against such person under legal disability until a guardian has been appointed.
(2) In cases of injuries sustained by exposure to     radiological materials or equipment, notice shall be given to the employer within 90 days subsequent to the time that the employee knows or suspects that he has received an excessive dose of radiation.
No defect or inaccuracy of such notice shall be a bar to the
maintenance of proceedings on arbitration or otherwise by the employee
unless the employer proves that he is unduly prejudiced in such
proceedings by such defect or inaccuracy.
Notice of the accident shall give the approximate date and place of
the accident, if known, and may be given orally or in writing.
(d) Every employer shall notify each injured employee who has been
granted compensation under the provisions of Section 8 of this Act
of his rights to rehabilitation services and advise him of the locations
of available public rehabilitation centers and any other such services
of which the employer has knowledge.
In any case, other than one where the injury was caused by exposure
to radiological materials or equipment or asbestos unless the application for
compensation is filed with the Commission within 3 years after the date
of the accident, where no compensation has been paid, or within 2 years
after the date of the last payment of compensation, where any has been
paid, whichever shall be later, the right to file such application shall
be barred.
In any case of injury caused by exposure to radiological materials or
equipment or asbestos, unless application for compensation is filed with the
Commission within 25 years after the last day that the employee was
employed in an environment of hazardous radiological activity or asbestos,
the right to file such application shall be barred.
If in any case except one where the injury was caused by exposure to
radiological materials or equipment or asbestos, the accidental injury
results in death application for compensation for death may be filed with the
Commission within 3 years after the date of death where no compensation
has been paid or within 2 years after the date of the last payment of
compensation where any has been paid, whichever shall be later, but not
thereafter.
If an accidental injury caused by exposure to radiological material
or equipment or asbestos results in death within 25 years after the last
day that the employee was so exposed application for compensation for death may
be filed with the Commission within 3 years after the date of death,
where no compensation has been paid, or within 2 years after the date of
the last payment of compensation where any has been paid, whichever
shall be later, but not thereafter.
(e) Any contract or agreement made by any employer or his agent or
attorney with any employee or any other beneficiary of any claim under
the provisions of this Act within 7 days after the injury shall be
presumed to be fraudulent.
(f) Any condition or impairment of health of an employee employed as a
firefighter, emergency medical technician (EMT), emergency medical technician-intermediate (EMT-I), advanced emergency medical technician (A-EMT), or paramedic which results
directly or indirectly from any bloodborne pathogen, contagious staph infection, including Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), lung or respiratory
disease
or condition, heart
or vascular disease or condition, hypertension, tuberculosis, or cancer
resulting in any disability (temporary, permanent, total, or partial) to the
employee shall be rebuttably presumed to arise out of and in the course of
the employee's firefighting, EMT, or paramedic employment and, further, shall
be
rebuttably presumed to be causally connected to the hazards or exposures of
the employment.  This presumption shall also apply to any hernia or hearing
loss suffered by an employee employed as a firefighter, EMT, EMT-I, A-EMT, or paramedic.
However, this presumption shall not apply to any employee who has been employed
as a firefighter, EMT, or paramedic for less than 5 years at the time he or she files an Application for Adjustment of Claim concerning this condition or impairment with the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission. The rebuttable presumption established under this subsection, however, does not apply to an emergency medical technician (EMT), emergency medical technician-intermediate (EMT-I), advanced emergency medical technician (A-EMT), or paramedic employed by a private employer if the employee spends the preponderance of his or her work time for that employer engaged in medical transfers between medical care facilities or non-emergency medical transfers to or from medical care facilities. The changes made to this subsection by Public Act 98-291 shall be narrowly construed. The Finding and Decision of the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission under only the rebuttable presumption provision of this subsection shall not be admissible or be deemed res judicata in any disability claim under the Illinois Pension Code arising out of the same medical condition; however, this sentence makes no change to the law set forth in Krohe v. City of Bloomington, 204 Ill.2d 392.
(Source: P.A. 102-493, eff. 8-20-21.)
(820 ILCS 305/7) (from Ch. 48, par. 138.7)
Sec. 7. The amount of compensation which shall be paid for an
accidental injury to the employee resulting in death is:
(a) If the employee leaves surviving a widow, widower, child or
children, the applicable weekly compensation rate computed in accordance
with subparagraph 2 of paragraph  (b) of Section 8, shall be payable
during the life of the widow or widower and if any surviving child or
children shall not be physically or mentally incapacitated then until
the death of the widow or widower or until the youngest child shall
reach the age of 18, whichever shall come later; provided that if such
child or children shall be enrolled as a full time student in any
accredited educational institution, the payments shall continue until
such child has attained the age of 25.  In the event any surviving child
or children shall be physically or mentally incapacitated, the payments
shall continue for the duration of such incapacity.
The term "child" means a child whom the deceased employee left
surviving, including a posthumous child, a child legally adopted, a
child whom the deceased employee was legally obligated to support or a
child to whom the deceased employee stood in loco parentis.  The term
"children" means the plural of "child".
The term "physically or mentally incapacitated child or children"
means a child or children incapable of engaging in regular and
substantial gainful employment.
In the event of the remarriage of a widow or widower, where the
decedent did not leave surviving any child or children who, at the time
of such remarriage, are entitled to compensation benefits under this
Act, the surviving spouse shall be paid a lump sum equal to 2 years
compensation benefits and all further rights of such widow or widower
shall be extinguished.
If the employee leaves surviving any child or children under 18 years
of age who at the time of death shall be entitled to compensation under
this paragraph (a) of this Section, the weekly compensation payments
herein provided for such child or children shall in any event continue
for a period of not less than 6 years.
Any beneficiary entitled to compensation under this paragraph (a) of
this Section shall receive from the special fund provided in paragraph
(f) of this Section, in addition to the compensation herein provided,
supplemental benefits in accordance with paragraph (g) of Section 8.
(b) If no compensation is payable under paragraph (a) of this
Section and the employee leaves surviving a parent or parents who at the
time of the accident were totally dependent upon the earnings of the
employee then weekly payments equal to the compensation rate payable in
the case where the employee leaves surviving a widow or widower, shall
be paid to such parent or parents for the duration of their lives, and
in the event of the death of either, for the life of the survivor.
(c) If no compensation is payable under paragraphs (a) or (b) of
this Section and the employee leaves surviving any child or children who
are not entitled to compensation under the foregoing paragraph (a) but
who at the time of the accident were nevertheless in any manner
dependent upon the earnings of the employee, or leaves surviving a
parent or parents who at the time of the accident were partially
dependent upon the earnings of the employee, then there shall be paid to
such dependent or dependents for a period of 8 years weekly compensation
payments at such proportion of the applicable rate if the employee had
left surviving a widow or widower as such dependency bears to total
dependency.  In the event of the death of any such beneficiary the share
of such beneficiary shall be divided equally among the surviving
beneficiaries  and in the event of the death of the last such
beneficiary all the rights under this paragraph shall be extinguished.
(d) If no compensation is payable under paragraphs (a), (b) or (c)
of this Section and the employee leaves surviving any grandparent,
grandparents, grandchild or grandchildren or collateral heirs dependent
upon the employee's earnings to the extent of 50% or more of total
dependency, then there shall be paid to such dependent or dependents for
a period of 5 years weekly compensation payments at such proportion of
the applicable rate if the employee had left surviving a widow or
widower as such dependency bears to total dependency.  In the event of
the death of any such beneficiary the share of such beneficiary shall be
divided equally among the surviving beneficiaries and in the event of
the death of the last such beneficiary all rights hereunder shall be
extinguished.
(e) The compensation to be paid for accidental injury which results
in death, as provided in this Section, shall be paid to the persons who
form the basis for determining the amount of compensation to be paid by
the employer, the respective shares to be in the proportion of their
respective dependency at the time of the accident on the earnings of the
deceased.  The Commission or an Arbitrator thereof may, in its or his
discretion, order or award the payment to the parent or grandparent of a
child for the latter's support the amount of compensation which but for
such order or award would have been paid to such child as its share of
the compensation payable, which order or award may be modified from time
to time by the Commission in its discretion with respect to the person
to whom shall be paid the amount of the order or award remaining unpaid
at the time of the modification.
The payments of compensation by the employer in accordance with the
order or award of the Commission discharges such employer from all
further obligation as to such compensation.
(f) The sum of $8,000 for burial expenses shall be paid by the
employer to the widow or widower, other dependent, next of kin or to the
person or persons incurring the expense of burial.
In the event the employer failed to provide necessary first aid,
medical, surgical or hospital service, he shall pay the cost thereof to
the person or persons entitled to compensation under paragraphs (a),
(b), (c) or (d) of this Section, or to the person or persons incurring
the obligation therefore, or providing the same.
On January 15 and July 15, 1981, and on January 15 and July 15 of each
year thereafter the employer shall within 60 days pay a sum equal to
1/8 of 1% of all compensation payments made by him after July 1, 1980, either
under this Act or the Workers' Occupational Diseases Act, whether by lump
sum settlement or weekly compensation payments, but not including hospital,
surgical or rehabilitation payments, made during the first 6 months and
during the second 6 months respectively of the fiscal year next preceding
the date of the payments, into a special fund which shall be designated the
"Second Injury Fund", of which the State Treasurer is ex-officio custodian,
such special fund to be held and disbursed for the purposes hereinafter
stated in paragraphs (f) and (g) of Section 8, either upon the order of the
Commission or of a competent court.  Said special fund shall be deposited
the same as are State funds and any interest accruing thereon shall be
added thereto every 6 months.  It is subject to audit the same as State
funds and accounts and is protected by the General bond given by the State
Treasurer.  It is considered always appropriated for the purposes of
disbursements as provided in Section 8, paragraph (f), of this Act, and
shall be paid out and disbursed as therein provided and shall not at any
time be appropriated or diverted to any other use or purpose.
On January 15, 1991, the employer shall further pay a sum equal to one
half of 1% of all compensation payments made by him from January 1, 1990
through June 30, 1990 either under this Act or under the Workers'
Occupational Diseases Act, whether by lump sum settlement or weekly
compensation payments, but not including hospital, surgical or
rehabilitation payments, into an additional Special Fund which shall be
designated as the "Rate Adjustment Fund". On March 15, 1991, the employer
shall pay into the Rate Adjustment Fund a sum equal to one half of 1% of
all such compensation payments made from July 1, 1990 through December 31,
1990.  Within 60 days after July 15, 1991, the employer shall pay into the
Rate Adjustment Fund a sum equal to one half of 1% of all such compensation
payments made from January 1, 1991 through June 30, 1991.  Within 60 days
after January 15 of 1992 and each
subsequent year through 1996, the employer shall pay
into the Rate Adjustment Fund a sum equal to one half of 1% of all such
compensation payments made in the last 6 months of the preceding calendar
year.  Within 60 days after July 15 of 1992 and each subsequent year through
1995, the employer shall pay into the Rate Adjustment Fund a sum equal to one
half of 1% of all such compensation payments made in the first 6 months of the
same calendar year. Within 60 days after January 15 of 1997 and each subsequent
year through 2005, the employer shall pay into the Rate Adjustment Fund a sum equal to
three-fourths of 1% of all such compensation payments made in the last 6 months
of the preceding calendar year.   Within 60 days after July 15 of 1996 and each
subsequent year through 2004, the employer shall pay into the Rate Adjustment Fund a sum
equal to three-fourths of 1% of all such compensation payments made in the
first 6 months of the same calendar year.  Within 60 days after July 15 of 2005, the employer shall pay into the Rate Adjustment Fund a sum equal to 1% of such compensation payments made in the first 6 months of the same calendar year. Within 60 days after January 15 of 2006 and each subsequent year, the employer shall pay into the Rate Adjustment Fund a sum equal to 1.25% of such compensation payments made in the last 6 months of the preceding calendar year. Within 60 days after July 15 of 2006 and each subsequent year, the employer shall pay into the Rate Adjustment Fund a sum equal to 1.25% of such compensation payments made in the first 6 months of the same calendar year.
The administrative costs of
collecting assessments from employers for the Rate Adjustment Fund shall be
paid from the
Rate Adjustment Fund.  The cost of an actuarial audit of the Fund shall be paid
from the Rate Adjustment Fund. The State Treasurer is ex officio custodian of such Special
Fund and the same shall be held and disbursed for the purposes hereinafter
stated in paragraphs (f) and (g) of Section 8 upon the order of the
Commission or of a competent court.  The Rate Adjustment Fund shall be
deposited the same as are State funds and any interest accruing thereon
shall be added thereto every 6 months.  It shall be subject to audit the
same as State funds and accounts and shall be protected by the general bond
given by the State Treasurer.  It is considered always appropriated for the
purposes of disbursements as provided in paragraphs (f) and (g) of Section
8 of this Act and shall be paid out and disbursed as therein provided and
shall not at any time be appropriated or diverted to any other use or
purpose. Within 5 days after the effective date of this amendatory Act of
1990, the Comptroller and the State Treasurer shall transfer $1,000,000
from the General Revenue Fund to the Rate Adjustment Fund.  By February 15,
1991, the Comptroller and the State Treasurer shall transfer $1,000,000
from the Rate Adjustment Fund to the General Revenue Fund. The Comptroller and Treasurer are authorized to make
transfers at the
request of the Chairman up to a total of $19,000,000

from the Second Injury Fund, the General Revenue Fund, and the Workers'
Compensation Benefit Trust
Fund to the Rate Adjustment Fund to the extent that there is insufficient
money in the Rate Adjustment Fund to pay claims and obligations.  Amounts may
be transferred from the General Revenue Fund only if the funds in the Second
Injury Fund or the Workers' Compensation Benefit Trust Fund are insufficient to
pay claims and obligations of the Rate Adjustment Fund. All
amounts transferred from the Second Injury Fund, the General Revenue Fund,
and the Workers'
Compensation Benefit Trust Fund shall be repaid from the Rate Adjustment
Fund within 270 days of a transfer, together with interest at the rate
earned by moneys on deposit in the Fund or Funds from which the moneys were
transferred.
Upon a finding by the Commission, after reasonable notice and hearing,
that any employer has willfully and knowingly failed to pay the proper
amounts into the Second Injury Fund or the Rate Adjustment Fund required by
this Section or if such payments are not made within the time periods
prescribed by this Section, the employer shall, in addition to such
payments, pay a penalty of 20% of the amount required to be paid or $2,500,
whichever is greater, for each year or part thereof of such failure to pay.
This penalty shall only apply to obligations of an employer to the
Second Injury Fund or the Rate Adjustment Fund accruing after the effective
date of this amendatory Act of 1989. All or part of such a penalty may be
waived by the Commission for good cause shown.
Any obligations of an employer to the Second Injury Fund and Rate
Adjustment Fund accruing prior to the effective date of this amendatory Act
of 1989 shall be paid in full by such employer within 5 years of the
effective date of this amendatory Act of 1989, with at least one-fifth of
such obligation to be paid during each year following the effective date of
this amendatory Act of 1989.  If the Commission finds, following reasonable
notice and hearing, that an employer has failed to make timely payment of
any obligation accruing under the preceding sentence, the employer shall,
in addition to all other payments required by this Section, be liable for a
penalty equal to 20% of the overdue obligation or $2,500, whichever is
greater, for each year or part thereof that obligation is overdue.
All or part of such a penalty may be waived by the Commission for
good cause shown.
The Chairman of the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission shall, annually, furnish to the
Director of the Department of Insurance a list of the amounts paid into the
Second Injury Fund and the Rate Adjustment Fund by each insurance company
on behalf of their insured employers. The Director shall verify to the
Chairman that the amounts paid by each insurance company are accurate as
best as the Director can determine from the records available to the
Director. The Chairman shall verify that the amounts paid by each
self-insurer are accurate as best as the Chairman can determine from
records available to the Chairman.  The Chairman may require each
self-insurer to provide information concerning the total compensation
payments made upon which contributions to the Second Injury Fund and the
Rate Adjustment Fund are predicated and any additional information
establishing that such payments have been made into these funds. Any
deficiencies in payments noted by the Director or Chairman shall be subject
to the penalty provisions of this Act.
The State Treasurer, or his duly authorized representative, shall be
named as a party to all proceedings in all cases involving claim for the
loss of, or the permanent and complete loss of the use of one eye, one
foot, one leg, one arm or one hand.
The State Treasurer or his duly authorized agent shall have the same
rights as any other party to the proceeding, including the right to
petition for review of any award.  The reasonable expenses of
litigation, such as medical examinations, testimony, and transcript of
evidence, incurred by the State Treasurer or his duly authorized
representative, shall be borne by the Second Injury Fund.
If the award is not paid within 30 days after the date the award has
become final, the Commission shall proceed to take judgment thereon in
its own name as is provided for other awards by paragraph (g) of Section
19 of this Act and take the necessary steps to collect the award.
Any person, corporation or organization who has paid or become liable
for the payment of burial expenses of the deceased employee may in his
or its own name institute proceedings before the Commission for the
collection thereof.
For the purpose of administration, receipts and disbursements, the
Special Fund provided for in paragraph (f) of this Section shall be
administered jointly with the Special Fund provided for in Section 7,
paragraph (f) of the Workers' Occupational Diseases Act.
(g) All compensation, except for burial expenses provided in this
Section to be paid in case accident results in death, shall be paid in
installments equal to the percentage of the average earnings as provided
for in Section 8, paragraph (b) of this Act, at the same intervals at
which the wages or earnings of the employees were paid.  If this is not
feasible, then the installments shall be paid weekly.  Such compensation
may be paid in a lump sum upon petition as provided in Section 9 of this
Act.  However, in addition to the benefits provided by Section 9 of this
Act where compensation for death is payable to the deceased's widow,
widower or to the deceased's widow, widower and one or more children,
and where a partial lump sum is applied for by such beneficiary or
beneficiaries within 18 months after the deceased's death, the
Commission may, in its discretion, grant a partial lump sum of not to
exceed 100 weeks of the compensation capitalized at their present value
upon the basis of interest calculated at 3% per annum with annual rests,
upon a showing that such partial lump sum is for the best interest of
such beneficiary or beneficiaries.
(h) In case the injured employee is under 16 years of age at the
time of the accident and is illegally employed, the amount of
compensation payable under paragraphs (a), (b), (c), (d) and (f) of this
Section shall be increased 50%.
Nothing herein contained repeals or amends the provisions of the Child
Labor Law relating to the employment of minors under the age of 16 years.
However, where an employer has on file an employment certificate
issued pursuant to the Child Labor Law or work permit issued pursuant
to the Federal Fair Labor Standards Act, as amended, or a birth
certificate properly and duly issued, such certificate, permit or birth
certificate is conclusive evidence as to the age of the injured minor
employee for the purposes of this Section only.
(i) Whenever the dependents of a deceased employee are noncitizens not
residing in the United States, Mexico or Canada, the amount of
compensation payable is limited to the beneficiaries described in
paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of this Section and is 50% of the
compensation provided in paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of this Section,
except as otherwise provided by treaty.
In a case where any of the persons who would be entitled to
compensation is living at any place outside of the United States, then
payment shall be made to the personal representative of the deceased
employee.  The distribution by such personal representative to the
persons entitled shall be made to such persons and in such manner as the
Commission orders.
(Source: P.A. 102-1030, eff. 5-27-22.)
(820 ILCS 305/8) (from Ch. 48, par. 138.8)
Sec. 8. The amount of compensation which shall be paid to the
employee for an accidental injury not resulting in death is:
(a) The employer shall provide and pay the negotiated rate, if applicable, or the lesser of the health care provider's actual charges or according to a fee schedule, subject to Section 8.2, in effect at the time the service was rendered for all the necessary first
aid, medical and surgical services, and all necessary medical, surgical
and hospital services thereafter incurred, limited, however, to that
which is reasonably required to cure or relieve from the effects of the
accidental injury, even if a health care provider sells, transfers, or otherwise assigns an account receivable for procedures, treatments, or services covered under this Act. If the employer does not dispute payment of first aid, medical, surgical,
and hospital services, the employer shall make such payment to the provider on behalf of the employee. The employer shall also pay for treatment,
instruction and training necessary for the physical, mental and
vocational rehabilitation of the employee, including all maintenance
costs and expenses incidental thereto.  If as a result of the injury the
employee is unable to be self-sufficient the employer shall further pay
for such maintenance or institutional care as shall be required.
The employee may at any time elect to secure his own physician,
surgeon and hospital services at the employer's expense, or,
Upon agreement between the employer and the employees, or the employees'
exclusive representative, and subject to the approval of the Illinois Workers' Compensation

Commission, the employer shall maintain a list of physicians, to be
known as a Panel of Physicians, who are accessible to the employees.
The employer shall post this list in a place or places easily accessible
to his employees.  The employee shall have the right to make an
alternative choice of physician from such Panel if he is not satisfied
with the physician first selected.  If, due to the nature of the injury
or its occurrence away from the employer's place of business, the
employee is unable to make a selection from the Panel, the selection
process from the Panel shall not apply.  The physician selected from the
Panel may arrange for any consultation, referral or other specialized
medical services outside the Panel at the employer's expense. Provided
that, in the event the Commission shall find that a doctor selected by
the employee is rendering improper or inadequate care, the Commission
may order the employee to select another doctor certified or qualified
in the medical field for which treatment is required.  If the employee
refuses to make such change the Commission may relieve the employer of
his obligation to pay the doctor's charges from the date of refusal to
the date of compliance.
Any vocational rehabilitation counselors who provide service under this Act shall have
appropriate certifications which designate the counselor as qualified to render
opinions relating to vocational rehabilitation.  Vocational rehabilitation
may include, but is not limited to, counseling for job searches, supervising
a job search program, and vocational retraining including education at an
accredited learning institution.  The employee or employer may petition to the Commission to decide disputes relating to vocational rehabilitation and the Commission shall resolve any such dispute, including payment of the vocational rehabilitation program by the employer.
The maintenance benefit shall not be less than the temporary total disability
rate determined for the employee.  In addition, maintenance shall include costs
and expenses incidental to the vocational rehabilitation program.
When the employee is working light duty on a part-time basis or full-time
basis
and earns less than he or she would be earning if employed in the full capacity
of the job or jobs, then the employee shall be entitled to temporary partial disability benefits.  Temporary partial disability benefits shall be
equal to two-thirds of
the difference between the average amount that the employee would be able to
earn in the full performance of his or her duties in the occupation in which he
or she was engaged at the time of accident and the gross amount which he or she
is
earning in the modified job provided to the employee by the employer or in any other job that the employee is working.
Every hospital, physician, surgeon or other person rendering
treatment or services in accordance with the provisions of this Section
shall upon written request furnish full and complete reports thereof to,
and permit their records to be copied by, the employer, the employee or
his dependents, as the case may be, or any other party to any proceeding
for compensation before the Commission, or their attorneys.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the employer's liability to pay for such
medical services selected by the employee shall be limited to:
(1) all first aid and emergency treatment; plus
(2) all medical, surgical and hospital services     provided by the physician, surgeon or hospital initially chosen by the employee or by any other physician, consultant, expert, institution or other provider of services recommended by said initial service provider or any subsequent provider of medical services in the chain of referrals from said initial service provider; plus
(3) all medical, surgical and hospital services     provided by any second physician, surgeon or hospital subsequently chosen by the employee or by any other physician, consultant, expert, institution or other provider of services recommended by said second service provider or any subsequent provider of medical services in the chain of referrals from said second service provider. Thereafter the employer shall select and pay for all necessary medical, surgical and hospital treatment and the employee may not select a provider of medical services at the employer's expense unless the employer agrees to such selection. At any time the employee may obtain any medical treatment he desires at his own expense. This paragraph shall not affect the duty to pay for rehabilitation referred to above.
(4) The following shall apply for injuries occurring     on or after June 28, 2011 (the effective date of Public Act 97-18) and only when an employer has an approved preferred provider program pursuant to Section 8.1a on the date the employee sustained his or her accidental injuries:
(A) The employer shall, in writing, on a form         promulgated by the Commission, inform the employee of the preferred provider program;
(B) Subsequent to the report of an injury by an         employee, the employee may choose in writing at any time to decline the preferred provider program, in which case that would constitute one of the two choices of medical providers to which the employee is entitled under subsection (a)(2) or (a)(3); and
(C) Prior to the report of an injury by an         employee, when an employee chooses non-emergency treatment from a provider not within the preferred provider program, that would constitute the employee's one choice of medical providers to which the employee is entitled under subsection (a)(2) or (a)(3).
When an employer and employee so agree in writing, nothing in this
Act prevents an employee whose injury or disability has been established
under this Act, from relying in good faith, on treatment by prayer or
spiritual means alone, in accordance with the tenets and practice of a
recognized church or religious denomination, by a duly accredited
practitioner thereof, and having nursing services appropriate therewith,
without suffering loss or diminution of the compensation benefits under
this Act. However, the employee shall submit to all physical
examinations required by this Act.  The cost of such treatment and
nursing care shall be paid by the employee unless the employer agrees to
make such payment.
Where the accidental injury results in the amputation of an arm,
hand, leg or foot, or the enucleation of an eye, or the loss of any of
the natural teeth, the employer shall furnish an artificial of any such
members lost or damaged in accidental injury arising out of and in the
course of employment, and shall also furnish the necessary braces in all
proper and necessary cases.  In cases of the loss of a member or members
by amputation, the employer shall, whenever necessary, maintain in good
repair, refit or replace the artificial limbs during the lifetime of the
employee.  Where the accidental injury accompanied by physical injury
results in damage to a denture, eye glasses or contact eye lenses, or
where the accidental injury results in damage to an artificial member,
the employer shall replace or repair such denture, glasses, lenses, or
artificial member.
The furnishing by the employer of any such services or appliances is
not an admission of liability on the part of the employer to pay
compensation.
The furnishing of any such services or appliances or the servicing
thereof by the employer is not the payment of compensation.
(b) If the period of temporary total incapacity for work lasts more
than 3 working days, weekly compensation as hereinafter provided shall
be paid beginning on the 4th day of such temporary total incapacity and
continuing as long as the total temporary incapacity lasts.  In cases
where the temporary total incapacity for work continues for a period of
14 days or more from the day of the accident compensation shall commence
on the day after the accident.
1. The compensation rate for temporary total     incapacity under this paragraph (b) of this Section shall be equal to 66 2/3% of the employee's average weekly wage computed in accordance with Section 10, provided that it shall be not less than 66 2/3% of the sum of the Federal minimum wage under the Fair Labor Standards Act, or the Illinois minimum wage under the Minimum Wage Law, whichever is more, multiplied by 40 hours.  This percentage rate shall be increased by 10% for each spouse and child, not to exceed 100% of the total minimum wage calculation, nor exceed the employee's average weekly wage computed in accordance with the provisions of Section 10, whichever is less.
2. The compensation rate in all cases other than for     temporary total disability under this paragraph (b), and other than for serious and permanent disfigurement under paragraph (c) and other than for permanent partial disability under subparagraph (2) of paragraph (d) or under paragraph (e), of this Section shall be equal to 66 2/3% of the employee's average weekly wage computed in accordance with the provisions of Section 10, provided that it shall be not less than 66 2/3% of the sum of the Federal minimum wage under the Fair Labor Standards Act, or the Illinois minimum wage under the Minimum Wage Law, whichever is more, multiplied by 40 hours. This percentage rate shall be increased by 10% for each spouse and child, not to exceed 100% of the total minimum wage calculation,  nor exceed the employee's average weekly wage computed in accordance with the provisions of Section 10, whichever is less.
2.1. The compensation rate in all cases of serious     and permanent disfigurement under paragraph (c) and of permanent partial disability under subparagraph (2) of paragraph (d) or under paragraph (e) of this Section shall be equal to 60% of the employee's average weekly wage computed in accordance with the provisions of Section 10, provided that it shall be not less than 66 2/3% of the sum of the Federal minimum wage under the Fair Labor Standards Act, or the Illinois minimum wage under the Minimum Wage Law, whichever is more, multiplied by 40 hours. This percentage rate shall be increased by 10% for each spouse and child, not to exceed 100% of the total minimum wage calculation,  nor exceed the employee's average weekly wage computed in accordance with the provisions of Section 10, whichever is less.
3. As used in this Section the term "child" means a     child of the employee including any child legally adopted before the accident or whom at the time of the accident the employee was under legal obligation to support or to whom the employee stood in loco parentis, and who at the time of the accident was under 18 years of age and not emancipated.  The term "children" means the plural of "child".
4. All weekly compensation rates provided under     subparagraphs 1, 2 and 2.1 of this paragraph (b) of this Section shall be subject to the following limitations:
The maximum weekly compensation rate from July 1,     1975, except as hereinafter provided, shall be 100% of the State's average weekly wage in covered industries under the Unemployment Insurance Act, that being the wage that most closely approximates the State's average weekly wage.
The maximum weekly compensation rate, for the period     July 1, 1984, through June 30, 1987, except as hereinafter provided, shall be $293.61. Effective July 1, 1987 and on July 1 of each year thereafter the maximum weekly compensation rate, except as hereinafter provided, shall be determined as follows: if during the preceding 12 month period there shall have been an increase in the State's average weekly wage in covered industries under the Unemployment Insurance Act, the weekly compensation rate shall be proportionately increased by the same percentage as the percentage of increase in the State's average weekly wage in covered industries under the Unemployment Insurance Act during such period.
The maximum weekly compensation rate, for the period     January 1, 1981 through December 31, 1983, except as hereinafter provided, shall be 100% of the State's average weekly wage in covered industries under the Unemployment Insurance Act in effect on January 1, 1981.  Effective January 1, 1984 and on January 1, of each year thereafter the maximum weekly compensation rate, except as hereinafter provided, shall be determined as follows: if during the preceding 12 month period there shall have been an increase in the State's average weekly wage in covered industries under the Unemployment Insurance Act, the weekly compensation rate shall be proportionately increased by the same percentage as the percentage of increase in the State's average weekly wage in covered industries under the Unemployment Insurance Act during such period.
From July 1, 1977 and thereafter such maximum weekly     compensation rate in death cases under Section 7, and permanent total disability cases under paragraph (f) or subparagraph 18 of paragraph (3) of this Section and for temporary total disability under paragraph (b) of this Section and for amputation of a member or enucleation of an eye under paragraph (e) of this Section shall be increased to 133-1/3% of the State's average weekly wage in covered industries under the Unemployment Insurance Act.
For injuries occurring on or after February 1, 2006,     the maximum weekly benefit under paragraph (d)1 of this Section shall be 100% of the State's average weekly wage in covered industries under the Unemployment Insurance Act.
4.1. Any provision herein to the contrary     notwithstanding, the weekly compensation rate for compensation payments under subparagraph 18 of paragraph (e) of this Section and under paragraph (f) of this Section and under paragraph (a) of Section 7 and for amputation of a member or enucleation of an eye under paragraph (e) of this Section, shall in no event be less than 50% of the State's average weekly wage in covered industries under the Unemployment Insurance Act.
4.2. Any provision to the contrary notwithstanding,     the total compensation payable under Section 7 shall not exceed the greater of $500,000  or 25  years.
5. For the purpose of this Section this State's     average weekly wage in covered industries under the Unemployment Insurance Act on July 1, 1975 is hereby fixed at $228.16 per week and the computation of compensation rates shall be based on the aforesaid average weekly wage until modified as hereinafter provided.
6. The Department of Employment Security of the State     shall on or before the first day of December, 1977, and on or before the first day of June, 1978, and on the first day of each December and June of each year thereafter, publish the State's average weekly wage in covered industries under the Unemployment Insurance Act and the Illinois Workers' Compensation  Commission shall on the 15th day of January, 1978 and on the 15th day of July, 1978 and on the 15th day of each January and July of each year thereafter, post and publish the State's average weekly wage in covered industries under the Unemployment Insurance Act as last determined and published by the Department of Employment Security.  The amount when so posted and published shall be conclusive and shall be applicable as the basis of computation of compensation rates until the next posting and publication as aforesaid.
7. The payment of compensation by an employer or his     insurance carrier to an injured employee shall not constitute an admission of the employer's liability to pay compensation.
(c) For any serious and permanent disfigurement to the hand, head,
face, neck, arm, leg below the knee or the chest above the axillary
line, the employee is entitled to compensation for such disfigurement,
the amount determined by agreement at any time or by arbitration under
this Act, at a hearing not less than 6 months after the date of the
accidental injury, which amount shall not exceed 150 weeks (if the accidental injury occurs on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 94th General Assembly
but before February
1, 2006) or 162
 weeks (if the accidental injury occurs on or  after February
1, 2006) at the
applicable rate provided in subparagraph 2.1 of paragraph (b) of this Section.
No compensation is payable under this paragraph where compensation is
payable under paragraphs (d), (e) or (f) of this Section.
A duly appointed member of a fire department in a city, the population of
which exceeds 500,000 according to the last federal or State census, is
eligible for compensation under this paragraph only where such serious and
permanent disfigurement results from burns.
(d) 1. If, after the accidental injury has been sustained, the
employee as a result thereof becomes partially incapacitated from
pursuing his usual and customary line of employment, he shall, except in
cases compensated under the specific schedule set forth in paragraph (e)
of this Section, receive compensation for the duration of his
disability, subject to the limitations as to maximum amounts fixed in
paragraph (b) of this Section, equal to 66-2/3% of the difference
between the average amount which he would be able to earn in the full
performance of his duties in the occupation in which he was engaged at
the time of the accident and the average amount which he is earning or
is able to earn in some suitable employment or business after the accident. For accidental injuries that occur on or after September 1, 2011, an award for wage differential under this subsection shall be effective only until the employee reaches the age of 67 or 5 years from the date the award becomes final, whichever is later.
2. If, as a result of the accident, the employee sustains serious
and permanent injuries not covered by paragraphs (c) and (e) of this
Section or having sustained injuries covered by the aforesaid
paragraphs (c) and (e), he shall have sustained in addition thereto
other injuries which injuries do not incapacitate him from pursuing the
duties of his employment but which would disable him from pursuing other
suitable occupations, or which have otherwise resulted in physical
impairment; or if such injuries partially incapacitate him from pursuing
the duties of his usual and customary line of employment but do not
result in an impairment of earning capacity, or having resulted in an
impairment of earning capacity, the employee elects to waive his right
to recover under the foregoing subparagraph 1 of paragraph (d) of this
Section then in any of the foregoing events, he shall receive in
addition to compensation for temporary total disability under paragraph
(b) of this Section, compensation at the rate provided in subparagraph 2.1
of paragraph (b) of this Section for that percentage of 500 weeks that
the partial disability resulting from the injuries covered by this
paragraph bears to total disability.  If the employee shall have
sustained a fracture of one or more vertebra or fracture of the skull,
the amount of compensation allowed under this Section shall be not less
than 6 weeks for a fractured skull and 6 weeks for each fractured
vertebra, and in the event the employee shall have sustained a fracture
of any of the following facial bones: nasal, lachrymal, vomer, zygoma,
maxilla, palatine or mandible, the amount of compensation allowed under
this Section shall be not less than 2 weeks for each such fractured
bone, and for a fracture of each transverse process not less than 3
weeks.  In the event such injuries shall result in the loss of a kidney,
spleen or lung, the amount of compensation allowed under this Section
shall be not less than 10 weeks for each such organ.  Compensation
awarded under this subparagraph 2 shall not take into consideration
injuries covered under paragraphs (c) and (e) of this Section and the
compensation provided in this paragraph shall not affect the employee's
right to compensation payable under paragraphs (b), (c) and (e) of this
Section for the disabilities therein covered.
(e) For accidental injuries in the following schedule, the employee
shall receive compensation for the period of temporary total incapacity
for work resulting from such accidental injury, under subparagraph 1 of
paragraph (b) of this Section, and shall receive in addition thereto
compensation for a further period for the specific loss herein
mentioned, but shall not receive any compensation under any other
provisions of this Act.   The following listed amounts apply to either
the loss of or the permanent and complete loss of use of the member
specified, such compensation for the length of time as follows:
1. Thumb-
70 weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or         after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 94th General Assembly but before February 1, 2006.
76  weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or         after  February 1, 2006.
2. First, or index finger-
40 weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or         after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 94th General Assembly but before February 1, 2006.
43  weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or         after February 1, 2006.
3. Second, or middle finger-
35 weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or         after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 94th General Assembly but before February 1, 2006.
38  weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or         after February 1, 2006.
4. Third, or ring finger-
25 weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or         after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 94th General Assembly but before February 1, 2006.
27  weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or         after February 1, 2006.
5. Fourth, or little finger-
20 weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or         after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 94th General Assembly but before February 1, 2006.
22  weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or         after February 1, 2006.
6. Great toe-
35 weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or         after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 94th General Assembly but before February 1, 2006.
38  weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or         after February 1, 2006.
7. Each toe other than great toe-
12 weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or         after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 94th General Assembly but before February 1, 2006.
13  weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or         after February 1, 2006.
8. The loss of the first or distal phalanx of the     thumb or of any finger or toe shall be considered to be equal to the loss of one-half of such thumb, finger or toe and the compensation payable shall be one-half of the amount above specified.  The loss of more than one phalanx shall be considered as the loss of the entire thumb, finger or toe.  In no case shall the amount received for more than one finger exceed the amount provided in this schedule for the loss of a hand.
9. Hand-
190 weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or         after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 94th General Assembly but before February 1, 2006.
205  weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or         after February 1, 2006.
190 weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or         after June 28, 2011 (the effective date of Public Act 97-18) and if the accidental injury involves carpal tunnel syndrome due to repetitive or cumulative trauma, in which case the permanent partial disability shall not exceed 15% loss of use of the hand, except for cause shown by clear and convincing evidence and in which case the award shall not exceed 30% loss of use of the hand.
The loss of 2 or more digits, or one or more     phalanges of 2 or more digits, of a hand may be compensated on the basis of partial loss of use of a hand, provided, further, that the loss of 4 digits, or the loss of use of 4 digits, in the same hand shall constitute the  complete loss of a hand.
10. Arm-
235 weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or         after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 94th General Assembly but before February 1, 2006.
253  weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or         after February 1, 2006.
Where an accidental injury results in the amputation     of an arm below the elbow, such injury shall be compensated as a loss of an arm.  Where an accidental injury results in the amputation of an arm above the elbow, compensation for an additional 15 weeks (if the accidental injury occurs on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 94th General Assembly but before February 1, 2006) or an additional 17  weeks (if the accidental injury occurs on or after February 1, 2006) shall be paid, except where the accidental injury results in the amputation of an arm at the shoulder joint, or so close to shoulder joint that an artificial arm cannot be used, or results in the disarticulation of an arm at the shoulder joint, in which case compensation for an additional 65 weeks (if the accidental injury occurs on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 94th General Assembly but before February 1, 2006) or an additional 70  weeks (if the accidental injury occurs on or after February 1, 2006) shall be paid.
11. Foot-
155 weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or         after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 94th General Assembly but before February 1, 2006.
167  weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or         after February 1, 2006.
12. Leg-
200 weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or         after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 94th General Assembly but before February 1, 2006.
215  weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or         after February 1, 2006.
Where an accidental injury results in the amputation     of a leg below the knee, such injury shall be compensated as loss of a leg. Where an accidental injury results in the amputation of a leg above the knee, compensation for an additional 25 weeks (if the accidental injury occurs on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 94th General Assembly but before February 1, 2006) or an additional 27  weeks (if the accidental injury occurs on or after February 1, 2006) shall be paid, except where the accidental injury results in the amputation of a leg at the hip joint, or so close to the hip joint that an artificial leg cannot be used, or results in the disarticulation of a leg at the hip joint, in which case compensation for an additional 75 weeks (if the accidental injury occurs on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 94th General Assembly but before February 1, 2006) or an additional 81  weeks (if the accidental injury occurs on or after February 1, 2006) shall be paid.
13. Eye-
150 weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or         after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 94th General Assembly but before February 1, 2006.
162  weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or         after February 1, 2006.
Where an accidental injury results in the enucleation     of an eye, compensation for an additional 10 weeks (if the accidental injury occurs on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 94th General Assembly but before February 1, 2006) or an additional 11  weeks (if the accidental injury occurs on or after February 1, 2006) shall be paid.
14. Loss of hearing of one ear-
50 weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or         after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 94th General Assembly but before February 1, 2006.
54  weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or         after February 1, 2006.
Total and permanent loss of
hearing of both ears-
200 weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or         after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 94th General Assembly but before February 1, 2006.
215  weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or         after February 1, 2006.
15. Testicle-
50 weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or         after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 94th General Assembly but before February 1, 2006.
54  weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or         after February 1, 2006.
Both testicles-
150 weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or         after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 94th General Assembly but before February 1, 2006.
162  weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or         after February 1, 2006.
16. For the permanent partial loss of use of a member     or sight of an eye, or hearing of an ear, compensation during that proportion of the number of weeks in the foregoing schedule provided for the loss of such member or sight of an eye, or hearing of an ear, which the partial loss of use thereof bears to the total loss of use of such member, or sight of eye, or hearing of an ear.
(a) Loss of hearing for compensation purposes         shall be confined to the frequencies of 1,000, 2,000 and 3,000 cycles per second. Loss of hearing ability for frequency tones above 3,000 cycles per second are not to be considered as constituting disability for hearing.
(b) The percent of hearing loss, for purposes of         the determination of compensation claims for occupational deafness, shall be calculated as the average in decibels for the thresholds of hearing for the frequencies of 1,000, 2,000 and 3,000 cycles per second. Pure tone air conduction audiometric instruments, approved by nationally recognized authorities in this field, shall be used for measuring hearing loss. If the losses of hearing average 30 decibels or less in the 3 frequencies, such losses of hearing shall not then constitute any compensable hearing disability. If the losses of hearing average 85 decibels or more in the 3 frequencies, then the same shall constitute and be total or 100% compensable hearing loss.
(c) In measuring hearing impairment, the lowest         measured losses in each of the 3 frequencies shall be added together and divided by 3 to determine the average decibel loss. For every decibel of loss exceeding 30 decibels an allowance of 1.82% shall be made up to the maximum of 100% which is reached at 85 decibels.
(d) If a hearing loss is established to have         existed on July 1, 1975 by audiometric testing the employer shall not be liable for the previous loss so established nor shall he be liable for any loss for which compensation has been paid or awarded.
(e) No consideration shall be given to the         question of whether or not the ability of an employee to understand speech is improved by the use of a hearing aid.
(f) No claim for loss of hearing due to         industrial noise shall be brought against an employer or allowed unless the employee has been exposed for a period of time sufficient to cause permanent impairment to noise levels in excess of the following:
Sound Level DBA
Slow Response
Hours Per Day
90
8
92
6
95
4
97
3
100
2
102
1-1/2
105
1
110
1/2
115
1/4
This subparagraph (f) shall not be applied in cases     of hearing loss resulting from trauma or explosion.
17. In computing the compensation to be paid to any     employee who, before the accident for which he claims compensation, had before that time sustained an injury resulting in the loss by amputation or partial loss by amputation of any member, including hand, arm, thumb or fingers, leg, foot or any toes, such loss or partial loss of any such member shall be deducted from any award made for the subsequent injury.  For the permanent loss of use or the permanent partial loss of use of any such member or the partial loss of sight of an eye, for which compensation has been paid, then such loss shall be taken into consideration and deducted from any award for the subsequent injury.
18. The specific case of loss of both hands, both     arms, or both feet, or both legs, or both eyes, or of any two thereof, or the permanent and complete loss of the use thereof, constitutes total and permanent disability, to be compensated according to the compensation fixed by paragraph (f) of this Section.  These specific cases of total and permanent disability do not exclude other cases.
Any employee who has previously suffered the loss or     permanent and complete loss of the use of any of such members, and in a subsequent independent accident loses another or suffers the permanent and complete loss of the use of any one of such members the employer for whom the injured employee is working at the time of the last independent accident is liable to pay compensation only for the loss or permanent and complete loss of the use of the member occasioned by the last independent accident.
19. In a case of specific loss and the subsequent     death of such injured employee from other causes than such injury leaving a widow, widower, or  dependents surviving before payment or payment in full for such injury, then the amount due for such injury is payable to the widow or widower and, if there be no widow or widower, then to such dependents, in the proportion which such dependency bears to total dependency.
Beginning July 1, 1980, and every 6 months thereafter, the Commission
shall examine the Second Injury Fund and when, after deducting all
advances or loans made to such Fund, the amount therein is $500,000
then the amount required to be paid by employers pursuant to paragraph
(f) of Section 7 shall be reduced by one-half. When the Second Injury Fund
reaches the sum of $600,000 then the payments shall cease entirely.
However, when the Second Injury Fund has been reduced to $400,000, payment
of one-half of the amounts required by paragraph (f) of Section 7
shall be resumed, in the manner herein provided, and when the Second Injury
Fund has been reduced to $300,000, payment of the full amounts required by
paragraph (f) of Section 7 shall be resumed, in the manner herein provided.
The Commission shall make the changes in payment effective by
general order, and the changes in payment become immediately effective
for all cases coming before the Commission thereafter either by
settlement agreement or final order, irrespective of the date of the
accidental injury.
On August 1, 1996 and on February 1 and August 1 of each subsequent year, the Commission
shall examine the special fund designated as the "Rate
Adjustment Fund" and when, after deducting all advances or loans made to
said fund, the amount therein is $4,000,000, the amount required to be
paid by employers pursuant to paragraph (f) of Section 7 shall be
reduced by one-half.  When the Rate Adjustment Fund reaches the sum of
$5,000,000 the payment therein shall cease entirely.  However, when said
Rate Adjustment Fund has been reduced to $3,000,000 the amounts required by
paragraph (f) of Section 7 shall be resumed in the manner herein provided.
(f) In case of complete disability, which renders the employee
wholly and permanently incapable of work, or in the specific case of
total and permanent disability as provided in subparagraph 18 of
paragraph (e) of this Section, compensation shall be payable at the rate
provided in subparagraph 2 of paragraph (b) of this Section for life.
An employee entitled to benefits under paragraph (f) of this Section
shall also be entitled to receive from the Rate Adjustment
Fund provided in paragraph (f) of Section 7 of the supplementary benefits
provided in paragraph (g) of this Section 8.
If any employee who receives an award under this paragraph afterwards
returns to work or is able to do so, and earns or is able to earn as
much as before the accident, payments under such award shall cease.  If
such employee returns to work, or is able to do so, and earns or is able
to earn part but not as much as before the accident, such award shall be
modified so as to conform to an award under paragraph (d) of this
Section.  If such award is terminated or reduced under the provisions of
this paragraph, such employees have the right at any time within 30
months after the date of such termination or reduction to file petition
with the Commission for the purpose of determining whether any
disability exists as a result of the original accidental injury and the
extent thereof.
Disability as enumerated in subdivision 18, paragraph (e) of this
Section is considered complete disability.
If an employee who had previously incurred loss or the permanent and
complete loss of use of one member, through the loss or the permanent
and complete loss of the use of one hand, one arm, one foot, one leg, or
one eye, incurs permanent and complete disability through the loss or
the permanent and complete loss of the use of another member, he shall
receive, in addition to the compensation payable by the employer and
after such payments have ceased, an amount from the Second Injury Fund
provided for in paragraph (f) of Section 7, which, together with the
compensation payable from the employer in whose employ he was when the
last accidental injury was incurred, will equal the amount payable for
permanent and complete disability as provided in this paragraph of this
Section.
The custodian of the Second Injury Fund provided for in paragraph (f)
of Section 7 shall be joined with the employer as a party respondent in
the application for adjustment of claim.  The application for adjustment
of claim shall state briefly and in general terms the approximate time
and place and manner of the loss of the first member.
In its award the Commission or the Arbitrator shall specifically find
the amount the injured employee shall be weekly paid, the number of
weeks compensation which shall be paid by the employer, the date upon
which payments begin out of the Second Injury Fund provided for in
paragraph (f) of Section 7 of this Act, the length of time the weekly
payments continue, the date upon which the pension payments commence and
the monthly amount of the payments. The Commission shall 30 days after
the date upon which payments out of the Second Injury Fund have begun as
provided in the award, and every month thereafter, prepare and submit to
the State Comptroller a voucher for payment for all compensation accrued
to that date at the rate fixed by the Commission.  The State Comptroller
shall draw a warrant to the injured employee along with a receipt to be
executed by the injured employee and returned to the Commission. The
endorsed warrant and receipt is a full and complete acquittance to the
Commission for the payment out of the Second Injury Fund.  No other
appropriation or warrant is necessary for payment out of the Second
Injury Fund.  The Second Injury Fund is appropriated for the purpose of
making payments according to the terms of the awards.
As of July 1, 1980 to July 1, 1982, all claims against and obligations
of the Second Injury Fund shall become claims against and obligations of
the Rate Adjustment Fund to the extent there is insufficient money in the
Second Injury Fund to pay such claims and obligations.  In that case, all
references to "Second Injury Fund" in this Section shall also include the
Rate Adjustment Fund.
(g) Every award for permanent total disability entered by the
Commission on and after  July 1, 1965 under which compensation payments
shall become due and payable after the effective date of this amendatory
Act, and every award for death benefits or permanent total disability
entered by the Commission on and after the effective date of this
amendatory Act shall be subject to annual adjustments as to the amount
of the compensation rate therein provided. Such adjustments shall first
be made on July 15, 1977, and all awards made and entered prior to July
1, 1975 and on July 15 of each year
thereafter.  In all other cases such adjustment shall be made on July 15
of the second year next following the date of the entry of the award and
shall further be made on July 15 annually thereafter.  If during the
intervening period from the date of the entry of the award, or the last
periodic adjustment, there shall have been an increase in the State's
average weekly wage in covered industries under the Unemployment
Insurance Act, the weekly compensation rate shall be proportionately
increased by the same percentage as the percentage of increase in the
State's average weekly wage in covered industries under the
Unemployment Insurance Act.  The increase in the compensation rate
under this paragraph shall in no event bring the total compensation rate
to an amount greater than the prevailing maximum rate at the time that the annual adjustment is made.  Such increase
shall be paid in the same manner as herein provided for payments under
the Second Injury Fund to the injured employee, or his dependents, as
the case may be, out of the Rate Adjustment Fund provided
in paragraph (f) of Section 7 of this Act.  Payments shall be made at
the same intervals as provided in the award or, at the option of the
Commission, may be made in quarterly payment on the 15th day of January,
April, July and October of each year.  In the event of a decrease in
such average weekly wage there shall be no change in the then existing
compensation rate.  The within paragraph shall not apply to cases where
there is disputed liability and in which a compromise lump sum settlement
between the employer and the injured employee, or his dependents, as the
case may be, has been duly approved by the Illinois Workers' Compensation
 Commission.
Provided, that in cases of awards entered by the Commission for
injuries occurring before July 1, 1975, the increases in the
compensation rate adjusted under the foregoing provision of this
paragraph (g) shall be limited to increases in the State's average
weekly wage in covered industries under the Unemployment Insurance Act
occurring after July 1, 1975.
For every accident occurring on or after July 20, 2005 but before the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 94th General Assembly (Senate Bill 1283 of the 94th General Assembly), the annual adjustments to the compensation rate in awards for death benefits or permanent total disability, as provided in this Act, shall be paid by the employer. The adjustment shall be made by the employer on July 15 of the second year next following the date of the entry of the award and shall further be made on July 15 annually thereafter. If during the intervening period from the date of the entry of the award, or the last periodic adjustment, there shall have been an increase in the State's average weekly wage in covered industries under the Unemployment Insurance Act, the employer shall increase the weekly compensation rate proportionately by the same percentage as the percentage of increase in the State's average weekly wage in covered industries under the Unemployment Insurance Act.  The increase in the compensation rate under this paragraph shall in no event bring the total compensation rate to an amount greater than the prevailing maximum rate at the time that the annual adjustment is made. In the event of a decrease in such average weekly wage there shall be no change in the then existing compensation rate.  Such increase shall be paid by the employer in the same manner and at the same intervals as the payment of compensation in the award.  This paragraph shall not apply to cases where there is disputed liability and in which a compromise lump sum settlement between the employer and the injured employee, or his or her dependents, as the case may be, has been duly approved by the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission.
The annual adjustments for every award of death benefits or permanent total disability involving accidents occurring before July 20, 2005 and accidents occurring on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 94th General Assembly (Senate Bill 1283 of the 94th General Assembly) shall continue to be paid from the Rate Adjustment Fund pursuant to this paragraph and Section 7(f) of this Act.
(h) In case death occurs from any cause before the total
compensation to which the employee would have been entitled has been
paid, then in case the employee leaves any widow, widower, child, parent
(or any grandchild, grandparent or other lineal heir or any collateral
heir dependent at the time of the accident upon the earnings of the
employee to the extent of 50% or more of total dependency) such
compensation shall be paid to the beneficiaries of the deceased employee
and distributed as provided in paragraph (g) of Section 7.
(h-1) In case an injured employee is under legal disability
at the time when any right or privilege accrues to him or her under this
Act, a guardian may be appointed pursuant to law, and may, on behalf
of such person under legal disability, claim and exercise any
such right or privilege with the same effect as if the employee himself
or herself had claimed or exercised the right or privilege.  No limitations
of time provided by this Act run so long as the employee who is under legal
disability is without a conservator or guardian.
(i) In case the injured employee is under 16 years of age at the
time of the accident and is illegally employed, the amount of
compensation payable under paragraphs (b), (c), (d), (e) and (f) of this
Section is increased 50%.
However, where an employer has on file an employment certificate
issued pursuant to the Child Labor Law or work permit issued pursuant
to the Federal Fair Labor Standards Act, as amended, or a birth
certificate properly and duly issued, such certificate, permit or birth
certificate is conclusive evidence as to the age of the injured minor
employee for the purposes of this Section.
Nothing herein contained repeals or amends the provisions of the
Child Labor Law relating to the employment of minors under the age of 16 years.
(j) 1. In the event the injured employee receives benefits,
including medical, surgical or hospital benefits under any group plan
covering non-occupational disabilities contributed to wholly or
partially by the employer, which benefits should not have been payable
if any rights of recovery existed under this Act, then such amounts so
paid to the employee from any such group plan as shall be consistent
with, and limited to, the provisions of paragraph 2 hereof, shall be
credited to or against any compensation payment for temporary total
incapacity for work or any medical, surgical or hospital benefits made
or to be made under this Act. In such event, the period of time for
giving notice of accidental injury and filing application for adjustment
of claim does not commence to run until the termination of such
payments.  This paragraph does not apply to payments made under any
group plan which would have been payable irrespective of an accidental
injury under this Act.  Any employer receiving such credit shall keep
such employee safe and harmless from any and all claims or liabilities
that may be made against him by reason of having received such payments
only to the extent of such credit.
Any excess benefits paid to or on behalf of a State employee by the
State Employees' Retirement System under Article 14 of the Illinois Pension
Code on a death claim or disputed disability claim shall be credited
against any payments made or to be made by the State of Illinois to or on
behalf of such employee under this Act, except for payments for medical
expenses which have already been incurred at the time of the award.  The
State of Illinois shall directly reimburse the State Employees' Retirement
System to the extent of such credit.
2. Nothing contained in this Act shall be construed to give the
employer or the insurance carrier the right to credit for any benefits
or payments received by the employee other than compensation payments
provided by this Act, and where the employee receives payments other
than compensation payments, whether as full or partial salary, group
insurance benefits, bonuses, annuities or any other payments, the
employer or insurance carrier shall receive credit for each such payment
only to the extent of the compensation that would have been payable
during the period covered by such payment.
3. The extension of time for the filing of an Application for
Adjustment of Claim as provided in paragraph 1 above shall not apply to
those cases where the time for such filing had expired prior to the date
on which payments or benefits enumerated herein have been initiated or
resumed. Provided however that this paragraph 3 shall apply only to
cases wherein the payments or benefits hereinabove enumerated shall be
received after July 1, 1969.
(Source: P.A. 97-18, eff. 6-28-11; 97-268, eff. 8-8-11; 97-813, eff. 7-13-12.)
(820 ILCS 305/8.1a)
Sec. 8.1a. Preferred provider programs.  Starting on the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 97th General Assembly, to satisfy its liabilities under this Act for the provision of medical treatment to injured employees, an employer may utilize a preferred provider program approved by the Illinois Department of Insurance as in compliance with Sections 370k, 370l, 370m, and 370p of Article XX-1/2 of the Illinois Insurance Code. For the purposes of compliance with these Sections, the employee shall be considered the "beneficiary" and the employer shall be considered the "insured". Employers and insurers contracting directly with providers or utilizing multiple preferred provider programs to implement a preferred provider program providing workers' compensation benefits shall be subject to the above requirements of Article XX-1/2 applicable to administrators with regard to such program, with the exception of Section 370l of the Illinois Insurance Code.
(a) In addition to the above requirements of Article XX-1/2 of the Illinois Insurance Code, all preferred provider programs under this Section shall meet the following requirements:
(1) The provider network shall include an adequate     number of occupational and non-occupational providers.
(2) The provider network shall include an adequate     number and type of physicians or other providers to treat common injuries experienced by injured workers in the geographic area where the employees reside.
(3) Medical treatment for injuries shall be readily     available at reasonable times to all employees. To the extent feasible, all medical treatment for injuries shall be readily accessible to all employees.
(4) Physician compensation shall not be structured in     order to achieve the goal of inappropriately reducing, delaying, or denying medical treatment or restricting access to medical treatment.
(5) Before entering into any agreement under this     Section, a program shall establish terms and conditions that must be met by noninstitutional providers wishing to enter into an agreement with the program. These terms and conditions may not discriminate unreasonably against or among noninstitutional providers. Neither difference in prices among noninstitutional providers produced by a process of individual negotiation nor price differences among other noninstitutional providers in different geographical areas or different specialties constitutes unreasonable discrimination.
(b) The administrator of any preferred provider program under this Act that uses economic evaluation shall file with the Director of Insurance a description of any policies and procedures related to economic evaluation utilized by the program. The filing shall describe how these policies and procedures are used in utilization review, peer review, incentive and penalty programs, and in provider retention and termination decisions. The Director of Insurance may deny approval of any preferred provider program that uses any policy or procedure of economic evaluation to inappropriately reduce, delay or deny medical treatment, or to restrict access to medical treatment. Evaluation of providers based upon objective medical quality and patient outcome measurements, appropriate use of best clinical practices and evidence based medicine, and use of health information technology shall be permitted. If approved, the employer shall provide a copy of the filing to all participating providers.
(1) The Director of the Department of Insurance shall     make each administrator's filing available to the public upon request. The Director of the Department of Insurance may not publicly disclose any information submitted pursuant to this Section that is determined by the Director of the Department of Insurance to be confidential, proprietary, or trade secret information pursuant to State or federal law.
(2) For the purposes of this subsection (b),     "economic evaluation" shall mean any evaluation of a particular physician, provider, medical group, or individual practice association based in whole or in part on the economic costs or utilization of services associated with medical care provided or authorized by the physician, provider, medical group, or individual practice association. Economic evaluation shall not include negotiated rates with a provider.
(c) Except for the provisions of subsection (a)(4) of Section 8 and for injuries occurring on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 97th General Assembly, an employee of an employer utilizing a preferred provider program shall only be allowed to select a participating network provider from the network. An employer shall be responsible for: (i) all first aid and emergency treatment; (ii) all medical, surgical, and hospital services provided by the participating network provider initially selected by the employee or by any other participating network provider recommended by the initial participating network provider or any subsequent participating network provider in the chain of referrals from the initial participating network provider; and (iii) all medical, surgical, and hospital services provided by the participating network provider subsequently chosen by the employee or by any other participating network provider recommended by the subsequent participating network provider or any subsequent participating network provider in the chain of referrals from the second participating network provider. An employer shall not be liable for services determined by the Commission not to be compensable. An employer shall not be liable for medical services provided by a non-authorized provider when proper notice is provided to the injured worker.
(1) When the injured employee notifies the employer     of the injury or files a claim for workers' compensation with the employer, the employer shall notify the employee of his or her right to be treated by a physician of his or her choice from the preferred provider network established pursuant to this Section, and the method by which the list of participating network providers may be accessed by the employee, except as provided in subsection (a)(4) of Section 8.
(2) Consistent with Article XX-1/2 of the Illinois     Insurance Code, treatment by a specialist who is not a member of the preferred provider network shall be permitted on a case-by-case basis if the medical provider network does not contain a physician who can provide the approved treatment, and if the employee has complied with any pre-authorization requirements of the preferred provider network.  Consent for the employee to visit an out-of-network provider may not be unreasonably withheld. When a non-network provider is authorized pursuant to this subparagraph (2), the non-network provider shall not hold an employee liable for costs except as provided in subsection (e) of Section 8.2.
(3) The Director shall not approve, and may withdraw     prior approval of, a preferred provider program that fails to provide an injured employee with sufficient access to necessary treating physicians, surgeons, and specialists.
(d) Except as provided in subsection (a)(4) of Section 8, upon a finding by the Commission that the care being rendered by the employee's second choice of provider within the employer's network is improper or inadequate, the employee may then choose a provider outside of the network at the employer's expense. The Commission shall issue a decision on any petition filed pursuant to this Section within 5 working days.
(e) The Director of the Department of Insurance may promulgate such rules as are necessary to carry out the provisions of this Section relating to approval and regulation of preferred provider programs.
(Source: P.A. 97-18, eff. 6-28-11.)
(820 ILCS 305/8.1b)
Sec. 8.1b. Determination of permanent partial disability.  For accidental injuries that occur on or after September 1, 2011, permanent partial disability shall be established using the following criteria:
(a) A physician licensed to practice medicine in all of its branches preparing a permanent partial disability impairment report shall report the level of impairment in writing.  The report shall include an evaluation of medically defined and professionally appropriate measurements of impairment that include, but are not limited to:  loss of range of motion; loss of strength; measured atrophy of tissue mass consistent with the injury; and any other measurements that establish the nature and extent of the impairment.  The most current edition of the American Medical Association's "Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment" shall be used by the physician in determining the level of impairment.
(b) In determining the level of permanent partial disability, the Commission shall base its determination on the following factors:  (i) the reported level of impairment pursuant to subsection (a); (ii) the occupation of the injured employee; (iii) the age of the employee at the time of the injury; (iv) the employee's future earning capacity; and (v) evidence of disability corroborated by the treating medical records.  No single enumerated factor shall be the sole determinant of disability.  In determining the level of disability, the relevance and weight of any factors used in addition to the level of impairment as reported by the physician must be explained in a written order.
(Source: P.A. 97-18, eff. 6-28-11.)
(820 ILCS 305/8.2)
Sec. 8.2. Fee schedule.
(a) Except as provided for in subsection (c), for procedures, treatments, or services covered under this Act and rendered or to be rendered on  and after February  1, 2006, the maximum allowable payment shall be 90% of the 80th percentile of charges and fees as determined by the Commission utilizing information provided by employers' and insurers' national databases, with a minimum of 12,000,000 Illinois line item charges and fees comprised of health care provider and hospital charges and fees as of August  1, 2004 but not earlier than August  1, 2002. These charges and fees are provider billed amounts and shall not include discounted charges.  The 80th percentile is the point on an ordered data set from low to high such that 80% of the cases are below or equal to that point and at most 20% are above or equal to that point.  The Commission shall adjust these historical charges and fees as of August 1, 2004 by the Consumer Price Index-U for the period August 1, 2004 through September 30, 2005.  The Commission shall establish fee schedules for procedures, treatments, or services for hospital inpatient, hospital outpatient, emergency room and trauma, ambulatory surgical treatment centers, and professional services.   These charges and fees shall be designated by geozip or any smaller geographic unit. The data shall in no way identify or tend to identify any patient, employer, or health care provider. As used in this Section, "geozip" means a three-digit zip code based on data similarities, geographical similarities, and frequencies. A geozip does not cross state boundaries. As used in this Section, "three-digit zip code" means a geographic area in which all zip codes have the same first 3 digits. If a geozip does not have the necessary number of charges and fees to calculate a valid percentile for a specific procedure, treatment, or service, the Commission may combine data from the geozip with up to 4 other geozips that are demographically and economically similar and exhibit similarities in data and frequencies until the Commission reaches 9 charges or fees for that specific procedure, treatment, or service.  In cases where the compiled data contains less than 9 charges or fees for a procedure, treatment, or service,  reimbursement shall occur at 76% of charges and fees as determined by the Commission in a manner consistent with the provisions of this paragraph. Providers of out-of-state procedures, treatments, services, products, or supplies shall be reimbursed at the lesser of that state's fee schedule amount or the fee schedule amount for the region in which the employee resides. If no fee schedule exists in that state, the provider shall be reimbursed at the lesser of the actual charge or the fee schedule amount for the region in which the employee resides.  Not later than September 30 in 2006 and each year thereafter, the Commission shall automatically increase or decrease the maximum allowable payment for a procedure, treatment, or service established and in effect on January 1 of that year by the percentage change in the Consumer Price Index-U for the 12 month period ending August 31 of that year. The increase or decrease shall become effective on January 1 of the following year. As used in this Section, "Consumer Price Index-U" means the index published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor, that measures the average change in prices of all goods and services purchased by all urban consumers, U.S. city average, all items, 1982-84=100.
(a-1) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) and unless otherwise indicated, the following provisions shall apply to the medical fee schedule starting on September 1, 2011:
(1) The Commission shall establish and maintain fee     schedules for procedures, treatments, products, services, or supplies for hospital inpatient, hospital outpatient, emergency room, ambulatory surgical treatment centers, accredited ambulatory surgical treatment facilities, prescriptions filled and dispensed outside of a licensed pharmacy, dental services, and professional services. This fee schedule shall be based on the fee schedule amounts already established by the Commission pursuant to subsection (a) of this Section. However, starting on January 1, 2012, these fee schedule amounts shall be grouped into geographic regions in the following manner:
(A) Four regions for non-hospital fee schedule         amounts shall be utilized:
(i) Cook County;
(ii) DuPage, Kane, Lake, and Will Counties;
(iii) Bond, Calhoun, Clinton, Jersey,             Macoupin, Madison, Monroe, Montgomery, Randolph, St. Clair, and Washington Counties; and
(iv) All other counties of the State.
(B) Fourteen regions for hospital fee schedule         amounts shall be utilized:
(i) Cook, DuPage, Will, Kane, McHenry,             DeKalb, Kendall, and Grundy Counties;
(ii) Kankakee County;
(iii) Madison, St. Clair, Macoupin, Clinton,             Monroe, Jersey, Bond, and Calhoun Counties;
(iv) Winnebago and Boone Counties;
(v) Peoria, Tazewell, Woodford, Marshall, and             Stark Counties;
(vi) Champaign, Piatt, and Ford Counties;
(vii) Rock Island, Henry, and Mercer Counties;
(viii) Sangamon and Menard Counties;
(ix) McLean County;
(x) Lake County;
(xi) Macon County;
(xii) Vermilion County;
(xiii) Alexander County; and
(xiv) All other counties of the State.
(2) If a geozip, as defined in subsection (a) of this     Section, overlaps into one or more of the regions set forth in this Section, then the Commission shall average or repeat the charges and fees in a geozip in order to designate charges and fees for each region.
(3) In cases where the compiled data contains less     than 9 charges or fees for a procedure, treatment, product, supply, or service or where the fee schedule amount cannot be determined by the non-discounted charge data, non-Medicare relative values and conversion factors derived from established fee schedule amounts, coding crosswalks, or other data as determined by the Commission, reimbursement shall occur at 76% of charges and fees until September 1, 2011 and 53.2% of charges and fees thereafter as determined by the Commission in a manner consistent with the provisions of this paragraph.
(4) To establish additional fee schedule amounts, the     Commission shall utilize provider non-discounted charge data, non-Medicare relative values and conversion factors derived from established fee schedule amounts, and coding crosswalks. The Commission may establish additional fee schedule amounts based on either the charge or cost of the procedure, treatment, product, supply, or service.
(5) Implants shall be reimbursed at 25% above the net     manufacturer's invoice price less rebates, plus actual reasonable and customary shipping charges whether or not the implant charge is submitted by a provider in conjunction with a bill for all other services associated with the implant, submitted by a provider on a separate claim form, submitted by a distributor, or submitted by the manufacturer of the implant. "Implants" include the following codes or any substantially similar updated code as determined by the Commission: 0274 (prosthetics/orthotics); 0275 (pacemaker); 0276 (lens implant); 0278 (implants); 0540 and 0545 (ambulance); 0624 (investigational devices); and 0636 (drugs requiring detailed coding). Non-implantable devices or supplies within these codes shall be reimbursed at 65% of actual charge, which is the provider's normal rates under its standard chargemaster. A standard chargemaster is the provider's list of charges for procedures, treatments, products, supplies, or services used to bill payers in a consistent manner.
(6) The Commission shall automatically update all     codes and associated rules with the version of the codes and rules valid on January 1 of that year.
(a-2) For procedures, treatments, services, or supplies covered under this Act and rendered or to be rendered on or after September 1, 2011, the maximum allowable payment shall be 70% of the fee schedule amounts, which shall be adjusted yearly by the Consumer Price Index-U, as described in subsection (a) of this Section.
(a-3) Prescriptions filled and dispensed outside of a licensed pharmacy shall be subject to a fee schedule that shall not exceed the Average Wholesale Price (AWP) plus a dispensing fee of $4.18. AWP or its equivalent as registered by the National Drug Code shall be set forth for that drug on that date as published in Medispan.
(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a), if
the Commission finds that there is a significant limitation on
access to quality health care in either a specific field of
health care services or a specific geographic limitation on
access to health care, it may change the Consumer Price Index-U
increase or decrease for that specific field or specific
geographic limitation on access to health care to address that
limitation.
(c) The Commission shall establish by rule a process to review those medical cases or outliers that involve extra-ordinary treatment to determine whether to make an additional adjustment to the maximum payment within a fee schedule for a  procedure, treatment, or service.
(d) When a patient notifies a provider that the treatment, procedure, or service being sought is for a work-related illness or injury and furnishes the provider the name and address of the responsible employer, the provider shall bill the employer or its designee directly.  The employer or its designee shall make payment for treatment in accordance with the provisions of this Section directly to the provider, except that, if a provider has designated a third-party billing entity to bill on its behalf, payment shall be made directly to the billing entity.  Providers shall submit bills and records in accordance with the provisions of this Section.
(1) All payments to providers for treatment provided     pursuant to this Act shall be made within 30 days of receipt of the bills as long as the bill contains substantially all the required data elements necessary to adjudicate the bill.
(2) If the bill does not contain substantially all     the required data elements necessary to adjudicate the bill, or the claim is denied for any other reason, in whole or in part, the employer or insurer shall provide written notification to the provider in the form of an explanation of benefits explaining the basis for the denial and describing any additional necessary data elements within 30 days of receipt of the bill. The Commission, with assistance from the Medical Fee Advisory Board, shall adopt rules detailing the requirements for the explanation of benefits required under this subsection.
(3) In the case (i) of nonpayment to a provider     within 30 days of receipt of the bill which contained substantially all of the required data elements necessary to adjudicate the bill, (ii) of nonpayment to a provider of a portion of such a bill, or (iii) where the provider has not been issued an explanation of benefits for a bill, the bill, or portion of the bill up to the lesser of the actual charge or the payment level set by the Commission in the fee schedule established in this Section, shall incur interest at a rate of  1% per month  payable by the employer to the provider. Any required interest payments shall be made by the employer or its insurer to the provider within 30 days after payment of the bill.
(4) If the employer or its insurer fails to pay     interest within 30 days after payment of the bill as required pursuant to paragraph (3), the provider may bring an action in circuit court for the sole purpose of seeking payment of interest pursuant to paragraph (3)  against the employer or its insurer responsible for insuring the employer's liability pursuant to item (3) of subsection (a) of Section 4.  The circuit court's jurisdiction shall be limited to enforcing payment of interest pursuant to paragraph (3). Interest under paragraph (3)  is only payable to the provider.  An employee is not responsible for the payment of interest under this Section. The right to interest under paragraph (3)  shall not delay, diminish, restrict, or alter in any way the benefits to which the employee or his or her dependents are entitled under this Act.
The changes made to this subsection (d) by this amendatory Act of the 100th General Assembly apply to procedures, treatments, and services rendered on and after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 100th General Assembly.
(e) Except as provided in subsections (e-5), (e-10), and (e-15), a provider shall not hold an employee liable for costs related to a non-disputed procedure, treatment, or service rendered in connection with a compensable injury.   The provisions of subsections (e-5), (e-10), (e-15), and (e-20) shall not apply if an employee provides information to the provider regarding participation in a group health plan.  If the employee participates in a group health plan, the provider may submit a claim for services to the group health plan.  If the claim for service is covered by the group health plan, the employee's responsibility shall be limited to applicable deductibles, co-payments, or co-insurance. Except as provided under subsections (e-5), (e-10), (e-15), and (e-20), a provider shall not bill or otherwise attempt to recover from the employee the difference between the provider's charge and the amount paid by the employer or the insurer on a compensable injury, or for medical services or treatment determined by the Commission to be excessive or unnecessary.
(e-5) If an employer notifies a provider that the employer does not consider the illness or injury to be compensable under this Act, the provider may seek payment of the provider's actual charges from the employee for any procedure, treatment, or service rendered.  Once an employee informs the provider that there is an application filed with the Commission to resolve a dispute over payment of such charges, the provider shall cease any and all efforts to collect payment for the services that are the subject of the dispute.  Any statute of limitations or statute of repose applicable to the provider's efforts to collect payment from the employee shall be tolled from the date that the employee files the application with the Commission until the date that the provider is permitted to resume collection efforts under the provisions of this Section.
(e-10) If an employer notifies a provider that the employer will pay only a portion of a bill for any procedure, treatment, or service rendered in connection with a compensable illness or disease, the provider may seek payment from the employee for the remainder of the amount of the bill up to the lesser of the actual charge, negotiated rate, if applicable,  or the payment level set by the Commission in the fee schedule established in this Section.  Once an employee informs the provider that there is an application filed with the Commission to resolve a dispute over payment of such charges, the provider shall cease any and all efforts to collect payment for the services that are the subject of the dispute.  Any statute of limitations or statute of repose applicable to the provider's efforts to collect payment from the employee shall be tolled from the date that the employee files the application with the Commission until the date that the provider is permitted to resume collection efforts under the provisions of this Section.
(e-15) When there is a dispute over the compensability of or amount of payment for a procedure, treatment, or service, and a case is pending or proceeding before an Arbitrator or the Commission, the provider may mail the employee reminders that the employee will be responsible for payment of any procedure, treatment or service rendered by the provider.  The reminders must state that they are not bills, to the extent practicable include itemized information, and state that the employee need not pay until such time as the provider is permitted to resume collection efforts under this Section.  The reminders shall not be provided to any credit rating agency.  The reminders may request that the employee furnish the provider with information about the proceeding under this Act, such as the file number, names of parties, and status of the case.  If an employee fails to respond to such request for information or fails to furnish the information requested within 90 days of the date of the reminder, the provider is entitled to resume any and all efforts to collect payment from the employee for the services rendered to the employee and the employee shall be responsible for payment of any outstanding bills for a procedure, treatment, or service rendered by a provider.
(e-20)  Upon a final award or judgment by an Arbitrator or the Commission, or a settlement agreed to by the employer and the employee, a provider may resume any and all efforts to collect payment from the employee for the services rendered to the employee and the employee shall be responsible for payment of any outstanding bills for a procedure, treatment, or service rendered by a provider as well as the interest awarded under subsection (d) of this Section.  In the case of a procedure, treatment, or service deemed compensable, the provider shall not require a payment rate, excluding the interest provisions under subsection (d), greater than the lesser of the actual charge or the payment level set by the Commission in the fee schedule established in this Section.  Payment for services deemed not covered or not compensable under this Act is the responsibility of the employee unless a provider and employee have agreed otherwise in writing.  Services not covered or not compensable under this Act are not subject to the fee schedule in this Section.
(f) Nothing in this Act shall prohibit an employer or
insurer from contracting with a health care provider or group
of health care providers for reimbursement levels for benefits under this Act different
from those provided in this Section.
(g) On or before January 1, 2010 the Commission shall provide to the Governor and General Assembly a report regarding the implementation of the medical fee schedule and the index used for annual adjustment to that schedule as described in this Section.
(Source: P.A. 100-1117, eff. 11-27-18; 100-1175, eff. 1-11-19.)
(820 ILCS 305/8.2a)
Sec. 8.2a. Electronic claims.
(a) The Director of Insurance shall adopt rules to do all of the following:
(1) Ensure that all health care providers and     facilities submit medical bills for payment on standardized forms.
(2) Require acceptance by employers and insurers of     electronic claims for payment of medical services.
(3) Ensure confidentiality of medical information     submitted on electronic claims for payment of medical services.
(4) Ensure that health care providers have an     opportunity to comply with requests for records by employers and insurers for the authorization of the payment of workers' compensation claims.
(5)   Ensure that health care providers are     responsible for supplying only those medical records pertaining to the provider's own claims that are minimally necessary under the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996.
(6) Provide that any electronically submitted bill     determined to be complete but not paid or objected to within 30 days shall be subject to interest pursuant to item (3) of subsection (d) of Section 8.2.
(7) Provide that the Department of Insurance shall     impose an administrative fine if it determines that an employer or insurer has failed to comply with the electronic claims acceptance and response process.  The amount of the administrative fine shall be no greater than $1,000 per each violation, but shall not exceed $10,000 for identical violations during a calendar year.
(b) To the extent feasible, standards adopted pursuant to subdivision (a) shall be consistent with existing standards under the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996.
(c) The rules requiring employers and insurers to accept electronic claims for payment of medical services shall be proposed on or before January 1, 2012, and shall require all employers and insurers to accept electronic claims for payment of medical services on or before June 30, 2012. The Director of Insurance shall adopt rules by January 1, 2019 to implement the changes to this Section made by this amendatory Act of the 100th General Assembly.  The Commission, with assistance from the Department and the Medical Fee Advisory Board, shall publish on its Internet website a companion guide to assist with compliance with electronic claims rules.  The Medical Fee Advisory Board shall periodically review the companion guide.
(d) The Director of Insurance shall by rule establish criteria for granting exceptions to employers, insurance carriers, and health care providers who are unable to submit or accept medical bills electronically.
(Source: P.A. 103-508, eff. 8-4-23.)
(820 ILCS 305/8.3)
Sec. 8.3. Workers' Compensation Medical Fee Advisory Board. There is created a Workers' Compensation Medical Fee Advisory Board  consisting of 9 members appointed by the Governor  with the advice and consent of the Senate. Three members  of the Advisory Board shall be representatives of a labor organization recognized under the National Labor Relations Act or an attorney who has represented labor organizations or has represented employees in workers' compensation cases, 3 members shall be representative citizens chosen from the employing class, and 3 members shall be representative citizens chosen from the medical provider class. Each member shall serve a 4-year term and shall continue to serve until a successor is appointed. A vacancy on the Advisory Board shall be filled by the Governor for the unexpired term.
Members of the Advisory Board shall receive no compensation for their services but shall be reimbursed for expenses incurred in the performance of their duties by the Commission from appropriations made to the Commission for that purpose.
The Advisory Board shall advise the Commission on establishment of fees for medical services and accessibility of medical treatment.
(Source: P.A. 101-384, eff. 1-1-20.)
(820 ILCS 305/8.7)
Sec. 8.7. Utilization review programs.
(a) As used in this Section:
"Utilization review" means the evaluation of proposed or provided health care services to determine the appropriateness of both the level of health care services medically necessary and the quality of health care services provided to a patient, including evaluation of their efficiency, efficacy, and appropriateness of treatment, hospitalization, or office visits based on medically accepted standards.  The evaluation must be accomplished by means of a system that identifies the utilization of health care services based on standards of care of nationally recognized peer review guidelines as well as nationally recognized treatment guidelines and evidence-based medicine based upon standards as provided in this Act.  Utilization techniques may include prospective review, second opinions, concurrent review, discharge planning, peer review, independent medical examinations, and retrospective review (for purposes of this sentence, retrospective review shall be applicable to services rendered on or after July 20, 2005).  Nothing in this Section applies to prospective review of necessary first aid or emergency treatment.
(b) No person may conduct a utilization review program for workers' compensation services in this State unless once every 2 years the person registers the utilization review program with the Department of Insurance and certifies compliance with the Workers' Compensation Utilization Management standards or Health Utilization Management Standards of URAC sufficient to achieve URAC accreditation or submits evidence of accreditation by URAC for its Workers' Compensation Utilization Management Standards or Health Utilization Management Standards.  Nothing in this Act shall be construed to require an employer or insurer or its subcontractors to become URAC accredited.
(c) In addition, the Director of Insurance may certify alternative utilization review standards of national accreditation organizations or entities in order for plans to comply with this Section.  Any alternative utilization review standards shall meet or exceed those standards required under subsection (b).
(d) This registration shall include submission of all of the following information regarding utilization review program activities:
(1) The name, address, and telephone number of the     utilization review programs.
(2) The organization and governing structure of the     utilization review programs.
(3) The number of lives for which utilization review     is conducted by each utilization review program.
(4) Hours of operation of each utilization review     program.
(5) Description of the grievance process for each     utilization review program.
(6) Number of covered lives for which utilization     review was conducted for the previous calendar year for each utilization review program.
(7) Written policies and procedures for protecting     confidential information according to applicable State and federal laws for each utilization review program.
(e) A utilization review program shall have written procedures to ensure that patient-specific information obtained during the process of utilization review will be:
(1) kept confidential in accordance with applicable     State and federal laws; and
(2) shared only with the employee, the employee's     designee, and the employee's health care provider, and those who are authorized by law to receive the information.  Summary data shall not be considered confidential if it does not provide information to allow identification of individual patients or health care providers.
Only a health care professional may make determinations regarding the medical necessity of health care services during the course of utilization review.
When making retrospective reviews, utilization review programs shall base reviews solely on the medical information available to the attending physician or ordering provider at the time the health care services were provided.
(f) If the Department of Insurance finds that a utilization review program is not in compliance with this Section, the Department shall issue a corrective action plan and allow a reasonable amount of time for compliance with the plan.  If the utilization review program does not come into compliance, the Department may issue a cease and desist order.  Before issuing a cease and desist order under this Section, the Department shall provide the utilization review program with a written notice of the reasons for the order and allow a reasonable amount of time to supply additional information demonstrating compliance with the requirements of this Section and to request a hearing.  The hearing notice shall be sent by certified mail, return receipt requested, and the hearing shall be conducted in accordance with the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act.
(g) A utilization review program subject to a corrective action may continue to conduct business until a final decision has been issued by the Department.
(h) The Department of Insurance may by rule establish a registration fee for each person conducting a utilization review program.
(i) Upon receipt of written notice that the employer or the employer's agent or insurer wishes to invoke the utilization review process, the provider of medical, surgical, or hospital services shall submit to the utilization review, following accredited procedural guidelines.
(1) The provider shall make reasonable efforts to     provide timely and complete reports of clinical information needed to support a request for treatment. If the provider fails to make such reasonable efforts, the charges for the treatment or service may not be compensable nor collectible by the provider or claimant from the employer, the employer's agent, or the employee. The reporting obligations of providers shall not be unreasonable or unduly burdensome.
(2) Written notice of utilization review decisions,     including the clinical rationale for certification or non-certification and references to applicable standards of care or evidence-based medical guidelines, shall be furnished to the provider and employee.
(3) An employer may only deny payment of or refuse to     authorize payment of medical services rendered or proposed to be rendered on the grounds that the extent and scope of medical treatment is excessive and unnecessary in compliance with an accredited utilization review program under this Section.
(4) When a payment for medical services has been     denied or not authorized by an employer or when authorization for medical services is denied pursuant to utilization review, the employee has the burden of proof to show by a preponderance of the evidence that a variance from the standards of care used by the person or entity performing the utilization review pursuant to subsection (a) is reasonably required to cure or relieve the effects of his or her injury.
(5) The medical professional responsible for review     in the final stage of utilization review or appeal must be available in this State for interview or deposition; or must be available for deposition by telephone, video conference, or other remote electronic means. A medical professional who works or resides in this State or outside of this State may comply with this requirement by making himself or herself available for an interview or deposition in person or by making himself or herself available by telephone, video conference, or other remote electronic means. The remote interview or deposition shall be conducted in a fair, open, and cost-effective manner. The expense of interview and the deposition method shall be paid by the employer. The deponent shall be in the presence of the officer administering the oath and recording the deposition, unless otherwise agreed by the parties.  Any exhibits or other demonstrative evidence to be presented to the deponent by any party at the deposition shall be provided to the officer administering the oath and all other parties within a reasonable period of time prior to the deposition.  Nothing shall prohibit any party from being with the deponent during the deposition, at that party's expense; provided, however, that a party attending a deposition shall give written notice of that party's intention to appear at the deposition to all other parties within a reasonable time prior to the deposition.
An admissible utilization review shall be considered by the Commission, along with all other evidence and in the same manner as all other evidence, and must be addressed along with all other evidence in the determination of the reasonableness and necessity of the medical bills or treatment.  Nothing in this Section shall be construed to diminish the rights of employees to reasonable and necessary medical treatment or employee choice of health care provider under Section 8(a) or  the rights of  employers to medical examinations under Section 12.
(j) When an employer denies payment of or refuses to authorize payment of first aid, medical, surgical, or hospital services under Section 8(a) of this Act, if that denial or refusal to authorize complies with a utilization review program registered under this Section and complies with all other requirements of this Section, then there shall be a rebuttable presumption that the employer shall not be responsible for payment of additional compensation pursuant to Section 19(k) of this Act and if that denial or refusal to authorize does not comply with a utilization review program registered under this Section and does not comply with all other requirements of this Section, then that will be considered by the Commission, along with all other evidence and in the same manner as all other evidence, in the determination of whether the employer may be responsible for the payment of additional compensation pursuant to  Section 19(k) of this Act.
The changes to this Section made by this amendatory Act of the 97th General Assembly apply only to health care services provided or proposed to be provided on or after September 1, 2011.
(Source: P.A. 97-18, eff. 6-28-11.)
(820 ILCS 305/9) (from Ch. 48, par. 138.9)
Sec. 9. 
Any employer or employee or beneficiary who shall desire to have
such compensation, or any unpaid part thereof, paid in a lump sum, may
petition the Commission, asking that such compensation be so paid. If, upon
proper notice to the interested parties and a proper showing made before
such Commission or any member thereof, it appears to the best interest of
the parties that such compensation be so paid, the Commission may order the
commutation of the compensation to an equivalent lump sum, which
commutation shall be an amount which will equal the total sum of the
probable future payments capitalized at their present value upon the basis
of interest calculated at the maximum rate of interest payable by member
banks of the Federal Reserve System on passbook savings deposits as published
in Regulation Q or its successor or, if Regulation Q or its successor is
repealed, then the rate in effect on the date of repeal. Prior to approval of any pro se Settlement Contract Lump Sum Petition, the Commission or an Arbitrator thereof shall determine if the unrepresented employee, if present, is able to read and communicate in English. If not, it shall be the responsibility of the Commission to provide a qualified, independent interpreter at the time such Petition is heard, unless the employee has provided his or her own interpreter.
In cases indicating complete disability no petition for a commutation to
a lump sum basis shall be entertained by the Commission until after the
expiration of 6 months from the date of the injury.
Where necessary, upon proper application being made, a guardian
or administrator, as the case may be, may be appointed for any
person under disability who may be entitled to any such compensation and an
employer bound by the terms of this Act and liable to pay such
compensation, may petition for the appointment of the public administrator,
or guardian, where no legal representative has been
appointed or is acting for such party or parties so under disability.
The payment of compensation in a lump sum to the employee in his or her
lifetime upon order of the Commission, shall extinguish and bar all claims
for compensation for death if the compensation paid in a lump sum
represents a compromise of a dispute on any question other than the extent
of disability.
Subject to the provisions herein above in this paragraph contained,
where no dispute exists as to the fact that the accident arose out of and
in the course of the employment and where such accident results in death or
in the amputation of any member or in the enucleation of an eye, then and
in such case the arbitrator or Commission may, upon the petition of either
the employer or the employee, enter an award providing for the payment of
compensation for such death or injury in accordance with the provisions of
Section 7 or paragraph (e) of Section 8 of this Act.
(Source: P.A. 98-40, eff. 6-28-13.)
(820 ILCS 305/10) (from Ch. 48, par. 138.10)
Sec. 10. 
		
		The basis for computing the compensation provided for in
Sections 7 and 8 of the Act shall be as follows:
The compensation shall be computed on the basis of the
"Average weekly wage" which shall mean the actual earnings of the employee
in the employment in which he was working at the time of the injury during
the period of 52 weeks ending with the last day of the employee's last full
pay period immediately preceding the date of injury, illness or disablement
excluding overtime, and bonus divided by 52; but if the injured employee
lost 5 or more calendar days during such period, whether or not in the same
week, then the earnings for the remainder of such 52 weeks shall be divided
by the number of weeks and parts thereof remaining after the time so lost
has been deducted.  Where the employment prior to the injury extended over
a period of less than 52 weeks, the method of dividing the earnings during
that period by the number of weeks and parts thereof during which the employee
actually earned wages shall be followed.  Where by reason of the shortness
of the time during which the employee has been in the employment of his
employer or of the casual nature or terms of the employment, it is impractical
to compute the average weekly wages as above defined, regard shall be had
to the average weekly amount which during the 52 weeks previous to the injury,
illness or disablement was being or would have been earned by a person in
the same grade employed at the same work for each of such 52 weeks for the
same number of hours per week by the same employer.  In the case of volunteer
firemen, police and civil defense members or trainees, the income benefits
shall be based on the average weekly wage in their regular employment.
When the employee is working concurrently with two or more employers and
the respondent employer has knowledge of such employment prior to the injury,
his wages from all such employers shall be considered as if earned from
the employer liable for compensation.
(Source: P.A. 81-1482.)
(820 ILCS 305/10.1)
Sec. 10.1. 
		Compromise lump sum settlement. 
		The parties, by
agreement and with approval of an arbitrator or the Commission, may enter
into a compromise lump sum settlement in either permanent total or permanent
partial disability cases which prorates the lump sum settlement over the life
expectancy of the injured worker. When such an  agreement has been approved,
neither the weekly compensation rate paid throughout the case nor the maximum
statutory weekly rate applicable to the injury shall apply. No
compensation rate shall exceed the maximum statutory weekly rate as of the
date of the injury. Instead, the prorated rate set
forth in the approved settlement documents shall control and become the rate
for that case.
(Source: P.A. 91-757, eff. 1-1-01.)
(820 ILCS 305/11) (from Ch. 48, par. 138.11)
Sec. 11. Measure of responsibility. Except as provided in Section 1.2, the compensation herein provided, together with the
provisions of this Act, shall be the measure of the responsibility of
any employer engaged in any of the enterprises or businesses enumerated
in Section 3 of this Act, or of any employer who is not engaged in any
such enterprises or businesses, but who has elected to provide and pay
compensation for accidental injuries sustained by any employee arising
out of and in the course of the employment according to the provisions
of this Act, and whose election to continue under this Act, has not been
nullified by any action of his employees as provided for in this Act.
Accidental injuries incurred while participating in voluntary recreational
programs including but not limited to athletic events, parties and picnics
do not arise out of and in the course of the employment even though the
employer pays some or all of the cost thereof.  This exclusion shall not apply
in the event that the injured employee was ordered or assigned by his employer
to participate in the program.
Notwithstanding any other defense, accidental injuries incurred while the employee is engaged in the active commission of and as a proximate result of the active commission of (a) a forcible felony, (b) aggravated driving under the influence of alcohol, other drug or drugs, or intoxicating compound or compounds, or any combination thereof, or (c) reckless homicide and for which the employee was convicted do not arise out of and in the course of employment if the commission of that forcible felony, aggravated driving under the influence, or reckless homicide caused an accident resulting in the death or severe injury of another person.  If an employee is acquitted of a forcible felony, aggravated driving under the influence, or reckless homicide that caused an accident resulting in the death or severe injury of another person or if these charges are dismissed, there shall be no presumption that the employee is eligible for benefits under this Act. No employee shall be entitled to additional compensation under Sections 19(k) or 19(l) of this Act or attorney's fees under Section 16 of this Act when the employee has been charged with a forcible felony, aggravated driving under the influence, or reckless homicide that caused an accident resulting in the death or severe injury of another person and the employer terminates benefits or refuses to pay benefits to the employee until the termination of any pending criminal proceedings.
Accidental injuries incurred while participating as a patient in a drug
or alcohol rehabilitation program do not arise out of and in the course
of employment even though the employer pays some or all of the costs thereof.
Any injury to or disease or death of an employee arising from the administration of a vaccine, including without limitation smallpox vaccine, to prepare for, or as a response to, a threatened or potential bioterrorist incident to the employee as part of a voluntary inoculation program in connection with the person's employment or in connection with any governmental program or recommendation for the inoculation of workers in the employee's occupation, geographical area, or other category that includes the employee is deemed to arise out of and in the course of the employment for all purposes under this Act.  This paragraph added by this amendatory Act of the 93rd General Assembly is declarative of existing law and is not a new enactment.
No compensation shall be payable if (i) the employee's intoxication is the proximate cause of the employee's accidental injury or (ii) at the time the employee incurred the accidental injury, the employee was so intoxicated that the intoxication constituted a departure from the employment. Admissible evidence of the concentration of (1) alcohol, (2) cannabis as defined in the Cannabis Control Act, (3) a controlled substance listed in the Illinois Controlled Substances Act, or (4) an intoxicating compound listed in the Use of Intoxicating Compounds Act in the employee's blood, breath, or urine at the time the employee incurred the accidental injury shall be considered in any hearing under this Act to determine whether the employee was intoxicated at the time the employee incurred the accidental injuries. If at the time of the accidental injuries, there was 0.08% or more by weight of alcohol in the employee's blood, breath, or urine or if there is any evidence of impairment due to the unlawful or unauthorized use of (1) cannabis as defined in the Cannabis Control Act, (2) a controlled substance listed in the Illinois Controlled Substances Act, or (3) an intoxicating compound listed in the Use of Intoxicating Compounds Act or if the employee refuses to submit to testing of blood, breath, or urine, then there shall be a rebuttable presumption that the employee was intoxicated and that the intoxication was the proximate cause of the employee's injury. The employee may overcome the rebuttable presumption by the preponderance of the admissible evidence that the intoxication was not the sole proximate cause or proximate cause of the accidental injuries. Percentage by weight of alcohol in the blood shall be based on grams of alcohol per 100 milliliters of blood. Percentage by weight of alcohol in the breath shall be based upon grams of alcohol per 210 liters of breath. Any testing that has not been performed by an accredited or certified testing laboratory shall not be admissible in any hearing under this Act to determine whether the employee was intoxicated at the time the employee incurred the accidental injury.
All sample collection and testing for alcohol and drugs under this Section shall be performed in accordance with rules to be adopted by the Commission. These rules shall ensure:
(1) compliance with the National Labor Relations Act     regarding collective bargaining agreements or regulations promulgated by the United States Department of Transportation;
(2) that samples are collected and tested in     conformance with national and State legal and regulatory standards for the privacy of the individual being tested, and in a manner reasonably calculated to prevent substitutions or interference with the collection or testing of reliable sample;
(3) that split testing procedures are utilized;
(4) that sample collection is documented, and the     documentation procedures include:
(A) the labeling of samples in a manner so as to         reasonably preclude the probability of erroneous identification of test result; and
(B) an opportunity for the employee to provide         notification of any information which he or she considers relevant to the test, including identification of currently or recently used prescription or nonprescription drugs and other relevant medical information;
(5) that sample collection, storage, and     transportation to the place of testing is performed in a manner so as to reasonably preclude the probability of sample contamination or adulteration; and
(6) that chemical analyses of blood, urine, breath,     or other bodily substance are performed according to nationally scientifically accepted analytical methods and procedures.
The changes to this Section made by Public Act 97-18 apply only to accidental injuries that occur on or after September 1, 2011.
(Source: P.A. 101-6, eff. 5-17-19.)
(820 ILCS 305/12) (from Ch. 48, par. 138.12)
Sec. 12. An employee entitled to receive disability payments shall be
required, if requested by the employer, to submit himself, at the
expense of the employer, for examination to a duly qualified medical
practitioner or surgeon selected by the employer, at any time and place
reasonably convenient for the employee, either within or without the
State of Illinois, for the purpose of determining the nature, extent and
probable duration of the injury received by the employee, and for the
purpose of ascertaining the amount of compensation which may be due the
employee from time to time for disability according to the provisions of
this Act.  An employee may also be required to submit himself for examination
by medical experts under subsection (c) of Section 19.
An employer requesting such an examination, of an employee residing
within the State of Illinois, shall deliver to the employee with the notice of the time and place of examination sufficient money to defray the necessary expense of
travel by the most convenient means to and from the place of
examination, and the cost of meals necessary during the trip, and if the
examination or travel to and from the place of examination causes any
loss of working time on the part of the employee, the employer shall
reimburse him for such loss of wages upon the basis of his average daily
wage. Such examination shall be made in the presence of a duly qualified
medical practitioner or surgeon provided and paid for by the employee,
if such employee so desires.
In all cases where the examination is made by a surgeon engaged by
the employer, and the injured employee has no surgeon present at such
examination, it shall be the duty of the surgeon making the examination
at the instance of the employer to deliver to the injured employee, or
his representative, a statement in writing of the condition and extent
of the injury to the same extent that said surgeon reports to the
employer and the same shall be an exact copy of that furnished to the
employer, said copy to be furnished the employee, or his representative
as soon as practicable but not later than 48 hours before the time the
case is set for hearing. Such delivery shall be made in person either to
the employee or his representative, or by registered mail to either, and
the receipt of either shall be proof of such delivery. If such surgeon
refuses to furnish the employee with such statement to the same extent
as that furnished the employer said surgeon shall not be permitted to
testify at the hearing next following said examination.
If the employee refuses so to submit himself to examination or
unnecessarily obstructs the same, his right to compensation payments
shall be temporarily suspended until such examination shall have taken
place, and no compensation shall be payable under this Act for such
period.
It shall be the duty of surgeons treating an injured employee who is
likely to die, and treating him at the instance of the employer, to have
called in another surgeon to be designated and paid for by either the
injured employee or by the person or persons who would become his
beneficiary or beneficiaries, to make an examination before the death of
such injured employee.
In all cases where the examination is made by a surgeon engaged by
the injured employee, and the employer has no surgeon present at such
examination, it shall be the duty of the surgeon making the examination
at the instance of the employee, to deliver to the employer, or his
representative, a statement in writing of the condition and extent of
the injury to the same extent that said surgeon reports to the employee
and the same shall be an exact copy of that furnished to the employee,
said copy to be furnished the employer, or his representative, as soon
as practicable but not later than 48 hours before the time the case is
set for hearing. Such delivery shall be made in person either to the
employer, or his representative, or by registered mail to either, and
the receipt of either shall be proof of such delivery. If such surgeon
refuses to furnish the employer with such statement to the same extent
as that furnished the employee, said surgeon shall not be permitted to
testify at the hearing next following said examination.
(Source: P.A. 94-277, eff. 7-20-05.)
(820 ILCS 305/13) (from Ch. 48, par. 138.13)
Sec. 13. There is created an Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission consisting of 10

members to be appointed by the Governor, by and with the consent of the
Senate, 3 of whom shall be representative citizens of the
employing class operating under this Act and 3 of whom shall
be from a labor organization recognized under the National Labor Relations Act or an attorney who has represented labor organizations or has represented employees in workers' compensation cases, and 4 of whom shall be representative citizens not identified
with either the employing or employee classes.  Not more than 6 members
of the Commission shall be of the same political party. Each Commissioner appointed on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 102nd General Assembly must be authorized to practice law in this State by the Illinois Supreme Court and must maintain this authorization throughout his or her term of employment.
One of the
members not identified with either the employing or employee classes shall
be designated by the Governor as Chairman.  The Chairman shall be the chief
administrative and executive officer of the Commission; and he or she shall
have general supervisory authority over all personnel of the Commission,
including arbitrators and Commissioners, and the final authority in all
administrative matters relating to the Commissioners, including but not
limited to the assignment and distribution of cases and assignment of
Commissioners to the panels, except in the promulgation of procedural rules
and orders under Section 16 and in the determination of cases under this Act.
Notwithstanding the general supervisory authority of the Chairman, each
Commissioner, except those assigned to the temporary panel, shall have the
authority to hire and supervise 2 staff attorneys each.  Such staff attorneys
shall report directly to the individual Commissioner.
A formal training program for newly-appointed Commissioners shall be
implemented.  The training program shall include the following:
(a) substantive and procedural aspects of the office     of Commissioner;
(b) current issues in workers' compensation law and     practice;
(c) medical lectures by specialists in areas such as     orthopedics, ophthalmology, psychiatry, rehabilitation counseling;
(d) orientation to each operational unit of the     Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission;
(e) observation of experienced arbitrators and     Commissioners conducting hearings of cases, combined with the opportunity to discuss evidence presented and rulings made;
(f) the use of hypothetical cases requiring the     newly-appointed Commissioner to issue judgments as a means to evaluating knowledge and writing ability;
(g) writing skills;
(h) professional and ethical standards pursuant to     Section 1.1 of this Act;
(i) detection of workers' compensation fraud and     reporting obligations of Commission employees and appointees;
(j) standards of evidence-based medical treatment and     best practices for measuring and improving quality and health care outcomes in the workers' compensation system, including but not limited to the use of the American Medical Association's "Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment" and the practice of utilization review; and
(k) substantive and procedural aspects of coal     workers' pneumoconiosis (black lung) cases.
A formal and ongoing professional development program including, but not
limited to, the above-noted areas shall be implemented to keep
Commissioners informed of recent developments and issues and to assist them
in maintaining and enhancing their professional competence. Each Commissioner shall complete 20 hours of training in the above-noted areas during every 2 years such Commissioner shall remain in office.
The Chairman candidate must have
public or private sector management and budget experience, as determined
by the Governor.
Each Commissioner shall devote full time to his duties and any
Commissioner who is an attorney-at-law shall not engage in the practice
of law, nor shall any Commissioner hold any other office or position of
profit under the United States or this State or any municipal
corporation or political subdivision of this State, nor engage in any other
business, employment, or vocation.
The term of office of each member of the Commission holding office on
the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1989 is abolished, but
the incumbents shall continue to exercise all of the powers and be subject
to all of the duties of Commissioners until their respective successors are
appointed and qualified.
The Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission shall administer this Act.
In the promulgation of procedural rules, the determination of cases heard en banc, and other matters determined by the full Commission, the Chairman's vote shall break a tie in the event of a tie vote.
The members shall be appointed by the Governor, with the advice and
consent of the Senate, as follows:
(a) After the effective date of this amendatory Act     of 1989, 3 members, at least one of each political party, and one of whom shall be a representative citizen of the employing class operating under this Act, one of whom shall be a representative citizen of the class of employees covered under this Act, and one of whom shall be a representative citizen not identified with either the employing or employee classes, shall be appointed to hold office until the third Monday in January of 1993, and until their successors are appointed and qualified, and 4 members, one of whom shall be a representative citizen of the employing class operating under this Act, one of whom shall be a representative citizen of the class of employees covered in this Act, and two of whom shall be representative citizens not identified with either the employing or employee classes, one of whom shall be designated by the Governor as Chairman (at least one of each of the two major political parties) shall be appointed to hold office until the third Monday of January in 1991, and until their successors are appointed and qualified.
(a-5) Notwithstanding any other provision of this     Section, the term of each member of the Commission who was appointed by the Governor and is in office on June 30, 2003 shall terminate at the close of business on that date or when all of the successor members to be appointed pursuant to this amendatory Act of the 93rd General Assembly have been appointed by the Governor, whichever occurs later.  As soon as possible, the Governor shall appoint persons to fill the vacancies created by this amendatory Act.  Of the initial commissioners appointed pursuant to this amendatory Act of the 93rd General Assembly, 3 shall be appointed for terms ending on the third Monday in January, 2005, and 4 shall be appointed for terms ending on the third Monday in January, 2007.
(a-10) After the effective date of this amendatory     Act of the 94th General Assembly, the Commission shall be increased to 10 members. As soon as possible after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 94th General Assembly, the Governor shall appoint, by and with the consent of the Senate, the 3 members added to the Commission under this amendatory Act of the 94th General Assembly, one of whom shall be a representative citizen of the employing class operating under this Act, one of whom shall be a representative of the class of employees covered under this Act, and one of whom shall be a representative citizen not identified with either the employing or employee classes. Of the members appointed under this amendatory Act of the 94th General Assembly, one shall be appointed for a term ending on the third Monday in January, 2007, and 2 shall be appointed for terms ending on the third Monday in January, 2009, and until their successors are appointed and qualified.
(b) Members shall thereafter be appointed to hold     office for terms of 4 years from the third Monday in January of the year of their appointment, and until their successors are appointed and qualified.  All such appointments shall be made so that the composition of the Commission is in accordance with the provisions of the first paragraph of this Section.
Each Commissioner shall receive an annual salary equal to 70% of that of a Circuit Court Judge in the Judicial Circuit constituted by the First Judicial District under the Salaries Act; the Chairman shall receive an annual salary of 5% more than the other Commissioners.
In case of a vacancy in the office of a Commissioner during the
recess of the Senate, the Governor shall make a temporary appointment
until the next meeting of the Senate, when he shall nominate some person
to fill such office.  Any person so nominated who is confirmed by the
Senate shall hold office during the remainder of the term and until his
successor is appointed and qualified.
The Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission created by this amendatory Act of 1989
shall succeed to all the rights, powers, duties, obligations, records
and other property and employees of the Industrial Commission which it
replaces as modified by this amendatory Act of 1989 and all applications
and reports to actions and proceedings of such prior Industrial Commission
shall be considered as applications and reports to actions and proceedings
of the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission created by this amendatory Act of 1989.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, in the event the
Chairman shall make a finding that a member is or will be unavailable to
fulfill the responsibilities of his or her office, the Chairman shall
advise the Governor and the member in writing and shall designate a
certified arbitrator to serve as acting Commissioner.  The certified
arbitrator shall act as a Commissioner until the member resumes the duties
of his or her office or until a new member is appointed by the Governor, by
and with the consent of the Senate, if a vacancy occurs in the office of
the Commissioner, but in no event shall a certified arbitrator serve in the
capacity of Commissioner for more than 6 months from the date of
appointment by the Chairman.  A finding by the Chairman that a member is or
will be unavailable to fulfill the responsibilities of his or her office
shall be based upon notice to the Chairman by a member that he or she will
be unavailable or facts and circumstances made known to the Chairman which
lead him to reasonably find that a member is unavailable to fulfill the
responsibilities of his or her office.  The designation of a certified
arbitrator to act as a Commissioner shall be considered representative of
citizens not identified with either the employing or employee classes and
the arbitrator shall serve regardless of his or her political affiliation.
A certified arbitrator who serves as an acting Commissioner shall have all
the rights and powers of a Commissioner, including salary.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, the Governor shall appoint
a special panel of Commissioners comprised of 3 members who shall be chosen
by the Governor, by and with the consent of the Senate, from among the
current ranks of certified arbitrators.  Three members shall hold office
until the Commission in consultation with the Governor determines that the
caseload on review has been reduced sufficiently to allow cases to proceed
in a timely manner or for a term of 18 months from the effective date of
their appointment by the Governor, whichever shall be earlier.  The 3
members shall be considered representative of citizens not identified with
either the employing or employee classes and shall serve regardless of
political affiliation.  Each of the 3 members shall have only such rights
and powers of a Commissioner necessary to dispose of those cases assigned
to the special panel.  Each of the 3 members appointed to the special panel
shall receive the same salary as other Commissioners for the duration of
the panel.
The Commission may have an Executive Director; if so, the Executive
Director shall be appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the
Senate.  The salary and duties of the Executive Director shall be fixed by the
Commission.
On the effective date of this amendatory Act  of
the  93rd  General  Assembly,  the  name  of  the  Industrial Commission is changed  to  the  Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission.   References  in  any  law,  appropriation,  rule, form, or other
document: (i) to the Industrial Commission
are  deemed,  in  appropriate  contexts, to be references to the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission for all purposes; (ii) to the Industrial Commission Operations Fund
are  deemed,  in  appropriate  contexts, to be references to the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission Operations Fund for all purposes; (iii) to the Industrial Commission Operations Fund Fee are deemed,  in  appropriate  contexts,  to  be
references  to  the  Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission Operations Fund Fee for all
purposes; and (iv) to the Industrial Commission Operations Fund Surcharge are deemed,  in  appropriate  contexts,  to  be
references  to  the  Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission Operations Fund Surcharge for all
purposes.
(Source: P.A. 101-384, eff. 1-1-20; 102-16, eff. 6-17-21; 102-910, eff. 5-27-22.)
(820 ILCS 305/13.1) (from Ch. 48, par. 138.13-1)
Sec. 13.1. (a) There is created a Workers' Compensation Advisory Board
hereinafter referred to as the Advisory Board. After the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 94th General Assembly, the Advisory Board shall consist of 12 members
appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate.  Six

members of the Advisory Board shall be
representative citizens chosen from a labor organization recognized under the National Labor Relations Act or an attorney who has represented labor organizations or has represented employees in workers' compensation cases, and 6 members shall be
representative citizens chosen from the employing class.  The Chairman of the Commission shall serve as the ex officio Chairman of the Advisory Board. After the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 94th General Assembly, each member of the Advisory Board shall serve a
term ending on the third Monday in January 2007 and shall continue to serve until his or her successor is appointed and qualified. Members of the Advisory Board shall thereafter be appointed for 4 year terms from the third Monday in January of the year of their appointment, and until their successors are appointed and qualified.
Seven members
of the Advisory Board shall constitute a quorum to do business, but in no
case shall there be less than one representative from each class.  A vacancy on the Advisory Board shall be
filled by the Governor for the unexpired term.
(b) Members of the Advisory Board shall receive no compensation for
their services but shall be reimbursed for expenses incurred in the
performance of their duties by the Commission from appropriations made to
the Commission for such purpose.
(c) The Advisory Board shall aid the Commission in formulating policies,
discussing problems, setting priorities of expenditures, reviewing advisory rates filed by an advisory organization as defined in Section 463 of the  Illinois Insurance Code, and establishing
short and long range administrative goals. Prior to making the (1) initial set of arbitrator appointments pursuant to this amendatory Act of the 97th General Assembly and (2) appointment of Commissioners, the Governor shall request that the Advisory Board make recommendations as to candidates to consider for appointment and the Advisory Board may then make such recommendations.
(d) The terms of all Advisory Board members serving on the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 97th General Assembly are terminated.  The Governor shall appoint new members to the Advisory Board within 30 days after the effective date of the amendatory Act of the 97th General Assembly, subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.
(Source: P.A. 101-384, eff. 1-1-20.)
(820 ILCS 305/14) (from Ch. 48, par. 138.14)
Sec. 14. The Commission shall appoint a secretary and an assistant
secretary and shall employ such
assistants and clerical help as may be necessary. Arbitrators shall be appointed pursuant to this Section, notwithstanding any provision of the Personnel Code.
Each arbitrator appointed after June 28, 2011 shall be required
to demonstrate in writing his or
her knowledge of and expertise in the law of and judicial processes of
the Workers' Compensation Act and the Workers' Occupational Diseases Act.
A formal training program for newly-hired arbitrators shall be
implemented.  The training program shall include the following:
(a) substantive and procedural aspects of the     arbitrator position;
(b) current issues in workers' compensation law and     practice;
(c) medical lectures by specialists in areas such as     orthopedics, ophthalmology, psychiatry, rehabilitation counseling;
(d) orientation to each operational unit of the     Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission;
(e) observation of experienced arbitrators conducting     hearings of cases, combined with the opportunity to discuss evidence presented and rulings made;
(f) the use of hypothetical cases requiring the     trainee to issue judgments as a means to evaluating knowledge and writing ability;
(g) writing skills;
(h) professional and ethical standards pursuant to     Section 1.1 of this Act;
(i) detection of workers' compensation fraud and     reporting obligations of Commission employees and appointees;
(j) standards of evidence-based medical treatment and     best practices for measuring and improving quality and health care outcomes in the workers' compensation system, including but not limited to the use of the American Medical Association's "Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment" and the practice of utilization review; and
(k) substantive and procedural aspects of coal     workers' pneumoconiosis (black lung) cases.
A formal and ongoing professional development program including, but not
limited to, the above-noted areas shall be implemented to keep arbitrators
informed of recent developments and issues and to assist them in
maintaining and enhancing their professional competence. Each arbitrator shall complete 20 hours of training in the above-noted areas during every 2 years such arbitrator shall remain in office.
Each
arbitrator shall devote full time to his or her duties and shall serve when
assigned as
an acting Commissioner when a Commissioner is unavailable in accordance
with the provisions of Section 13 of this Act.  Any
arbitrator who is an attorney-at-law shall not engage in the practice of
law, nor shall any arbitrator hold any other office or position of
profit under the United States or this State or any municipal
corporation or political subdivision of this State.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act to the contrary, an arbitrator
who serves as an acting Commissioner in accordance with the provisions of
Section 13 of this Act shall continue to serve in the capacity of Commissioner
until a decision is reached in every case heard by that arbitrator while
serving as an acting Commissioner.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section, the term of all arbitrators serving on June 28, 2011 (the effective date of Public Act 97-18), including any arbitrators on administrative leave, shall terminate at the close of business on July 1, 2011, but the incumbents shall continue to exercise all of their duties until they are reappointed or their successors are appointed.
On and after June 28, 2011 (the effective date of Public Act 97-18), arbitrators shall be appointed to 3-year terms as follows:
(1) All appointments shall be made by the Governor     with the advice and consent of the Senate.
(2) For their initial appointments, 12 arbitrators     shall be appointed to terms expiring July 1, 2012; 12 arbitrators shall be appointed to terms expiring July 1, 2013; and all additional arbitrators shall be appointed to terms expiring July 1, 2014. Thereafter, all arbitrators shall be appointed to 3-year terms.
Upon the expiration of a term, the Chairman shall evaluate the performance of the arbitrator and may recommend to the Governor that he or she be reappointed to a second or subsequent term by the Governor with the advice  and consent of the Senate.
Each arbitrator appointed on or after June 28, 2011 (the effective date of Public Act 97-18) and who has not previously served as an arbitrator for the Commission shall be required to be authorized to practice law in this State by the Supreme Court, and to maintain this authorization throughout his or her term of employment.
The performance of all arbitrators shall be reviewed by the Chairman every other year, or more often at the discretion of the Chairman. The Chairman shall allow input from the Commissioners in
all such reviews.
The Commission shall assign no fewer than 3 arbitrators to each hearing site. The Commission shall establish a procedure to ensure that the arbitrators assigned to each hearing site are assigned cases on a random basis. No arbitrator shall hear cases in any county, other than Cook County, for more than 4 years consecutively.
The Secretary and each arbitrator shall receive a per annum salary of
5% less than the per annum salary of members of The
Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission as
provided in Section 13 of this Act, payable in equal monthly installments.
The members of the Commission, Arbitrators and other employees whose
duties require them to travel, shall have reimbursed to them their
actual traveling expenses and disbursements made or incurred by them in
the discharge of their official duties while away from their place of
residence in the performance of their duties.
The Commission shall provide itself with a seal for the
authentication of its orders, awards and proceedings upon which shall be
inscribed the name of the Commission and the words "Illinois--Seal".
The Secretary or Assistant Secretary, under the direction of the
Commission, shall have charge and custody of the seal of the Commission
and also have charge and custody of all records, files, orders,
proceedings, decisions, awards and other documents on file with the
Commission. He shall furnish certified copies, under the seal of the
Commission, of any such records, files, orders, proceedings, decisions,
awards and other documents on file with the Commission as may be
required. Certified copies so furnished by the Secretary or Assistant
Secretary shall be received in evidence before the Commission or any
Arbitrator thereof, and in all courts, provided that the original of
such certified copy is otherwise competent and admissible in evidence.
The Secretary or Assistant Secretary shall perform such other duties as
may be prescribed from time to time by the Commission.
(Source: P.A. 102-16, eff. 6-17-21; 102-910, eff. 5-27-22.)
(820 ILCS 305/14.1)
Sec. 14.1. (Repealed).
(Source: P.A. 93-721, eff. 1-1-05. Repealed by P.A. 103-363, eff. 7-28-23.)
(820 ILCS 305/15) (from Ch. 48, par. 138.15)
Sec. 15. 
		
		The Commission shall report in writing to the Governor on
the 30th day of June, annually, the details and results of its
administration of this Act, and may prepare and issue such special
bulletins and reports from time to time as may seem advisable.
The annual report shall include, but need not be limited to, the following:
(a) Information as to the type of insurance coverage elected by various
employers in this State;
(b) A summary of the information received in reports filed by employers
pursuant to Section 6(b) such as the average weekly wage of injured workers,
the number of injuries and diseases; average benefit levels; average duration
of disability, when available; the average payment for hospital and medical
care; average funeral benefit in death cases; average benefit payment broken
down by type of benefit; and case disposition; and
(c) Such other information about the Commission's administration of this
Act as the Commission shall deem appropriate.
(Source: P.A. 81-1482.)
(820 ILCS 305/15a) (from Ch. 48, par. 138.15a)
Sec. 15a. 
The Commission shall prepare and
publish a handbook in readily understandable language in question and answer
form containing all information as to the rights and obligations of employers
and employees under the provisions
of this Act.
The handbook shall be made available free of charge to the general public and be maintained on the Commission's Internet website.
The Commission shall provide informational assistance to employers and
employees regarding their rights and obligations under this Act and the
process and procedure before the Commission.
(Source: P.A. 98-40, eff. 6-28-13.)
(820 ILCS 305/16) (from Ch. 48, par. 138.16)
Sec. 16. The Commission shall make and publish procedural rules and
orders for carrying out the duties imposed upon it by law and for
determining the extent of disability sustained, which rules and orders
shall be deemed prima facie reasonable and valid.
The process and procedure before the Commission shall be as simple
and summary as reasonably may be.
The Commission upon application of either party may issue dedimus
potestatem directed to a commissioner, notary public, justice of the
peace or any other officer authorized by law to administer oaths, to
take the depositions of such witness or witnesses as may be necessary in
the judgment of such applicant.  Such dedimus potestatem may issue to
any of the officers aforesaid in any state or territory of the United
States.  When the deposition of any witness resident of a foreign
country is desired to be taken, the dedimus shall be directed to and the
deposition taken before a consul, vice consul or other authorized
representative of the government of the United States of America, whose
station is in the country where the witness whose deposition is to be
taken resides.  In countries where the government of the United States
has no consul or other diplomatic representative, then depositions in
such case shall be taken through the appropriate judicial authority of
that country; or where treaties provide for other methods of taking
depositions, then the same may be taken as in such treaties provided.
The Commission shall have the power to adopt necessary rules to govern
the issue of such dedimus potestatem.
The Commission, or any member thereof, or any Arbitrator designated
by the Commission shall have the power to administer oaths, subpoena
and examine witnesses; to issue subpoenas duces tecum, requiring the
production of such books, papers, records and documents as may be
evidence of any matter under inquiry and to examine and inspect the same
and such places or premises as may relate to the question in dispute.
The Commission, or any member thereof, or any Arbitrator designated by
the Commission, shall on written request of either party to the
dispute, issue subpoenas for the attendance of such witnesses and
production of such books, papers, records and documents as shall be
designated in the applications, and the parties
applying for such subpoena shall advance the officer and witness fees
provided for in civil actions pending in circuit courts of this State, except
as otherwise
provided by Section 20 of this Act. Service of such subpoena shall be
made by any sheriff or other person.  In case any person
refuses to comply with an order of the Commission or subpoenas issued by
it or by any member thereof, or any Arbitrator designated by the
Commission or to permit an inspection of places or premises, or to
produce any books, papers, records or documents, or any witness refuses
to testify to any matters regarding which he or she may be lawfully
interrogated, the Circuit Court of the county in which the hearing or
matter is pending, on application of any member of the Commission or any
Arbitrator designated by the Commission, shall compel obedience by
attachment proceedings, as for contempt, as in a case of disobedience of
the requirements of a subpoena from such court on a refusal to testify
therein.
The records, reports, and bills kept by a treating hospital, treating physician, or other treating healthcare provider that renders treatment to the employee as a result of accidental injuries in question, certified to as true and correct by
the hospital, physician, or other healthcare provider or by designated agents of the hospital, physician, or other healthcare provider, showing the medical and
surgical treatment given an injured employee by such hospital, physician, or other healthcare provider, shall be
admissible without any further proof as evidence of the medical and
surgical matters stated therein, but shall not be conclusive proof of
such matters. There shall be a rebuttable presumption that any such records, reports, and bills received in response to Commission subpoena are certified to be true and correct.  This paragraph does not restrict, limit, or prevent the admissibility of records, reports, or bills that are otherwise admissible. This provision does not apply to reports prepared by treating providers for use in litigation.
The Commission at its expense shall provide an official court
reporter to take the testimony and record of proceedings at the hearings
before an Arbitrator or the Commission, who
shall furnish a transcript of such testimony or proceedings to either
party requesting it, upon payment therefor at the rate of $1.00
per page for the original and 35 cents per page for each copy of such
transcript.  Payment for photostatic copies of exhibits shall be extra.
If the Commission has determined, as provided in Section 20
of this Act, that the employee is a poor person, a transcript of such
testimony and proceedings, including photostatic copies of exhibits,
shall be furnished to such employee at the
Commission's expense.
The Commission shall have the power to determine the reasonableness
and fix the amount of any fee of compensation charged by any person,
including attorneys, physicians, surgeons and hospitals, for any service
performed in connection with this Act, or for which payment is to be
made under this Act or rendered in securing any right under this Act.
Whenever the Commission shall find that the employer, his or her agent,
service company or insurance carrier has been guilty of delay or
unfairness towards an employee in the adjustment, settlement or payment
of benefits due such employee within the purview of the provisions of
paragraph (c) of Section 4 of this Act; or has been guilty of
unreasonable or vexatious delay, intentional under-payment of
compensation benefits, or has engaged in frivolous defenses which do not
present a real controversy, within the purview of the provisions of
paragraph (k) of Section 19 of this Act, the Commission may assess all
or any part of the attorney's fees and costs against such employer and
his or her insurance carrier.
(Source: P.A. 94-277, eff. 7-20-05.)
(820 ILCS 305/16a) (from Ch. 48, par. 138.16a)
Sec. 16a. (A) In the establishment or approval of attorney's fees in relation
to claims brought under this Act, the Commission shall be guided by the
provisions of this Section and by the legislative intent, hereby declared, to
encourage settlement and prompt administrative  handling of such claims
and thereby reduce expenses to claimants for compensation under this Act.
(B) With respect to any and all proceedings in connection with any initial
or original claim under this Act, no claim of any attorney for services
rendered in connection with the securing of compensation for an employee
or his dependents, whether secured by agreement, order, award or a judgment
in any court shall exceed 20% of the amount of compensation recovered and
paid, unless further fees shall be allowed to the attorney upon a hearing
by the Commission fixing fees, and subject to the other
provisions of this Section.  However, except as hereinafter provided
in this Section, in death cases, total disability cases and partial disability
cases, the amount of an attorney's fees shall not exceed 20% of the sum
which would be due under this Act for 364 weeks of permanent total disability
based upon the employee's average gross weekly wage prior to the date of
the accident and subject to the maximum weekly benefits provided in this
Act unless further fees shall be allowed to the attorney upon a hearing
by the Commission fixing fees.
(C) All attorneys' fees in connection with the initial or original claim
for compensation shall be fixed pursuant to a written contract on forms
prescribed by the Commission between the attorney and the employee or his
dependents, and every attorney, whether the disposition of the original
claim is by agreement, settlement, award,
judgment or otherwise, shall file his contract with the Chairman of the Commission who
shall approve the contract only if it is in accordance with all provisions
of this Section.
(D) No attorneys' fees shall be charged with respect to compensation for
undisputed medical expenses.
(E) No attorneys' fees shall be charged in connection with any temporary
total disability compensation unless the payment of such compensation in
a timely manner or in the
proper amount is refused, or unless such compensation
is terminated
by the employer and the payment of such compensation is obtained or reinstated
by the efforts of the attorney, whether by agreement, settlement, award or judgment.
(F) In the following cases in which there is no dispute between the parties
as to the liability of the respondent to pay compensation in a timely manner
or in the proper amount and there is no dispute that the accident has resulted in:
(1) the death of the employee; or
(2) a statutory permanent disability; or
(3) the amputation of a finger, toe, or member; or
(4) the removal of a testicle; or
(5) the enucleation of or 100% loss of vision of an     eye;
					the legal fees, if any, for services rendered are to be fixed by the Illinois Workers' Compensation
						
Commission at a nominal amount, not exceeding $100.
(G) In the following cases in which there is no dispute between the
parties as to the liability of the respondent to pay compensation and there
is no dispute that the accident has resulted in:
(1) a fracture of one or more vertebrae; or
(2) a skull fracture; or
(3) a fracture of one or more spinous or transverse     processes; or
(4) a fracture of one or more facial bones; or
(5) the removal of a kidney, spleen or lung;
the legal fees, if any, for services rendered are to be fixed by the Illinois Workers' Compensation
						
Commission at a nominal amount, not exceeding $100, provided that the employee
is awarded the minimum amount for the above injuries as specified in Section 8(d)2.
(H) With regard to any claim where the amount to be paid for compensation
does not exceed the written offer made to the claimant or claimants by the
employer or his agent prior to representation by an attorney, no fees shall
be paid to any such attorney.
(I) All attorneys' fees for representation of an employee or his dependents
shall be only recoverable from compensation actually paid to such employee
or dependents.
(J) Any and all disputes regarding attorneys' fees, whether such disputes
relate to which one or more attorneys represents the claimant or claimants
or is entitled to the attorneys' fees, or a division of attorneys' fees
where the claimant or claimants are or have been represented by more than
one attorney, or any other disputes concerning attorneys' fees or contracts
for attorneys' fees, shall be heard and determined by the Commission after
reasonable notice to all interested parties and attorneys.
(K) After reasonable notice and hearing before the Commission, any attorney
found to be in violation of any provision of this Section shall be required
to make restitution of any excess fees charged plus interest at a reasonable
rate as determined by the Commission.
(Source: P.A. 93-721, eff. 1-1-05.)
(820 ILCS 305/16b)
Sec. 16b. Gift ban.
(a) An attorney appearing before the Commission shall not provide compensation or any gift to any person in exchange for the referral of a client involving a matter to be heard before the Commission except for a division of a fee between lawyers who are not in the same firm in accordance with Rule 1.5 of the Code of Professional Responsibility. For purposes of this Section, "gift" means any gratuity, discount, entertainment, hospitality, loan, forbearance, or any other tangible or intangible item having monetary value including, but not limited to, cash, food and drink, and honoraria except for food or refreshments not exceeding $75 per person in value on a single calendar day, provided that the food or refreshments are (1) consumed on the premises from which they were purchased or prepared or (2) catered. "Catered" means food or refreshments that are purchased ready to eat and delivered by any means.
(b) Violation of this Section is a Class A misdemeanor.
(Source: P.A. 97-18, eff. 6-28-11.)
(820 ILCS 305/17) (from Ch. 48, par. 138.17)
Sec. 17. The Commission shall cause to be printed and furnish free of
charge upon request by any employer or employee such blank forms as may
facilitate or promote efficient administration and the performance of
the duties of the Commission. It shall provide a proper record in which
shall be entered and indexed the name of any employer who shall file a
notice of declination or withdrawal under this Act, and the date of the
filing thereof; and a proper record in which shall be entered and
indexed the name of any employee who shall file such notice of
declination or withdrawal, and the date of the filing thereof; and such
other notices as may be required by this Act; and records in which shall
be recorded all proceedings, orders and awards had or made by the
Commission or by the arbitration committees, and such other books or
records as it shall deem
necessary, all such records to be kept in the
office of the Commission.
The Commission may destroy all papers and documents which have been
on file for more than 5 years where there is no claim for compensation
pending or where more than 2 years have elapsed since the termination of
the compensation period.
The Commission shall compile and distribute to interested persons aggregate
statistics, taken from any records and reports in the possession of the
Commission. The aggregate statistics shall not give the names or otherwise
identify persons sustaining injuries or disabilities or the employer of
any injured person or person with a disability.
The Commission is authorized to establish reasonable fees and methods
of payment limited to covering only the costs to the Commission for processing,
maintaining and generating records or data necessary for the computerized
production of documents, records and other materials except to the extent
of any salaries or compensation of Commission officers or employees.
All fees collected by the Commission under this Section shall be deposited
in the Technology Management Revolving Fund and credited to the account of
the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission.
(Source: P.A. 99-143, eff. 7-27-15; 100-23, eff. 7-6-17.)
(820 ILCS 305/18) (from Ch. 48, par. 138.18)
Sec. 18. 
All questions arising under this Act, if not settled by
agreement of the parties interested therein, shall, except as otherwise
provided, be determined by the Commission. Claims from current and former employees of the Commission shall be determined in accordance with Section 18.1 of this Act.
(Source: P.A. 97-18, eff. 6-28-11.)
(820 ILCS 305/18.1)
Sec. 18.1. Claims by former and current employees of the Commission. All claims by current and former employees and appointees of the Commission shall be assigned to a certified independent arbitrator not employed by the Commission designated by the Chairman. In preparing the roster of approved certified independent arbitrators, the Chairman shall seek the advice and recommendation of the Commission or the Workers' Compensation Advisory Board at his or her discretion.  If the Chairman is the claimant, then the independent arbitrator from the approved list shall be designated by the longest serving Commissioner.  The designated independent arbitrator shall have the authority of arbitrators of the Commission regarding settlement and adjudication of the claim of the current and former employees and appointees of the Commission.  The decision of the independent arbitrator shall become the decision of the Commission.  An appeal of the independent arbitrator's decision shall be subject to judicial review in accordance with subsection (f) of Section 19.
(Source: P.A. 103-363, eff. 7-28-23.)
(820 ILCS 305/19) (from Ch. 48, par. 138.19)
Sec. 19. Any disputed questions of law or fact shall be determined
as herein provided.
(a) It shall be the duty of the Commission upon notification that
the parties have failed to reach an agreement, to designate an Arbitrator.
1.  Whenever any claimant misconceives his remedy and     files an application for adjustment of claim under this Act and it is subsequently discovered, at any time before final disposition of such cause, that the claim for disability or death which was the basis for such application should properly have been made under the Workers' Occupational Diseases Act, then the provisions of Section 19, paragraph (a-1) of the Workers' Occupational Diseases Act having reference to such application shall apply.
2.  Whenever any claimant misconceives his remedy and     files an application for adjustment of claim under the Workers' Occupational Diseases Act and it is subsequently discovered, at any time before final disposition of such cause that the claim for injury or death which was the basis for such application should properly have been made under this Act, then the application so filed under the Workers' Occupational Diseases Act may be amended in form, substance or both to assert claim for such disability or death under this Act and it shall be deemed to have been so filed as amended on the date of the original filing thereof, and such compensation may be awarded as is warranted by the whole evidence pursuant to this Act. When such amendment is submitted, further or additional evidence may be heard by the Arbitrator or Commission when deemed necessary.  Nothing in this Section contained shall be construed to be or permit a waiver of any provisions of this Act with reference to notice but notice if given shall be deemed to be a notice under the provisions of this Act if given within the time required herein.
(b) The Arbitrator shall make such inquiries and investigations as he or
they shall deem necessary and may examine and inspect all books, papers,
records, places, or premises relating to the questions in dispute and hear
such proper evidence as the parties may submit.
The hearings before the Arbitrator shall be held in the vicinity where
the injury occurred after 10 days' notice of the time and place of such
hearing shall have been given to each of the parties or their attorneys
of record.
The Arbitrator may find that the disabling condition is temporary and has
not yet reached a permanent condition and may order the payment of
compensation up to the date of the hearing, which award shall be reviewable
and enforceable in the same manner as other awards, and in no instance be a
bar to a further hearing and determination of a further amount of temporary
total compensation or of compensation for permanent disability, but shall
be conclusive as to all other questions except the nature and extent of said
disability.
The decision of the Arbitrator shall be filed with the Commission which
Commission shall immediately send to each party or his attorney a copy of
such decision, together with a notification of the time when it was filed.
As of the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 94th General Assembly, all decisions of the Arbitrator shall set forth
in writing findings of fact and conclusions of law, separately stated, if requested by either party.
Unless a petition for review is filed by either party within 30 days after
the receipt by such party of the copy of the decision and notification of
time when filed, and unless such party petitioning for a review shall
within 35 days after the receipt by him of the copy of the decision, file
with the Commission either an agreed statement of the facts appearing upon
the hearing before the Arbitrator, or if such
party shall so elect a correct transcript of evidence of the proceedings
at such hearings, then the decision shall become the decision of the
Commission and in the absence of fraud shall be conclusive.
The Petition for Review shall contain a statement of the petitioning party's
specific exceptions to the decision of the arbitrator.  The jurisdiction
of the Commission to review the decision of the arbitrator shall not be
limited to the exceptions stated in the Petition for Review.
The Commission, or any member thereof, may grant further time not exceeding
30 days, in which to file such agreed statement or transcript of
evidence.  Such agreed statement of facts or correct transcript of
evidence, as the case may be, shall be authenticated by the signatures
of the parties or their attorneys, and in the event they do not agree as
to the correctness of the transcript of evidence it shall be authenticated
by the signature of the Arbitrator designated by the Commission.
Whether the employee is working or not, if the employee is not receiving or has not received medical, surgical, or hospital services or other services or compensation as provided in paragraph (a) of Section 8, or compensation as provided in paragraph (b) of Section 8, the employee may at any time petition for an expedited hearing by an Arbitrator on the issue of whether or not he or she is entitled to receive payment of the services or compensation.  Provided the employer continues to pay compensation pursuant to paragraph (b) of Section 8, the employer may at any time petition for an expedited hearing on the issue of whether or not the employee is entitled to receive medical, surgical, or hospital services or other services or compensation as provided in paragraph (a) of Section 8, or compensation as provided in paragraph (b) of Section 8.  When an employer has petitioned for an expedited hearing, the employer shall continue to pay compensation as provided in paragraph (b) of Section 8 unless the arbitrator renders a decision that the employee is not entitled to the benefits that are the subject of the expedited hearing or unless the employee's treating physician has released the employee to return to work at his or her regular job with the employer or the employee actually returns to work at any other job.  If the arbitrator renders a decision that the employee is not entitled to the benefits that are the subject of the expedited hearing, a petition for review filed by the employee shall receive the same priority as if the employee had filed a petition for an expedited hearing by an Arbitrator.  Neither party shall be entitled to an expedited hearing when the employee has returned to work and the sole issue in dispute amounts to less than 12 weeks of unpaid compensation pursuant to paragraph (b) of Section 8.
Expedited hearings shall have priority over all other petitions and shall be heard by the Arbitrator and Commission with all convenient speed.  Any party requesting an expedited hearing shall give notice of a request for an expedited hearing under this paragraph.  A copy of the Application for Adjustment of Claim shall be attached to the notice.  The Commission shall adopt rules and procedures under which the final decision of the Commission under this paragraph is filed not later than 180 days from the date that the Petition for Review is filed with the Commission.
Where 2 or more insurance carriers, private self-insureds, or a group workers' compensation pool under Article V 3/4 of the Illinois Insurance Code dispute coverage for the same injury, any such insurance carrier, private self-insured, or group workers' compensation pool may request an expedited hearing pursuant to this paragraph to determine the issue of coverage, provided coverage is the only issue in dispute and all other issues are stipulated and agreed to and further provided that all compensation benefits including medical benefits pursuant to Section 8(a) continue to be paid to or on behalf of petitioner.  Any insurance carrier, private self-insured, or group workers' compensation pool that is determined to be liable for coverage for the injury in issue shall reimburse any insurance carrier, private self-insured, or group workers' compensation pool that has paid benefits to or on behalf of petitioner for the injury.
(b-1) If the employee is not receiving medical, surgical or hospital
services as provided in paragraph (a) of Section 8 or compensation as
provided in paragraph (b) of Section 8, the employee, in accordance with
Commission Rules, may file a petition for an emergency hearing by an
Arbitrator on the issue of whether or not he is entitled to receive payment
of such compensation or services as provided therein.  Such petition shall
have priority over all other petitions and shall be heard by the Arbitrator
and Commission with all convenient speed.
Such petition shall contain the following information and shall be served
on the employer at least 15 days before it is filed:
(i) the date and approximate time of accident;
(ii) the approximate location of the accident;
(iii) a description of the accident;
(iv) the nature of the injury incurred by the     employee;
(v) the identity of the person, if known, to whom the     accident was reported and the date on which it was reported;
(vi) the name and title of the person, if known,     representing the employer with whom the employee conferred in any effort to obtain compensation pursuant to paragraph (b) of Section 8 of this Act or medical, surgical or hospital services pursuant to paragraph (a) of Section 8 of this Act and the date of such conference;
(vii) a statement that the employer has refused to     pay compensation pursuant to paragraph (b) of Section 8 of this Act or for medical, surgical or hospital services pursuant to paragraph (a) of Section 8 of this Act;
(viii) the name and address, if known, of each     witness to the accident and of each other person upon whom the employee will rely to support his allegations;
(ix) the dates of treatment related to the accident     by medical practitioners, and the names and addresses of such practitioners, including the dates of treatment related to the accident at any hospitals and the names and addresses of such hospitals, and a signed authorization permitting the employer to examine all medical records of all practitioners and hospitals named pursuant to this paragraph;
(x) a copy of a signed report by a medical     practitioner, relating to the employee's current inability to return to work because of the injuries incurred as a result of the accident or such other documents or affidavits which show that the employee is entitled to receive compensation pursuant to paragraph (b) of Section 8 of this Act or medical, surgical or hospital services pursuant to paragraph (a) of Section 8 of this Act.  Such reports, documents or affidavits shall state, if possible, the history of the accident given by the employee, and describe the injury and medical diagnosis, the medical services for such injury which the employee has received and is receiving, the physical activities which the employee cannot currently perform as a result of any impairment or disability due to such injury, and the prognosis for recovery;
(xi) complete copies of any reports, records,     documents and affidavits in the possession of the employee on which the employee will rely to support his allegations, provided that the employer shall pay the reasonable cost of reproduction thereof;
(xii) a list of any reports, records, documents and     affidavits which the employee has demanded by subpoena and on which he intends to rely to support his allegations;
(xiii) a certification signed by the employee or his     representative that the employer has received the petition with the required information 15 days before filing.
Fifteen days after receipt by the employer of the petition with the
required information the employee may file said petition and required
information and shall serve notice of the filing upon the employer.  The
employer may file a motion addressed to the sufficiency of the petition.
If an objection has been filed to the sufficiency of the petition, the
arbitrator shall rule on the objection within 2 working days.  If such an
objection is filed, the time for filing the final decision of the
Commission as provided in this paragraph shall be tolled until the
arbitrator has determined that the petition is sufficient.
The employer shall, within 15 days after receipt of the notice that such
petition is filed, file with the Commission and serve on the employee or
his representative a written response to each claim set forth in the
petition, including the legal and factual basis for each disputed
allegation and the following information: (i) complete copies of any
reports, records, documents and affidavits in the possession of the
employer on which the employer intends to rely in support of his response,
(ii) a list of any reports, records, documents and affidavits which the
employer has demanded by subpoena and on which the employer intends to rely
in support of his response, (iii) the name and address of each witness on
whom the employer will rely to support his response, and (iv) the names and
addresses of any medical practitioners selected by the employer pursuant to
Section 12 of this Act and the time and place of any examination scheduled
to be made pursuant to such Section.
Any employer who does not timely file and serve a written response
without good cause may not introduce any evidence to dispute any claim of
the employee but may cross examine the employee or any witness brought by
the employee and otherwise be heard.
No document or other evidence not previously identified by either party
with the petition or written response, or by any other means before the
hearing, may be introduced into evidence without good cause.
If, at the hearing, material information is discovered which was
not previously disclosed, the Arbitrator may extend the time for closing
proof on the motion of a party for a reasonable period of time which may
be more than 30 days. No evidence may be introduced pursuant
to this paragraph as to permanent disability.  No award may be entered for
permanent disability pursuant to this paragraph.  Either party may introduce
into evidence the testimony taken by deposition of any medical practitioner.
The Commission shall adopt rules, regulations and procedures whereby the
final decision of the Commission is filed not later than 90 days from the
date the petition for review is filed but in no event later than 180 days from
the date the petition for an emergency hearing is filed with the Illinois Workers' Compensation

Commission.
All service required pursuant to this paragraph (b-1) must be by personal
service or by certified mail and with evidence of receipt.  In addition for
the purposes of this paragraph, all service on the employer must be at the
premises where the accident occurred if the premises are owned or operated
by the employer.  Otherwise service must be at the employee's principal
place of employment by the employer. If service on the employer is not
possible at either of the above, then service shall be at the employer's
principal place of business. After initial service in each case, service
shall be made on the employer's attorney or designated representative.
(c)(1) At a reasonable time in advance of and in connection with the
hearing under Section 19(e) or 19(h), the Commission may on its own motion
order an impartial physical or mental examination of a petitioner whose
mental or physical condition is in issue, when in the Commission's
discretion it appears that such an examination will materially aid in the
just determination of the case. The examination shall be made by a member
or members of a panel of physicians chosen for their special qualifications
by the Illinois State Medical Society. The Commission shall establish
procedures by which a physician shall be selected from such list.
(2) Should the Commission at any time during the hearing find that
compelling considerations make it advisable to have an examination and
report at that time, the commission may in its discretion so order.
(3) A copy of the report of examination shall be given to the Commission
and to the attorneys for the parties.
(4) Either party or the Commission may call the examining physician or
physicians to testify. Any physician so called shall be subject to
cross-examination.
(5) The examination shall be made, and the physician or physicians, if
called, shall testify, without cost to the parties. The Commission shall
determine the compensation and the pay of the physician or physicians. The
compensation for this service shall not exceed the usual and customary amount
for such service.
(6) The fees and payment thereof of all attorneys and physicians for
services authorized by the Commission under this Act shall, upon request
of either the employer or the employee or the beneficiary affected, be
subject to the review and decision of the Commission.
(d) If any employee shall persist in insanitary or injurious
practices which tend to either imperil or retard his recovery or shall
refuse to submit to such medical, surgical, or hospital treatment as is
reasonably essential to promote his recovery, the Commission may, in its
discretion, reduce or suspend the compensation of any such injured
employee.  However, when an employer and employee so agree in writing,
the foregoing provision shall not be construed to authorize the
reduction or suspension of compensation of an employee who is relying in
good faith, on treatment by prayer or spiritual means alone, in
accordance with the tenets and practice of a recognized church or
religious denomination, by a duly accredited practitioner thereof.
(e) This paragraph shall apply to all hearings before the Commission.
Such hearings may be held in its office or elsewhere as the Commission
may deem advisable.  The taking of testimony on such hearings may be had
before any member of the Commission. If a petition for review and agreed
statement of facts or transcript of evidence is filed, as provided herein,
the Commission shall promptly review the decision of the Arbitrator and all
questions of law or fact which appear from the statement of facts or
transcript of evidence.
In all cases in which the hearing before the arbitrator is held after
December 18, 1989, no additional evidence shall be introduced by the
parties before the Commission on review of the decision of the Arbitrator.
In reviewing decisions of an arbitrator the Commission shall award such
temporary compensation, permanent compensation and other payments as are
due under this Act.  The Commission shall file in its office its decision
thereon, and shall immediately send to each party or his attorney a copy of
such decision and a notification of the time when it was filed. Decisions
shall be filed within 60 days after the Statement of Exceptions and
Supporting Brief and Response thereto are required to be filed or oral
argument whichever is later.
In the event either party requests oral argument, such argument shall be
had before a panel of 3 members of the Commission (or before all available
members pursuant to the determination of 7 members of the Commission that
such argument be held before all available members of the Commission)
pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Commission.  A panel of 3
members, which shall be comprised of not more than one representative
citizen of the employing class and not more than one representative from a labor organization recognized under the National Labor Relations Act or an attorney who has represented labor organizations or has represented employees in workers' compensation cases, shall hear the argument; provided that if all the
issues in dispute are solely the nature and extent of the permanent partial
disability, if any, a majority of the panel may deny the request for such
argument and such argument shall not be held; and provided further that 7

members of the Commission may determine that the argument be held before
all available members of the Commission.  A decision of the Commission
shall be approved by a majority of Commissioners present at such hearing if
any; provided, if no such hearing is held, a decision of the Commission
shall be approved by a majority of a panel of 3 members of the Commission
as described in this Section.  The Commission shall give 10 days' notice to
the parties or their attorneys of the time and place of such taking of
testimony and of such argument.
In any case the Commission in its decision may find specially
upon any question or questions of law or fact which shall be submitted
in writing by either party whether ultimate or otherwise;
provided that on issues other than nature and extent of the disability,
if any, the Commission in its decision shall find specially upon any
question or questions of law or fact, whether ultimate or otherwise,
which are submitted in writing by either party; provided further that
not more than 5 such questions may be submitted by either party.  Any
party may, within 20 days after receipt of notice of the Commission's
decision, or within such further time, not exceeding 30 days, as the
Commission may grant, file with the Commission either an agreed
statement of the facts appearing upon the hearing, or, if such party
shall so elect, a correct transcript of evidence of the additional
proceedings presented before the Commission, in which report the party
may embody a correct statement of such other proceedings in the case as
such party may desire to have reviewed, such statement of facts or
transcript of evidence to be authenticated by the signature of the
parties or their attorneys, and in the event that they do not agree,
then the authentication of such transcript of evidence shall be by the
signature of any member of the Commission.
If a reporter does not for any reason furnish a transcript of the
proceedings before the Arbitrator in any case for use on a hearing for
review before the Commission, within the limitations of time as fixed in
this Section, the Commission may, in its discretion, order a trial de
novo before the Commission in such case upon application of either
party.  The applications for adjustment of claim and other documents in
the nature of pleadings filed by either party, together with the
decisions of the Arbitrator and of the Commission and the statement of
facts or transcript of evidence hereinbefore provided for in paragraphs
(b) and (c) shall be the record of the proceedings of the Commission,
and shall be subject to review as hereinafter provided.
At the request of either party or on its own motion, the Commission shall
set forth in writing the reasons for the decision, including findings of
fact and conclusions of law separately stated. The Commission shall by rule
adopt a format for written decisions for the Commission and arbitrators.
The written decisions shall be concise and shall succinctly state the facts
and reasons for the decision. The Commission may adopt in whole or in part,
the decision of the arbitrator as the decision of the Commission. When the
Commission does so adopt the decision of the arbitrator, it shall do so by
order. Whenever the Commission adopts part of the arbitrator's decision,
but not all, it shall include in the order the reasons for not adopting all
of the arbitrator's decision. When a majority of a panel, after
deliberation, has arrived at its decision, the decision shall be filed as
provided in this Section without unnecessary delay, and without regard to
the fact that a member of the panel has expressed an intention to dissent.
Any member of the panel may file a dissent.  Any dissent shall be filed no
later than 10 days after the decision of the majority has been filed.
Decisions rendered by the Commission and dissents, if any, shall be
published together by the Commission. The conclusions of law set out in
such decisions shall be regarded as precedents by arbitrators for the purpose
of achieving a more uniform administration of this Act.
(f) The decision of the Commission acting within its powers,
according to the provisions of paragraph (e) of this Section shall, in
the absence of fraud, be conclusive unless reviewed as in this paragraph
hereinafter provided.  However, the Arbitrator or the Commission may on
his or its own motion, or on the motion of either party, correct any
clerical error or errors in computation within 15 days after the date of
receipt of any award by such Arbitrator or any decision on review of the
Commission and shall have the power to recall the original award on
arbitration or decision on review, and issue in lieu thereof such
corrected award or decision.  Where such correction is made the time for
review herein specified shall begin to run from the date of
the receipt of the corrected award or decision.
(1) Except in cases of claims against the State of     Illinois other than those claims under Section 18.1, in which case the decision of the Commission shall not be subject to judicial review, the Circuit Court of the county where any of the parties defendant may be found, or if none of the parties defendant can be found in this State then the Circuit Court of the county where the accident occurred, shall by summons to the Commission have power to review all questions of law and fact presented by such record.
A proceeding for review shall be commenced within 20     days of the receipt of notice of the decision of the Commission.  The summons shall be issued by the clerk of such court upon written request returnable on a designated return day, not less than 10 or more than 60 days from the date of issuance thereof, and the written request shall contain the last known address of other parties in interest and their attorneys of record who are to be served by summons. Service upon any member of the Commission or the Secretary or the Assistant Secretary thereof shall be service upon the Commission, and service upon other parties in interest and their attorneys of record shall be by summons, and such service shall be made upon the Commission and other parties in interest by mailing notices of the commencement of the proceedings and the return day of the summons to the office of the Commission and to the last known place of residence of other parties in interest or their attorney or attorneys of record.  The clerk of the court issuing the summons shall on the day of issue mail notice of the commencement of the proceedings which shall be done by mailing a copy of the summons to the office of the Commission, and a copy of the summons to the other parties in interest or their attorney or attorneys of record and the clerk of the court shall make certificate that he has so sent said notices in pursuance of this Section, which shall be evidence of service on the Commission and other parties in interest.
The Commission shall not be required to certify the     record of their proceedings to the Circuit Court, unless the party commencing the proceedings for review in the Circuit Court as above provided, shall file with the Commission notice of intent to file for review in Circuit Court.  It shall be the duty of the Commission upon such filing of notice of intent to file for review in the Circuit Court to prepare a true and correct copy of such testimony and a true and correct copy of all other matters contained in such record and certified to by the Secretary or Assistant Secretary thereof. The changes made to this subdivision (f)(1) by this amendatory Act of the 98th General Assembly apply to any Commission decision entered after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 98th General Assembly.
No  request for a summons may be filed and no summons     shall issue unless the party seeking to review the decision of the Commission shall exhibit to the clerk of the Circuit Court proof of filing with the Commission of the notice of the intent to file for review in the Circuit Court or an affidavit of the attorney setting forth that notice of intent to file for review in the Circuit Court has been given in writing to the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of the Commission.
(2) No such summons shall issue unless the one     against whom the Commission shall have rendered an award for the payment of money shall upon the filing of his written request for such summons file with the clerk of the court a bond conditioned that if he shall not successfully prosecute the review, he will pay the award and the costs of the proceedings in the courts. The amount of the bond shall be fixed by any member of the Commission and the surety or sureties of the bond shall be approved by the clerk of the court.  The acceptance of the bond by the clerk of the court shall constitute evidence of his approval of the bond.
The following shall not be required to file a bond to     secure the payment of the award and the costs of the proceedings in the court to authorize the court to issue such summons:
(1)   the State Treasurer, for a fund         administered by the State Treasurer ex officio against whom the Commission shall have rendered an award for the payment of money; and
(2)   a county, city, town, township,         incorporated village, school district, body politic, or municipal corporation against whom the Commission shall have rendered an award for the payment of money.
The court may confirm or set aside the decision of     the Commission. If the decision is set aside and the facts found in the proceedings before the Commission are sufficient, the court may enter such decision as is justified by law, or may remand the cause to the Commission for further proceedings and may state the questions requiring further hearing, and give such other instructions as may be proper.  Appeals shall be taken to the Appellate Court in accordance with Supreme Court Rules 22(g) and 303.  Appeals shall be taken from the Appellate Court to the Supreme Court in accordance with Supreme Court Rule 315.
It shall be the duty of the clerk of any court     rendering a decision affecting or affirming an award of the Commission to promptly furnish the Commission with a copy of such decision, without charge.
The decision of a majority of the members of the     panel of the Commission, shall be considered the decision of the Commission.
(g) Except in the case of a claim against the State of Illinois,
either party may present a certified copy of the award of the
Arbitrator, or a certified copy of the decision of the Commission when
the same has become final, when no proceedings for review are pending,
providing for the payment of compensation according to this Act, to the
Circuit Court of the county in which such accident occurred or either of
the parties are residents, whereupon the court shall enter a judgment
in accordance therewith.  In a case where the employer refuses to pay
compensation according to such final award or such final decision upon
which such judgment is entered the court shall in entering judgment
thereon, tax as costs against him the reasonable costs and attorney fees
in the arbitration proceedings and in the court entering the judgment
for the person in whose favor the judgment is entered, which judgment
and costs taxed as therein provided shall, until and unless set aside,
have the same effect as though duly entered in an action duly tried and
determined by the court, and shall with like effect, be entered and
docketed.  The Circuit Court shall have power at any time upon
application to make any such judgment conform to any modification
required by any subsequent decision of the Supreme Court upon appeal, or
as the result of any subsequent proceedings for review, as provided in
this Act.
Judgment shall not be entered until 15 days' notice of the time and
place of the application for the entry of judgment shall be served upon
the employer by filing such notice with the Commission, which Commission
shall, in case it has on file the address of the employer or the name
and address of its agent upon whom notices may be served, immediately
send a copy of the notice to the employer or such designated agent.
(h) An agreement or award under this Act providing for compensation
in installments, may at any time within 18 months after such agreement
or award be reviewed by the Commission at the request of either the
employer or the employee, on the ground that the disability of the
employee has subsequently recurred, increased, diminished or ended.
However, as to accidents occurring subsequent to July 1, 1955, which
are covered by any agreement or award under this Act providing for
compensation in installments made as a result of such accident, such
agreement or award may at any time within 30 months, or 60 months in the case of an award under Section 8(d)1, after such agreement
or award be reviewed by the Commission at the request of either the
employer or the employee on the ground that the disability of the
employee has subsequently recurred, increased, diminished or ended.
On such review, compensation payments may be re-established,
increased, diminished or ended.  The Commission shall give 15 days'
notice to the parties of the hearing for review.  Any employee, upon any
petition for such review being filed by the employer, shall be entitled
to one day's notice for each 100 miles necessary to be traveled by him in
attending the hearing of the Commission upon the petition, and 3 days in
addition thereto.  Such employee shall, at the discretion of the
Commission, also be entitled to 5 cents per mile necessarily traveled by
him within the State of Illinois in attending such hearing, not to
exceed a distance of 300 miles, to be taxed by the Commission as costs
and deposited with the petition of the employer.
When compensation which is payable in accordance with an award or
settlement contract approved by the Commission, is ordered paid in a
lump sum by the Commission, no review shall be had as in this paragraph
mentioned.
(i) Each party, upon taking any proceedings or steps whatsoever
before any Arbitrator, Commission or court, shall file with the Commission
his address, or the name and address of any agent upon whom all notices to
be given to such party shall be served, either personally or by registered
mail, addressed to such party or agent at the last address so filed with
the Commission.  In the event such party has not filed his address, or the
name and address of an agent as above provided, service of any notice may
be had by filing such notice with the Commission.
(j) Whenever in any proceeding testimony has been taken or a final
decision has been rendered and after the taking of such testimony or
after such decision has become final, the injured employee dies, then in
any subsequent proceedings brought by the personal representative or
beneficiaries of the deceased employee, such testimony in the former
proceeding may be introduced with the same force and effect as though
the witness having so testified were present in person in such
subsequent proceedings and such final decision, if any, shall be taken
as final adjudication of any of the issues which are the same in both
proceedings.
(k) In case where there has been any unreasonable or vexatious delay
of payment or intentional underpayment of compensation, or proceedings
have been instituted or carried on by the one liable to pay the
compensation, which do not present a real controversy, but are merely
frivolous or for delay, then the Commission may award compensation
additional to that otherwise payable under this Act equal to 50% of the
amount payable at the time of such award.  Failure to pay compensation
in accordance with the provisions of Section 8, paragraph (b) of this
Act, shall be considered unreasonable delay.
When determining whether this subsection (k) shall apply, the
Commission shall consider whether an Arbitrator has determined
that the claim is not compensable or whether the employer has
made payments under Section 8(j).
(l) If the employee has made written demand for payment of
benefits under Section 8(a) or Section 8(b), the employer shall
have 14 days after receipt of the demand to set forth in
writing the reason for the delay. In the case of demand for
payment of medical benefits under Section 8(a), the time for
the employer to respond shall not commence until the expiration
of the allotted 30 days specified under Section 8.2(d). In case
the employer or his or her insurance carrier shall without good and
just cause fail, neglect, refuse, or unreasonably delay the
payment of benefits under Section 8(a) or Section 8(b), the
Arbitrator or the Commission shall allow to the employee
additional compensation in the sum of $30 per day for each day
that the benefits under Section 8(a) or Section 8(b) have been
so withheld or refused, not to exceed $10,000.
A delay in payment of 14 days or more
shall create a rebuttable presumption of unreasonable delay.
(m) If the commission finds that an accidental injury was directly
and proximately caused by the employer's wilful violation of a health
and safety standard under the Health and Safety Act or the Occupational Safety and Health Act in force at the time of the
accident, the arbitrator or the Commission shall allow to the injured
employee or his dependents, as the case may be, additional compensation
equal to 25% of the amount which otherwise would be payable under the
provisions of this Act exclusive of this paragraph.  The additional
compensation herein provided shall be allowed by an appropriate increase
in the applicable weekly compensation rate.
(n) After June 30, 1984, decisions of the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission
reviewing an award of an arbitrator of the Commission shall draw interest
at a rate equal to the yield on indebtedness issued by the United States
Government with a 26-week maturity next previously auctioned on the day on
which the decision is filed.  Said rate of interest shall be set forth in
the Arbitrator's Decision.  Interest shall be drawn from the date of the
arbitrator's award on all accrued compensation due the employee through the
day prior to the date of payments.  However, when an employee appeals an
award of an Arbitrator or the Commission, and the appeal results in no
change or a decrease in the award, interest shall not further accrue from
the date of such appeal.
The employer or his insurance carrier may tender the payments due under
the award to stop the further accrual of interest on such award
notwithstanding the prosecution by either party of review, certiorari,
appeal to the Supreme Court or other steps to reverse, vacate or modify
the award.
(o) By the 15th day of each month each insurer providing coverage for
losses under this Act shall notify each insured employer of any compensable
claim incurred during the preceding month and the amounts paid or reserved
on the claim including a summary of the claim and a brief statement of the
reasons for compensability.  A cumulative report of all claims incurred
during a calendar year or continued from the previous year shall be
furnished to the insured employer by the insurer within 30 days after the
end of that calendar year.
The insured employer may challenge, in proceeding before the Commission,
payments made by the insurer without arbitration and payments
made after a case is determined to be noncompensable.  If the Commission
finds that the case was not compensable, the insurer shall purge its records
as to that employer of any loss or expense associated with the claim, reimburse
the employer for attorneys' fees arising from the challenge and for any
payment required of the employer to the Rate Adjustment Fund or the
Second Injury Fund, and may not reflect the loss or expense for rate making
purposes.  The employee shall not be required to refund the challenged
payment.  The decision of the Commission may be reviewed in the same manner
as in arbitrated cases.  No challenge may be initiated under this paragraph
more than 3 years after the payment is made.  An employer may waive the
right of challenge under this paragraph on a case by case basis.
(p) After filing an application for adjustment of claim but prior to
the hearing on arbitration the parties may voluntarily agree to submit such
application for adjustment of claim for decision by an arbitrator under
this subsection (p) where such application for adjustment of claim raises
only a dispute over temporary total disability, permanent partial
disability or medical expenses.  Such agreement shall be in writing in such
form as provided by the Commission.  Applications for adjustment of claim
submitted for decision by an arbitrator under this subsection (p) shall
proceed according to rule as established by the Commission.  The Commission
shall promulgate rules including, but not limited to, rules to ensure that
the parties are adequately informed of their rights under this subsection
(p) and of the voluntary nature of proceedings under this subsection (p).
The findings of fact made by an arbitrator acting within his or her powers
under this subsection (p) in the absence of fraud shall be conclusive.
However, the arbitrator may on his own motion, or the motion of either
party, correct any clerical errors or errors in computation within 15 days
after the date of receipt of such award of the arbitrator
and shall have the power to recall the original award on arbitration, and
issue in lieu thereof such corrected award.
The decision of the arbitrator under this subsection (p) shall be
considered the decision of the Commission and proceedings for review of
questions of law arising from the decision may be commenced by either party
pursuant to subsection (f) of Section 19.  The Advisory Board established
under Section 13.1 shall compile a list of certified Commission
arbitrators, each of whom shall be approved by at least 7 members of the
Advisory Board.  The chairman shall select 5 persons from such list to
serve as arbitrators under this subsection (p).  By agreement, the parties
shall select one arbitrator from among the 5 persons selected by the
chairman except that if the parties do not agree on an arbitrator from
among the 5 persons, the parties may, by agreement, select an arbitrator of
the American Arbitration Association, whose fee shall be paid by the State
in accordance with rules promulgated by the Commission.  Arbitration under
this subsection (p) shall be voluntary.
(Source: P.A. 101-384, eff. 1-1-20; 102-775, eff. 5-13-22.)
(820 ILCS 305/19.1) (from Ch. 48, par. 138.19a)
Sec. 19.1. 
		
		The time within which any act is required to be performed under
any of the provisions of this Act shall be computed by excluding the first
day and including the last, unless the last day is Saturday, Sunday or is a
holiday as defined or fixed in any statute now or hereafter in force in
this State, and then such days shall also be excluded. If the day
succeeding such holiday is also a holiday then such succeeding day shall
also be excluded.
(Source: Laws 1959, p. 1733.)
(820 ILCS 305/19a) (from Ch. 48, par. 138.19b)
Sec. 19a. 
Money received by the Commission pursuant to subsection (f) of
Section 19 of this Act shall be paid into a trust fund outside the State
Treasury and shall be held in such fund until completion of the record for
which the payment was made. The Secretary of the Commission shall be
ex-officio custodian of such trust fund which shall be used only for the
purpose specified in this section. Upon completion of the record the
Secretary shall pay the amount so held to the person entitled thereto for
preparation of the record. Within 60 days after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 98th General Assembly, the Secretary of the Commission shall transfer all remaining funds to the Injured Workers' Benefit Fund for the purpose of paying claims from injured employees who have received a final award for benefits from the Commission against the employer in Fiscal Year 2013.
(Source: P.A. 98-40, eff. 6-28-13.)
(820 ILCS 305/20) (from Ch. 48, par. 138.20)
Sec. 20. 
If the Commission shall, before or after any hearing, proceeding,
or review to any court, be satisfied that the employee is a poor person,
and unable to pay the costs and expenses provided for by this Act, the
Commission shall permit such poor person to have all the rights and
remedies provided by this Act, including the issuance and service of
subpoenas; a transcript of testimony and the record of proceedings,
including photostatic copies of exhibits, at
hearings before an Arbitrator or the Commission; the right to the
filing of a written request for summons; and the right to the
issuance of summons, without the filing of a bond for costs
and without the payment of any of the costs provided for by this Act. If
an award is granted to such employee, or settlement is made, the costs and
expenses chargeable to the employee as provided for by this Act shall be
paid by the employer out of the award herein granted, or settlement, before
any of the balance of the award or settlement is paid to the
employee.
(Source: P.A. 98-40, eff. 6-28-13.)
(820 ILCS 305/21) (from Ch. 48, par. 138.21)
Sec. 21. 
		
		No payment, claim, award or decision under this Act shall be
assignable or subject to any lien, attachment or garnishment, or be held
liable in any way for any lien, debt, penalty or damages, except the beneficiary
or beneficiaries of a deceased employee who was a member or annuitant under
Article 14 of the "Illinois Pension Code" may assign any benefits payable
under this Act to the State Employees' Retirement System. The
compensation allowed by any award or decision of the Commission shall be
entitled to a preference over the unsecured debts of the employer, wages
excepted, contracted after the date of the injury to an employee. A
decision or award of the Commission against an employer for compensation
under this Act, or a written agreement by an employer to pay such
compensation shall, upon the filing of a certified copy of the decision
or said agreement, as the case may be, with the recorder of the
county, constitute a lien upon all property of the employer within the
county, paramount to all other claims or liens, except mortgages, trust
deeds, or for wages or taxes. Such liens may be enforced in the manner
provided for the foreclosure of mortgages under the laws of this State.
(Source: P.A. 83-358.)
(820 ILCS 305/23) (from Ch. 48, par. 138.23)
Sec. 23. No employee, personal representative, or beneficiary shall have
power to waive any of the provisions of this Act in regard to the amount
of compensation which may be payable to such employee, personal
representative or beneficiary hereunder except after approval by the
Commission and any employer, individually or by his agent, service company
or insurance carrier who shall enter into any payment purporting to compromise
or settle the compensation rights of an employee, personal representative
or beneficiary without first obtaining the approval of the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission
as aforesaid shall be barred from raising the defense of limitation in any
proceedings subsequently brought by such employee, personal representative
or beneficiary.
A minor death beneficiary, by parent or grandparent as next friend, may
compromise disputes and may enter into and submit a settlement contract or
lump sum petition, and upon approval by the Commission such settlement
contract or lump sum order shall have the same force and effect as though
such minor had been an adult.
(Source: P.A. 93-721, eff. 1-1-05.)
(820 ILCS 305/24) (from Ch. 48, par. 138.24)
Sec. 24. 
		
		Any employer against whom liability may exist for compensation
under this Act shall upon the order and direction of the Commission:
(a) Deposit the commuted value of the total unpaid compensation for
which such liability exists, computed at 3% per annum in the same manner as
provided in Section 9, with the State Treasurer, or county treasurer in
the county where the accident happened, or with any savings and loan association
or State or national bank
or trust company doing business in this State.  Any such depositary to which such
compensation may be paid, shall pay the same out in installments as in this
Act provided, unless such sum is ordered paid in, and is commuted to a lump
sum payment in accordance with the provisions of this Act; or
(b) Purchase an annuity, in an amount of compensation due or computed,
under this Act within the limitation provided by law in any insurance
company granting annuities and licensed or permitted to do business in this
State which may be designated by the employer or the Commission.
(Source: P.A. 83-541.)
(820 ILCS 305/25) (from Ch. 48, par. 138.25)
Sec. 25. 
		
		The invalidity of any portion of this Act shall in no way
affect the validity of any other portion thereof which can be given
effect without such invalid part.
If any of the provisions of this Act providing for compensation for
injuries to or death of employees shall be repealed or adjudged invalid
or unconstitutional, the period intervening between the occurrence of
any injury or death and such repeal or final adjudication of invalidity,
shall not be computed as a part of the time limited by law for the
commencement of any action relating to such injury or death, but the
amount of any compensation which may have been paid for any such injury
shall be deducted from any judgment for damages recovered on account of
such injury. Any claims, disagreement or controversy existing or arising
under "An Act to promote the general welfare of the people of this State
by providing compensation for accidental injuries or death suffered in
the course of employment within this State, and without this State where
the contract of employment is made within this State; providing for the
enforcement and administering thereof, and a penalty for its violation,
and repealing an Act entitled, 'An Act to promote the general welfare of
the people of this State by providing compensation for accidental
injuries or death suffered in the course of employment', approved June
10, 1911; in force May 1, 1912", approved June 28, 1913, as amended,
shall be adjusted in accordance with the provisions of said Act,
notwithstanding the repeal thereof, or may by agreement of the parties
be adjusted in accordance with the method of procedure provided in this
Act for the adjustment of differences, jurisdiction to adjust such
differences so submitted by the parties being hereby conferred upon the
Commission.
(Source: P.A. 83-1125.)
(820 ILCS 305/25.5)
Sec. 25.5. Unlawful acts; penalties.
(a) It is unlawful for any person, company, corporation, insurance carrier, healthcare provider, or other entity to:
(1) Intentionally present or cause to be presented     any false or fraudulent claim for the payment of any workers' compensation benefit.
(2) Intentionally make or cause to be made any false     or  fraudulent material statement or material representation for the  purpose of obtaining or denying any workers' compensation  benefit.
(3) Intentionally make or cause to be made any false     or  fraudulent statements with regard to entitlement to workers'  compensation benefits with the intent to prevent an injured  worker from making a legitimate claim for any workers'  compensation benefits.
(4) Intentionally prepare or provide an invalid,     false, or  counterfeit certificate of insurance as proof of workers'  compensation insurance.
(5) Intentionally make or cause to be made any false     or  fraudulent material statement or material representation for the  purpose of obtaining workers' compensation insurance at less  than the proper amount for that insurance.
(6) Intentionally make or cause to be made any false     or  fraudulent material statement or material representation on an  initial or renewal self-insurance application or accompanying  financial statement for the purpose of obtaining self-insurance  status or reducing the amount of security that may be required  to be furnished pursuant to Section 4 of this Act.
(7) Intentionally make or cause to be made any false     or  fraudulent material statement to the Department of Insurance's  fraud and insurance non-compliance unit in the course of an  investigation of fraud or insurance non-compliance.
(8) Intentionally assist, abet, solicit, or conspire     with any person, company, or other entity to commit any of the acts in paragraph (1), (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), or (7) of this subsection (a).
(9) Intentionally present a bill or statement for the     payment for medical services that were not provided.
For the purposes of paragraphs (2), (3), (5), (6), (7), and (9), the term "statement" includes any writing, notice, proof of injury, bill for services, hospital or doctor records and reports, or X-ray and test results.
(b) Sentences for violations of subsection (a) are as follows:
(1) A violation in which the value of the property     obtained or attempted to be obtained is $300 or less is a Class A misdemeanor.
(2) A violation in which the value of the property     obtained or attempted to be obtained is more than $300 but not more than $10,000 is a Class 3 felony.
(3) A violation in which the value of the property     obtained or attempted to be obtained is more than $10,000 but not more than $100,000 is a Class 2 felony.
(4) A violation in which the value of the property     obtained or attempted to be obtained is more than $100,000 is a Class 1 felony.
(5) A person convicted under this Section shall be     ordered to pay monetary restitution to the insurance company or self-insured entity or any other person for any financial loss sustained as a result of a violation of this Section, including any court costs and attorney fees. An order of restitution also includes expenses incurred and paid by the State of Illinois or an insurance company or self-insured entity in connection with any medical evaluation or treatment services.
For the purposes of this Section, where the exact value of property obtained or attempted to be obtained is either not alleged or is not specifically set by the terms of a policy of insurance, the value of the property shall be the fair market replacement value of the property claimed to be lost, the reasonable costs of reimbursing a vendor or other claimant for services to be rendered, or both. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an insurance company, self-insured entity, or any other person suffering financial loss sustained as a result of violation of this Section may seek restitution, including court costs and attorney's fees in a civil action in a court of competent jurisdiction.
(c) The Department of Insurance shall establish a fraud and insurance non-compliance unit responsible for investigating incidences of fraud and insurance non-compliance pursuant to this Section. The size of the staff of the unit shall be subject to appropriation by the General Assembly.  It shall be the duty of the fraud and insurance non-compliance unit to determine the identity of insurance carriers, employers, employees, or other persons or entities who have violated the fraud and insurance non-compliance provisions of this Section.  The fraud and insurance non-compliance unit shall report violations of the fraud and insurance non-compliance provisions of this Section to the Special Prosecutions Bureau of the Criminal Division of the Office of the Attorney General or to the State's Attorney of the county in which the offense allegedly occurred, either of whom has the authority to prosecute violations under this Section.
With respect to the subject of any investigation being conducted, the fraud and insurance non-compliance unit shall have the general power of subpoena of the Department of Insurance, including the authority to issue a subpoena to a medical provider, pursuant to Section 8-802 of the Code of Civil Procedure.
(d) Any person may report allegations of insurance non-compliance and fraud pursuant to this Section to the Department of Insurance's fraud and insurance non-compliance unit whose duty it shall be to investigate the report.  The unit shall notify the Commission of reports of insurance non-compliance.  Any person reporting an allegation of insurance non-compliance or fraud against either an employee or employer under this Section must identify himself. Except as provided in this subsection and in subsection (e), all reports shall remain confidential except to refer an investigation to the Attorney General or State's Attorney for prosecution or if the fraud and insurance non-compliance unit's investigation reveals that the conduct reported may be in violation of other laws or regulations of the State of Illinois, the unit may report such conduct to the appropriate governmental agency charged with administering such laws and regulations. Any person who intentionally makes a false report under this Section to the fraud and insurance non-compliance unit is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.
(e) In order for the fraud and insurance non-compliance unit to investigate a report of fraud related to an employee's claim, (i) the employee must have  filed with the Commission an Application for Adjustment of Claim and the employee must have either received or attempted to receive benefits under this Act that are related to the reported fraud or (ii) the employee must have made a written demand for the payment of benefits that are related to the reported fraud.  There shall be no immunity, under this Act or otherwise, for any person who files a false report or who files a report without good and just cause.  Confidentiality of medical information shall be strictly maintained.  Investigations that are not referred for prosecution shall be destroyed upon the expiration of the statute of limitations for the acts under investigation and shall not be disclosed except that the person making the report shall be notified that the investigation is being closed.  It is unlawful for any employer, insurance carrier, service adjustment company, third party administrator, self-insured, or similar entity to file or threaten to file a report of fraud against an employee because of the exercise by the employee of the rights and remedies granted to the employee by this Act.
(e-5) (Blank).
(f) Any person convicted of fraud related to workers' compensation pursuant to this Section shall be subject to the penalties prescribed in the Criminal Code of 2012 and shall be ineligible to receive or retain any compensation, disability, or medical benefits as defined in this Act if the compensation, disability, or medical benefits were owed or received as a result of fraud for which the recipient of the compensation, disability, or medical benefit was convicted.  This subsection applies to accidental injuries or diseases that occur on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 94th General Assembly.
(g) Civil liability.  Any person convicted of fraud who knowingly obtains, attempts to obtain, or causes to be obtained any benefits under this Act by the making of a false claim or who knowingly misrepresents any material fact shall be civilly liable to the payor of benefits or the insurer or the payor's or insurer's subrogee or assignee in an amount equal to 3 times the value of the benefits or insurance coverage wrongfully obtained or twice the value of the benefits or insurance coverage attempted to be obtained, plus reasonable attorney's fees and expenses incurred by the payor or the payor's subrogee or assignee who successfully brings a claim under this subsection. This subsection applies to accidental injuries or diseases that occur on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 94th General Assembly.
(h) The fraud and insurance non-compliance unit shall submit a written report on an annual basis to the Chairman of the Commission, the Workers' Compensation Advisory Board, the General Assembly, the Governor, and the Attorney General by January 1 and July 1 of each year. This report shall include, at the minimum, the following information:
(1) The number of allegations of insurance     non-compliance and fraud reported to the fraud and insurance non-compliance unit.
(2) The source of the reported allegations     (individual, employer, or other).
(3) The number of allegations investigated by the     fraud and insurance non-compliance unit.
(4) The number of criminal referrals made in     accordance with this Section and the entity to which the referral was made.
(5) All proceedings under this Section.
(6)     Recommendations regarding opportunities for     additional fraud detection. (Source: P.A. 102-37, eff. 7-1-21.)
(820 ILCS 305/26) (from Ch. 48, par. 138.26)
Sec. 26. Any wilful neglect, refusal or failure to do the things required to be
done by any section, clause or provision of this Act, on the part of the
persons herein required to do them, or any violation of any of the
provisions or requirements hereof, or any attempt to obstruct or interfere
with any court officer, or any other person charged with the duty of
administering or enforcing this Act, is a petty offense.
The Attorney General and the State's Attorney of each county, upon the
request of the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission, shall enforce any penalties set forth
in this Act.
(Source: P.A. 93-721, eff. 1-1-05.)
(820 ILCS 305/26.1)
Sec. 26.1. Misclassification of employees as independent contractors. The Department of Labor, the Department of Employment Security, the Department of Revenue, the Office of the State Comptroller, and the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission shall cooperate under the Employee Classification Act by sharing information concerning any suspected misclassification by an employer or entity, as defined in the Employee Classification Act, of one or more employees as independent contractors.
(Source: P.A. 95-26, eff. 1-1-08.)
(820 ILCS 305/27) (from Ch. 48, par. 138.27)
Sec. 27. 
		
		"An Act to promote the general welfare of the people of this State
by providing compensation for accidental injuries or death suffered in the
course of employment within this State, and without this State where the
contract of employment is made within this State; providing for the
enforcement and administering thereof, and a penalty for its violation, and
repealing an act entitled, 'An act to promote the general welfare of the
people of this State by providing compensation for accidental injuries or
death suffered in the course of employment,' approved June 10, 1911; in
force May 1, 1912", approved June 28, 1913, as amended, is repealed.
(Source: Laws 1951, p. 1060.)
(820 ILCS 305/28) (from Ch. 48, par. 138.28)
Sec. 28. 
		
		This Act shall apply to all accidental injuries and deaths
occurring on or after July 1, 1951.
(Source: P.A. 86-1413.)
(820 ILCS 305/29) (from Ch. 48, par. 138.29)
Sec. 29. 
		
		Every rating organization operating under Article XXIX of the
Illinois Insurance Code, every insurance company which makes its own rates
under that Article, every service agency administering self-insurance for
liabilities incurred under this Act, or under the Occupational Diseases
Act, and every employer providing for such liabilities by self-insurance
without the assistance of a service agency shall report annually to the
Commission, in accordance with such reasonable rules therefor as the Commission
may adopt, detailed information as to the number of injuries and the benefit
amounts paid by category of losses as set out in Sections 7 and 8.
(Source: P.A. 81-1482.)
(820 ILCS 305/29.1)
Sec. 29.1. Recalculation of premiums. On the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 97th General Assembly, the Director of Insurance shall immediately direct in writing any workers' compensation rate setting advisory organization to recalculate workers' compensation advisory premium rates and assigned risk pool premium rates so that those premiums incorporate the provisions of this amendatory Act of the 97th General Assembly, and to publish such rates on or before September 1, 2011.
(Source: P.A. 97-18, eff. 6-28-11.)
(820 ILCS 305/29.2)
Sec. 29.2. Insurance oversight.
(a) The Department of Insurance shall annually submit to the Governor, the Chairman of the Commission, the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Minority Leader of the Senate, and the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives a written report that details the state of the workers' compensation insurance market in Illinois. The report shall be completed by April 1 of each year, beginning in 2012, or later if necessary data or analyses are only available to the Department at a later date. The report shall be posted on the Department of Insurance's Internet website. Information to be included in the report shall be for the preceding calendar year. The report shall include, at a minimum, the following:
(1) Gross premiums collected by workers' compensation     carriers in Illinois and the national rank of Illinois based on premium volume.
(2) The number of insurance companies actively     engaged in Illinois in the workers' compensation insurance market, including both holding companies and subsidiaries or affiliates, and the national rank of Illinois based on number of competing insurers.
(3) The total number of insured participants in the     Illinois workers' compensation assigned risk insurance pool, and the size of the assigned risk pool as a proportion of the total Illinois workers' compensation insurance market.
(4) The advisory organization premium rate for     workers' compensation insurance in Illinois for the previous year.
(5) The advisory organization prescribed assigned     risk pool premium rate.
(6) The total amount of indemnity payments made by     workers' compensation insurers in Illinois.
(7) The total amount of medical payments made by     workers' compensation insurers in Illinois, and the national rank of Illinois based on average cost of medical claims per injured worker.
(8) The gross profitability of workers' compensation     insurers in Illinois, and the national rank of Illinois based on profitability of workers' compensation insurers.
(9) The loss ratio of workers' compensation insurers     in Illinois and the national rank of Illinois based on the  loss ratio of workers' compensation insurers. For purposes of this loss ratio calculation, the denominator shall include all premiums and other fees collected by workers' compensation insurers and the numerator shall include the total amount paid by the insurer for care or compensation to injured workers.
(10) The growth of total paid indemnity benefits by     temporary total disability, scheduled and non-scheduled permanent partial disability, and total disability.
(11) The number of injured workers receiving wage     loss differential awards and the average wage loss differential award payout.
(12) Illinois' rank, relative to other states, for:
(i) the maximum and minimum temporary total         disability benefit level;
(ii) the maximum and minimum scheduled and         non-scheduled permanent partial disability benefit level;
(iii) the maximum and minimum total disability         benefit level; and
(iv) the maximum and minimum death benefit level.
(13) The aggregate growth of medical benefit payout     by non-hospital providers and hospitals.
(14) The aggregate growth of medical utilization for     the top 10 most common injuries to specific body parts by non-hospital providers and hospitals.
(15) The percentage of injured workers filing claims     at the Commission that are represented by an attorney.
(16) The total amount paid by injured workers for     attorney representation.
(b)  The Director of Insurance shall promulgate rules requiring each insurer licensed to write workers' compensation coverage in the State to record and report the following information on an aggregate basis to the Department of Insurance before June 1 of each year, relating to claims in the State opened within the prior calendar year:
(1) The number of claims opened.
(2) The number of reported medical only claims.
(3) The number of contested claims.
(4) The number of claims for which the employee has     attorney representation.
(5) The number of claims with lost time and the     number of claims for which temporary total disability was paid.
(6) The number of claim adjusters employed to adjust     workers' compensation claims.
(7) The number of claims for which temporary total     disability was not paid within 14 days from the first full day off, regardless of reason.
(8) The number of medical bills paid 60 days or later     from date of service and the average days paid on those paid after 60 days for the previous calendar year.
(9) The number of claims in which in-house defense     counsel participated, and the total amount spent on in-house legal services.
(10) The number of claims in which outside defense     counsel participated, and the total amount paid to outside defense counsel.
(11) The total amount billed to employers for bill     review.
(12) The total amount billed to employers for fee     schedule savings.
(13) The total amount charged to employers for any     and all managed care fees.
(14) The number of claims involving in-house medical     nurse case management, and the total amount spent on in-house medical nurse case management.
(15) The number of claims involving outside medical     nurse case management, and the total amount paid for outside medical nurse case management.
(16) The total amount paid for Independent Medical     exams.
(17) The total amount spent on in-house Utilization     Review for the previous calendar year.
(18) The total amount paid for outside Utilization     Review for the previous calendar year.
The Department shall make the submitted information publicly available on the Department's Internet website or such other media as appropriate in a form useful for consumers.
(Source: P.A. 102-37, eff. 7-1-21.)
(820 ILCS 305/30) (from Ch. 48, par. 138.30)
Sec. 30. 
		
		The provisions of this Act relating to self-insurance and the
rules and regulations promulgated hereunder shall not be construed to be
a limitation upon the powers of self-insurance granted to the State and
units of local government and school districts by Article VII, Section 1
of the Illinois Constitution or by statute, nor to any governmental entity
so designated by the legislature.
(Source: P.A. 81-1482.)