Court Opinion

ID: 9819382
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-09-01 06:24:12.027542+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:38:30.452625
License: Public Domain

JUSTICE RARICK, dissenting: I respectfully dissent for the same reasons expressed in my recent dissent in Alexander v. Industrial Comm’n. As in Alexander, oral argument in the present case was requested and heard before a panel of three commissioners. At the time the Commission’s decision was entered, however, the term of one of the commissioners had expired. The two remaining commissioners were unable to agree on a result and wrote separate decisions. A third commissioner, who was not present at oral argument, signed one of the decisions pursuant to Zeigler v. Industrial Comm’n, 51 Ill. 2d 137, 281 N.E.2d 342 (1972). I believe the issue of a decision under such circumstances does not comport with the clear and unambiguous language of section 19(e) of the Workers’ Compensation Act, which provides in pertinent part: “In the event either party requests oral argument, such argument shall be had before a panel of 3 members of the Commission ***. A decision of the Commission shall be approved by a majority of Commissioners present at such hearing.” 820 ILCS 305/19(e) (West 1996). Because a majority of the commissioners who were present at the hearing did not approve the decision, I believe we have no jurisdiction to entertain this appeal. I would therefore dismiss the appeal and remand the cause to the Commission to enter a valid decision. COLWELL, J., joins this dissent.