Bill Amendment: IL SB0198 | 2017-2018 | 100th General Assembly

NOTE: For additional amemendments please see the Bill Drafting List

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Bill Title: EMPLOYMENT-TECH

Status: 2019-01-09 - Session Sine Die [SB0198 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2017-SB0198-Senate_Amendment_001.html

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Sen. Kwame Raoul

Filed: 5/16/2017

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AMENDMENT TO SENATE BILL 198
AMENDMENT NO. ______. Amend Senate Bill 198 by replacing
everything after the enacting clause with the following:
"Section 1. The Freedom of Information Act is amended by
changing Section 7.5 as follows:
(5 ILCS 140/7.5)
Sec. 7.5. Statutory exemptions. To the extent provided for
by the statutes referenced below, the following shall be exempt
from inspection and copying:
(a) All information determined to be confidential
under Section 4002 of the Technology Advancement and
Development Act.
(b) Library circulation and order records identifying
library users with specific materials under the Library
Records Confidentiality Act.
(c) Applications, related documents, and medical

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records received by the Experimental Organ Transplantation
Procedures Board and any and all documents or other records
prepared by the Experimental Organ Transplantation
Procedures Board or its staff relating to applications it
has received.
(d) Information and records held by the Department of
Public Health and its authorized representatives relating
to known or suspected cases of sexually transmissible
disease or any information the disclosure of which is
restricted under the Illinois Sexually Transmissible
Disease Control Act.
(e) Information the disclosure of which is exempted
under Section 30 of the Radon Industry Licensing Act.
(f) Firm performance evaluations under Section 55 of
the Architectural, Engineering, and Land Surveying
Qualifications Based Selection Act.
(g) Information the disclosure of which is restricted
and exempted under Section 50 of the Illinois Prepaid
Tuition Act.
(h) Information the disclosure of which is exempted
under the State Officials and Employees Ethics Act, and
records of any lawfully created State or local inspector
general's office that would be exempt if created or
obtained by an Executive Inspector General's office under
that Act.
(i) Information contained in a local emergency energy

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plan submitted to a municipality in accordance with a local
emergency energy plan ordinance that is adopted under
Section 11-21.5-5 of the Illinois Municipal Code.
(j) Information and data concerning the distribution
of surcharge moneys collected and remitted by wireless
carriers under the Wireless Emergency Telephone Safety
Act.
(k) Law enforcement officer identification information
or driver identification information compiled by a law
enforcement agency or the Department of Transportation
under Section 11-212 of the Illinois Vehicle Code.
(l) Records and information provided to a residential
health care facility resident sexual assault and death
review team or the Executive Council under the Abuse
Prevention Review Team Act.
(m) Information provided to the predatory lending
database created pursuant to Article 3 of the Residential
Real Property Disclosure Act, except to the extent
authorized under that Article.
(n) Defense budgets and petitions for certification of
compensation and expenses for court appointed trial
counsel as provided under Sections 10 and 15 of the Capital
Crimes Litigation Act. This subsection (n) shall apply
until the conclusion of the trial of the case, even if the
prosecution chooses not to pursue the death penalty prior
to trial or sentencing.

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(o) Information that is prohibited from being
disclosed under Section 4 of the Illinois Health and
Hazardous Substances Registry Act.
(p) Security portions of system safety program plans,
investigation reports, surveys, schedules, lists, data, or
information compiled, collected, or prepared by or for the
Regional Transportation Authority under Section 2.11 of
the Regional Transportation Authority Act or the St. Clair
County Transit District under the Bi-State Transit Safety
Act.
(q) Information prohibited from being disclosed by the
Personnel Records Review Act.
(r) Information prohibited from being disclosed by the
Illinois School Student Records Act.
(s) Information the disclosure of which is restricted
under Section 5-108 of the Public Utilities Act.
(t) All identified or deidentified health information
in the form of health data or medical records contained in,
stored in, submitted to, transferred by, or released from
the Illinois Health Information Exchange, and identified
or deidentified health information in the form of health
data and medical records of the Illinois Health Information
Exchange in the possession of the Illinois Health
Information Exchange Authority due to its administration
of the Illinois Health Information Exchange. The terms
"identified" and "deidentified" shall be given the same

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meaning as in the Health Insurance Portability and
Accountability Act of 1996, Public Law 104-191, or any
subsequent amendments thereto, and any regulations
promulgated thereunder.
(u) Records and information provided to an independent
team of experts under Brian's Law.
(v) Names and information of people who have applied
for or received Firearm Owner's Identification Cards under
the Firearm Owners Identification Card Act or applied for
or received a concealed carry license under the Firearm
Concealed Carry Act, unless otherwise authorized by the
Firearm Concealed Carry Act; and databases under the
Firearm Concealed Carry Act, records of the Concealed Carry
Licensing Review Board under the Firearm Concealed Carry
Act, and law enforcement agency objections under the
Firearm Concealed Carry Act.
(w) Personally identifiable information which is
exempted from disclosure under subsection (g) of Section
19.1 of the Toll Highway Act.
(x) Information which is exempted from disclosure
under Section 5-1014.3 of the Counties Code or Section
8-11-21 of the Illinois Municipal Code.
(y) Confidential information under the Adult
Protective Services Act and its predecessor enabling
statute, the Elder Abuse and Neglect Act, including
information about the identity and administrative finding

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against any caregiver of a verified and substantiated
decision of abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation of an
eligible adult maintained in the Registry established
under Section 7.5 of the Adult Protective Services Act.
(z) Records and information provided to a fatality
review team or the Illinois Fatality Review Team Advisory
Council under Section 15 of the Adult Protective Services
Act.
(aa) Information which is exempted from disclosure
under Section 2.37 of the Wildlife Code.
(bb) Information which is or was prohibited from
disclosure by the Juvenile Court Act of 1987.
(cc) Recordings made under the Law Enforcement
Officer-Worn Body Camera Act, except to the extent
authorized under that Act.
(dd) Information that is prohibited from being
disclosed under Section 45 of the Condominium and Common
Interest Community Ombudsperson Act.
(ee) (dd) Information that is exempted from disclosure
under Section 30.1 of the Pharmacy Practice Act.
(ff) Information the disclosure of which is restricted
and exempted under Sections 25.5 and 29.2 of the Workers'
Compensation Act.
(Source: P.A. 98-49, eff. 7-1-13; 98-63, eff. 7-9-13; 98-756,
eff. 7-16-14; 98-1039, eff. 8-25-14; 98-1045, eff. 8-25-14;
99-78, eff. 7-20-15; 99-298, eff. 8-6-15; 99-352, eff. 1-1-16;

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99-642, eff. 7-28-16; 99-776, eff. 8-12-16; 99-863, eff.
8-19-16; revised 9-1-16.)
Section 3. The Criminal Code of 2012 is amended by adding
Section 17-10.4 as follows:
(720 ILCS 5/17-10.4 new)
Sec. 17-10.4. Workers' compensation fraud.
(a) It is unlawful for any person, company, corporation,
insurance carrier, health care 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 benefit.
(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

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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 the Workers' Compensation 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 present a bill or statement for the
payment for medical services that were not provided.
(9) 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), (7), or
(8) of this subsection (a).
As used in paragraphs (2), (3), (5), (6), (7), and (8),
"statement" includes any writing, notice, proof of injury, bill
for services, hospital and doctor records and reports, and
X-ray and test results.

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(b) Sentence.
(1) A violation of paragraph (a)(3) is a Class 4
felony.
(2) A violation of paragraph (a)(4) or (a)(7) is a
Class 3 felony.
(3) A violation of paragraph (a)(1), (a)(2), (a)(5),
(a)(6), or (a)(8) in which the value of the property
obtained or attempted to be obtained is $500 or less is a
Class A misdemeanor.
(4) A violation of paragraph (a)(1), (a)(2), (a)(5),
(a)(6), or (a)(8) in which the value of the property
obtained or attempted to be obtained is more than $500 but
not more than $10,000 is a Class 3 felony.
(5) A violation of paragraph (a)(1), (a)(2), (a)(5),
(a)(6), or (a)(8) 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.
(6) A violation of paragraph (a)(1), (a)(2), (a)(5),
(a)(6), or (a)(8) in which the value of the property
obtained or attempted to be obtained is more than $100,000
is a Class 1 felony.
(7) A violation of paragraph (9) of subsection (a)
shall be punishable as the Class of offense for which the
person convicted assisted, abetted, solicited, or
conspired to commit, as set forth in paragraphs (1) through
(6) of this subsection.

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(8) 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 a violation of paragraph (a)(1) or (a)(2), the value of
the property obtained or attempted to be obtained includes
payments pursuant to the provisions of the Workers'
Compensation Act as well as the amount paid for medical
expenses. For a violation of paragraph (a)(5), the value of the
property obtained or attempted to be obtained is the difference
between the proper amount for the coverage sought or provided
and the actual amount billed for workers' compensation
insurance. For a violation of paragraph (a)(6), the value of
the property obtained or attempted to be obtained is the
difference between the proper amount of security required
pursuant to Section 4 of the Workers' Compensation Act and the
amount furnished pursuant to the false or fraudulent statements
or representations. 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

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attorney's fees, in a civil action in a court of competent
jurisdiction.
Section 5. The Workers' Compensation Act is amended by
changing Sections 8, 8.1b, 8.2, 8.2a, 14, 19, 25.5, and 29.2 as
follows:
(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

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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

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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

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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

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(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

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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

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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 5 scheduled 3 working days for the claimant,
weekly compensation as hereinafter provided shall be paid
beginning on the 6th 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

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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

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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

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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

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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 compensation rate for the period July 1,
2017 through June 30, 2021, except as hereinafter provided,
shall be $775.18. Effective July 1, 2021 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.
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

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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

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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

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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

10000SB0198sam001 - 25 - LRB100 04917 KTG 26523 a
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

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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

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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.

10000SB0198sam001 - 28 - LRB100 04917 KTG 26523 a
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.

10000SB0198sam001 - 29 - LRB100 04917 KTG 26523 a
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

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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.
For purposes of awards under this subdivision (e),
injuries to the shoulder shall be considered injuries to
part of the arm. The foregoing change made by this

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amendatory Act of the 100th General Assembly to this
subdivision (e)10 of this Section 8 is declarative of
existing law and is not a new enactment.
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

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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.
For purposes of awards under this subdivision (e),
injuries to the hip shall be considered injuries to part of
the leg. The foregoing change made by this amendatory Act
of the 100th General Assembly to this subdivision (e)12 of
this Section 8 is declarative of existing law and is not a
new enactment.
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.

10000SB0198sam001 - 33 - LRB100 04917 KTG 26523 a
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

10000SB0198sam001 - 34 - LRB100 04917 KTG 26523 a
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.

10000SB0198sam001 - 35 - LRB100 04917 KTG 26523 a
(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

10000SB0198sam001 - 36 - LRB100 04917 KTG 26523 a
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, or loss under Section
8(d)2 due to accidental injuries to the same part of the
spine, such loss or partial loss of any such member or loss
under Section 8(d)2 due to accidental injuries to the same
part of the spine 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 or loss under Section 8(d)2
due to accidental injuries to the same part of the spine,
for which compensation has been paid, then such loss shall
be taken into consideration and deducted from any award for
the subsequent injury. For purposes of this subdivision
(e)17 only, "same part of the spine" means: (1) cervical

10000SB0198sam001 - 37 - LRB100 04917 KTG 26523 a
spine and thoracic spine from vertebra C1 through T12 and
(2) lumbar and sacral spine and coccyx from vertebra L1
through S5.
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

10000SB0198sam001 - 38 - LRB100 04917 KTG 26523 a
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

10000SB0198sam001 - 39 - LRB100 04917 KTG 26523 a
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

10000SB0198sam001 - 40 - LRB100 04917 KTG 26523 a
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

10000SB0198sam001 - 41 - LRB100 04917 KTG 26523 a
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.

10000SB0198sam001 - 42 - LRB100 04917 KTG 26523 a
(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

10000SB0198sam001 - 43 - LRB100 04917 KTG 26523 a
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

10000SB0198sam001 - 44 - LRB100 04917 KTG 26523 a
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

10000SB0198sam001 - 45 - LRB100 04917 KTG 26523 a
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

10000SB0198sam001 - 46 - LRB100 04917 KTG 26523 a
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

10000SB0198sam001 - 47 - LRB100 04917 KTG 26523 a
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

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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 305/8.1b)
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. A report under this
subsection may be waived by joint written agreement of the

10000SB0198sam001 - 49 - LRB100 04917 KTG 26523 a
parties.
(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.
(c) A report of impairment prepared pursuant to subsection
(a) is not required for an arbitrator or the Commission to make
an award for permanent partial disability or permanent total
disability benefits or any award for benefits under subsection
(c) of Section 8 or subsection (d) of Section 8 of this Act or
to approve a Settlement Contract Lump Sum Petition.
(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

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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

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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

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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.
The provisions of this subsection (a), other than this
sentence, are inoperative after August 31, 2017.
(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;

10000SB0198sam001 - 53 - LRB100 04917 KTG 26523 a
(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

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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

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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.
The provisions of this subsection (a-1), other than this
sentence, are inoperative after August 31, 2017.
(a-1.5) The following provisions apply to procedures,
treatments, services, products, and supplies covered under
this Act and rendered or to be rendered on or after September
1, 2017:
(1) In this Section:
"CPT code" means each Current Procedural Terminology
code, for each geographic region specified in subsection

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(b) of this Section, included on the most recent medical
fee schedule established by the Commission pursuant to this
Section.
"DRG code" means each current diagnosis related group
code, for each geographic region specified in subsection
(b) of this Section, included on the most recent medical
fee schedule established by the Commission pursuant to this
Section.
"Geozip" means a three-digit zip code based on data
similarities, geographical similarities, and frequencies.
"Health care services" means those CPT and DRG codes
for procedures, treatments, products, services or supplies
for hospital inpatient, hospital outpatient, emergency
room, ambulatory surgical treatment centers, accredited
ambulatory surgical treatment facilities, and professional
services. It does not include codes classified as
healthcare common procedure coding systems or dental.
"Medicare maximum fee" means, for each CPT and DRG
code, the current maximum fee for that CPT or DRG code
allowed to be charged by the Centers for Medicare and
Medicaid Services for Medicare patients in that geographic
region. The Medicare maximum fee shall be the greater of
(i) the current maximum fee allowed to be charged by the
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for Medicare
patients in the geographic region or (ii) the maximum fee
charged by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services

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for Medicare patients in the geographic region on January
1, 2017.
"Medicare percentage amount" means, for each CPT and
DRG code, the workers' compensation maximum fee as a
percentage of the Medicare maximum fee.
"Workers' compensation maximum fee" means, for each
CPT and DRG code, the current maximum fee allowed to be
charged under the medical fee schedule established by the
Commission for that CPT or DRG code in that geographic
region.
(2) 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.
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

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(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.
If a geozip 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) The initial workers' compensation maximum fee for
each CPT and DRG code as of September 1, 2017 shall be

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determined as follows:
(A) Within 45 days after the effective date of this
amendatory Act of the 100th General Assembly, the
Commission shall determine the Medicare percentage
amount for each CPT and DRG code using the most recent
data available.
CPT or DRG codes which have a value, but are not
covered expenses under Medicare, are still compensable
under the medical fee schedule according to the rate
described in Section (B).
(B) Within 30 days after the Commission makes the
determinations required by subdivision (3)(A) of this
subsection (a-1.5), the Commission shall determine an
adjustment to be made to the workers' compensation
maximum fee for each CPT and DRG code as follows:
(i) If the Medicare percentage amount for that
CPT or DRG code is equal to or less than 125%, then
the workers' compensation maximum fee for that CPT
or DRG code shall be adjusted so that it equals
125% of the most recent Medicare maximum fee for
that CPT or DRG code.
(ii) If the Medicare percentage amount for
that CPT or DRG code is greater than 125% but less
than 150%, then the workers' compensation maximum
fee for that CPT or DRG code shall not be adjusted.
(iii) If the Medicare percentage amount for

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that CPT or DRG code is greater than 150% but less
than or equal to 225%, then the workers'
compensation maximum fee for that CPT or DRG code
shall be adjusted so that it equals the greater of
(I) 150% of the most recent Medicare maximum fee
for that CPT or DRG code or (II) 85% of the most
recent workers' compensation maximum amount for
that CPT or DRG code.
(iv) If the Medicare percentage amount for
that CPT or DRG code is greater than 225% but less
than or equal to 428.57%, then the workers'
compensation maximum fee for that CPT or DRG code
shall be adjusted so that it equals the greater of
(I) 191.25% of the most recent Medicare maximum fee
for that CPT or DRG code or (II) 70% of the most
recent workers' compensation maximum amount for
that CPT or DRG code.
(v) If the Medicare percentage amount for that
CPT or DRG code is greater than 428.57%, then the
workers' compensation maximum fee for that CPT or
DRG code shall be adjusted so that it equals 300%
of the most recent Medicare maximum fee for that
CPT or DRG code.
The Commission shall promptly publish the
adjustments determined pursuant to this subdivision
(3)(B) on its website.

10000SB0198sam001 - 61 - LRB100 04917 KTG 26523 a
(C) The initial workers' compensation maximum fee
for each CPT and DRG code as of September 1, 2017 shall
be equal to the workers' compensation maximum fee for
that code as determined and adjusted pursuant to
subdivision (3)(B) of this subsection, subject to any
further adjustments pursuant to subdivision (5) of
this subsection.
(4) The Commission, as of September 1, 2018 and
September 1 of each year thereafter, shall adjust the
workers' compensation maximum fee for each CPT or DRG code
to exactly half of the most recent annual increase in the
Consumer Price Index-U.
(5) A person who believes that the workers'
compensation maximum fee for a CPT or DRG code, as
otherwise determined pursuant to this subsection, creates
or would create upon implementation 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 may petition
the Commission to modify the workers' compensation maximum
fee for that CPT or DRG code so as to not create that
significant limitation.
The petitioner bears the burden of demonstrating, by a
preponderance of the credible evidence, that the workers'
compensation maximum fee that would otherwise apply would
create a significant limitation on access to quality health

10000SB0198sam001 - 62 - LRB100 04917 KTG 26523 a
care in either a specific field of health care services or
a specific geographic limitation on access to health care.
Petitions shall be made publicly available. Such credible
evidence shall include empirical data demonstrating a
significant limitation on access to quality health care.
Other interested persons may file comments or responses to
a petition within 30 days of the filing of a petition.
The Commission shall take final action on each petition
within 180 days of filing. The Commission may, but is not
required to, seek the recommendation of the Medical Fee
Advisory Board to assist with this determination. If the
Commission grants the petition, the Commission shall
further increase the workers' compensation maximum fee for
that CPT or DRG code by the amount minimally necessary to
avoid creating 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. The increased workers' compensation
maximum fee shall take effect upon entry of the
Commission's final action.
(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. The provisions of this subsection (a-2), other

10000SB0198sam001 - 63 - LRB100 04917 KTG 26523 a
than this sentence, are inoperative after August 31, 2017.
(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.
(a-4) The Commission, in consultation with the Workers'
Compensation Medical Fee Advisory Board, shall promulgate by
rule an evidence-based drug formulary and any rules necessary
for its administration. Prescriptions prescribed for workers'
compensation cases shall be limited to those prescription drugs
and doses on the closed formulary.
A request for a prescription that is not on the closed
formulary shall be reviewed pursuant to Section 8.7 of this
Act.
(a-5) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section,
on or before March 1, 2018 and on or before March 1 of each
subsequent year, the Commission must investigate all
procedures, treatments, and services covered under this Act for
ambulatory surgical treatment centers and accredited
ambulatory surgical treatment facilities and establish fee
schedule amounts for procedures, treatments, and services for
which fee schedule amounts have not been established. The
Commission must adopt, in a timely and ongoing manner, all
rules necessary to ensure that its responsibilities under this

10000SB0198sam001 - 64 - LRB100 04917 KTG 26523 a
subsection are carried out.
(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 directly. The employer shall make payment and
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 claim contains
substantially all the required data elements necessary to
adjudicate the bills.

10000SB0198sam001 - 65 - LRB100 04917 KTG 26523 a
(2) If the claim 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, explaining the basis for the denial and
describing any additional necessary data elements, to the
provider within 30 days of receipt of the bill.
(3) In the case 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 or nonpayment to a provider of a portion of such a
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, the bill, or portion of the bill, shall
incur interest at a rate of 1% per month payable to the
provider. Any required interest payments shall be made
within 30 days after payment.
(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

10000SB0198sam001 - 66 - LRB100 04917 KTG 26523 a
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

10000SB0198sam001 - 67 - LRB100 04917 KTG 26523 a
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

10000SB0198sam001 - 68 - LRB100 04917 KTG 26523 a
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

10000SB0198sam001 - 69 - LRB100 04917 KTG 26523 a
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. 97-18, eff. 6-28-11.)
(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 at least 15
business days to comply with records requested by employers

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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.
(6) Provide that any electronically submitted bill
determined to be complete but not paid or objected to
within 30 days shall be subject to penalties pursuant to
Section 8.2(d)(3) of this Act to be entered by the
Commission.
(7) Provide that the Department of Insurance may 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 and standards adopted under the
Illinois Health Information Exchange and Technology Act.
(c) The rules requiring employers and insurers to accept
electronic claims for payment of medical services shall be
proposed on or before September 1, 2017 January 1, 2012, and
shall require all employers and insurers to accept electronic

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claims for payment of medical services on or before January 1,
2018 June 30, 2012.
(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. 97-18, eff. 6-28-11.)
(820 ILCS 305/14) (from Ch. 48, par. 138.14)
Sec. 14. The Commission shall appoint a secretary, an
assistant secretary, and arbitrators 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

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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

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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

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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 on an annual basis. The Chairman shall allow input
from the Commissioners in all such reviews.

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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. The Chairman of the
Workers' Compensation Commission shall have discretion to
assign and reassign arbitrators to each hearing site as needed.
No arbitrator shall hear cases in any county, other than Cook
County, for more than 2 years in each 3-year term.
The Secretary and each arbitrator shall receive a per annum
salary of $4,000 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

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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. 98-40, eff. 6-28-13; 99-642, eff. 7-28-16.)
(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

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(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.
3. When an Arbitrator conducts a status call of cases
that appear on the Arbitrator's docket in accordance with
the rules of the Commission, parties or their attorneys may
appear by telephone, video conference, or other remote

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electronic means as prescribed by the Commission.
(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

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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

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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, or if the employer has refused or
failed to respond to a written request for authorization of
medical care and treatment, 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 or authorization of medical care.
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, whether or not the employee is
entitled to authorization of medical care and treatment, 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 or
medical care that is are the subject of the expedited hearing,

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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

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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;

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(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

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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

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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

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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

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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.

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(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

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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

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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 citizen of the employee class, 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

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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.

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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 State of Illinois, including its constitutional
officers, boards, commissions, agencies, public
institutions of higher learning, and funds administered by
the treasurer ex officio, and every Every 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 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.
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

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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

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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

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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,

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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 a 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.

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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. 97-18, eff. 6-28-11; 98-40, eff. 6-28-13; 98-874,
eff. 1-1-15.)
(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

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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 rate 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).

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(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) Sentence. Sentences for violations of subsection (a)
are as follows:
(1) A violation of paragraph (a)(3) is a Class 4
felony.
(2) A violation of paragraph (a)(4) or (a)(7) is a
Class 3 felony.
(3) A violation of paragraph (a)(1), (a)(2), (a)(5),
(a)(6), or (a)(9) in which the value of the property
obtained or attempted to be obtained is $500 or less is a
Class A misdemeanor.
(4) A violation of paragraph (a)(1), (a)(2), (a)(5),
(a)(6), or (a)(9) in which the value of the property
obtained or attempted to be obtained is more than $500 but
not more than $10,000 is a Class 3 felony.
(5) A violation of paragraph (a)(1), (a)(2), (a)(5),
(a)(6), or (a)(9) 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.
(6) A violation of paragraph (a)(1), (a)(2), (a)(5),
(a)(6), or (a)(9) in which the value of the property

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obtained or attempted to be obtained is more than $100,000
is a Class 1 felony.
(7) A violation of paragraph (8) of subsection (a)
shall be punishable as the class of offense for which the
person convicted assisted, abetted, solicited, or
conspired to commit, as set forth in paragraphs (1) through
(6) of this subsection.
(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.
(8) (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

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self-insured entity in connection with any medical
evaluation or treatment services.
For a violation of paragraph (a)(1) or (a)(2), the value of
the property obtained or attempted to be obtained shall include
payments pursuant to the provisions of this Act as well as the
amount paid for medical expenses. For a violation of paragraph
(a)(5), the value of the property obtained or attempted to be
obtained shall be the difference between the proper amount for
the coverage sought or provided and the actual amount billed
for workers' compensation insurance. For a violation of
paragraph (a)(6), the value of the property obtained or
attempted to be obtained shall be the difference between the
proper amount of security required pursuant to Section 4 of
this Act and the amount furnished pursuant to the false or
fraudulent statements or representations. 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

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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

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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

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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.
The Department of Insurance's papers, documents, reports,
or evidence relevant to the subject of an investigation under
this Section shall be confidential and not subject to subpoena,
public inspection, or to disclosure under the Freedom of
Information Act for so long as the Director deems reasonably
necessary to complete the investigation, to protect the person
investigated from unwarranted injury, or to be in the public
interest. No officer, agent, or employee of the Department is
subject to subpoena in any civil or administrative action to
testify concerning a matter of which they have knowledge under
a pending fraud or insurance non-compliance investigation by
the Department.
No cause of action exists and no liability may be imposed,
either civil or criminal, against the State, the Director of
Insurance, any officer, agent, or employee of the Department of

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Insurance, or individuals employed or retained by the Director
of Insurance, for an act or omission by them in the performance
of a power or duty authorized by this Section, unless the act
or omission was performed in bad faith and with intent to
injure a particular person.
(e-5) The fraud and insurance non-compliance unit shall
procure and implement a system utilizing advanced analytics
inclusive of predictive modeling, data mining, social network
analysis, and scoring algorithms for the detection and
prevention of fraud, waste, and abuse on or before January 1,
2012. The fraud and insurance non-compliance unit shall procure
this system using a request for proposals process governed by
the Illinois Procurement Code and rules adopted under that
Code. The fraud and insurance non-compliance unit shall provide
a report to the President of the Senate, Speaker of the House
of Representatives, Minority Leader of the House of
Representatives, Minority Leader of the Senate, Governor,
Chairman of the Commission, and Director of Insurance on or
before July 1, 2012 and annually thereafter detailing its
activities and providing recommendations regarding
opportunities for additional fraud waste and abuse detection
and prevention.
(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,

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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,

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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.
(Source: P.A. 97-18, eff. 6-28-11; 97-1150, eff. 1-25-13.)
(820 ILCS 305/29.2)
Sec. 29.2. Insurance and self-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

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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

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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

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(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.
(a-5) The Commission shall annually submit to the Governor
and the General Assembly a written report that details the
state of self-insurance for workers' compensation in Illinois.
The report shall be based on information currently collected by
the Commission or the Department of Insurance from
self-insurers, as of the effective date of this amendatory Act
of the 100th General Assembly. The report shall be completed by
April 1 of each year, beginning in 2017. The report shall be
posted on the Commission'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 in
the aggregate:
(1) The number of employers that self-insure for
workers' compensation.
(2) The total number of employees covered by
self-insurance.

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(3) The total amount of indemnity payments made by
self-insureds.
(4) The total amount of medical payments made by
self-insureds.
(5) The growth of total paid indemnity benefits by
temporary total disability, scheduled and non-scheduled
permanent partial disability, and total disability.
(6) Illinois' rank, relative to other states, for:
(i) the maximum and minimum temporary total
disability benefit levels;
(ii) the maximum and minimum scheduled and
non-scheduled permanent partial disability benefit
levels;
(iii) the maximum and minimum total disability
benefit levels; and
(iv) the maximum and minimum death benefit levels.
(7) The aggregate growth of medical benefit payouts by
non-hospital providers and hospitals.
Any information collected by the Commission from
self-insureds shall be exempt from public inspection and
disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act.
(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 March 1 of each year, relating to claims in

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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.

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(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. 97-18, eff. 6-28-11.)
Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon
becoming law.".