Illinois Enacts Major Workers’ Compensation Reform

On June 28, 2011, Illinois Governor Pat Quinn signed into law HB1698, a major workers’ compensation reform package. The bill’s intended effect is to reduce employer medical costs, limit indemnity payouts on certain claims, including loss of trade cases; strengthen rules on fraud; and provide more equity in Commission decisions and awards. Some of the changes apply to accidents that occur on or after September 1, 2011; others apply to existing cases where benefits accrue after September 1, 2011. This is touted as a major piece of business-friendly legislation.

Read the court’s opinion here: Public Act 097-0018