99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2015 and 2016
SB2942

 

Introduced 2/18/2016, by Sen. Kyle McCarter

 

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 
820 ILCS 305/19  from Ch. 48, par. 138.19
820 ILCS 310/19  from Ch. 48, par. 172.54

    Amends the Workers' Compensation Act and the Workers' Occupational Diseases Act. Provides that the arbitrator or the Commission may correct a clerical error or error in computation within 21 (instead of 15) days after the date of receipt of an award by the arbitrator or any decision on review of the Commission and may recall the original award on arbitration or decision on review and issue the corrected award or decision. Provides that the time within which a petition for judicial review must be filed begins to run upon receipt of a decision on motion to recall. Adds procedural provisions concerning motions to recall. Provides that judicial review is stayed pending the disposition of a motion to recall. Provides that claims against the State are not subject to judicial review. Specifies venue for court review. Establishes procedures for providing collateral or guarantee of payment of an award if court review is not successfully prosecuted. Adds provisions regarding review by the Appellate Court and the Supreme Court. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.


LRB099 19223 JLS 43615 b

FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

 

 

A BILL FOR

 

SB2942LRB099 19223 JLS 43615 b

1    AN ACT concerning employment.
 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3represented in the General Assembly:
 
4    Section 5. The Workers' Compensation Act is amended by
5changing Section 19 as follows:
 
6    (820 ILCS 305/19)  (from Ch. 48, par. 138.19)
7    Sec. 19. Any disputed questions of law or fact shall be
8determined as herein provided.
9    (a) It shall be the duty of the Commission upon
10notification that the parties have failed to reach an
11agreement, to designate an Arbitrator.
12        1. Whenever any claimant misconceives his remedy and
13    files an application for adjustment of claim under this Act
14    and it is subsequently discovered, at any time before final
15    disposition of such cause, that the claim for disability or
16    death which was the basis for such application should
17    properly have been made under the Workers' Occupational
18    Diseases Act, then the provisions of Section 19, paragraph
19    (a-1) of the Workers' Occupational Diseases Act having
20    reference to such application shall apply.
21        2. Whenever any claimant misconceives his remedy and
22    files an application for adjustment of claim under the
23    Workers' Occupational Diseases Act and it is subsequently

 

 

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1    discovered, at any time before final disposition of such
2    cause that the claim for injury or death which was the
3    basis for such application should properly have been made
4    under this Act, then the application so filed under the
5    Workers' Occupational Diseases Act may be amended in form,
6    substance or both to assert claim for such disability or
7    death under this Act and it shall be deemed to have been so
8    filed as amended on the date of the original filing
9    thereof, and such compensation may be awarded as is
10    warranted by the whole evidence pursuant to this Act. When
11    such amendment is submitted, further or additional
12    evidence may be heard by the Arbitrator or Commission when
13    deemed necessary. Nothing in this Section contained shall
14    be construed to be or permit a waiver of any provisions of
15    this Act with reference to notice but notice if given shall
16    be deemed to be a notice under the provisions of this Act
17    if given within the time required herein.
18    (b) The Arbitrator shall make such inquiries and
19investigations as he or they shall deem necessary and may
20examine and inspect all books, papers, records, places, or
21premises relating to the questions in dispute and hear such
22proper evidence as the parties may submit.
23    The hearings before the Arbitrator shall be held in the
24vicinity where the injury occurred after 10 days' notice of the
25time and place of such hearing shall have been given to each of
26the parties or their attorneys of record.

 

 

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1    The Arbitrator may find that the disabling condition is
2temporary and has not yet reached a permanent condition and may
3order the payment of compensation up to the date of the
4hearing, which award shall be reviewable and enforceable in the
5same manner as other awards, and in no instance be a bar to a
6further hearing and determination of a further amount of
7temporary total compensation or of compensation for permanent
8disability, but shall be conclusive as to all other questions
9except the nature and extent of said disability.
10    The decision of the Arbitrator shall be filed with the
11Commission which Commission shall immediately send to each
12party or his attorney a copy of such decision, together with a
13notification of the time when it was filed. As of the effective
14date of this amendatory Act of the 94th General Assembly, all
15decisions of the Arbitrator shall set forth in writing findings
16of fact and conclusions of law, separately stated, if requested
17by either party. Unless a petition for review is filed by
18either party within 30 days after the receipt by such party of
19the copy of the decision and notification of time when filed,
20and unless such party petitioning for a review shall within 35
21days after the receipt by him of the copy of the decision, file
22with the Commission either an agreed statement of the facts
23appearing upon the hearing before the Arbitrator, or if such
24party shall so elect a correct transcript of evidence of the
25proceedings at such hearings, then the decision shall become
26the decision of the Commission and in the absence of fraud

 

 

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1shall be conclusive. The Petition for Review shall contain a
2statement of the petitioning party's specific exceptions to the
3decision of the arbitrator. The jurisdiction of the Commission
4to review the decision of the arbitrator shall not be limited
5to the exceptions stated in the Petition for Review. The
6Commission, or any member thereof, may grant further time not
7exceeding 30 days, in which to file such agreed statement or
8transcript of evidence. Such agreed statement of facts or
9correct transcript of evidence, as the case may be, shall be
10authenticated by the signatures of the parties or their
11attorneys, and in the event they do not agree as to the
12correctness of the transcript of evidence it shall be
13authenticated by the signature of the Arbitrator designated by
14the Commission.
15    Whether the employee is working or not, if the employee is
16not receiving or has not received medical, surgical, or
17hospital services or other services or compensation as provided
18in paragraph (a) of Section 8, or compensation as provided in
19paragraph (b) of Section 8, the employee may at any time
20petition for an expedited hearing by an Arbitrator on the issue
21of whether or not he or she is entitled to receive payment of
22the services or compensation. Provided the employer continues
23to pay compensation pursuant to paragraph (b) of Section 8, the
24employer may at any time petition for an expedited hearing on
25the issue of whether or not the employee is entitled to receive
26medical, surgical, or hospital services or other services or

 

 

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1compensation as provided in paragraph (a) of Section 8, or
2compensation as provided in paragraph (b) of Section 8. When an
3employer has petitioned for an expedited hearing, the employer
4shall continue to pay compensation as provided in paragraph (b)
5of Section 8 unless the arbitrator renders a decision that the
6employee is not entitled to the benefits that are the subject
7of the expedited hearing or unless the employee's treating
8physician has released the employee to return to work at his or
9her regular job with the employer or the employee actually
10returns to work at any other job. If the arbitrator renders a
11decision that the employee is not entitled to the benefits that
12are the subject of the expedited hearing, a petition for review
13filed by the employee shall receive the same priority as if the
14employee had filed a petition for an expedited hearing by an
15Arbitrator. Neither party shall be entitled to an expedited
16hearing when the employee has returned to work and the sole
17issue in dispute amounts to less than 12 weeks of unpaid
18compensation pursuant to paragraph (b) of Section 8.
19    Expedited hearings shall have priority over all other
20petitions and shall be heard by the Arbitrator and Commission
21with all convenient speed. Any party requesting an expedited
22hearing shall give notice of a request for an expedited hearing
23under this paragraph. A copy of the Application for Adjustment
24of Claim shall be attached to the notice. The Commission shall
25adopt rules and procedures under which the final decision of
26the Commission under this paragraph is filed not later than 180

 

 

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1days from the date that the Petition for Review is filed with
2the Commission.
3    Where 2 or more insurance carriers, private self-insureds,
4or a group workers' compensation pool under Article V 3/4 of
5the Illinois Insurance Code dispute coverage for the same
6injury, any such insurance carrier, private self-insured, or
7group workers' compensation pool may request an expedited
8hearing pursuant to this paragraph to determine the issue of
9coverage, provided coverage is the only issue in dispute and
10all other issues are stipulated and agreed to and further
11provided that all compensation benefits including medical
12benefits pursuant to Section 8(a) continue to be paid to or on
13behalf of petitioner. Any insurance carrier, private
14self-insured, or group workers' compensation pool that is
15determined to be liable for coverage for the injury in issue
16shall reimburse any insurance carrier, private self-insured,
17or group workers' compensation pool that has paid benefits to
18or on behalf of petitioner for the injury.
19    (b-1) If the employee is not receiving medical, surgical or
20hospital services as provided in paragraph (a) of Section 8 or
21compensation as provided in paragraph (b) of Section 8, the
22employee, in accordance with Commission Rules, may file a
23petition for an emergency hearing by an Arbitrator on the issue
24of whether or not he is entitled to receive payment of such
25compensation or services as provided therein. Such petition
26shall have priority over all other petitions and shall be heard

 

 

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1by the Arbitrator and Commission with all convenient speed.
2    Such petition shall contain the following information and
3shall be served on the employer at least 15 days before it is
4filed:
5        (i) the date and approximate time of accident;
6        (ii) the approximate location of the accident;
7        (iii) a description of the accident;
8        (iv) the nature of the injury incurred by the employee;
9        (v) the identity of the person, if known, to whom the
10    accident was reported and the date on which it was
11    reported;
12        (vi) the name and title of the person, if known,
13    representing the employer with whom the employee conferred
14    in any effort to obtain compensation pursuant to paragraph
15    (b) of Section 8 of this Act or medical, surgical or
16    hospital services pursuant to paragraph (a) of Section 8 of
17    this Act and the date of such conference;
18        (vii) a statement that the employer has refused to pay
19    compensation pursuant to paragraph (b) of Section 8 of this
20    Act or for medical, surgical or hospital services pursuant
21    to paragraph (a) of Section 8 of this Act;
22        (viii) the name and address, if known, of each witness
23    to the accident and of each other person upon whom the
24    employee will rely to support his allegations;
25        (ix) the dates of treatment related to the accident by
26    medical practitioners, and the names and addresses of such

 

 

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1    practitioners, including the dates of treatment related to
2    the accident at any hospitals and the names and addresses
3    of such hospitals, and a signed authorization permitting
4    the employer to examine all medical records of all
5    practitioners and hospitals named pursuant to this
6    paragraph;
7        (x) a copy of a signed report by a medical
8    practitioner, relating to the employee's current inability
9    to return to work because of the injuries incurred as a
10    result of the accident or such other documents or
11    affidavits which show that the employee is entitled to
12    receive compensation pursuant to paragraph (b) of Section 8
13    of this Act or medical, surgical or hospital services
14    pursuant to paragraph (a) of Section 8 of this Act. Such
15    reports, documents or affidavits shall state, if possible,
16    the history of the accident given by the employee, and
17    describe the injury and medical diagnosis, the medical
18    services for such injury which the employee has received
19    and is receiving, the physical activities which the
20    employee cannot currently perform as a result of any
21    impairment or disability due to such injury, and the
22    prognosis for recovery;
23        (xi) complete copies of any reports, records,
24    documents and affidavits in the possession of the employee
25    on which the employee will rely to support his allegations,
26    provided that the employer shall pay the reasonable cost of

 

 

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1    reproduction thereof;
2        (xii) a list of any reports, records, documents and
3    affidavits which the employee has demanded by subpoena and
4    on which he intends to rely to support his allegations;
5        (xiii) a certification signed by the employee or his
6    representative that the employer has received the petition
7    with the required information 15 days before filing.
8    Fifteen days after receipt by the employer of the petition
9with the required information the employee may file said
10petition and required information and shall serve notice of the
11filing upon the employer. The employer may file a motion
12addressed to the sufficiency of the petition. If an objection
13has been filed to the sufficiency of the petition, the
14arbitrator shall rule on the objection within 2 working days.
15If such an objection is filed, the time for filing the final
16decision of the Commission as provided in this paragraph shall
17be tolled until the arbitrator has determined that the petition
18is sufficient.
19    The employer shall, within 15 days after receipt of the
20notice that such petition is filed, file with the Commission
21and serve on the employee or his representative a written
22response to each claim set forth in the petition, including the
23legal and factual basis for each disputed allegation and the
24following information: (i) complete copies of any reports,
25records, documents and affidavits in the possession of the
26employer on which the employer intends to rely in support of

 

 

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1his response, (ii) a list of any reports, records, documents
2and affidavits which the employer has demanded by subpoena and
3on which the employer intends to rely in support of his
4response, (iii) the name and address of each witness on whom
5the employer will rely to support his response, and (iv) the
6names and addresses of any medical practitioners selected by
7the employer pursuant to Section 12 of this Act and the time
8and place of any examination scheduled to be made pursuant to
9such Section.
10    Any employer who does not timely file and serve a written
11response without good cause may not introduce any evidence to
12dispute any claim of the employee but may cross examine the
13employee or any witness brought by the employee and otherwise
14be heard.
15    No document or other evidence not previously identified by
16either party with the petition or written response, or by any
17other means before the hearing, may be introduced into evidence
18without good cause. If, at the hearing, material information is
19discovered which was not previously disclosed, the Arbitrator
20may extend the time for closing proof on the motion of a party
21for a reasonable period of time which may be more than 30 days.
22No evidence may be introduced pursuant to this paragraph as to
23permanent disability. No award may be entered for permanent
24disability pursuant to this paragraph. Either party may
25introduce into evidence the testimony taken by deposition of
26any medical practitioner.

 

 

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1    The Commission shall adopt rules, regulations and
2procedures whereby the final decision of the Commission is
3filed not later than 90 days from the date the petition for
4review is filed but in no event later than 180 days from the
5date the petition for an emergency hearing is filed with the
6Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission.
7    All service required pursuant to this paragraph (b-1) must
8be by personal service or by certified mail and with evidence
9of receipt. In addition for the purposes of this paragraph, all
10service on the employer must be at the premises where the
11accident occurred if the premises are owned or operated by the
12employer. Otherwise service must be at the employee's principal
13place of employment by the employer. If service on the employer
14is not possible at either of the above, then service shall be
15at the employer's principal place of business. After initial
16service in each case, service shall be made on the employer's
17attorney or designated representative.
18    (c)(1) At a reasonable time in advance of and in connection
19with the hearing under Section 19(e) or 19(h), the Commission
20may on its own motion order an impartial physical or mental
21examination of a petitioner whose mental or physical condition
22is in issue, when in the Commission's discretion it appears
23that such an examination will materially aid in the just
24determination of the case. The examination shall be made by a
25member or members of a panel of physicians chosen for their
26special qualifications by the Illinois State Medical Society.

 

 

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1The Commission shall establish procedures by which a physician
2shall be selected from such list.
3    (2) Should the Commission at any time during the hearing
4find that compelling considerations make it advisable to have
5an examination and report at that time, the commission may in
6its discretion so order.
7    (3) A copy of the report of examination shall be given to
8the Commission and to the attorneys for the parties.
9    (4) Either party or the Commission may call the examining
10physician or physicians to testify. Any physician so called
11shall be subject to cross-examination.
12    (5) The examination shall be made, and the physician or
13physicians, if called, shall testify, without cost to the
14parties. The Commission shall determine the compensation and
15the pay of the physician or physicians. The compensation for
16this service shall not exceed the usual and customary amount
17for such service.
18    (6) The fees and payment thereof of all attorneys and
19physicians for services authorized by the Commission under this
20Act shall, upon request of either the employer or the employee
21or the beneficiary affected, be subject to the review and
22decision of the Commission.
23    (d) If any employee shall persist in insanitary or
24injurious practices which tend to either imperil or retard his
25recovery or shall refuse to submit to such medical, surgical,
26or hospital treatment as is reasonably essential to promote his

 

 

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1recovery, the Commission may, in its discretion, reduce or
2suspend the compensation of any such injured employee. However,
3when an employer and employee so agree in writing, the
4foregoing provision shall not be construed to authorize the
5reduction or suspension of compensation of an employee who is
6relying in good faith, on treatment by prayer or spiritual
7means alone, in accordance with the tenets and practice of a
8recognized church or religious denomination, by a duly
9accredited practitioner thereof.
10    (e) This paragraph shall apply to all hearings before the
11Commission. Such hearings may be held in its office or
12elsewhere as the Commission may deem advisable. The taking of
13testimony on such hearings may be had before any member of the
14Commission. If a petition for review and agreed statement of
15facts or transcript of evidence is filed, as provided herein,
16the Commission shall promptly review the decision of the
17Arbitrator and all questions of law or fact which appear from
18the statement of facts or transcript of evidence.
19    In all cases in which the hearing before the arbitrator is
20held after December 18, 1989, no additional evidence shall be
21introduced by the parties before the Commission on review of
22the decision of the Arbitrator. In reviewing decisions of an
23arbitrator the Commission shall award such temporary
24compensation, permanent compensation and other payments as are
25due under this Act. The Commission shall file in its office its
26decision thereon, and shall immediately send to each party or

 

 

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1his attorney a copy of such decision and a notification of the
2time when it was filed. Decisions shall be filed within 60 days
3after the Statement of Exceptions and Supporting Brief and
4Response thereto are required to be filed or oral argument
5whichever is later.
6    In the event either party requests oral argument, such
7argument shall be had before a panel of 3 members of the
8Commission (or before all available members pursuant to the
9determination of 7 members of the Commission that such argument
10be held before all available members of the Commission)
11pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Commission. A
12panel of 3 members, which shall be comprised of not more than
13one representative citizen of the employing class and not more
14than one representative citizen of the employee class, shall
15hear the argument; provided that if all the issues in dispute
16are solely the nature and extent of the permanent partial
17disability, if any, a majority of the panel may deny the
18request for such argument and such argument shall not be held;
19and provided further that 7 members of the Commission may
20determine that the argument be held before all available
21members of the Commission. A decision of the Commission shall
22be approved by a majority of Commissioners present at such
23hearing if any; provided, if no such hearing is held, a
24decision of the Commission shall be approved by a majority of a
25panel of 3 members of the Commission as described in this
26Section. The Commission shall give 10 days' notice to the

 

 

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1parties or their attorneys of the time and place of such taking
2of testimony and of such argument.
3    In any case the Commission in its decision may find
4specially upon any question or questions of law or fact which
5shall be submitted in writing by either party whether ultimate
6or otherwise; provided that on issues other than nature and
7extent of the disability, if any, the Commission in its
8decision shall find specially upon any question or questions of
9law or fact, whether ultimate or otherwise, which are submitted
10in writing by either party; provided further that not more than
115 such questions may be submitted by either party. Any party
12may, within 20 days after receipt of notice of the Commission's
13decision, or within such further time, not exceeding 30 days,
14as the Commission may grant, file with the Commission either an
15agreed statement of the facts appearing upon the hearing, or,
16if such party shall so elect, a correct transcript of evidence
17of the additional proceedings presented before the Commission,
18in which report the party may embody a correct statement of
19such other proceedings in the case as such party may desire to
20have reviewed, such statement of facts or transcript of
21evidence to be authenticated by the signature of the parties or
22their attorneys, and in the event that they do not agree, then
23the authentication of such transcript of evidence shall be by
24the signature of any member of the Commission.
25    If a reporter does not for any reason furnish a transcript
26of the proceedings before the Arbitrator in any case for use on

 

 

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1a hearing for review before the Commission, within the
2limitations of time as fixed in this Section, the Commission
3may, in its discretion, order a trial de novo before the
4Commission in such case upon application of either party. The
5applications for adjustment of claim and other documents in the
6nature of pleadings filed by either party, together with the
7decisions of the Arbitrator and of the Commission and the
8statement of facts or transcript of evidence hereinbefore
9provided for in paragraphs (b) and (c) shall be the record of
10the proceedings of the Commission, and shall be subject to
11review as hereinafter provided.
12    At the request of either party or on its own motion, the
13Commission shall set forth in writing the reasons for the
14decision, including findings of fact and conclusions of law
15separately stated. The Commission shall by rule adopt a format
16for written decisions for the Commission and arbitrators. The
17written decisions shall be concise and shall succinctly state
18the facts and reasons for the decision. The Commission may
19adopt in whole or in part, the decision of the arbitrator as
20the decision of the Commission. When the Commission does so
21adopt the decision of the arbitrator, it shall do so by order.
22Whenever the Commission adopts part of the arbitrator's
23decision, but not all, it shall include in the order the
24reasons for not adopting all of the arbitrator's decision. When
25a majority of a panel, after deliberation, has arrived at its
26decision, the decision shall be filed as provided in this

 

 

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1Section without unnecessary delay, and without regard to the
2fact that a member of the panel has expressed an intention to
3dissent. Any member of the panel may file a dissent. Any
4dissent shall be filed no later than 10 days after the decision
5of the majority has been filed.
6    Decisions rendered by the Commission and dissents, if any,
7shall be published together by the Commission. The conclusions
8of law set out in such decisions shall be regarded as
9precedents by arbitrators for the purpose of achieving a more
10uniform administration of this Act.
11    (f)(1) General powers. The decision of the Commission
12acting within its powers, according to the provisions of
13paragraph (e) of this Section shall, in the absence of fraud,
14be conclusive unless reviewed as in this paragraph hereinafter
15provided. The decision of a majority of the members of the
16panel of the Commission shall be considered the decision of the
17Commission.
18    The court may confirm or set aside the decision of the
19Commission. If the decision is set aside and the facts found in
20the proceedings before the Commission are sufficient, the court
21may enter such decision as is justified by law or may remand
22the cause to the Commission for further proceedings and may
23state the questions requiring further hearing and give such
24other instructions as may be proper.
25    (2) Petitions to recall. However, the Arbitrator or the
26Commission may on his or its own motion, or on the motion of

 

 

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1either party, correct any clerical error or errors in
2computation within 21 15 days after the date of receipt of any
3award by such Arbitrator or any decision on review of the
4Commission and shall have the power to recall the original
5award on arbitration or decision on review, and issue in lieu
6thereof such corrected award or decision.
7        (A) Where such motion correction is filed, made the
8    time for review herein specified shall begin to run from
9    the date of the receipt of the corrected award or decision.
10        (B) If a party chooses to file a motion to recall under
11    this subsection in lieu of filing a petition for review or
12    judicial review, the time for filing the judicial review
13    shall commence upon the receipt of the arbitrator's or
14    Commission's disposition of the motion to recall.
15        (C) If a Circuit Court appeal has already been filed
16    when a motion under this subsection is filed, the Circuit
17    Court case is stayed pending the Commission's ruling on the
18    motion to recall. If the motion to recall is denied by the
19    Commission, a new Circuit Court review need not be filed
20    and any grounds asserted in support of the motion to recall
21    may then be raised in the pending Circuit Court review as
22    grounds for reversal or modification of the Commission's
23    decision.
24        (D) If the Commission grants the motion to recall,
25    recalls the decision, and issues a corrected decision,
26    jurisdiction returns to the Circuit Court pursuant to the

 

 

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1    pending review. In that proceeding the corrected decision
2    is subject to judicial review. In the event that the amount
3    of collateral and guarantee set by the Commission changes
4    in the corrected decision and the amount is lower than
5    previously set, the previously filed collateral and
6    guarantee need not be replaced. If the amount is higher
7    than previously set, the filing party may substitute the
8    collateral and guarantee in the correct amount in
9    compliance with any deadlines set by the reviewing Court.
10    (3) Claims against the State. Cases involving claims
11against the State of Illinois shall not be subject to judicial
12review.
13    (4) Venue. Venue is proper in the Circuit Court of the
14county where any of the parties defendant reside or may be
15found, or the Circuit Court of the county where the accident
16occurred.
17        (A) The filing of a judicial review in an improper
18    venue shall not be cause for dismissal with prejudice, but
19    shall be transferred to an appropriate venue.
20        (B) If multiple judicial reviews are filed from the
21    Commission's decision to different Circuit Courts because
22    the parties respondent reside in different counties, these
23    proceedings, at the discretion of the Circuit Court, may be
24    consolidated into one judicial review and the employer's
25    previously filed collateral and guarantee shall be valid in
26    either case.

 

 

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1    (5) Circuit Court powers. The Circuit Court shall, by
2summons issued to the Commission, have power to review all
3questions of law and fact presented by such record. A
4respondent on review is not required to file a notice of cross
5appeal from the Commission's decision to preserve an issue on
6appeal.
7        (1) Except in cases of claims against the State of
8    Illinois other than those claims under Section 18.1, in
9    which case the decision of the Commission shall not be
10    subject to judicial review, the Circuit Court of the county
11    where any of the parties defendant may be found, or if none
12    of the parties defendant can be found in this State then
13    the Circuit Court of the county where the accident
14    occurred, shall by summons to the Commission have power to
15    review all questions of law and fact presented by such
16    record.
17    (6) Commencement of the judicial review and summons. A
18proceeding for review shall be commenced within 30 20 days of
19the receipt of notice of the decision of the Commission. The
20Circuit Court is authorized to receive and timely file all
21judicial review documents in accordance with the so-called
22"mailbox rule" adopted by Supreme Court Rule 373.
23        (A) The summons shall be issued by the clerk of such
24    court upon written request returnable on a designated
25    return day, not less than 10 or more than 60 days from the
26    date of issuance thereof. The , and the written request

 

 

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1    shall contain the last known address of other parties in
2    interest and their attorneys of record who are to be served
3    by summons. Service upon any member of the Commission or
4    the Secretary or the Assistant Secretary thereof shall be
5    service upon the Commission, and service upon other parties
6    in interest and their attorneys of record shall be by
7    summons, and such service shall be made upon the Commission
8    and other parties in interest by mailing notices of the
9    commencement of the proceedings and the return day of the
10    summons to the office of the Commission and to the last
11    known place of residence of other parties in interest or
12    their attorney or attorneys of record.
13        (B) The clerk of the court issuing the summons shall on
14    the day of issuance issue mail notice of the commencement
15    of the proceedings which shall be done by mailing a copy of
16    the summons to the office of the Commission, and a copy of
17    the summons to the other parties in interest or their
18    attorney or attorneys of record. The and the clerk of the
19    court shall make certificate that he has so sent said
20    notices in pursuance of this Section, which shall be
21    evidence of service on the Commission and other parties in
22    interest.
23        (C) If a case has proceeded to the Circuit Court or
24    Appellate Court and that case is remanded back to the
25    Commission for further determinations, any subsequent
26    judicial review filed from the remanded Commission

 

 

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1    decision shall be filed as a new judicial review, and not
2    part of the original judicial review, and further must
3    independently comply with all requirements of this
4    subsection.
5    (7) Notice of intent to file for Circuit Court review. The
6Commission shall not be required to certify the record of their
7proceedings to the Circuit Court, unless the party commencing
8the proceedings for review in the Circuit Court as above
9provided, shall file with the Commission notice of intent to
10file for review in Circuit Court.
11        (A) It shall be the duty of the Commission upon such
12    filing of notice of intent to file for review in the
13    Circuit Court to prepare a true and correct copy of such
14    testimony and a true and correct copy of all other matters
15    contained in such record and certified to by the Secretary
16    or Assistant Secretary thereof. The changes made to this
17    subdivision (f)(1) by this amendatory Act of the 98th
18    General Assembly apply to any Commission decision entered
19    after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 98th
20    General Assembly.
21        (B) No request for a summons may be filed and no
22    summons shall issue unless the party seeking to review the
23    decision of the Commission shall exhibit to the clerk of
24    the Circuit Court proof of filing with the Commission of
25    the notice of the intent to file for review in the Circuit
26    Court or an affidavit of the attorney setting forth that

 

 

SB2942- 23 -LRB099 19223 JLS 43615 b

1    notice of intent to file for review in the Circuit Court
2    has been given in writing to the Secretary or Assistant
3    Secretary of the Commission.
4    (8) Collateral and guarantee. If the party seeking judicial
5review is the party against whom the Commission rendered an
6award for payment of money, then within the timeframe for the
7commencement of proceedings, the party shall provide to the
8Circuit Court collateral or guarantee of payment of the award
9if such review is not successfully prosecuted.
10        (A) Collateral or guarantee may be provided in the
11    following ways:
12            (i) filing an insurance policy pursuant to Section
13        392.1 of the Illinois Insurance Code;
14            (ii) filing a certificate of self-insurance;
15            (iii) placing sufficient funds in an escrow
16        account; or
17            (iv) filing a bond signed by the employer or any
18        duly designated representative of the employer, and in
19        the event the employer is insured, any representative
20        of the insurer.
21        (B) The amount of the bond, if necessary, shall be
22    fixed by any member of the Commission and the surety or
23    sureties of the bond shall be approved by the clerk of the
24    court.
25        (C) The acceptance by the clerk of the Circuit Court of
26    the collateral or guarantee shall constitute evidence of

 

 

SB2942- 24 -LRB099 19223 JLS 43615 b

1    the Circuit Court's approval of the collateral or
2    guarantee.
3        (D) If an insurance policy or certificate of
4    self-insurance is filed as collateral or guarantee, the
5    party respondent has 20 days in which to object, and if
6    said objection is sustained, the party so filing the
7    insurance policy or certificate of self-insurance shall
8    have 10 days to cure the defect or otherwise file another
9    appropriate form of collateral or guarantee. If no
10    objection is filed within the 20 days, all objections are
11    waived.
12        (E) On motion supported by good cause made within the
13    timeframe for the commencement of proceedings or within any
14    extension granted pursuant to this subsection, the time for
15    filing and approval of the collateral or guarantee may be
16    extended by the Circuit Court, but the total extensions of
17    time granted by the Circuit Court may not aggregate more
18    than 45 days from the original due date unless the parties
19    otherwise stipulate in writing. The motion must be
20    presented to the Circuit Court at the time of filing the
21    judicial review and called for hearing and ruled upon by
22    the court within 10 days thereafter.
23        (F) No county, city, town, township, incorporated
24    village, school district, body politic or municipal
25    corporation against whom the Commission shall have
26    rendered an award for the payment of money shall be

 

 

SB2942- 25 -LRB099 19223 JLS 43615 b

1    required to provide to the Circuit Court collateral or
2    guarantee of payment of an award for commencement of
3    judicial review.
4        (G) The Treasurer's Office shall not be required to
5    post a bond when appealing on behalf of the Injured
6    Workers' Benefit Fund.
7        (2) No such summons shall issue unless the one against
8    whom the Commission shall have rendered an award for the
9    payment of money shall upon the filing of his written
10    request for such summons file with the clerk of the court a
11    bond conditioned that if he shall not successfully
12    prosecute the review, he will pay the award and the costs
13    of the proceedings in the courts. The amount of the bond
14    shall be fixed by any member of the Commission and the
15    surety or sureties of the bond shall be approved by the
16    clerk of the court. The acceptance of the bond by the clerk
17    of the court shall constitute evidence of his approval of
18    the bond.
19        Every county, city, town, township, incorporated
20    village, school district, body politic or municipal
21    corporation against whom the Commission shall have
22    rendered an award for the payment of money shall not be
23    required to file a bond to secure the payment of the award
24    and the costs of the proceedings in the court to authorize
25    the court to issue such summons.
26        The court may confirm or set aside the decision of the

 

 

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1    Commission. If the decision is set aside and the facts
2    found in the proceedings before the Commission are
3    sufficient, the court may enter such decision as is
4    justified by law, or may remand the cause to the Commission
5    for further proceedings and may state the questions
6    requiring further hearing, and give such other
7    instructions as may be proper. Appeals shall be taken to
8    the Appellate Court in accordance with Supreme Court Rules
9    22(g) and 303. Appeals shall be taken from the Appellate
10    Court to the Supreme Court in accordance with Supreme Court
11    Rule 315.
12    (9) Clerk duties. It shall be the duty of the clerk of any
13court rendering a decision affecting or affirming an award of
14the Commission to promptly furnish the Commission with a copy
15of such decision, without charge.
16    (10) Further appellate review.
17        (A) Appellate Court. Appeals shall be taken to the
18    Appellate Court, Workers' Compensation Commission
19    Division, in accordance with Supreme Court Rules 22(i) and
20    303.
21        (B) Supreme Court. Appeals shall be taken from the
22    Appellate Court to the Supreme Court in accordance with
23    Supreme Court Rule 315(a). A petition for leave to appeal
24    from a judgment of the 5-judge panel of the Appellate Court
25    designated to hear and decide cases involving review of
26    Commission orders shall not require certification by the

 

 

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1    Appellate Court and shall be filed within the time allowed
2    for filing a petition for rehearing in accordance with
3    Supreme Court Rule 315(b), as with all civil appeals not
4    involving workers' compensation appeals.
5        (C) Appeals from proceedings under subsection (g). All
6    appeals from Circuit Court proceedings brought pursuant to
7    subsection (g) shall be filed with or transferred to the
8    Appellate Court, Workers' Compensation Commission
9    Division, as established by Illinois Supreme Court Rule
10    22(i).
11    The changes made to this subsection (f) by this amendatory
12Act of the 99th General Assembly apply to appeals filed in
13Circuit Court after the effective date of this amendatory Act
14of the 99th General Assembly. The decision of a majority of the
15members of the panel of the Commission, shall be considered the
16decision of the Commission.
17    (g) Except in the case of a claim against the State of
18Illinois, either party may present a certified copy of the
19award of the Arbitrator, or a certified copy of the decision of
20the Commission when the same has become final, when no
21proceedings for review are pending, providing for the payment
22of compensation according to this Act, to the Circuit Court of
23the county in which such accident occurred or either of the
24parties are residents, whereupon the court shall enter a
25judgment in accordance therewith. In a case where the employer
26refuses to pay compensation according to such final award or

 

 

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1such final decision upon which such judgment is entered the
2court shall in entering judgment thereon, tax as costs against
3him the reasonable costs and attorney fees in the arbitration
4proceedings and in the court entering the judgment for the
5person in whose favor the judgment is entered, which judgment
6and costs taxed as therein provided shall, until and unless set
7aside, have the same effect as though duly entered in an action
8duly tried and determined by the court, and shall with like
9effect, be entered and docketed. The Circuit Court shall have
10power at any time upon application to make any such judgment
11conform to any modification required by any subsequent decision
12of the Supreme Court upon appeal, or as the result of any
13subsequent proceedings for review, as provided in this Act.
14    Judgment shall not be entered until 15 days' notice of the
15time and place of the application for the entry of judgment
16shall be served upon the employer by filing such notice with
17the Commission, which Commission shall, in case it has on file
18the address of the employer or the name and address of its
19agent upon whom notices may be served, immediately send a copy
20of the notice to the employer or such designated agent.
21    (h) An agreement or award under this Act providing for
22compensation in installments, may at any time within 18 months
23after such agreement or award be reviewed by the Commission at
24the request of either the employer or the employee, on the
25ground that the disability of the employee has subsequently
26recurred, increased, diminished or ended.

 

 

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1    However, as to accidents occurring subsequent to July 1,
21955, which are covered by any agreement or award under this
3Act providing for compensation in installments made as a result
4of such accident, such agreement or award may at any time
5within 30 months, or 60 months in the case of an award under
6Section 8(d)1, after such agreement or award be reviewed by the
7Commission at the request of either the employer or the
8employee on the ground that the disability of the employee has
9subsequently recurred, increased, diminished or ended.
10    On such review, compensation payments may be
11re-established, increased, diminished or ended. The Commission
12shall give 15 days' notice to the parties of the hearing for
13review. Any employee, upon any petition for such review being
14filed by the employer, shall be entitled to one day's notice
15for each 100 miles necessary to be traveled by him in attending
16the hearing of the Commission upon the petition, and 3 days in
17addition thereto. Such employee shall, at the discretion of the
18Commission, also be entitled to 5 cents per mile necessarily
19traveled by him within the State of Illinois in attending such
20hearing, not to exceed a distance of 300 miles, to be taxed by
21the Commission as costs and deposited with the petition of the
22employer.
23    When compensation which is payable in accordance with an
24award or settlement contract approved by the Commission, is
25ordered paid in a lump sum by the Commission, no review shall
26be had as in this paragraph mentioned.

 

 

SB2942- 30 -LRB099 19223 JLS 43615 b

1    (i) Each party, upon taking any proceedings or steps
2whatsoever before any Arbitrator, Commission or court, shall
3file with the Commission his address, or the name and address
4of any agent upon whom all notices to be given to such party
5shall be served, either personally or by registered mail,
6addressed to such party or agent at the last address so filed
7with the Commission. In the event such party has not filed his
8address, or the name and address of an agent as above provided,
9service of any notice may be had by filing such notice with the
10Commission.
11    (j) Whenever in any proceeding testimony has been taken or
12a final decision has been rendered and after the taking of such
13testimony or after such decision has become final, the injured
14employee dies, then in any subsequent proceedings brought by
15the personal representative or beneficiaries of the deceased
16employee, such testimony in the former proceeding may be
17introduced with the same force and effect as though the witness
18having so testified were present in person in such subsequent
19proceedings and such final decision, if any, shall be taken as
20final adjudication of any of the issues which are the same in
21both proceedings.
22    (k) In case where there has been any unreasonable or
23vexatious delay of payment or intentional underpayment of
24compensation, or proceedings have been instituted or carried on
25by the one liable to pay the compensation, which do not present
26a real controversy, but are merely frivolous or for delay, then

 

 

SB2942- 31 -LRB099 19223 JLS 43615 b

1the Commission may award compensation additional to that
2otherwise payable under this Act equal to 50% of the amount
3payable at the time of such award. Failure to pay compensation
4in accordance with the provisions of Section 8, paragraph (b)
5of this Act, shall be considered unreasonable delay.
6    When determining whether this subsection (k) shall apply,
7the Commission shall consider whether an Arbitrator has
8determined that the claim is not compensable or whether the
9employer has made payments under Section 8(j).
10    (l) If the employee has made written demand for payment of
11benefits under Section 8(a) or Section 8(b), the employer shall
12have 14 days after receipt of the demand to set forth in
13writing the reason for the delay. In the case of demand for
14payment of medical benefits under Section 8(a), the time for
15the employer to respond shall not commence until the expiration
16of the allotted 30 days specified under Section 8.2(d). In case
17the employer or his or her insurance carrier shall without good
18and just cause fail, neglect, refuse, or unreasonably delay the
19payment of benefits under Section 8(a) or Section 8(b), the
20Arbitrator or the Commission shall allow to the employee
21additional compensation in the sum of $30 per day for each day
22that the benefits under Section 8(a) or Section 8(b) have been
23so withheld or refused, not to exceed $10,000. A delay in
24payment of 14 days or more shall create a rebuttable
25presumption of unreasonable delay.
26    (m) If the commission finds that an accidental injury was

 

 

SB2942- 32 -LRB099 19223 JLS 43615 b

1directly and proximately caused by the employer's wilful
2violation of a health and safety standard under the Health and
3Safety Act or the Occupational Safety and Health Act in force
4at the time of the accident, the arbitrator or the Commission
5shall allow to the injured employee or his dependents, as the
6case may be, additional compensation equal to 25% of the amount
7which otherwise would be payable under the provisions of this
8Act exclusive of this paragraph. The additional compensation
9herein provided shall be allowed by an appropriate increase in
10the applicable weekly compensation rate.
11    (n) After June 30, 1984, decisions of the Illinois Workers'
12Compensation Commission reviewing an award of an arbitrator of
13the Commission shall draw interest at a rate equal to the yield
14on indebtedness issued by the United States Government with a
1526-week maturity next previously auctioned on the day on which
16the decision is filed. Said rate of interest shall be set forth
17in the Arbitrator's Decision. Interest shall be drawn from the
18date of the arbitrator's award on all accrued compensation due
19the employee through the day prior to the date of payments.
20However, when an employee appeals an award of an Arbitrator or
21the Commission, and the appeal results in no change or a
22decrease in the award, interest shall not further accrue from
23the date of such appeal.
24    The employer or his insurance carrier may tender the
25payments due under the award to stop the further accrual of
26interest on such award notwithstanding the prosecution by

 

 

SB2942- 33 -LRB099 19223 JLS 43615 b

1either party of review, certiorari, appeal to the Supreme Court
2or other steps to reverse, vacate or modify the award.
3    (o) By the 15th day of each month each insurer providing
4coverage for losses under this Act shall notify each insured
5employer of any compensable claim incurred during the preceding
6month and the amounts paid or reserved on the claim including a
7summary of the claim and a brief statement of the reasons for
8compensability. A cumulative report of all claims incurred
9during a calendar year or continued from the previous year
10shall be furnished to the insured employer by the insurer
11within 30 days after the end of that calendar year.
12    The insured employer may challenge, in proceeding before
13the Commission, payments made by the insurer without
14arbitration and payments made after a case is determined to be
15noncompensable. If the Commission finds that the case was not
16compensable, the insurer shall purge its records as to that
17employer of any loss or expense associated with the claim,
18reimburse the employer for attorneys' fees arising from the
19challenge and for any payment required of the employer to the
20Rate Adjustment Fund or the Second Injury Fund, and may not
21reflect the loss or expense for rate making purposes. The
22employee shall not be required to refund the challenged
23payment. The decision of the Commission may be reviewed in the
24same manner as in arbitrated cases. No challenge may be
25initiated under this paragraph more than 3 years after the
26payment is made. An employer may waive the right of challenge

 

 

SB2942- 34 -LRB099 19223 JLS 43615 b

1under this paragraph on a case by case basis.
2    (p) After filing an application for adjustment of claim but
3prior to the hearing on arbitration the parties may voluntarily
4agree to submit such application for adjustment of claim for
5decision by an arbitrator under this subsection (p) where such
6application for adjustment of claim raises only a dispute over
7temporary total disability, permanent partial disability or
8medical expenses. Such agreement shall be in writing in such
9form as provided by the Commission. Applications for adjustment
10of claim submitted for decision by an arbitrator under this
11subsection (p) shall proceed according to rule as established
12by the Commission. The Commission shall promulgate rules
13including, but not limited to, rules to ensure that the parties
14are adequately informed of their rights under this subsection
15(p) and of the voluntary nature of proceedings under this
16subsection (p). The findings of fact made by an arbitrator
17acting within his or her powers under this subsection (p) in
18the absence of fraud shall be conclusive. However, the
19arbitrator may on his own motion, or the motion of either
20party, correct any clerical errors or errors in computation
21within 15 days after the date of receipt of such award of the
22arbitrator and shall have the power to recall the original
23award on arbitration, and issue in lieu thereof such corrected
24award. The decision of the arbitrator under this subsection (p)
25shall be considered the decision of the Commission and
26proceedings for review of questions of law arising from the

 

 

SB2942- 35 -LRB099 19223 JLS 43615 b

1decision may be commenced by either party pursuant to
2subsection (f) of Section 19. The Advisory Board established
3under Section 13.1 shall compile a list of certified Commission
4arbitrators, each of whom shall be approved by at least 7
5members of the Advisory Board. The chairman shall select 5
6persons from such list to serve as arbitrators under this
7subsection (p). By agreement, the parties shall select one
8arbitrator from among the 5 persons selected by the chairman
9except that if the parties do not agree on an arbitrator from
10among the 5 persons, the parties may, by agreement, select an
11arbitrator of the American Arbitration Association, whose fee
12shall be paid by the State in accordance with rules promulgated
13by the Commission. Arbitration under this subsection (p) shall
14be voluntary.
15(Source: P.A. 97-18, eff. 6-28-11; 98-40, eff. 6-28-13; 98-874,
16eff. 1-1-15.)
 
17    Section 10. The Workers' Occupational Diseases Act is
18amended by changing Section 19 as follows:
 
19    (820 ILCS 310/19)  (from Ch. 48, par. 172.54)
20    Sec. 19. Any disputed questions of law or fact shall be
21determined as herein provided.
22    (a) It shall be the duty of the Commission upon
23notification that the parties have failed to reach an agreement
24to designate an Arbitrator.

 

 

SB2942- 36 -LRB099 19223 JLS 43615 b

1        (1) The application for adjustment of claim filed with
2    the Commission shall state:
3            A. The approximate date of the last day of the last
4        exposure and the approximate date of the disablement.
5            B. The general nature and character of the illness
6        or disease claimed.
7            C. The name and address of the employer by whom
8        employed on the last day of the last exposure and if
9        employed by any other employer after such last exposure
10        and before disablement the name and address of such
11        other employer or employers.
12            D. In case of death, the date and place of death.
13        (2) Amendments to applications for adjustment of claim
14    which relate to the same disablement or disablement
15    resulting in death originally claimed upon may be allowed
16    by the Commissioner or an Arbitrator thereof, in their
17    discretion, and in the exercise of such discretion, they
18    may in proper cases order a trial de novo; such amendment
19    shall relate back to the date of the filing of the original
20    application so amended.
21        (3) Whenever any claimant misconceives his remedy and
22    files an application for adjustment of claim under this Act
23    and it is subsequently discovered, at any time before final
24    disposition of such cause, that the claim for disability or
25    death which was the basis for such application should
26    properly have been made under the Workers' Compensation

 

 

SB2942- 37 -LRB099 19223 JLS 43615 b

1    Act, then the provisions of Section 19 paragraph (a-1) of
2    the Workers' Compensation Act having reference to such
3    application shall apply.
4        Whenever any claimant misconceives his remedy and
5    files an application for adjustment of claim under the
6    Workers' Compensation Act and it is subsequently
7    discovered, at any time before final disposition of such
8    cause that the claim for injury or death which was the
9    basis for such application should properly have been made
10    under this Act, then the application so filed under the
11    Workers' Compensation Act may be amended in form, substance
12    or both to assert claim for such disability or death under
13    this Act and it shall be deemed to have been so filed as
14    amended on the date of the original filing thereof, and
15    such compensation may be awarded as is warranted by the
16    whole evidence pursuant to the provisions of this Act. When
17    such amendment is submitted, further or additional
18    evidence may be heard by the Arbitrator or Commission when
19    deemed necessary; provided, that nothing in this Section
20    contained shall be construed to be or permit a waiver of
21    any provisions of this Act with reference to notice, but
22    notice if given shall be deemed to be a notice under the
23    provisions of this Act if given within the time required
24    herein.
25    (b) The Arbitrator shall make such inquiries and
26investigations as he shall deem necessary and may examine and

 

 

SB2942- 38 -LRB099 19223 JLS 43615 b

1inspect all books, papers, records, places, or premises
2relating to the questions in dispute and hear such proper
3evidence as the parties may submit.
4    The hearings before the Arbitrator shall be held in the
5vicinity where the last exposure occurred, after 10 days'
6notice of the time and place of such hearing shall have been
7given to each of the parties or their attorneys of record.
8    The Arbitrator may find that the disabling condition is
9temporary and has not yet reached a permanent condition and may
10order the payment of compensation up to the date of the
11hearing, which award shall be reviewable and enforceable in the
12same manner as other awards, and in no instance be a bar to a
13further hearing and determination of a further amount of
14temporary total compensation or of compensation for permanent
15disability, but shall be conclusive as to all other questions
16except the nature and extent of such disability.
17    The decision of the Arbitrator shall be filed with the
18Commission which Commission shall immediately send to each
19party or his attorney a copy of such decision, together with a
20notification of the time when it was filed. As of the effective
21date of this amendatory Act of the 94th General Assembly, all
22decisions of the Arbitrator shall set forth in writing findings
23of fact and conclusions of law, separately stated, if requested
24by either party. Unless a petition for review is filed by
25either party within 30 days after the receipt by such party of
26the copy of the decision and notification of time when filed,

 

 

SB2942- 39 -LRB099 19223 JLS 43615 b

1and unless such party petitioning for a review shall within 35
2days after the receipt by him of the copy of the decision, file
3with the Commission either an agreed statement of the facts
4appearing upon the hearing before the Arbitrator, or if such
5party shall so elect a correct transcript of evidence of the
6proceedings at such hearings, then the decision shall become
7the decision of the Commission and in the absence of fraud
8shall be conclusive. The Petition for Review shall contain a
9statement of the petitioning party's specific exceptions to the
10decision of the arbitrator. The jurisdiction of the Commission
11to review the decision of the arbitrator shall not be limited
12to the exceptions stated in the Petition for Review. The
13Commission, or any member thereof, may grant further time not
14exceeding 30 days, in which to file such agreed statement or
15transcript of evidence. Such agreed statement of facts or
16correct transcript of evidence, as the case may be, shall be
17authenticated by the signatures of the parties or their
18attorneys, and in the event they do not agree as to the
19correctness of the transcript of evidence it shall be
20authenticated by the signature of the Arbitrator designated by
21the Commission.
22    Whether the employee is working or not, if the employee is
23not receiving or has not received medical, surgical, or
24hospital services or other services or compensation as provided
25in paragraph (a) of Section 8 of the Workers' Compensation Act,
26or compensation as provided in paragraph (b) of Section 8 of

 

 

SB2942- 40 -LRB099 19223 JLS 43615 b

1the Workers' Compensation Act, the employee may at any time
2petition for an expedited hearing by an Arbitrator on the issue
3of whether or not he or she is entitled to receive payment of
4the services or compensation. Provided the employer continues
5to pay compensation pursuant to paragraph (b) of Section 8 of
6the Workers' Compensation Act, the employer may at any time
7petition for an expedited hearing on the issue of whether or
8not the employee is entitled to receive medical, surgical, or
9hospital services or other services or compensation as provided
10in paragraph (a) of Section 8 of the Workers' Compensation Act,
11or compensation as provided in paragraph (b) of Section 8 of
12the Workers' Compensation Act. When an employer has petitioned
13for an expedited hearing, the employer shall continue to pay
14compensation as provided in paragraph (b) of Section 8 of the
15Workers' Compensation Act unless the arbitrator renders a
16decision that the employee is not entitled to the benefits that
17are the subject of the expedited hearing or unless the
18employee's treating physician has released the employee to
19return to work at his or her regular job with the employer or
20the employee actually returns to work at any other job. If the
21arbitrator renders a decision that the employee is not entitled
22to the benefits that are the subject of the expedited hearing,
23a petition for review filed by the employee shall receive the
24same priority as if the employee had filed a petition for an
25expedited hearing by an arbitrator. Neither party shall be
26entitled to an expedited hearing when the employee has returned

 

 

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1to work and the sole issue in dispute amounts to less than 12
2weeks of unpaid compensation pursuant to paragraph (b) of
3Section 8 of the Workers' Compensation Act.
4    Expedited hearings shall have priority over all other
5petitions and shall be heard by the Arbitrator and Commission
6with all convenient speed. Any party requesting an expedited
7hearing shall give notice of a request for an expedited hearing
8under this paragraph. A copy of the Application for Adjustment
9of Claim shall be attached to the notice. The Commission shall
10adopt rules and procedures under which the final decision of
11the Commission under this paragraph is filed not later than 180
12days from the date that the Petition for Review is filed with
13the Commission.
14    Where 2 or more insurance carriers, private self-insureds,
15or a group workers' compensation pool under Article V 3/4 of
16the Illinois Insurance Code dispute coverage for the same
17disease, any such insurance carrier, private self-insured, or
18group workers' compensation pool may request an expedited
19hearing pursuant to this paragraph to determine the issue of
20coverage, provided coverage is the only issue in dispute and
21all other issues are stipulated and agreed to and further
22provided that all compensation benefits including medical
23benefits pursuant to Section 8(a) of the Workers' Compensation
24Act continue to be paid to or on behalf of petitioner. Any
25insurance carrier, private self-insured, or group workers'
26compensation pool that is determined to be liable for coverage

 

 

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1for the disease in issue shall reimburse any insurance carrier,
2private self-insured, or group workers' compensation pool that
3has paid benefits to or on behalf of petitioner for the
4disease.
5    (b-1) If the employee is not receiving, pursuant to Section
67, medical, surgical or hospital services of the type provided
7for in paragraph (a) of Section 8 of the Workers' Compensation
8Act or compensation of the type provided for in paragraph (b)
9of Section 8 of the Workers' Compensation Act, the employee, in
10accordance with Commission Rules, may file a petition for an
11emergency hearing by an Arbitrator on the issue of whether or
12not he is entitled to receive payment of such compensation or
13services as provided therein. Such petition shall have priority
14over all other petitions and shall be heard by the Arbitrator
15and Commission with all convenient speed.
16    Such petition shall contain the following information and
17shall be served on the employer at least 15 days before it is
18filed:
19        (i) the date and approximate time of the last exposure;
20        (ii) the approximate location of the last exposure;
21        (iii) a description of the last exposure;
22        (iv) the nature of the disability incurred by the
23    employee;
24        (v) the identity of the person, if known, to whom the
25    disability was reported and the date on which it was
26    reported;

 

 

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1        (vi) the name and title of the person, if known,
2    representing the employer with whom the employee conferred
3    in any effort to obtain pursuant to Section 7 compensation
4    of the type provided for in paragraph (b) of Section 8 of
5    the Workers' Compensation Act or medical, surgical or
6    hospital services of the type provided for in paragraph (a)
7    of Section 8 of the Workers' Compensation Act and the date
8    of such conference;
9        (vii) a statement that the employer has refused to pay
10    compensation pursuant to Section 7 of the type provided for
11    in paragraph (b) of Section 8 of the Workers' Compensation
12    Act or for medical, surgical or hospital services pursuant
13    to Section 7 of the type provided for in paragraph (a) of
14    Section 8 of the Workers' Compensation Act;
15        (viii) the name and address, if known, of each witness
16    to the last exposure and of each other person upon whom the
17    employee will rely to support his allegations;
18        (ix) the dates of treatment related to the disability
19    by medical practitioners, and the names and addresses of
20    such practitioners, including the dates of treatment
21    related to the disability at any hospitals and the names
22    and addresses of such hospitals, and a signed authorization
23    permitting the employer to examine all medical records of
24    all practitioners and hospitals named pursuant to this
25    paragraph;
26        (x) a copy of a signed report by a medical

 

 

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1    practitioner, relating to the employee's current inability
2    to return to work because of the disability incurred as a
3    result of the exposure or such other documents or
4    affidavits which show that the employee is entitled to
5    receive pursuant to Section 7 compensation of the type
6    provided for in paragraph (b) of Section 8 of the Workers'
7    Compensation Act or medical, surgical or hospital services
8    of the type provided for in paragraph (a) of Section 8 of
9    the Workers' Compensation Act. Such reports, documents or
10    affidavits shall state, if possible, the history of the
11    exposure given by the employee, and describe the disability
12    and medical diagnosis, the medical services for such
13    disability which the employee has received and is
14    receiving, the physical activities which the employee
15    cannot currently perform as a result of such disability,
16    and the prognosis for recovery;
17        (xi) complete copies of any reports, records,
18    documents and affidavits in the possession of the employee
19    on which the employee will rely to support his allegations,
20    provided that the employer shall pay the reasonable cost of
21    reproduction thereof;
22        (xii) a list of any reports, records, documents and
23    affidavits which the employee has demanded by subpoena and
24    on which he intends to rely to support his allegations;
25        (xiii) a certification signed by the employee or his
26    representative that the employer has received the petition

 

 

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1    with the required information 15 days before filing.
2    Fifteen days after receipt by the employer of the petition
3with the required information the employee may file said
4petition and required information and shall serve notice of the
5filing upon the employer. The employer may file a motion
6addressed to the sufficiency of the petition. If an objection
7has been filed to the sufficiency of the petition, the
8arbitrator shall rule on the objection within 2 working days.
9If such an objection is filed, the time for filing the final
10decision of the Commission as provided in this paragraph shall
11be tolled until the arbitrator has determined that the petition
12is sufficient.
13    The employer shall, within 15 days after receipt of the
14notice that such petition is filed, file with the Commission
15and serve on the employee or his representative a written
16response to each claim set forth in the petition, including the
17legal and factual basis for each disputed allegation and the
18following information: (i) complete copies of any reports,
19records, documents and affidavits in the possession of the
20employer on which the employer intends to rely in support of
21his response, (ii) a list of any reports, records, documents
22and affidavits which the employer has demanded by subpoena and
23on which the employer intends to rely in support of his
24response, (iii) the name and address of each witness on whom
25the employer will rely to support his response, and (iv) the
26names and addresses of any medical practitioners selected by

 

 

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1the employer pursuant to Section 12 of this Act and the time
2and place of any examination scheduled to be made pursuant to
3such Section.
4    Any employer who does not timely file and serve a written
5response without good cause may not introduce any evidence to
6dispute any claim of the employee but may cross examine the
7employee or any witness brought by the employee and otherwise
8be heard.
9    No document or other evidence not previously identified by
10either party with the petition or written response, or by any
11other means before the hearing, may be introduced into evidence
12without good cause. If, at the hearing, material information is
13discovered which was not previously disclosed, the Arbitrator
14may extend the time for closing proof on the motion of a party
15for a reasonable period of time which may be more than 30 days.
16No evidence may be introduced pursuant to this paragraph as to
17permanent disability. No award may be entered for permanent
18disability pursuant to this paragraph. Either party may
19introduce into evidence the testimony taken by deposition of
20any medical practitioner.
21    The Commission shall adopt rules, regulations and
22procedures whereby the final decision of the Commission is
23filed not later than 90 days from the date the petition for
24review is filed but in no event later than 180 days from the
25date the petition for an emergency hearing is filed with the
26Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission.

 

 

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1    All service required pursuant to this paragraph (b-1) must
2be by personal service or by certified mail and with evidence
3of receipt. In addition, for the purposes of this paragraph,
4all service on the employer must be at the premises where the
5accident occurred if the premises are owned or operated by the
6employer. Otherwise service must be at the employee's principal
7place of employment by the employer. If service on the employer
8is not possible at either of the above, then service shall be
9at the employer's principal place of business. After initial
10service in each case, service shall be made on the employer's
11attorney or designated representative.
12    (c)(1) At a reasonable time in advance of and in connection
13with the hearing under Section 19(e) or 19(h), the Commission
14may on its own motion order an impartial physical or mental
15examination of a petitioner whose mental or physical condition
16is in issue, when in the Commission's discretion it appears
17that such an examination will materially aid in the just
18determination of the case. The examination shall be made by a
19member or members of a panel of physicians chosen for their
20special qualifications by the Illinois State Medical Society.
21The Commission shall establish procedures by which a physician
22shall be selected from such list.
23    (2) Should the Commission at any time during the hearing
24find that compelling considerations make it advisable to have
25an examination and report at that time, the Commission may in
26its discretion so order.

 

 

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1    (3) A copy of the report of examination shall be given to
2the Commission and to the attorneys for the parties.
3    (4) Either party or the Commission may call the examining
4physician or physicians to testify. Any physician so called
5shall be subject to cross-examination.
6    (5) The examination shall be made, and the physician or
7physicians, if called, shall testify, without cost to the
8parties. The Commission shall determine the compensation and
9the pay of the physician or physicians. The compensation for
10this service shall not exceed the usual and customary amount
11for such service.
12    The fees and payment thereof of all attorneys and
13physicians for services authorized by the Commission under this
14Act shall, upon request of either the employer or the employee
15or the beneficiary affected, be subject to the review and
16decision of the Commission.
17    (d) If any employee shall persist in insanitary or
18injurious practices which tend to either imperil or retard his
19recovery or shall refuse to submit to such medical, surgical,
20or hospital treatment as is reasonably essential to promote his
21recovery, the Commission may, in its discretion, reduce or
22suspend the compensation of any such employee; provided, that
23when an employer and employee so agree in writing, the
24foregoing provision shall not be construed to authorize the
25reduction or suspension of compensation of an employee who is
26relying in good faith, on treatment by prayer or spiritual

 

 

SB2942- 49 -LRB099 19223 JLS 43615 b

1means alone, in accordance with the tenets and practice of a
2recognized church or religious denomination, by a duly
3accredited practitioner thereof.
4    (e) This paragraph shall apply to all hearings before the
5Commission. Such hearings may be held in its office or
6elsewhere as the Commission may deem advisable. The taking of
7testimony on such hearings may be had before any member of the
8Commission. If a petition for review and agreed statement of
9facts or transcript of evidence is filed, as provided herein,
10the Commission shall promptly review the decision of the
11Arbitrator and all questions of law or fact which appear from
12the statement of facts or transcripts of evidence. In all cases
13in which the hearing before the arbitrator is held after the
14effective date of this amendatory Act of 1989, no additional
15evidence shall be introduced by the parties before the
16Commission on review of the decision of the Arbitrator. The
17Commission shall file in its office its decision thereon, and
18shall immediately send to each party or his attorney a copy of
19such decision and a notification of the time when it was filed.
20Decisions shall be filed within 60 days after the Statement of
21Exceptions and Supporting Brief and Response thereto are
22required to be filed or oral argument whichever is later.
23    In the event either party requests oral argument, such
24argument shall be had before a panel of 3 members of the
25Commission (or before all available members pursuant to the
26determination of 7 members of the Commission that such argument

 

 

SB2942- 50 -LRB099 19223 JLS 43615 b

1be held before all available members of the Commission)
2pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Commission. A
3panel of 3 members, which shall be comprised of not more than
4one representative citizen of the employing class and not more
5than one representative citizen of the employee class, shall
6hear the argument; provided that if all the issues in dispute
7are solely the nature and extent of the permanent partial
8disability, if any, a majority of the panel may deny the
9request for such argument and such argument shall not be held;
10and provided further that 7 members of the Commission may
11determine that the argument be held before all available
12members of the Commission. A decision of the Commission shall
13be approved by a majority of Commissioners present at such
14hearing if any; provided, if no such hearing is held, a
15decision of the Commission shall be approved by a majority of a
16panel of 3 members of the Commission as described in this
17Section. The Commission shall give 10 days' notice to the
18parties or their attorneys of the time and place of such taking
19of testimony and of such argument.
20    In any case the Commission in its decision may in its
21discretion find specially upon any question or questions of law
22or facts which shall be submitted in writing by either party
23whether ultimate or otherwise; provided that on issues other
24than nature and extent of the disablement, if any, the
25Commission in its decision shall find specially upon any
26question or questions of law or fact, whether ultimate or

 

 

SB2942- 51 -LRB099 19223 JLS 43615 b

1otherwise, which are submitted in writing by either party;
2provided further that not more than 5 such questions may be
3submitted by either party. Any party may, within 20 days after
4receipt of notice of the Commission's decision, or within such
5further time, not exceeding 30 days, as the Commission may
6grant, file with the Commission either an agreed statement of
7the facts appearing upon the hearing, or, if such party shall
8so elect, a correct transcript of evidence of the additional
9proceedings presented before the Commission in which report the
10party may embody a correct statement of such other proceedings
11in the case as such party may desire to have reviewed, such
12statement of facts or transcript of evidence to be
13authenticated by the signature of the parties or their
14attorneys, and in the event that they do not agree, then the
15authentication of such transcript of evidence shall be by the
16signature of any member of the Commission.
17    If a reporter does not for any reason furnish a transcript
18of the proceedings before the Arbitrator in any case for use on
19a hearing for review before the Commission, within the
20limitations of time as fixed in this Section, the Commission
21may, in its discretion, order a trial de novo before the
22Commission in such case upon application of either party. The
23applications for adjustment of claim and other documents in the
24nature of pleadings filed by either party, together with the
25decisions of the Arbitrator and of the Commission and the
26statement of facts or transcript of evidence hereinbefore

 

 

SB2942- 52 -LRB099 19223 JLS 43615 b

1provided for in paragraphs (b) and (c) shall be the record of
2the proceedings of the Commission, and shall be subject to
3review as hereinafter provided.
4    At the request of either party or on its own motion, the
5Commission shall set forth in writing the reasons for the
6decision, including findings of fact and conclusions of law,
7separately stated. The Commission shall by rule adopt a format
8for written decisions for the Commission and arbitrators. The
9written decisions shall be concise and shall succinctly state
10the facts and reasons for the decision. The Commission may
11adopt in whole or in part, the decision of the arbitrator as
12the decision of the Commission. When the Commission does so
13adopt the decision of the arbitrator, it shall do so by order.
14Whenever the Commission adopts part of the arbitrator's
15decision, but not all, it shall include in the order the
16reasons for not adopting all of the arbitrator's decision. When
17a majority of a panel, after deliberation, has arrived at its
18decision, the decision shall be filed as provided in this
19Section without unnecessary delay, and without regard to the
20fact that a member of the panel has expressed an intention to
21dissent. Any member of the panel may file a dissent. Any
22dissent shall be filed no later than 10 days after the decision
23of the majority has been filed.
24    Decisions rendered by the Commission after the effective
25date of this amendatory Act of 1980 and dissents, if any, shall
26be published together by the Commission. The conclusions of law

 

 

SB2942- 53 -LRB099 19223 JLS 43615 b

1set out in such decisions shall be regarded as precedents by
2arbitrators, for the purpose of achieving a more uniform
3administration of this Act.
4    (f)(1) General powers. The decision of the Commission
5acting within its powers, according to the provisions of
6paragraph (e) of this Section shall, in the absence of fraud,
7be conclusive unless reviewed as in this paragraph hereinafter
8provided. The decision of a majority of the members of the
9panel of the Commission shall be considered the decision of the
10Commission.
11    The court may confirm or set aside the decision of the
12Commission. If the decision is set aside and the facts found in
13the proceedings before the Commission are sufficient, the court
14may enter such decision as is justified by law or may remand
15the cause to the Commission for further proceedings and may
16state the questions requiring further hearing and give such
17other instructions as may be proper.
18    (2) Petitions to recall. However, the Arbitrator or the
19Commission may on his or its own motion, or on the motion of
20either party, correct any clerical error or errors in
21computation within 21 15 days after the date of receipt of any
22award by such Arbitrator or any decision on review of the
23Commission, and shall have the power to recall the original
24award on arbitration or decision on review, and issue in lieu
25thereof such corrected award or decision.
26        (A) Where such motion correction is filed, made the

 

 

SB2942- 54 -LRB099 19223 JLS 43615 b

1    time for review herein specified shall begin to run from
2    the date of the receipt of the corrected award or decision.
3        (B) If a party chooses to file a motion to recall under
4    this subsection in lieu of filing a petition for review or
5    judicial review, the time for filing the judicial review
6    shall commence upon the receipt of the arbitrator's or
7    Commission's disposition of the motion to recall.
8        (C) If a Circuit Court appeal has already been filed
9    when a motion under this subsection is filed, the Circuit
10    Court case is stayed pending the Commission's ruling on the
11    motion to recall. If the motion to recall is denied by the
12    Commission, a new Circuit Court review need not be filed
13    and any grounds asserted in support of the motion to recall
14    may then be raised in the pending Circuit Court review as
15    grounds for reversal or modification of the Commission's
16    decision.
17        (D) If the Commission grants the motion to recall,
18    recalls the decision, and issues a corrected decision,
19    jurisdiction returns to the Circuit Court pursuant to the
20    pending review. In that proceeding the corrected decision
21    is subject to judicial review. In the event that the amount
22    of collateral and guarantee set by the Commission changes
23    in the corrected decision and the amount is lower than
24    previously set, the previously filed collateral and
25    guarantee need not be replaced. If the amount is higher
26    than previously set, the filing party may substitute the

 

 

SB2942- 55 -LRB099 19223 JLS 43615 b

1    collateral and guarantee in the correct amount in
2    compliance with any deadlines set by the reviewing Court.
3    (3) Claims against the State. Cases involving claims
4against the State of Illinois shall not be subject to judicial
5review.
6    (4) Venue. Venue is proper in the Circuit Court of the
7county where any of the parties defendant reside or may be
8found, or the Circuit Court of the county where the accident
9occurred.
10        (A) The filing of a judicial review in an improper
11    venue shall not be cause for dismissal with prejudice, but
12    shall be transferred to an appropriate venue.
13        (B) If multiple judicial reviews are filed from the
14    Commission's decision to different Circuit Courts because
15    the parties respondent reside in different counties, these
16    proceedings, at the discretion of the Circuit Court, may be
17    consolidated into one judicial review and the employer's
18    previously filed collateral and guarantee shall be valid in
19    either case.
20    (5) Circuit Court powers. The Circuit Court shall, by
21summons issued to the Commission, have power to review all
22questions of law and fact presented by such record. A
23respondent on review is not required to file a notice of cross
24appeal from the Commission's decision to preserve an issue on
25appeal.
26        (1) Except in cases of claims against the State of

 

 

SB2942- 56 -LRB099 19223 JLS 43615 b

1    Illinois, in which case the decision of the Commission
2    shall not be subject to judicial review, the Circuit Court
3    of the county where any of the parties defendant may be
4    found, or if none of the parties defendant be found in this
5    State then the Circuit Court of the county where any of the
6    exposure occurred, shall by summons to the Commission have
7    power to review all questions of law and fact presented by
8    such record.
9    (6) Commencement of the judicial review and summons. A
10proceeding for review shall be commenced within 30 20 days of
11the receipt of notice of the decision of the Commission. The
12Circuit Court is authorized to receive and timely file all
13judicial review documents in accordance with the so-called
14"mailbox rule" adopted by Supreme Court Rule 373.
15         (A) The summons shall be issued by the clerk of such
16    court upon written request returnable on a designated
17    return day, not less than 10 or more than 60 days from the
18    date of issuance thereof. The , and the written request
19    shall contain the last known address of other parties in
20    interest and their attorneys of record who are to be served
21    by summons. Service upon any member of the Commission or
22    the Secretary or the Assistant Secretary thereof shall be
23    service upon the Commission, and service upon other parties
24    in interest and their attorneys of record shall be by
25    summons, and such service shall be made upon the Commission
26    and other parties in interest by mailing notices of the

 

 

SB2942- 57 -LRB099 19223 JLS 43615 b

1    commencement of the proceedings and the return day of the
2    summons to the office of the Commission and to the last
3    known place of residence of other parties in interest or
4    their attorney or attorneys of record.
5        (B) The clerk of the court issuing the summons shall on
6    the day of issuance issue mail notice of the commencement
7    of the proceedings which shall be done by mailing a copy of
8    the summons to the office of the Commission, and a copy of
9    the summons to the other parties in interest or their
10    attorney or attorneys of record. The and the clerk of the
11    court shall make certificate that he has so sent such
12    notices in pursuance of this Section, which shall be
13    evidence of service on the Commission and other parties in
14    interest.
15        (C) If a case has proceeded to the Circuit Court or
16    Appellate Court and that case is remanded back to the
17    Commission for further determinations, any subsequent
18    judicial review filed from the remanded Commission
19    decision shall be filed as a new judicial review, and not
20    part of the original judicial review, and further must
21    independently comply with all requirements of this
22    subsection.
23    (7) Notice of intent to file for Circuit Court review. The
24Commission shall not be required to certify the record of their
25proceedings in the Circuit Court unless the party commencing
26the proceedings for review in the Circuit Court as above

 

 

SB2942- 58 -LRB099 19223 JLS 43615 b

1provided, shall file with the Commission notice of intent to
2file for review in Circuit Court.
3        (A) It shall be the duty of the Commission upon such
4    filing of notice of intent to file for review in Circuit
5    Court to prepare a true and correct copy of such testimony
6    and a true and correct copy of all other matters contained
7    in such record and certified to by the Secretary or
8    Assistant Secretary thereof. The changes made to this
9    subdivision (f)(1) by this amendatory Act of the 98th
10    General Assembly apply to any Commission decision entered
11    after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 98th
12    General Assembly.
13        (B) No request for a summons may be filed and no
14    summons shall issue unless the party seeking to review the
15    decision of the Commission shall exhibit to the clerk of
16    the Circuit Court proof of filing with the Commission of
17    the notice of the intent to file for review in the Circuit
18    Court or an affidavit of the attorney setting forth that
19    notice of intent to file for review in Circuit Court has
20    been given in writing to the Secretary or Assistant
21    Secretary of the Commission.
22    (8) Collateral and guarantee. If the party seeking judicial
23review is the party against whom the Commission rendered an
24award for payment of money, then within the timeframe for the
25commencement of proceedings, the party shall provide to the
26Circuit Court collateral or guarantee of payment of the award

 

 

SB2942- 59 -LRB099 19223 JLS 43615 b

1if such review is not successfully prosecuted.
2        (A) Collateral or guarantee may be provided in the
3    following ways:
4            (i) filing an insurance policy pursuant to Section
5        392.1 of the Illinois Insurance Code;
6            (ii) filing a certificate of self-insurance;
7            (iii) placing sufficient funds in an escrow
8        account; or
9            (iv) filing a bond signed by the employer or any
10        duly designated representative of the employer, and in
11        the event the employer is insured, any representative
12        of the insurer.
13        (B) The amount of the bond, if necessary, shall be
14    fixed by any member of the Commission and the surety or
15    sureties of the bond shall be approved by the clerk of the
16    court.
17        (C) The acceptance by the clerk of the Circuit Court of
18    the collateral or guarantee shall constitute evidence of
19    the Circuit Court's approval of the collateral or
20    guarantee.
21        (D) If an insurance policy or certificate of
22    self-insurance is filed as collateral or guarantee, the
23    party respondent has 20 days in which to object, and if
24    said objection is sustained, the party so filing the
25    insurance policy or certificate of self-insurance shall
26    have 10 days to cure the defect or otherwise file another

 

 

SB2942- 60 -LRB099 19223 JLS 43615 b

1    appropriate form of collateral or guarantee. If no
2    objection is filed within the 20 days, all objections are
3    waived.
4        (E) On motion supported by good cause made within the
5    timeframe for the commencement of proceedings or within any
6    extension granted pursuant to this subsection, the time for
7    filing and approval of the collateral or guarantee may be
8    extended by the Circuit Court, but the total extensions of
9    time granted by the Circuit Court may not aggregate more
10    than 45 days from the original due date unless the parties
11    otherwise stipulate in writing. The motion must be
12    presented to the Circuit Court at the time of filing the
13    judicial review and called for hearing and ruled upon by
14    the court within 10 days thereafter.
15        (F) No county, city, town, township, incorporated
16    village, school district, body politic or municipal
17    corporation against whom the Commission shall have
18    rendered an award for the payment of money shall be
19    required to provide to the Circuit Court collateral or
20    guarantee of payment of an award for commencement of
21    judicial review.
22        (G) The Treasurer's Office shall not be required to
23    post a bond when appealing on behalf of the Injured
24    Workers' Benefit Fund.
25        (2) No such summons shall issue unless the one against
26    whom the Commission shall have rendered an award for the

 

 

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1    payment of money shall upon the filing of his written
2    request for such summons file with the clerk of the court a
3    bond conditioned that if he shall not successfully
4    prosecute the review, he will pay the award and the costs
5    of the proceedings in the court. The amount of the bond
6    shall be fixed by any member of the Commission and the
7    surety or sureties of the bond shall be approved by the
8    clerk of the court. The acceptance of the bond by the clerk
9    of the court shall constitute evidence of his approval of
10    the bond.
11        Every county, city, town, township, incorporated
12    village, school district, body politic or municipal
13    corporation having a population of 500,000 or more against
14    whom the Commission shall have rendered an award for the
15    payment of money shall not be required to file a bond to
16    secure the payment of the award and the costs of the
17    proceedings in the court to authorize the court to issue
18    such summons.
19        The court may confirm or set aside the decision of the
20    Commission. If the decision is set aside and the facts
21    found in the proceedings before the Commission are
22    sufficient, the court may enter such decision as is
23    justified by law, or may remand the cause to the Commission
24    for further proceedings and may state the questions
25    requiring further hearing, and give such other
26    instructions as may be proper. Appeals shall be taken to

 

 

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1    the Appellate Court in accordance with Supreme Court Rules
2    22(g) and 303. Appeals shall be taken from the Appellate
3    Court to the Supreme Court in accordance with Supreme Court
4    Rule 315.
5    (9) Clerk duties. It shall be the duty of the clerk of any
6court rendering a decision affecting or affirming an award of
7the Commission to promptly furnish the Commission with a copy
8of such decision, without charge.
9    (10) Further appellate review.
10        (A) Appellate Court. Appeals shall be taken to the
11    Appellate Court, Workers' Compensation Commission
12    Division, in accordance with Supreme Court Rules 22(i) and
13    303.
14        (B) Supreme Court. Appeals shall be taken from the
15    Appellate Court to the Supreme Court in accordance with
16    Supreme Court Rule 315(a). A petition for leave to appeal
17    from a judgment of the 5-judge panel of the Appellate Court
18    designated to hear and decide cases involving review of
19    Commission orders shall not require certification by the
20    Appellate Court and shall be filed within the time allowed
21    for filing a petition for rehearing in accordance with
22    Supreme Court Rule 315(b), as with all civil appeals not
23    involving workers' compensation appeals.
24        (C) Appeals from proceedings under subsection (g). All
25    appeals from Circuit Court proceedings brought pursuant to
26    subsection (g) shall be filed with or transferred to the

 

 

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1    Appellate Court, Workers' Compensation Commission
2    Division, as established by Illinois Supreme Court Rule
3    22(i).
4    The changes made to this subsection (f) by this amendatory
5Act of the 99th General Assembly apply to appeals filed in
6Circuit Court after the effective date of this amendatory Act
7of the 99th General Assembly. The decision of a majority of the
8members of the panel of the Commission, shall be considered the
9decision of the Commission.
10    (g) Except in the case of a claim against the State of
11Illinois, either party may present a certified copy of the
12award of the Arbitrator, or a certified copy of the decision of
13the Commission when the same has become final, when no
14proceedings for review are pending, providing for the payment
15of compensation according to this Act, to the Circuit Court of
16the county in which such exposure occurred or either of the
17parties are residents, whereupon the court shall enter a
18judgment in accordance therewith. In case where the employer
19refuses to pay compensation according to such final award or
20such final decision upon which such judgment is entered, the
21court shall in entering judgment thereon, tax as costs against
22him the reasonable costs and attorney fees in the arbitration
23proceedings and in the court entering the judgment for the
24person in whose favor the judgment is entered, which judgment
25and costs taxed as herein provided shall, until and unless set
26aside, have the same effect as though duly entered in an action

 

 

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1duly tried and determined by the court, and shall with like
2effect, be entered and docketed. The Circuit Court shall have
3power at any time upon application to make any such judgment
4conform to any modification required by any subsequent decision
5of the Supreme Court upon appeal, or as the result of any
6subsequent proceedings for review, as provided in this Act.
7    Judgment shall not be entered until 15 days' notice of the
8time and place of the application for the entry of judgment
9shall be served upon the employer by filing such notice with
10the Commission, which Commission shall, in case it has on file
11the address of the employer or the name and address of its
12agent upon whom notices may be served, immediately send a copy
13of the notice to the employer or such designated agent.
14    (h) An agreement or award under this Act providing for
15compensation in installments, may at any time within 18 months
16after such agreement or award be reviewed by the Commission at
17the request of either the employer or the employee on the
18ground that the disability of the employee has subsequently
19recurred, increased, diminished or ended.
20    However, as to disablements occurring subsequently to July
211, 1955, which are covered by any agreement or award under this
22Act providing for compensation in installments made as a result
23of such disablement, such agreement or award may at any time
24within 30 months after such agreement or award be reviewed by
25the Commission at the request of either the employer or the
26employee on the ground that the disability of the employee has

 

 

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1subsequently recurred, increased, diminished or ended.
2    On such review compensation payments may be
3re-established, increased, diminished or ended. The Commission
4shall give 15 days' notice to the parties of the hearing for
5review. Any employee, upon any petition for such review being
6filed by the employer, shall be entitled to one day's notice
7for each 100 miles necessary to be traveled by him in attending
8the hearing of the Commission upon the petition, and 3 days in
9addition thereto. Such employee shall, at the discretion of the
10Commission, also be entitled to 5 cents per mile necessarily
11traveled by him within the State of Illinois in attending such
12hearing, not to exceed a distance of 300 miles, to be taxed by
13the Commission as costs and deposited with the petition of the
14employer.
15    When compensation which is payable in accordance with an
16award or settlement contract approved by the Commission, is
17ordered paid in a lump sum by the Commission, no review shall
18be had as in this paragraph mentioned.
19    (i) Each party, upon taking any proceedings or steps
20whatsoever before any Arbitrator, Commission or court, shall
21file with the Commission his address, or the name and address
22of any agent upon whom all notices to be given to such party
23shall be served, either personally or by registered mail,
24addressed to such party or agent at the last address so filed
25with the Commission. In the event such party has not filed his
26address, or the name and address of an agent as above provided,

 

 

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1service of any notice may be had by filing such notice with the
2Commission.
3    (j) Whenever in any proceeding testimony has been taken or
4a final decision has been rendered, and after the taking of
5such testimony or after such decision has become final, the
6employee dies, then in any subsequent proceeding brought by the
7personal representative or beneficiaries of the deceased
8employee, such testimony in the former proceeding may be
9introduced with the same force and effect as though the witness
10having so testified were present in person in such subsequent
11proceedings and such final decision, if any, shall be taken as
12final adjudication of any of the issues which are the same in
13both proceedings.
14    (k) In any case where there has been any unreasonable or
15vexatious delay of payment or intentional underpayment of
16compensation, or proceedings have been instituted or carried on
17by one liable to pay the compensation, which do not present a
18real controversy, but are merely frivolous or for delay, then
19the Commission may award compensation additional to that
20otherwise payable under this Act equal to 50% of the amount
21payable at the time of such award. Failure to pay compensation
22in accordance with the provisions of Section 8, paragraph (b)
23of this Act, shall be considered unreasonable delay.
24    When determining whether this subsection (k) shall apply,
25the Commission shall consider whether an arbitrator has
26determined that the claim is not compensable or whether the

 

 

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1employer has made payments under Section 8(j) of the Workers'
2Compensation Act.
3    (k-1) If the employee has made written demand for payment
4of benefits under Section 8(a) or Section 8(b) of the Workers'
5Compensation Act, the employer shall have 14 days after receipt
6of the demand to set forth in writing the reason for the delay.
7In the case of demand for payment of medical benefits under
8Section 8(a) of the Workers' Compensation Act, the time for the
9employer to respond shall not commence until the expiration of
10the allotted 60 days specified under Section 8.2(d) of the
11Workers' Compensation Act. In case the employer or his or her
12insurance carrier shall without good and just cause fail,
13neglect, refuse, or unreasonably delay the payment of benefits
14under Section 8(a) or Section 8(b) of the Workers' Compensation
15Act, the Arbitrator or the Commission shall allow to the
16employee additional compensation in the sum of $30 per day for
17each day that the benefits under Section 8(a) or Section 8(b)
18of the Workers' Compensation Act have been so withheld or
19refused, not to exceed $10,000. A delay in payment of 14 days
20or more shall create a rebuttable presumption of unreasonable
21delay.
22    (l) By the 15th day of each month each insurer providing
23coverage for losses under this Act shall notify each insured
24employer of any compensable claim incurred during the preceding
25month and the amounts paid or reserved on the claim including a
26summary of the claim and a brief statement of the reasons for

 

 

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1compensability. A cumulative report of all claims incurred
2during a calendar year or continued from the previous year
3shall be furnished to the insured employer by the insurer
4within 30 days after the end of that calendar year.
5    The insured employer may challenge, in proceeding before
6the Commission, payments made by the insurer without
7arbitration and payments made after a case is determined to be
8noncompensable. If the Commission finds that the case was not
9compensable, the insurer shall purge its records as to that
10employer of any loss or expense associated with the claim,
11reimburse the employer for attorneys fee arising from the
12challenge and for any payment required of the employer to the
13Rate Adjustment Fund or the Second Injury Fund, and may not
14effect the loss or expense for rate making purposes. The
15employee shall not be required to refund the challenged
16payment. The decision of the Commission may be reviewed in the
17same manner as in arbitrated cases. No challenge may be
18initiated under this paragraph more than 3 years after the
19payment is made. An employer may waive the right of challenge
20under this paragraph on a case by case basis.
21    (m) After filing an application for adjustment of claim but
22prior to the hearing on arbitration the parties may voluntarily
23agree to submit such application for adjustment of claim for
24decision by an arbitrator under this subsection (m) where such
25application for adjustment of claim raises only a dispute over
26temporary total disability, permanent partial disability or

 

 

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1medical expenses. Such agreement shall be in writing in such
2form as provided by the Commission. Applications for adjustment
3of claim submitted for decision by an arbitrator under this
4subsection (m) shall proceed according to rule as established
5by the Commission. The Commission shall promulgate rules
6including, but not limited to, rules to ensure that the parties
7are adequately informed of their rights under this subsection
8(m) and of the voluntary nature of proceedings under this
9subsection (m). The findings of fact made by an arbitrator
10acting within his or her powers under this subsection (m) in
11the absence of fraud shall be conclusive. However, the
12arbitrator may on his own motion, or the motion of either
13party, correct any clerical errors or errors in computation
14within 15 days after the date of receipt of such award of the
15arbitrator and shall have the power to recall the original
16award on arbitration, and issue in lieu thereof such corrected
17award. The decision of the arbitrator under this subsection (m)
18shall be considered the decision of the Commission and
19proceedings for review of questions of law arising from the
20decision may be commenced by either party pursuant to
21subsection (f) of Section 19. The Advisory Board established
22under Section 13.1 of the Workers' Compensation Act shall
23compile a list of certified Commission arbitrators, each of
24whom shall be approved by at least 7 members of the Advisory
25Board. The chairman shall select 5 persons from such list to
26serve as arbitrators under this subsection (m). By agreement,

 

 

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1the parties shall select one arbitrator from among the 5
2persons selected by the chairman except, that if the parties do
3not agree on an arbitrator from among the 5 persons, the
4parties may, by agreement, select an arbitrator of the American
5Arbitration Association, whose fee shall be paid by the State
6in accordance with rules promulgated by the Commission.
7Arbitration under this subsection (m) shall be voluntary.
8(Source: P.A. 98-40, eff. 6-28-13.)
 
9    Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon
10becoming law.