SR0150 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0150 LRB099 11012 GRL 31379 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, In response to concerns regarding premium costs for Illinois employers responsible for providing Workers' Compensation Insurance coverage for their employees, the State of Illinois enacted Public Act 97-0018 which created a substantial reduction in benefits for injured workers, with the intention of providing employers relief from the high costs of workers' compensation premiums; and

WHEREAS, As a result of this Act, the National Council on Compensation Insurance has subsequently recommended premium rate reductions totaling nearly 20% for Illinois employers; and

WHEREAS, If fully implemented by insurers, such a rate reduction would provide Illinois' employers with nearly $1 billion in premium savings; and

WHEREAS, Employers have experienced premium reductions of $315 million, which represents only a fraction of the $1 billion that would have been saved via full implementation of the recommended rate reductions; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that there is created the Workers' Compensation Premium Rates Task Force consisting of 12 members appointed as follows: 2 legislative members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives; 2 legislative members appointed by the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives; 2 legislative members appointed by the President of the Senate; 2 legislative members appointed by the Minority Leader of the Senate; one member representing a statewide association representing retailers; one member of a statewide association representing manufacturers; one member of a statewide association representing labor interests; and one member of a statewide association representing injured workers; 2 chairpersons, representing different political parties, shall be selected by the members of the Task Force; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Task Force shall study the National Council on Compensation Insurance's recommendations for workers' compensation premium rates and the extent to which Illinois employers' actual premiums reflect these recommended rates; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Task Force shall report its findings and recommendations to the Illinois House of Representatives and the Illinois Senate no later than December 31, 2015.