Bill > SB1503

This bill makes several key changes to the Workers' Compensation Act that affect the process and financial responsibilities in workers' compensation claims. Most significantly, the bill provides that if a worker's claim is contested and enters arbitration proceedings, the arbitrator must include pre-award interest at a 6% annual rate for a prevailing petitioner from the date of the contested injury, with the caveat that no interest accrues if the employer concedes the claim is compensable within 12 months of the injury. The bill also shifts the responsibility for certain costs: now, the non-prevailing party is responsible for costs incurred in deposing a medical practitioner, and all attorney's fees for representing an employee are now the responsibility of the non-prevailing employer, rather than being recoverable only from compensation paid to the employee. Additionally, the bill requires employers to disclose documents sufficient to calculate an employee's average weekly wage within 60 days after receiving notice of preliminary proceedings before an arbitrator. These changes aim to provide more financial protection and transparency for workers in the workers' compensation claims process.

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DocNum=1503&GAID=18&DocTypeID=SB&SessionID=114&GA=104