Gov. Quinn Appoints New Memebers to the Worker's Compensation Advisory Board
By: Keith J. Herman Updated: June 28, 2011
On July 20, 2011, Gov. Pat Quinn appointed 12 individuals to the Workers’ Compensation Advisory Board. The Board is an integral part of the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission; as it addresses rule making, appointments -- including arbitrators -- and other decisions that guide the direction of the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission.
We are pleased to announce that Mr. William Lowry, managing shareholder of Nyhan, Bambrick, Kinzie & Lowry, P.C. is one of the Board’s new members. Mr. Lowry has defended cases before the Commission for almost 25 years. He is a frequent lecturer on the subject of Illinois’ workers’ compensation law, including before the ISIA. Mr. Lowry has expressed that one of his priorities is to give the Illinois Self-Insurers Association a voice and greater role in the Illinois workers’ compensation system. (See attached). He will work closely with Mr. Chris Gibbons, Executive Secretary of the ISIA. Mr. Gibbons’ leadership as Executive Secretary has set the table for the ISIA to move forward as a dynamic association. The appointment of Mr. Lowry and his support of the ISIA should facilitate expanding the role of the ISIA in identifying issues and enacting future reforms of the Illinois workers’ compensation system.
In addition to Mr. Lowry, Gov. Quinn appointed eleven other members:
1. Mitchell Abbett, HR and Safety Manager; Holten Meat, Inc.
2. Richard Aleksy, Partner at the law firm Corti, Aleksy & Castaneda
3. Aaron Anderson, Director and Representative for the Painters District Counsel No. 30
4. Michael Carrigan, President of the AFL-CIO
5. John Carpenter, Senior VP of public policy for the Chicago Chamber of Commerce
6. Mark Denzler, VP and Chief Operating Officer; Illinois Manufacturers Assoc.
7. David Halffield, VP; Sears Holdings Management Corp.
8. Phillip Gruber, General VP; Int’l. Assoc. of Machinists and Aerospace Workers
9. Mark Prince, Attorney; Prince Law Firm
10. Sean Stott, Director of Governmental Affairs; Laborers Int’l. Union of North America
11. David Vite, President and CEO; Illinois Retail Merchants Association
The Illinois Senate, which is currently in recess, must approve the new board members. The Senate will re-convene in October, 2011.
