Workers' Compensation Reform Committee Created to Design Legislative Changes by January 3, 2011
By: Keith J. Herman Updated: November 22, 2010
Senate President John Cullerton (D-Chicago) and Minority Leader Christine Radogno (R-Lemont), announced the formation of a special committee, The Workers Compensation Reform Committee, assigned to design legislation by Jan. 3, 2011 to address the high costs of Illinois workers’ compensation insurance.
Sen. Radogno agrees that the problem with workers’ comp needs to be fixed now. In her statement, Sen. Radogno stated, “Everybody ran on that (issue) on both sides of the aisle, and it’s high time we take those issues on." Click here to see a copy of the joint press release.
The Workers Compensation Reform Committee will review the State’s current Workers’ Compensation practices with the goal of creating a more competitive business environment in Illinois and at the same time protecting the rights of Illinois’ workforce. President Cullerton and Leader Radogno will serve as co-chairs of the committee. Additionally, President Cullerton appointed Sen. William Haine (D-Alton) and Sen. Ira Silverstein (D-Chicago) to the committee. Leader Radogno appointed Sen. Kyle McCarter (R-Lebanon) and Sen. Kirk Dillard (R-Hinsdale).
Sen. Haine said workers’ compensation reform is part of a solution to Illinois’ business and manufacturing woes. He pointed to the recent loss of 1000 jobs from an Alton manufacturing plant that relocated its operation to Mississippi. The relocation is rumored to have been in part due to the high cost of workers’ compensation insurance in Illinois.
Sen. Haine issued a statement referencing data that Illinois is now ranked 3rd in the nation in workers’ compensation insurance costs to business and industry. Sen. Haine said, “That simply cannot be sustained.” Sen. Haine added that Illinois businesses are surrounded by states that have lower workers compensation costs, including Missouri, Indiana, Iowa and Wisconsin.
Mark Denzler of the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association added that Illinois current ranking of 3rd in the nation represents a drop from a ranking of 20th in the nation in 2006 according to a report issued by the state of Oregon.
The ISIA will continue to monitor this developing issue. Please watch this website or contact the ISIA directly for updates as they become available.
