Workers’ Compensation

Workers’ compensation in Illinois is in dire need of reform.  Illinois’ workers compensation costs are the 3rd highest in the nation, up from 21st in the nation just 5 years ago.  Furthermore, the state’s workers’ compensation costs are far higher than surrounding states, which means Illinois is growing more susceptible to losing jobs to border states where companies can find relief from these increasing costs.

The Illinois Chamber continues to champion efforts to reduce the cost of workers’ compensation.  This year the Illinois Chamber sponsored ground breaking legislation to bring meaningful reform to the broken and out of control system.  The Illinois Chamber will continue to push for reforms such as requiring the place of employment to be the primary cause of the inquiry, the use of AMA guidelines to determine impairment, deny claims as a result of drug and or alcohol intoxication, reduction in the medical fee schedule, utilization review, employer choice of physician and or establishment of a preferred medical provider network, and increase fraud provisions to deter abuse of the system.

The Illinois Chamber believes that without much needed reforms to its workers’ compensation system, the state’s ability to attract and retain businesses and build a job-creating agenda will be severely hampered.