Thursday, June 02, 2011
 
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Workers' comp bill dies in House; 'nuclear' option looms

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[June 02, 2011]  SPRINGFIELD --  A measure to significantly change Illinois' workers' compensation system was defeated in the Illinois House on Sunday, a move that could lead to the demise of the entire system.

HardwareThe House killed the plan by a vote of 55-39 a day after the same measure passed the state Senate with bipartisan support. Nineteen members voted present.

State Rep. John Bradley, D-Marion, a sponsor of the failed plan, said he would work to pass another measure that would repeal the state's Workers' Compensation Act and the Workers' Occupational Diseases Act, eliminating the current system employers and employees use to settle injury claims.

The nearly 50,000 cases in the workers' compensation system would be thrust into the circuit court system.

Bradley's "nuclear option" passed the House last week and awaits action in the Senate.

State Sen. Kwame Raoul, D-Chicago, the Senate sponsor of the failed measure, said late Sunday that he would be moving Bradley's "nuclear option" in the Senate as soon as Monday.

"We need some type of workers' compensation reform, and that may be our only option at this point," Raoul said.

Raoul said he wants the Legislature to create a new, improved workers' compensation system, once the current system is gone.

Bradley said his failed measure would have saved business in the state at least $500 million, mainly through reducing by 30 percent the amount doctors are paid to treat injured employees.

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Republicans in the House, claiming the majority of dissenting votes, said Bradley's plan did not adequately address the high cost of workers' compensation insurance and the extent to which the employee must prove his or her injury was a direct result of his job.

Gov. Pat Quinn said last week that he would sign a workers' compensation reform measure into law but voiced hesitancy about a plan that would eliminate the system entirely.

[Illinois Statehouse News; By ANDREW THOMASON]

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