HB 4151

Abstract

Amends the Workers' Compensation Act. In a provision creating the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission, provides that each Commissioner appointed on or after the effective date of the amendatory Act shall be required to be authorized to practice law in this State by the Illinois Supreme Court and to maintain this authorization throughout his or her term of employment. Removes a provision that requires Commissioner candidates, other than the Chairman, to: (i) be licensed to practice law in the State of Illinois; (ii) have served as an arbitrator at the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission for at least 3 years; or (iii) have at least 4 years of professional labor relations experience. Provides that each Commissioner appointed on or after the effective date of the amendatory Act shall receive an annual salary of 70% of a Circuit Court Judge in the Judicial Court constituted by the First Judicial District under the Salaries Act and the Chairman shall receive an annual salary of 5% more than the other Commissioners. Provides that the performance of all arbitrators shall be reviewed by the Chairman every other year, or more at the discretion of the Chairman (rather than the performance of all arbitrators shall be reviewed by the Chairman on an annual basis). Provides that the Chairman shall have the discretion to assign arbitrators by county (rather than no arbitrator shall hear cases in any county, other than Cook County, for more than 2 years in each 3-year term). Provides that on and after the effective date of the amendatory Act, the Secretary and each arbitrator shall receive a per annum salary of 5% less than the per annum salary of members of the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission as provided in a specified provision of the Act, payable in equal monthly installments. Effective immediately.