98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2013 and 2014
SB2623

 

Introduced 11/7/2013, by Sen. Kyle McCarter

 

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 
820 ILCS 305/8  from Ch. 48, par. 138.8

    Amends the Workers' Compensation Act. Provides that, with respect to the computation of compensation to be paid to an employee who had previously sustained an injury resulting in payment of compensation for partial disability for injuries not involving serious and permanent disfigurement and injuries for which the Act provides a schedule of benefits, the amount of the prior award for the partial disability with respect to the same portion of the body shall be deducted. Limits cumulative awards for partial disability to 500 weeks, which shall constitute a complete loss of use of the body as a whole. Provides that injuries to the shoulder are deemed to be injuries to the arm and injuries to the hip are deemed to be injuries to the leg. Effective immediately.


LRB098 14509 OMW 49257 b

 

 

A BILL FOR

 

SB2623LRB098 14509 OMW 49257 b

1    AN ACT concerning employment.
 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3represented in the General Assembly:
 
4    Section 5. The Workers' Compensation Act is amended by
5changing Section 8 as follows:
 
6    (820 ILCS 305/8)  (from Ch. 48, par. 138.8)
7    Sec. 8. The amount of compensation which shall be paid to
8the employee for an accidental injury not resulting in death
9is:
10    (a) The employer shall provide and pay the negotiated rate,
11if applicable, or the lesser of the health care provider's
12actual charges or according to a fee schedule, subject to
13Section 8.2, in effect at the time the service was rendered for
14all the necessary first aid, medical and surgical services, and
15all necessary medical, surgical and hospital services
16thereafter incurred, limited, however, to that which is
17reasonably required to cure or relieve from the effects of the
18accidental injury, even if a health care provider sells,
19transfers, or otherwise assigns an account receivable for
20procedures, treatments, or services covered under this Act. If
21the employer does not dispute payment of first aid, medical,
22surgical, and hospital services, the employer shall make such
23payment to the provider on behalf of the employee. The employer

 

 

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1shall also pay for treatment, instruction and training
2necessary for the physical, mental and vocational
3rehabilitation of the employee, including all maintenance
4costs and expenses incidental thereto. If as a result of the
5injury the employee is unable to be self-sufficient the
6employer shall further pay for such maintenance or
7institutional care as shall be required.
8    The employee may at any time elect to secure his own
9physician, surgeon and hospital services at the employer's
10expense, or,
11    Upon agreement between the employer and the employees, or
12the employees' exclusive representative, and subject to the
13approval of the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission, the
14employer shall maintain a list of physicians, to be known as a
15Panel of Physicians, who are accessible to the employees. The
16employer shall post this list in a place or places easily
17accessible to his employees. The employee shall have the right
18to make an alternative choice of physician from such Panel if
19he is not satisfied with the physician first selected. If, due
20to the nature of the injury or its occurrence away from the
21employer's place of business, the employee is unable to make a
22selection from the Panel, the selection process from the Panel
23shall not apply. The physician selected from the Panel may
24arrange for any consultation, referral or other specialized
25medical services outside the Panel at the employer's expense.
26Provided that, in the event the Commission shall find that a

 

 

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1doctor selected by the employee is rendering improper or
2inadequate care, the Commission may order the employee to
3select another doctor certified or qualified in the medical
4field for which treatment is required. If the employee refuses
5to make such change the Commission may relieve the employer of
6his obligation to pay the doctor's charges from the date of
7refusal to the date of compliance.
8    Any vocational rehabilitation counselors who provide
9service under this Act shall have appropriate certifications
10which designate the counselor as qualified to render opinions
11relating to vocational rehabilitation. Vocational
12rehabilitation may include, but is not limited to, counseling
13for job searches, supervising a job search program, and
14vocational retraining including education at an accredited
15learning institution. The employee or employer may petition to
16the Commission to decide disputes relating to vocational
17rehabilitation and the Commission shall resolve any such
18dispute, including payment of the vocational rehabilitation
19program by the employer.
20    The maintenance benefit shall not be less than the
21temporary total disability rate determined for the employee. In
22addition, maintenance shall include costs and expenses
23incidental to the vocational rehabilitation program.
24    When the employee is working light duty on a part-time
25basis or full-time basis and earns less than he or she would be
26earning if employed in the full capacity of the job or jobs,

 

 

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1then the employee shall be entitled to temporary partial
2disability benefits. Temporary partial disability benefits
3shall be equal to two-thirds of the difference between the
4average amount that the employee would be able to earn in the
5full performance of his or her duties in the occupation in
6which he or she was engaged at the time of accident and the
7gross amount which he or she is earning in the modified job
8provided to the employee by the employer or in any other job
9that the employee is working.
10    Every hospital, physician, surgeon or other person
11rendering treatment or services in accordance with the
12provisions of this Section shall upon written request furnish
13full and complete reports thereof to, and permit their records
14to be copied by, the employer, the employee or his dependents,
15as the case may be, or any other party to any proceeding for
16compensation before the Commission, or their attorneys.
17    Notwithstanding the foregoing, the employer's liability to
18pay for such medical services selected by the employee shall be
19limited to:
20        (1) all first aid and emergency treatment; plus
21        (2) all medical, surgical and hospital services
22    provided by the physician, surgeon or hospital initially
23    chosen by the employee or by any other physician,
24    consultant, expert, institution or other provider of
25    services recommended by said initial service provider or
26    any subsequent provider of medical services in the chain of

 

 

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1    referrals from said initial service provider; plus
2         (3) all medical, surgical and hospital services
3    provided by any second physician, surgeon or hospital
4    subsequently chosen by the employee or by any other
5    physician, consultant, expert, institution or other
6    provider of services recommended by said second service
7    provider or any subsequent provider of medical services in
8    the chain of referrals from said second service provider.
9    Thereafter the employer shall select and pay for all
10    necessary medical, surgical and hospital treatment and the
11    employee may not select a provider of medical services at
12    the employer's expense unless the employer agrees to such
13    selection. At any time the employee may obtain any medical
14    treatment he desires at his own expense. This paragraph
15    shall not affect the duty to pay for rehabilitation
16    referred to above.
17        (4) The following shall apply for injuries occurring on
18    or after June 28, 2011 (the effective date of Public Act
19    97-18) and only when an employer has an approved preferred
20    provider program pursuant to Section 8.1a on the date the
21    employee sustained his or her accidental injuries:
22            (A) The employer shall, in writing, on a form
23        promulgated by the Commission, inform the employee of
24        the preferred provider program;
25            (B) Subsequent to the report of an injury by an
26        employee, the employee may choose in writing at any

 

 

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1        time to decline the preferred provider program, in
2        which case that would constitute one of the two choices
3        of medical providers to which the employee is entitled
4        under subsection (a)(2) or (a)(3); and
5            (C) Prior to the report of an injury by an
6        employee, when an employee chooses non-emergency
7        treatment from a provider not within the preferred
8        provider program, that would constitute the employee's
9        one choice of medical providers to which the employee
10        is entitled under subsection (a)(2) or (a)(3).
11    When an employer and employee so agree in writing, nothing
12in this Act prevents an employee whose injury or disability has
13been established under this Act, from relying in good faith, on
14treatment by prayer or spiritual means alone, in accordance
15with the tenets and practice of a recognized church or
16religious denomination, by a duly accredited practitioner
17thereof, and having nursing services appropriate therewith,
18without suffering loss or diminution of the compensation
19benefits under this Act. However, the employee shall submit to
20all physical examinations required by this Act. The cost of
21such treatment and nursing care shall be paid by the employee
22unless the employer agrees to make such payment.
23    Where the accidental injury results in the amputation of an
24arm, hand, leg or foot, or the enucleation of an eye, or the
25loss of any of the natural teeth, the employer shall furnish an
26artificial of any such members lost or damaged in accidental

 

 

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1injury arising out of and in the course of employment, and
2shall also furnish the necessary braces in all proper and
3necessary cases. In cases of the loss of a member or members by
4amputation, the employer shall, whenever necessary, maintain
5in good repair, refit or replace the artificial limbs during
6the lifetime of the employee. Where the accidental injury
7accompanied by physical injury results in damage to a denture,
8eye glasses or contact eye lenses, or where the accidental
9injury results in damage to an artificial member, the employer
10shall replace or repair such denture, glasses, lenses, or
11artificial member.
12    The furnishing by the employer of any such services or
13appliances is not an admission of liability on the part of the
14employer to pay compensation.
15    The furnishing of any such services or appliances or the
16servicing thereof by the employer is not the payment of
17compensation.
18    (b) If the period of temporary total incapacity for work
19lasts more than 3 working days, weekly compensation as
20hereinafter provided shall be paid beginning on the 4th day of
21such temporary total incapacity and continuing as long as the
22total temporary incapacity lasts. In cases where the temporary
23total incapacity for work continues for a period of 14 days or
24more from the day of the accident compensation shall commence
25on the day after the accident.
26        1. The compensation rate for temporary total

 

 

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1    incapacity under this paragraph (b) of this Section shall
2    be equal to 66 2/3% of the employee's average weekly wage
3    computed in accordance with Section 10, provided that it
4    shall be not less than 66 2/3% of the sum of the Federal
5    minimum wage under the Fair Labor Standards Act, or the
6    Illinois minimum wage under the Minimum Wage Law, whichever
7    is more, multiplied by 40 hours. This percentage rate shall
8    be increased by 10% for each spouse and child, not to
9    exceed 100% of the total minimum wage calculation,
10    nor exceed the employee's average weekly wage computed in
11    accordance with the provisions of Section 10, whichever is
12    less.
13        2. The compensation rate in all cases other than for
14    temporary total disability under this paragraph (b), and
15    other than for serious and permanent disfigurement under
16    paragraph (c) and other than for permanent partial
17    disability under subparagraph (2) of paragraph (d) or under
18    paragraph (e), of this Section shall be equal to 66 2/3% of
19    the employee's average weekly wage computed in accordance
20    with the provisions of Section 10, provided that it shall
21    be not less than 66 2/3% of the sum of the Federal minimum
22    wage under the Fair Labor Standards Act, or the Illinois
23    minimum wage under the Minimum Wage Law, whichever is more,
24    multiplied by 40 hours. This percentage rate shall be
25    increased by 10% for each spouse and child, not to exceed
26    100% of the total minimum wage calculation,

 

 

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1    nor exceed the employee's average weekly wage computed in
2    accordance with the provisions of Section 10, whichever is
3    less.
4        2.1. The compensation rate in all cases of serious and
5    permanent disfigurement under paragraph (c) and of
6    permanent partial disability under subparagraph (2) of
7    paragraph (d) or under paragraph (e) of this Section shall
8    be equal to 60% of the employee's average weekly wage
9    computed in accordance with the provisions of Section 10,
10    provided that it shall be not less than 66 2/3% of the sum
11    of the Federal minimum wage under the Fair Labor Standards
12    Act, or the Illinois minimum wage under the Minimum Wage
13    Law, whichever is more, multiplied by 40 hours. This
14    percentage rate shall be increased by 10% for each spouse
15    and child, not to exceed 100% of the total minimum wage
16    calculation,
17    nor exceed the employee's average weekly wage computed in
18    accordance with the provisions of Section 10, whichever is
19    less.
20        3. As used in this Section the term "child" means a
21    child of the employee including any child legally adopted
22    before the accident or whom at the time of the accident the
23    employee was under legal obligation to support or to whom
24    the employee stood in loco parentis, and who at the time of
25    the accident was under 18 years of age and not emancipated.
26    The term "children" means the plural of "child".

 

 

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1        4. All weekly compensation rates provided under
2    subparagraphs 1, 2 and 2.1 of this paragraph (b) of this
3    Section shall be subject to the following limitations:
4        The maximum weekly compensation rate from July 1, 1975,
5    except as hereinafter provided, shall be 100% of the
6    State's average weekly wage in covered industries under the
7    Unemployment Insurance Act, that being the wage that most
8    closely approximates the State's average weekly wage.
9        The maximum weekly compensation rate, for the period
10    July 1, 1984, through June 30, 1987, except as hereinafter
11    provided, shall be $293.61. Effective July 1, 1987 and on
12    July 1 of each year thereafter the maximum weekly
13    compensation rate, except as hereinafter provided, shall
14    be determined as follows: if during the preceding 12 month
15    period there shall have been an increase in the State's
16    average weekly wage in covered industries under the
17    Unemployment Insurance Act, the weekly compensation rate
18    shall be proportionately increased by the same percentage
19    as the percentage of increase in the State's average weekly
20    wage in covered industries under the Unemployment
21    Insurance Act during such period.
22        The maximum weekly compensation rate, for the period
23    January 1, 1981 through December 31, 1983, except as
24    hereinafter provided, shall be 100% of the State's average
25    weekly wage in covered industries under the Unemployment
26    Insurance Act in effect on January 1, 1981. Effective

 

 

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1    January 1, 1984 and on January 1, of each year thereafter
2    the maximum weekly compensation rate, except as
3    hereinafter provided, shall be determined as follows: if
4    during the preceding 12 month period there shall have been
5    an increase in the State's average weekly wage in covered
6    industries under the Unemployment Insurance Act, the
7    weekly compensation rate shall be proportionately
8    increased by the same percentage as the percentage of
9    increase in the State's average weekly wage in covered
10    industries under the Unemployment Insurance Act during
11    such period.
12        From July 1, 1977 and thereafter such maximum weekly
13    compensation rate in death cases under Section 7, and
14    permanent total disability cases under paragraph (f) or
15    subparagraph 18 of paragraph (3) of this Section and for
16    temporary total disability under paragraph (b) of this
17    Section and for amputation of a member or enucleation of an
18    eye under paragraph (e) of this Section shall be increased
19    to 133-1/3% of the State's average weekly wage in covered
20    industries under the Unemployment Insurance Act.
21        For injuries occurring on or after February 1, 2006,
22    the maximum weekly benefit under paragraph (d)1 of this
23    Section shall be 100% of the State's average weekly wage in
24    covered industries under the Unemployment Insurance Act.
25        4.1. Any provision herein to the contrary
26    notwithstanding, the weekly compensation rate for

 

 

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1    compensation payments under subparagraph 18 of paragraph
2    (e) of this Section and under paragraph (f) of this Section
3    and under paragraph (a) of Section 7 and for amputation of
4    a member or enucleation of an eye under paragraph (e) of
5    this Section, shall in no event be less than 50% of the
6    State's average weekly wage in covered industries under the
7    Unemployment Insurance Act.
8        4.2. Any provision to the contrary notwithstanding,
9    the total compensation payable under Section 7 shall not
10    exceed the greater of $500,000 or 25 years.
11        5. For the purpose of this Section this State's average
12    weekly wage in covered industries under the Unemployment
13    Insurance Act on July 1, 1975 is hereby fixed at $228.16
14    per week and the computation of compensation rates shall be
15    based on the aforesaid average weekly wage until modified
16    as hereinafter provided.
17        6. The Department of Employment Security of the State
18    shall on or before the first day of December, 1977, and on
19    or before the first day of June, 1978, and on the first day
20    of each December and June of each year thereafter, publish
21    the State's average weekly wage in covered industries under
22    the Unemployment Insurance Act and the Illinois Workers'
23    Compensation Commission shall on the 15th day of January,
24    1978 and on the 15th day of July, 1978 and on the 15th day
25    of each January and July of each year thereafter, post and
26    publish the State's average weekly wage in covered

 

 

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1    industries under the Unemployment Insurance Act as last
2    determined and published by the Department of Employment
3    Security. The amount when so posted and published shall be
4    conclusive and shall be applicable as the basis of
5    computation of compensation rates until the next posting
6    and publication as aforesaid.
7        7. The payment of compensation by an employer or his
8    insurance carrier to an injured employee shall not
9    constitute an admission of the employer's liability to pay
10    compensation.
11    (c) For any serious and permanent disfigurement to the
12hand, head, face, neck, arm, leg below the knee or the chest
13above the axillary line, the employee is entitled to
14compensation for such disfigurement, the amount determined by
15agreement at any time or by arbitration under this Act, at a
16hearing not less than 6 months after the date of the accidental
17injury, which amount shall not exceed 150 weeks (if the
18accidental injury occurs on or after the effective date of this
19amendatory Act of the 94th General Assembly but before February
201, 2006) or 162 weeks (if the accidental injury occurs on or
21after February 1, 2006) at the applicable rate provided in
22subparagraph 2.1 of paragraph (b) of this Section.
23    No compensation is payable under this paragraph where
24compensation is payable under paragraphs (d), (e) or (f) of
25this Section.
26    A duly appointed member of a fire department in a city, the

 

 

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1population of which exceeds 500,000 according to the last
2federal or State census, is eligible for compensation under
3this paragraph only where such serious and permanent
4disfigurement results from burns.
5    (d) 1. If, after the accidental injury has been sustained,
6the employee as a result thereof becomes partially
7incapacitated from pursuing his usual and customary line of
8employment, he shall, except in cases compensated under the
9specific schedule set forth in paragraph (e) of this Section,
10receive compensation for the duration of his disability,
11subject to the limitations as to maximum amounts fixed in
12paragraph (b) of this Section, equal to 66-2/3% of the
13difference between the average amount which he would be able to
14earn in the full performance of his duties in the occupation in
15which he was engaged at the time of the accident and the
16average amount which he is earning or is able to earn in some
17suitable employment or business after the accident. For
18accidental injuries that occur on or after September 1, 2011,
19an award for wage differential under this subsection shall be
20effective only until the employee reaches the age of 67 or 5
21years from the date the award becomes final, whichever is
22later.
23    2. If, as a result of the accident, the employee sustains
24serious and permanent injuries not covered by paragraphs (c)
25and (e) of this Section or having sustained injuries covered by
26the aforesaid paragraphs (c) and (e), he shall have sustained

 

 

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1in addition thereto other injuries which injuries do not
2incapacitate him from pursuing the duties of his employment but
3which would disable him from pursuing other suitable
4occupations, or which have otherwise resulted in physical
5impairment; or if such injuries partially incapacitate him from
6pursuing the duties of his usual and customary line of
7employment but do not result in an impairment of earning
8capacity, or having resulted in an impairment of earning
9capacity, the employee elects to waive his right to recover
10under the foregoing subparagraph 1 of paragraph (d) of this
11Section then in any of the foregoing events, he shall receive
12in addition to compensation for temporary total disability
13under paragraph (b) of this Section, compensation at the rate
14provided in subparagraph 2.1 of paragraph (b) of this Section
15for that percentage of 500 weeks that the partial disability
16resulting from the injuries covered by this paragraph bears to
17total disability.
18    In computing the compensation to be paid to any employee
19who, before the accident for which he or she claims
20compensation, had previously sustained an injury resulting in
21the payment of compensation for a percentage of partial
22disability under this subparagraph 2, such percentage of
23partial disability shall be deducted from any award made under
24this subparagraph 2 for a subsequent injury to the same portion
25of the body as was involved in the prior injury for which
26compensation was paid; provided, however, nothing herein

 

 

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1contained shall permit cumulative awards for compensation for
2partial disability under this subparagraph 2 to exceed 500
3weeks, which shall constitute complete loss of use of the body
4as a whole.
5    If, as a result of the accident, the employee shall have
6sustained a fracture of one or more vertebra or fracture of the
7skull, the amount of compensation allowed under this Section
8shall be not less than 6 weeks for a fractured skull and 6
9weeks for each fractured vertebra, and in the event the
10employee shall have sustained a fracture of any of the
11following facial bones: nasal, lachrymal, vomer, zygoma,
12maxilla, palatine or mandible, the amount of compensation
13allowed under this Section shall be not less than 2 weeks for
14each such fractured bone, and for a fracture of each transverse
15process not less than 3 weeks. In the event such injuries shall
16result in the loss of a kidney, spleen or lung, the amount of
17compensation allowed under this Section shall be not less than
1810 weeks for each such organ. Compensation awarded under this
19subparagraph 2 shall not take into consideration injuries
20covered under paragraphs (c) and (e) of this Section and the
21compensation provided in this paragraph shall not affect the
22employee's right to compensation payable under paragraphs (b),
23(c) and (e) of this Section for the disabilities therein
24covered.
25    (e) For accidental injuries in the following schedule, the
26employee shall receive compensation for the period of temporary

 

 

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1total incapacity for work resulting from such accidental
2injury, under subparagraph 1 of paragraph (b) of this Section,
3and shall receive in addition thereto compensation for a
4further period for the specific loss herein mentioned, but
5shall not receive any compensation under any other provisions
6of this Act. The following listed amounts apply to either the
7loss of or the permanent and complete loss of use of the member
8specified, such compensation for the length of time as follows:
9        1. Thumb-
10            70 weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or
11        after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the
12        94th General Assembly but before February 1, 2006.
13            76 weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or
14        after February 1, 2006.
15        2. First, or index finger-
16            40 weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or
17        after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the
18        94th General Assembly but before February 1, 2006.
19            43 weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or
20        after February 1, 2006.
21        3. Second, or middle finger-
22            35 weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or
23        after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the
24        94th General Assembly but before February 1, 2006.
25            38 weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or
26        after February 1, 2006.

 

 

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1        4. Third, or ring finger-
2            25 weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or
3        after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the
4        94th General Assembly but before February 1, 2006.
5            27 weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or
6        after February 1, 2006.
7        5. Fourth, or little finger-
8            20 weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or
9        after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the
10        94th General Assembly but before February 1, 2006.
11            22 weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or
12        after February 1, 2006.
13        6. Great toe-
14            35 weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or
15        after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the
16        94th General Assembly but before February 1, 2006.
17            38 weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or
18        after February 1, 2006.
19        7. Each toe other than great toe-
20            12 weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or
21        after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the
22        94th General Assembly but before February 1, 2006.
23            13 weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or
24        after February 1, 2006.
25        8. The loss of the first or distal phalanx of the thumb
26    or of any finger or toe shall be considered to be equal to

 

 

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1    the loss of one-half of such thumb, finger or toe and the
2    compensation payable shall be one-half of the amount above
3    specified. The loss of more than one phalanx shall be
4    considered as the loss of the entire thumb, finger or toe.
5    In no case shall the amount received for more than one
6    finger exceed the amount provided in this schedule for the
7    loss of a hand.
8        9. Hand-
9            190 weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or
10        after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the
11        94th General Assembly but before February 1, 2006.
12            205 weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or
13        after February 1, 2006.
14            190 weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or
15        after June 28, 2011 (the effective date of Public Act
16        97-18) and if the accidental injury involves carpal
17        tunnel syndrome due to repetitive or cumulative
18        trauma, in which case the permanent partial disability
19        shall not exceed 15% loss of use of the hand, except
20        for cause shown by clear and convincing evidence and in
21        which case the award shall not exceed 30% loss of use
22        of the hand.
23        The loss of 2 or more digits, or one or more phalanges
24    of 2 or more digits, of a hand may be compensated on the
25    basis of partial loss of use of a hand, provided, further,
26    that the loss of 4 digits, or the loss of use of 4 digits,

 

 

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1    in the same hand shall constitute the complete loss of a
2    hand.
3        10. Arm-
4            235 weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or
5        after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the
6        94th General Assembly but before February 1, 2006.
7            253 weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or
8        after February 1, 2006.
9        Where an accidental injury results in the amputation of
10    an arm below the elbow, such injury shall be compensated as
11    a loss of an arm. Where an accidental injury results in the
12    amputation of an arm above the elbow, compensation for an
13    additional 15 weeks (if the accidental injury occurs on or
14    after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 94th
15    General Assembly but before February 1, 2006) or an
16    additional 17 weeks (if the accidental injury occurs on or
17    after February 1, 2006) shall be paid, except where the
18    accidental injury results in the amputation of an arm at
19    the shoulder joint, or so close to shoulder joint that an
20    artificial arm cannot be used, or results in the
21    disarticulation of an arm at the shoulder joint, in which
22    case compensation for an additional 65 weeks (if the
23    accidental injury occurs on or after the effective date of
24    this amendatory Act of the 94th General Assembly but before
25    February 1, 2006) or an additional 70 weeks (if the
26    accidental injury occurs on or after February 1, 2006)

 

 

SB2623- 21 -LRB098 14509 OMW 49257 b

1    shall be paid. For purposes of awards under this
2    subdivision (e), injuries to the shoulder shall be
3    considered to be injuries to part of the arm. This
4    amendatory Act of the 98th General Assembly is declarative
5    of existing law and is not a new enactment.
6        11. Foot-
7            155 weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or
8        after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the
9        94th General Assembly but before February 1, 2006.
10            167 weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or
11        after February 1, 2006.
12        12. Leg-
13            200 weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or
14        after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the
15        94th General Assembly but before February 1, 2006.
16            215 weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or
17        after February 1, 2006.
18        Where an accidental injury results in the amputation of
19    a leg below the knee, such injury shall be compensated as
20    loss of a leg. Where an accidental injury results in the
21    amputation of a leg above the knee, compensation for an
22    additional 25 weeks (if the accidental injury occurs on or
23    after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 94th
24    General Assembly but before February 1, 2006) or an
25    additional 27 weeks (if the accidental injury occurs on or
26    after February 1, 2006) shall be paid, except where the

 

 

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1    accidental injury results in the amputation of a leg at the
2    hip joint, or so close to the hip joint that an artificial
3    leg cannot be used, or results in the disarticulation of a
4    leg at the hip joint, in which case compensation for an
5    additional 75 weeks (if the accidental injury occurs on or
6    after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 94th
7    General Assembly but before February 1, 2006) or an
8    additional 81 weeks (if the accidental injury occurs on or
9    after February 1, 2006) shall be paid. For purposes of
10    awards under this subdivision (e), injuries to the hip
11    shall be considered to be injuries to part of the leg. This
12    amendatory Act of the 98th General Assembly is declarative
13    of existing law and is not a new enactment.
14        13. Eye-
15            150 weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or
16        after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the
17        94th General Assembly but before February 1, 2006.
18            162 weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or
19        after February 1, 2006.
20        Where an accidental injury results in the enucleation
21    of an eye, compensation for an additional 10 weeks (if the
22    accidental injury occurs on or after the effective date of
23    this amendatory Act of the 94th General Assembly but before
24    February 1, 2006) or an additional 11 weeks (if the
25    accidental injury occurs on or after February 1, 2006)
26    shall be paid.

 

 

SB2623- 23 -LRB098 14509 OMW 49257 b

1        14. Loss of hearing of one ear-
2            50 weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or
3        after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the
4        94th General Assembly but before February 1, 2006.
5            54 weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or
6        after February 1, 2006.
7        Total and permanent loss of hearing of both ears-
8            200 weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or
9        after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the
10        94th General Assembly but before February 1, 2006.
11            215 weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or
12        after February 1, 2006.
13        15. Testicle-
14            50 weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or
15        after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the
16        94th General Assembly but before February 1, 2006.
17            54 weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or
18        after February 1, 2006.
19        Both testicles-
20            150 weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or
21        after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the
22        94th General Assembly but before February 1, 2006.
23            162 weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or
24        after February 1, 2006.
25        16. For the permanent partial loss of use of a member
26    or sight of an eye, or hearing of an ear, compensation

 

 

SB2623- 24 -LRB098 14509 OMW 49257 b

1    during that proportion of the number of weeks in the
2    foregoing schedule provided for the loss of such member or
3    sight of an eye, or hearing of an ear, which the partial
4    loss of use thereof bears to the total loss of use of such
5    member, or sight of eye, or hearing of an ear.
6            (a) Loss of hearing for compensation purposes
7        shall be confined to the frequencies of 1,000, 2,000
8        and 3,000 cycles per second. Loss of hearing ability
9        for frequency tones above 3,000 cycles per second are
10        not to be considered as constituting disability for
11        hearing.
12            (b) The percent of hearing loss, for purposes of
13        the determination of compensation claims for
14        occupational deafness, shall be calculated as the
15        average in decibels for the thresholds of hearing for
16        the frequencies of 1,000, 2,000 and 3,000 cycles per
17        second. Pure tone air conduction audiometric
18        instruments, approved by nationally recognized
19        authorities in this field, shall be used for measuring
20        hearing loss. If the losses of hearing average 30
21        decibels or less in the 3 frequencies, such losses of
22        hearing shall not then constitute any compensable
23        hearing disability. If the losses of hearing average 85
24        decibels or more in the 3 frequencies, then the same
25        shall constitute and be total or 100% compensable
26        hearing loss.

 

 

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1            (c) In measuring hearing impairment, the lowest
2        measured losses in each of the 3 frequencies shall be
3        added together and divided by 3 to determine the
4        average decibel loss. For every decibel of loss
5        exceeding 30 decibels an allowance of 1.82% shall be
6        made up to the maximum of 100% which is reached at 85
7        decibels.
8            (d) If a hearing loss is established to have
9        existed on July 1, 1975 by audiometric testing the
10        employer shall not be liable for the previous loss so
11        established nor shall he be liable for any loss for
12        which compensation has been paid or awarded.
13            (e) No consideration shall be given to the question
14        of whether or not the ability of an employee to
15        understand speech is improved by the use of a hearing
16        aid.
17            (f) No claim for loss of hearing due to industrial
18        noise shall be brought against an employer or allowed
19        unless the employee has been exposed for a period of
20        time sufficient to cause permanent impairment to noise
21        levels in excess of the following:
22Sound Level DBA
23Slow ResponseHours Per Day
24908
25926
26954

 

 

SB2623- 26 -LRB098 14509 OMW 49257 b

1973
21002
31021-1/2
41051
51101/2
61151/4
7        This subparagraph (f) shall not be applied in cases of
8    hearing loss resulting from trauma or explosion.
9        17. In computing the compensation to be paid to any
10    employee who, before the accident for which he claims
11    compensation, had before that time sustained an injury
12    resulting in the loss by amputation or partial loss by
13    amputation of any member, including hand, arm, thumb or
14    fingers, leg, foot or any toes, such loss or partial loss
15    of any such member shall be deducted from any award made
16    for the subsequent injury. For the permanent loss of use or
17    the permanent partial loss of use of any such member or the
18    partial loss of sight of an eye, for which compensation has
19    been paid, then such loss shall be taken into consideration
20    and deducted from any award for the subsequent injury.
21        18. The specific case of loss of both hands, both arms,
22    or both feet, or both legs, or both eyes, or of any two
23    thereof, or the permanent and complete loss of the use
24    thereof, constitutes total and permanent disability, to be
25    compensated according to the compensation fixed by
26    paragraph (f) of this Section. These specific cases of

 

 

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1    total and permanent disability do not exclude other cases.
2        Any employee who has previously suffered the loss or
3    permanent and complete loss of the use of any of such
4    members, and in a subsequent independent accident loses
5    another or suffers the permanent and complete loss of the
6    use of any one of such members the employer for whom the
7    injured employee is working at the time of the last
8    independent accident is liable to pay compensation only for
9    the loss or permanent and complete loss of the use of the
10    member occasioned by the last independent accident.
11        19. In a case of specific loss and the subsequent death
12    of such injured employee from other causes than such injury
13    leaving a widow, widower, or dependents surviving before
14    payment or payment in full for such injury, then the amount
15    due for such injury is payable to the widow or widower and,
16    if there be no widow or widower, then to such dependents,
17    in the proportion which such dependency bears to total
18    dependency.
19    Beginning July 1, 1980, and every 6 months thereafter, the
20Commission shall examine the Second Injury Fund and when, after
21deducting all advances or loans made to such Fund, the amount
22therein is $500,000 then the amount required to be paid by
23employers pursuant to paragraph (f) of Section 7 shall be
24reduced by one-half. When the Second Injury Fund reaches the
25sum of $600,000 then the payments shall cease entirely.
26However, when the Second Injury Fund has been reduced to

 

 

SB2623- 28 -LRB098 14509 OMW 49257 b

1$400,000, payment of one-half of the amounts required by
2paragraph (f) of Section 7 shall be resumed, in the manner
3herein provided, and when the Second Injury Fund has been
4reduced to $300,000, payment of the full amounts required by
5paragraph (f) of Section 7 shall be resumed, in the manner
6herein provided. The Commission shall make the changes in
7payment effective by general order, and the changes in payment
8become immediately effective for all cases coming before the
9Commission thereafter either by settlement agreement or final
10order, irrespective of the date of the accidental injury.
11    On August 1, 1996 and on February 1 and August 1 of each
12subsequent year, the Commission shall examine the special fund
13designated as the "Rate Adjustment Fund" and when, after
14deducting all advances or loans made to said fund, the amount
15therein is $4,000,000, the amount required to be paid by
16employers pursuant to paragraph (f) of Section 7 shall be
17reduced by one-half. When the Rate Adjustment Fund reaches the
18sum of $5,000,000 the payment therein shall cease entirely.
19However, when said Rate Adjustment Fund has been reduced to
20$3,000,000 the amounts required by paragraph (f) of Section 7
21shall be resumed in the manner herein provided.
22    (f) In case of complete disability, which renders the
23employee wholly and permanently incapable of work, or in the
24specific case of total and permanent disability as provided in
25subparagraph 18 of paragraph (e) of this Section, compensation
26shall be payable at the rate provided in subparagraph 2 of

 

 

SB2623- 29 -LRB098 14509 OMW 49257 b

1paragraph (b) of this Section for life.
2    An employee entitled to benefits under paragraph (f) of
3this Section shall also be entitled to receive from the Rate
4Adjustment Fund provided in paragraph (f) of Section 7 of the
5supplementary benefits provided in paragraph (g) of this
6Section 8.
7    If any employee who receives an award under this paragraph
8afterwards returns to work or is able to do so, and earns or is
9able to earn as much as before the accident, payments under
10such award shall cease. If such employee returns to work, or is
11able to do so, and earns or is able to earn part but not as much
12as before the accident, such award shall be modified so as to
13conform to an award under paragraph (d) of this Section. If
14such award is terminated or reduced under the provisions of
15this paragraph, such employees have the right at any time
16within 30 months after the date of such termination or
17reduction to file petition with the Commission for the purpose
18of determining whether any disability exists as a result of the
19original accidental injury and the extent thereof.
20    Disability as enumerated in subdivision 18, paragraph (e)
21of this Section is considered complete disability.
22    If an employee who had previously incurred loss or the
23permanent and complete loss of use of one member, through the
24loss or the permanent and complete loss of the use of one hand,
25one arm, one foot, one leg, or one eye, incurs permanent and
26complete disability through the loss or the permanent and

 

 

SB2623- 30 -LRB098 14509 OMW 49257 b

1complete loss of the use of another member, he shall receive,
2in addition to the compensation payable by the employer and
3after such payments have ceased, an amount from the Second
4Injury Fund provided for in paragraph (f) of Section 7, which,
5together with the compensation payable from the employer in
6whose employ he was when the last accidental injury was
7incurred, will equal the amount payable for permanent and
8complete disability as provided in this paragraph of this
9Section.
10    The custodian of the Second Injury Fund provided for in
11paragraph (f) of Section 7 shall be joined with the employer as
12a party respondent in the application for adjustment of claim.
13The application for adjustment of claim shall state briefly and
14in general terms the approximate time and place and manner of
15the loss of the first member.
16    In its award the Commission or the Arbitrator shall
17specifically find the amount the injured employee shall be
18weekly paid, the number of weeks compensation which shall be
19paid by the employer, the date upon which payments begin out of
20the Second Injury Fund provided for in paragraph (f) of Section
217 of this Act, the length of time the weekly payments continue,
22the date upon which the pension payments commence and the
23monthly amount of the payments. The Commission shall 30 days
24after the date upon which payments out of the Second Injury
25Fund have begun as provided in the award, and every month
26thereafter, prepare and submit to the State Comptroller a

 

 

SB2623- 31 -LRB098 14509 OMW 49257 b

1voucher for payment for all compensation accrued to that date
2at the rate fixed by the Commission. The State Comptroller
3shall draw a warrant to the injured employee along with a
4receipt to be executed by the injured employee and returned to
5the Commission. The endorsed warrant and receipt is a full and
6complete acquittance to the Commission for the payment out of
7the Second Injury Fund. No other appropriation or warrant is
8necessary for payment out of the Second Injury Fund. The Second
9Injury Fund is appropriated for the purpose of making payments
10according to the terms of the awards.
11    As of July 1, 1980 to July 1, 1982, all claims against and
12obligations of the Second Injury Fund shall become claims
13against and obligations of the Rate Adjustment Fund to the
14extent there is insufficient money in the Second Injury Fund to
15pay such claims and obligations. In that case, all references
16to "Second Injury Fund" in this Section shall also include the
17Rate Adjustment Fund.
18    (g) Every award for permanent total disability entered by
19the Commission on and after July 1, 1965 under which
20compensation payments shall become due and payable after the
21effective date of this amendatory Act, and every award for
22death benefits or permanent total disability entered by the
23Commission on and after the effective date of this amendatory
24Act shall be subject to annual adjustments as to the amount of
25the compensation rate therein provided. Such adjustments shall
26first be made on July 15, 1977, and all awards made and entered

 

 

SB2623- 32 -LRB098 14509 OMW 49257 b

1prior to July 1, 1975 and on July 15 of each year thereafter.
2In all other cases such adjustment shall be made on July 15 of
3the second year next following the date of the entry of the
4award and shall further be made on July 15 annually thereafter.
5If during the intervening period from the date of the entry of
6the award, or the last periodic adjustment, there shall have
7been an increase in the State's average weekly wage in covered
8industries under the Unemployment Insurance Act, the weekly
9compensation rate shall be proportionately increased by the
10same percentage as the percentage of increase in the State's
11average weekly wage in covered industries under the
12Unemployment Insurance Act. The increase in the compensation
13rate under this paragraph shall in no event bring the total
14compensation rate to an amount greater than the prevailing
15maximum rate at the time that the annual adjustment is made.
16Such increase shall be paid in the same manner as herein
17provided for payments under the Second Injury Fund to the
18injured employee, or his dependents, as the case may be, out of
19the Rate Adjustment Fund provided in paragraph (f) of Section 7
20of this Act. Payments shall be made at the same intervals as
21provided in the award or, at the option of the Commission, may
22be made in quarterly payment on the 15th day of January, April,
23July and October of each year. In the event of a decrease in
24such average weekly wage there shall be no change in the then
25existing compensation rate. The within paragraph shall not
26apply to cases where there is disputed liability and in which a

 

 

SB2623- 33 -LRB098 14509 OMW 49257 b

1compromise lump sum settlement between the employer and the
2injured employee, or his dependents, as the case may be, has
3been duly approved by the Illinois Workers' Compensation
4Commission.
5    Provided, that in cases of awards entered by the Commission
6for injuries occurring before July 1, 1975, the increases in
7the compensation rate adjusted under the foregoing provision of
8this paragraph (g) shall be limited to increases in the State's
9average weekly wage in covered industries under the
10Unemployment Insurance Act occurring after July 1, 1975.
11    For every accident occurring on or after July 20, 2005 but
12before the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 94th
13General Assembly (Senate Bill 1283 of the 94th General
14Assembly), the annual adjustments to the compensation rate in
15awards for death benefits or permanent total disability, as
16provided in this Act, shall be paid by the employer. The
17adjustment shall be made by the employer on July 15 of the
18second year next following the date of the entry of the award
19and shall further be made on July 15 annually thereafter. If
20during the intervening period from the date of the entry of the
21award, or the last periodic adjustment, there shall have been
22an increase in the State's average weekly wage in covered
23industries under the Unemployment Insurance Act, the employer
24shall increase the weekly compensation rate proportionately by
25the same percentage as the percentage of increase in the
26State's average weekly wage in covered industries under the

 

 

SB2623- 34 -LRB098 14509 OMW 49257 b

1Unemployment Insurance Act. The increase in the compensation
2rate under this paragraph shall in no event bring the total
3compensation rate to an amount greater than the prevailing
4maximum rate at the time that the annual adjustment is made. In
5the event of a decrease in such average weekly wage there shall
6be no change in the then existing compensation rate. Such
7increase shall be paid by the employer in the same manner and
8at the same intervals as the payment of compensation in the
9award. This paragraph shall not apply to cases where there is
10disputed liability and in which a compromise lump sum
11settlement between the employer and the injured employee, or
12his or her dependents, as the case may be, has been duly
13approved by the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission.
14    The annual adjustments for every award of death benefits or
15permanent total disability involving accidents occurring
16before July 20, 2005 and accidents occurring on or after the
17effective date of this amendatory Act of the 94th General
18Assembly (Senate Bill 1283 of the 94th General Assembly) shall
19continue to be paid from the Rate Adjustment Fund pursuant to
20this paragraph and Section 7(f) of this Act.
21    (h) In case death occurs from any cause before the total
22compensation to which the employee would have been entitled has
23been paid, then in case the employee leaves any widow, widower,
24child, parent (or any grandchild, grandparent or other lineal
25heir or any collateral heir dependent at the time of the
26accident upon the earnings of the employee to the extent of 50%

 

 

SB2623- 35 -LRB098 14509 OMW 49257 b

1or more of total dependency) such compensation shall be paid to
2the beneficiaries of the deceased employee and distributed as
3provided in paragraph (g) of Section 7.
4    (h-1) In case an injured employee is under legal disability
5at the time when any right or privilege accrues to him or her
6under this Act, a guardian may be appointed pursuant to law,
7and may, on behalf of such person under legal disability, claim
8and exercise any such right or privilege with the same effect
9as if the employee himself or herself had claimed or exercised
10the right or privilege. No limitations of time provided by this
11Act run so long as the employee who is under legal disability
12is without a conservator or guardian.
13    (i) In case the injured employee is under 16 years of age
14at the time of the accident and is illegally employed, the
15amount of compensation payable under paragraphs (b), (c), (d),
16(e) and (f) of this Section is increased 50%.
17    However, where an employer has on file an employment
18certificate issued pursuant to the Child Labor Law or work
19permit issued pursuant to the Federal Fair Labor Standards Act,
20as amended, or a birth certificate properly and duly issued,
21such certificate, permit or birth certificate is conclusive
22evidence as to the age of the injured minor employee for the
23purposes of this Section.
24    Nothing herein contained repeals or amends the provisions
25of the Child Labor Law relating to the employment of minors
26under the age of 16 years.

 

 

SB2623- 36 -LRB098 14509 OMW 49257 b

1    (j) 1. In the event the injured employee receives benefits,
2including medical, surgical or hospital benefits under any
3group plan covering non-occupational disabilities contributed
4to wholly or partially by the employer, which benefits should
5not have been payable if any rights of recovery existed under
6this Act, then such amounts so paid to the employee from any
7such group plan as shall be consistent with, and limited to,
8the provisions of paragraph 2 hereof, shall be credited to or
9against any compensation payment for temporary total
10incapacity for work or any medical, surgical or hospital
11benefits made or to be made under this Act. In such event, the
12period of time for giving notice of accidental injury and
13filing application for adjustment of claim does not commence to
14run until the termination of such payments. This paragraph does
15not apply to payments made under any group plan which would
16have been payable irrespective of an accidental injury under
17this Act. Any employer receiving such credit shall keep such
18employee safe and harmless from any and all claims or
19liabilities that may be made against him by reason of having
20received such payments only to the extent of such credit.
21    Any excess benefits paid to or on behalf of a State
22employee by the State Employees' Retirement System under
23Article 14 of the Illinois Pension Code on a death claim or
24disputed disability claim shall be credited against any
25payments made or to be made by the State of Illinois to or on
26behalf of such employee under this Act, except for payments for

 

 

SB2623- 37 -LRB098 14509 OMW 49257 b

1medical expenses which have already been incurred at the time
2of the award. The State of Illinois shall directly reimburse
3the State Employees' Retirement System to the extent of such
4credit.
5    2. Nothing contained in this Act shall be construed to give
6the employer or the insurance carrier the right to credit for
7any benefits or payments received by the employee other than
8compensation payments provided by this Act, and where the
9employee receives payments other than compensation payments,
10whether as full or partial salary, group insurance benefits,
11bonuses, annuities or any other payments, the employer or
12insurance carrier shall receive credit for each such payment
13only to the extent of the compensation that would have been
14payable during the period covered by such payment.
15    3. The extension of time for the filing of an Application
16for Adjustment of Claim as provided in paragraph 1 above shall
17not apply to those cases where the time for such filing had
18expired prior to the date on which payments or benefits
19enumerated herein have been initiated or resumed. Provided
20however that this paragraph 3 shall apply only to cases wherein
21the payments or benefits hereinabove enumerated shall be
22received after July 1, 1969.
23(Source: P.A. 97-18, eff. 6-28-11; 97-268, eff. 8-8-11; 97-813,
24eff. 7-13-12.)
 
25    Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon
26becoming law.