Democratic lawmakers and trial lawyers came together Friday with a new reason to reform worker’s compensation in Illinois — terrorism.
Four state representatives announced they are co-sponsoring a bill to plug what they called loopholes in the current law, which covers workers only if they suffer injuries “arising out of” their employment.
“Had planes crashed into the Sears Tower, the families of the victims would not be entitled to compensation,” said the bill’s chief sponsor, Rep. Jack Franks (D-Woodstock).
In a 1991 case, the Illinois Supreme Court ruled that being at work at the moment of injury does not necessarily mean that injury arose out of employment. Injured workers must prove their jobs put them at greater risk than the general public, the court said.
The new bill would change Illinois’ system to one similar to New York’s. Insurers there expect to pay about $3 billion in worker’s compensation benefits to 8,000 injured workers and the families of about 4,000 workers killed in the World Trade Center attack Sept. 11.
The lawmakers said they would introduce the bill during the veto session later this month. But Republicans suggested it would not get a free ride.
State Rep. Terry Parke (R-Hoffman Estates) said the bill could have a broad and costly impact on the worker’s compensation system.
“A lot of legislators put ideas in because they sound good politically,” Parke said.
Worker’s compensation benefits in Illinois can total as much as $50,000 each year for survivors of a worker killed on the job.
