99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2015 and 2016
SB0772

Introduced 2/4/2015, by Sen. Kyle McCarter

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
820 ILCS 305/1 from Ch. 48, par. 138.1
820 ILCS 305/8 from Ch. 48, par. 138.8
820 ILCS 305/10 from Ch. 48, par. 138.10

Amends the Workers' Compensation Act. Adds definitions of "accident" and "injury". Provides that an injury is a condition that arises out of and in the course of employment, and adds provisions concerning establishment of an injury. Establishes the manner of computing compensation for partial disability, with a maximum cumulative compensation of 500 weeks. Provides that injuries to the shoulder and hip are deemed to be injuries to the arm and leg respectively. Provides for the computation of compensation when there are multiple employers and when there is less than full-time work.
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FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

A BILL FOR

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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 Sections 1, 8, and 10 as follows:
6 (820 ILCS 305/1) (from Ch. 48, par. 138.1)
7 Sec. 1. This Act may be cited as the Workers' Compensation
8Act.
9 (a) The term "employer" as used in this Act means:
10 1. The State and each county, city, town, township,
11incorporated village, school district, body politic, or
12municipal corporation therein.
13 2. Every person, firm, public or private corporation,
14including hospitals, public service, eleemosynary, religious
15or charitable corporations or associations who has any person
16in service or under any contract for hire, express or implied,
17oral or written, and who is engaged in any of the enterprises
18or businesses enumerated in Section 3 of this Act, or who at or
19prior to the time of the accident to the employee for which
20compensation under this Act may be claimed, has in the manner
21provided in this Act elected to become subject to the
22provisions of this Act, and who has not, prior to such
23accident, effected a withdrawal of such election in the manner

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1provided in this Act.
2 3. Any one engaging in any business or enterprise referred
3to in subsections 1 and 2 of Section 3 of this Act who
4undertakes to do any work enumerated therein, is liable to pay
5compensation to his own immediate employees in accordance with
6the provisions of this Act, and in addition thereto if he
7directly or indirectly engages any contractor whether
8principal or sub-contractor to do any such work, he is liable
9to pay compensation to the employees of any such contractor or
10sub-contractor unless such contractor or sub-contractor has
11insured, in any company or association authorized under the
12laws of this State to insure the liability to pay compensation
13under this Act, or guaranteed his liability to pay such
14compensation. With respect to any time limitation on the filing
15of claims provided by this Act, the timely filing of a claim
16against a contractor or subcontractor, as the case may be,
17shall be deemed to be a timely filing with respect to all
18persons upon whom liability is imposed by this paragraph.
19 In the event any such person pays compensation under this
20subsection he may recover the amount thereof from the
21contractor or sub-contractor, if any, and in the event the
22contractor pays compensation under this subsection he may
23recover the amount thereof from the sub-contractor, if any.
24 This subsection does not apply in any case where the
25accident occurs elsewhere than on, in or about the immediate
26premises on which the principal has contracted that the work be

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1done.
2 4. Where an employer operating under and subject to the
3provisions of this Act loans an employee to another such
4employer and such loaned employee sustains a compensable
5accidental injury in the employment of such borrowing employer
6and where such borrowing employer does not provide or pay the
7benefits or payments due such injured employee, such loaning
8employer is liable to provide or pay all benefits or payments
9due such employee under this Act and as to such employee the
10liability of such loaning and borrowing employers is joint and
11several, provided that such loaning employer is in the absence
12of agreement to the contrary entitled to receive from such
13borrowing employer full reimbursement for all sums paid or
14incurred pursuant to this paragraph together with reasonable
15attorneys' fees and expenses in any hearings before the
16Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission or in any action to
17secure such reimbursement. Where any benefit is provided or
18paid by such loaning employer the employee has the duty of
19rendering reasonable cooperation in any hearings, trials or
20proceedings in the case, including such proceedings for
21reimbursement.
22 Where an employee files an Application for Adjustment of
23Claim with the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission
24alleging that his claim is covered by the provisions of the
25preceding paragraph, and joining both the alleged loaning and
26borrowing employers, they and each of them, upon written demand

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1by the employee and within 7 days after receipt of such demand,
2shall have the duty of filing with the Illinois Workers'
3Compensation Commission a written admission or denial of the
4allegation that the claim is covered by the provisions of the
5preceding paragraph and in default of such filing or if any
6such denial be ultimately determined not to have been bona fide
7then the provisions of Paragraph K of Section 19 of this Act
8shall apply.
9 An employer whose business or enterprise or a substantial
10part thereof consists of hiring, procuring or furnishing
11employees to or for other employers operating under and subject
12to the provisions of this Act for the performance of the work
13of such other employers and who pays such employees their
14salary or wages notwithstanding that they are doing the work of
15such other employers shall be deemed a loaning employer within
16the meaning and provisions of this Section.
17 (b) The term "employee" as used in this Act means:
18 1. Every person in the service of the State, including
19members of the General Assembly, members of the Commerce
20Commission, members of the Illinois Workers' Compensation
21Commission, and all persons in the service of the University of
22Illinois, county, including deputy sheriffs and assistant
23state's attorneys, city, town, township, incorporated village
24or school district, body politic, or municipal corporation
25therein, whether by election, under appointment or contract of
26hire, express or implied, oral or written, including all

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1members of the Illinois National Guard while on active duty in
2the service of the State, and all probation personnel of the
3Juvenile Court appointed pursuant to Article VI of the Juvenile
4Court Act of 1987, and including any official of the State, any
5county, city, town, township, incorporated village, school
6district, body politic or municipal corporation therein except
7any duly appointed member of a police department in any city
8whose population exceeds 500,000 according to the last Federal
9or State census, and except any member of a fire insurance
10patrol maintained by a board of underwriters in this State. A
11duly appointed member of a fire department in any city, the
12population of which exceeds 500,000 according to the last
13federal or State census, is an employee under this Act only
14with respect to claims brought under paragraph (c) of Section
158.
16 One employed by a contractor who has contracted with the
17State, or a county, city, town, township, incorporated village,
18school district, body politic or municipal corporation
19therein, through its representatives, is not considered as an
20employee of the State, county, city, town, township,
21incorporated village, school district, body politic or
22municipal corporation which made the contract.
23 2. Every person in the service of another under any
24contract of hire, express or implied, oral or written,
25including persons whose employment is outside of the State of
26Illinois where the contract of hire is made within the State of

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1Illinois, persons whose employment results in fatal or
2non-fatal injuries within the State of Illinois where the
3contract of hire is made outside of the State of Illinois, and
4persons whose employment is principally localized within the
5State of Illinois, regardless of the place of the accident or
6the place where the contract of hire was made, and including
7aliens, and minors who, for the purpose of this Act are
8considered the same and have the same power to contract,
9receive payments and give quittances therefor, as adult
10employees.
11 3. Every sole proprietor and every partner of a business
12may elect to be covered by this Act.
13 An employee or his dependents under this Act who shall have
14a cause of action by reason of any injury, disablement or death
15arising out of and in the course of his employment may elect to
16pursue his remedy in the State where injured or disabled, or in
17the State where the contract of hire is made, or in the State
18where the employment is principally localized.
19 However, any employer may elect to provide and pay
20compensation to any employee other than those engaged in the
21usual course of the trade, business, profession or occupation
22of the employer by complying with Sections 2 and 4 of this Act.
23Employees are not included within the provisions of this Act
24when excluded by the laws of the United States relating to
25liability of employers to their employees for personal injuries
26where such laws are held to be exclusive.

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1 The term "employee" does not include persons performing
2services as real estate broker, broker-salesman, or salesman
3when such persons are paid by commission only.
4 (c) "Commission" means the Industrial Commission created
5by Section 5 of "The Civil Administrative Code of Illinois",
6approved March 7, 1917, as amended, or the Illinois Workers'
7Compensation Commission created by Section 13 of this Act.
8 (d) To obtain compensation under this Act, an employee
9bears the burden of showing, by a preponderance of the
10evidence, that he or she has sustained accidental injuries
11arising out of and in the course of the employment.
12 (e) The term "accident" as used in this Act means an
13occurrence arising out of the employment resulting from a risk
14incidental to the employment and in the course of the
15employment at a time and place and under circumstances
16reasonably required by the employment.
17 (f) The term "injury" as used in this Act means a condition
18or impairment that arises out of and in the course of
19employment. An injury, its occupational cause, and any
20resulting manifestations of disability must be established to a
21reasonable degree of medical certainty, based on objective
22relevant medical findings, and the accidental compensable
23injury must be the major contributing cause of any resulting
24injuries. For the purposes of this Section, "major contributing
25cause" means the cause which is more than 50% responsible for
26the injury as compared to all other causes combined for which

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1treatment or benefits are sought. "Injury" includes the
2aggravation of a pre-existing condition by an accident arising
3out of and in the course of the employment, but only for so
4long as the aggravation of the pre-existing condition continues
5to be the major contributing cause of the disability.
6 (1) An injury is deemed to arise out of and in the
7 course of the employment only if:
8 (A) it is reasonably apparent, upon consideration
9 of all circumstances, that the accident is the major
10 contributing cause of the injury; and
11 (B) it does not come from a hazard or risk
12 unrelated to the employment to which employees would
13 have been equally exposed outside of the employment.
14 (2) An injury resulting directly or indirectly from
15 idiopathic causes is not compensable.
16(Source: P.A. 97-18, eff. 6-28-11; 97-268, eff. 8-8-11; 97-813,
17eff. 7-13-12.)
18 (820 ILCS 305/8) (from Ch. 48, par. 138.8)
19 Sec. 8. The amount of compensation which shall be paid to
20the employee for an accidental injury not resulting in death
21is:
22 (a) The employer shall provide and pay the negotiated rate,
23if applicable, or the lesser of the health care provider's
24actual charges or according to a fee schedule, subject to
25Section 8.2, in effect at the time the service was rendered for

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1all the necessary first aid, medical and surgical services, and
2all necessary medical, surgical and hospital services
3thereafter incurred, limited, however, to that which is
4reasonably required to cure or relieve from the effects of the
5accidental injury, even if a health care provider sells,
6transfers, or otherwise assigns an account receivable for
7procedures, treatments, or services covered under this Act. If
8the employer does not dispute payment of first aid, medical,
9surgical, and hospital services, the employer shall make such
10payment to the provider on behalf of the employee. The employer
11shall also pay for treatment, instruction and training
12necessary for the physical, mental and vocational
13rehabilitation of the employee, including all maintenance
14costs and expenses incidental thereto. If as a result of the
15injury the employee is unable to be self-sufficient the
16employer shall further pay for such maintenance or
17institutional care as shall be required.
18 The employee may at any time elect to secure his own
19physician, surgeon and hospital services at the employer's
20expense, or,
21 Upon agreement between the employer and the employees, or
22the employees' exclusive representative, and subject to the
23approval of the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission, the
24employer shall maintain a list of physicians, to be known as a
25Panel of Physicians, who are accessible to the employees. The
26employer shall post this list in a place or places easily

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1accessible to his employees. The employee shall have the right
2to make an alternative choice of physician from such Panel if
3he is not satisfied with the physician first selected. If, due
4to the nature of the injury or its occurrence away from the
5employer's place of business, the employee is unable to make a
6selection from the Panel, the selection process from the Panel
7shall not apply. The physician selected from the Panel may
8arrange for any consultation, referral or other specialized
9medical services outside the Panel at the employer's expense.
10Provided that, in the event the Commission shall find that a
11doctor selected by the employee is rendering improper or
12inadequate care, the Commission may order the employee to
13select another doctor certified or qualified in the medical
14field for which treatment is required. If the employee refuses
15to make such change the Commission may relieve the employer of
16his obligation to pay the doctor's charges from the date of
17refusal to the date of compliance.
18 Any vocational rehabilitation counselors who provide
19service under this Act shall have appropriate certifications
20which designate the counselor as qualified to render opinions
21relating to vocational rehabilitation. Vocational
22rehabilitation may include, but is not limited to, counseling
23for job searches, supervising a job search program, and
24vocational retraining including education at an accredited
25learning institution. The employee or employer may petition to
26the Commission to decide disputes relating to vocational

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1rehabilitation and the Commission shall resolve any such
2dispute, including payment of the vocational rehabilitation
3program by the employer.
4 The maintenance benefit shall not be less than the
5temporary total disability rate determined for the employee. In
6addition, maintenance shall include costs and expenses
7incidental to the vocational rehabilitation program.
8 When the employee is working light duty on a part-time
9basis or full-time basis and earns less than he or she would be
10earning if employed in the full capacity of the job or jobs,
11then the employee shall be entitled to temporary partial
12disability benefits. Temporary partial disability benefits
13shall be equal to two-thirds of the difference between the
14average amount that the employee would be able to earn in the
15full performance of his or her duties in the occupation in
16which he or she was engaged at the time of accident and the
17gross amount which he or she is earning in the modified job
18provided to the employee by the employer or in any other job
19that the employee is working.
20 Every hospital, physician, surgeon or other person
21rendering treatment or services in accordance with the
22provisions of this Section shall upon written request furnish
23full and complete reports thereof to, and permit their records
24to be copied by, the employer, the employee or his dependents,
25as the case may be, or any other party to any proceeding for
26compensation before the Commission, or their attorneys.

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1 Notwithstanding the foregoing, the employer's liability to
2pay for such medical services selected by the employee shall be
3limited to:
4 (1) all first aid and emergency treatment; plus
5 (2) all medical, surgical and hospital services
6 provided by the physician, surgeon or hospital initially
7 chosen by the employee or by any other physician,
8 consultant, expert, institution or other provider of
9 services recommended by said initial service provider or
10 any subsequent provider of medical services in the chain of
11 referrals from said initial service provider; plus
12 (3) all medical, surgical and hospital services
13 provided by any second physician, surgeon or hospital
14 subsequently chosen by the employee or by any other
15 physician, consultant, expert, institution or other
16 provider of services recommended by said second service
17 provider or any subsequent provider of medical services in
18 the chain of referrals from said second service provider.
19 Thereafter the employer shall select and pay for all
20 necessary medical, surgical and hospital treatment and the
21 employee may not select a provider of medical services at
22 the employer's expense unless the employer agrees to such
23 selection. At any time the employee may obtain any medical
24 treatment he desires at his own expense. This paragraph
25 shall not affect the duty to pay for rehabilitation
26 referred to above.

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1 (4) The following shall apply for injuries occurring on
2 or after June 28, 2011 (the effective date of Public Act
3 97-18) and only when an employer has an approved preferred
4 provider program pursuant to Section 8.1a on the date the
5 employee sustained his or her accidental injuries:
6 (A) The employer shall, in writing, on a form
7 promulgated by the Commission, inform the employee of
8 the preferred provider program;
9 (B) Subsequent to the report of an injury by an
10 employee, the employee may choose in writing at any
11 time to decline the preferred provider program, in
12 which case that would constitute one of the two choices
13 of medical providers to which the employee is entitled
14 under subsection (a)(2) or (a)(3); and
15 (C) Prior to the report of an injury by an
16 employee, when an employee chooses non-emergency
17 treatment from a provider not within the preferred
18 provider program, that would constitute the employee's
19 one choice of medical providers to which the employee
20 is entitled under subsection (a)(2) or (a)(3).
21 When an employer and employee so agree in writing, nothing
22in this Act prevents an employee whose injury or disability has
23been established under this Act, from relying in good faith, on
24treatment by prayer or spiritual means alone, in accordance
25with the tenets and practice of a recognized church or
26religious denomination, by a duly accredited practitioner

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1thereof, and having nursing services appropriate therewith,
2without suffering loss or diminution of the compensation
3benefits under this Act. However, the employee shall submit to
4all physical examinations required by this Act. The cost of
5such treatment and nursing care shall be paid by the employee
6unless the employer agrees to make such payment.
7 Where the accidental injury results in the amputation of an
8arm, hand, leg or foot, or the enucleation of an eye, or the
9loss of any of the natural teeth, the employer shall furnish an
10artificial of any such members lost or damaged in accidental
11injury arising out of and in the course of employment, and
12shall also furnish the necessary braces in all proper and
13necessary cases. In cases of the loss of a member or members by
14amputation, the employer shall, whenever necessary, maintain
15in good repair, refit or replace the artificial limbs during
16the lifetime of the employee. Where the accidental injury
17accompanied by physical injury results in damage to a denture,
18eye glasses or contact eye lenses, or where the accidental
19injury results in damage to an artificial member, the employer
20shall replace or repair such denture, glasses, lenses, or
21artificial member.
22 The furnishing by the employer of any such services or
23appliances is not an admission of liability on the part of the
24employer to pay compensation.
25 The furnishing of any such services or appliances or the
26servicing thereof by the employer is not the payment of

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1compensation.
2 (b) If the period of temporary total incapacity for work
3lasts more than 3 working days, weekly compensation as
4hereinafter provided shall be paid beginning on the 4th day of
5such temporary total incapacity and continuing as long as the
6total temporary incapacity lasts. In cases where the temporary
7total incapacity for work continues for a period of 14 days or
8more from the day of the accident compensation shall commence
9on the day after the accident.
10 1. The compensation rate for temporary total
11 incapacity under this paragraph (b) of this Section shall
12 be equal to 66 2/3% of the employee's average weekly wage
13 computed in accordance with Section 10, provided that it
14 shall be not less than 66 2/3% of the sum of the Federal
15 minimum wage under the Fair Labor Standards Act, or the
16 Illinois minimum wage under the Minimum Wage Law, whichever
17 is more, multiplied by 40 hours. This percentage rate shall
18 be increased by 10% for each spouse and child, not to
19 exceed 100% of the total minimum wage calculation,
20 nor exceed the employee's average weekly wage computed in
21 accordance with the provisions of Section 10, whichever is
22 less.
23 2. The compensation rate in all cases other than for
24 temporary total disability under this paragraph (b), and
25 other than for serious and permanent disfigurement under
26 paragraph (c) and other than for permanent partial

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1 disability under subparagraph (2) of paragraph (d) or under
2 paragraph (e), of this Section shall be equal to 66 2/3% of
3 the employee's average weekly wage computed in accordance
4 with the provisions of Section 10, provided that it shall
5 be not less than 66 2/3% of the sum of the Federal minimum
6 wage under the Fair Labor Standards Act, or the Illinois
7 minimum wage under the Minimum Wage Law, whichever is more,
8 multiplied by 40 hours. This percentage rate shall be
9 increased by 10% for each spouse and child, not to exceed
10 100% of the total minimum wage calculation,
11 nor exceed the employee's average weekly wage computed in
12 accordance with the provisions of Section 10, whichever is
13 less.
14 2.1. The compensation rate in all cases of serious and
15 permanent disfigurement under paragraph (c) and of
16 permanent partial disability under subparagraph (2) of
17 paragraph (d) or under paragraph (e) of this Section shall
18 be equal to 60% of the employee's average weekly wage
19 computed in accordance with the provisions of Section 10,
20 provided that it shall be not less than 66 2/3% of the sum
21 of the Federal minimum wage under the Fair Labor Standards
22 Act, or the Illinois minimum wage under the Minimum Wage
23 Law, whichever is more, multiplied by 40 hours. This
24 percentage rate shall be increased by 10% for each spouse
25 and child, not to exceed 100% of the total minimum wage
26 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 3. As used in this Section the term "child" means a
5 child of the employee including any child legally adopted
6 before the accident or whom at the time of the accident the
7 employee was under legal obligation to support or to whom
8 the employee stood in loco parentis, and who at the time of
9 the accident was under 18 years of age and not emancipated.
10 The term "children" means the plural of "child".
11 4. All weekly compensation rates provided under
12 subparagraphs 1, 2 and 2.1 of this paragraph (b) of this
13 Section shall be subject to the following limitations:
14 The maximum weekly compensation rate from July 1, 1975,
15 except as hereinafter provided, shall be 100% of the
16 State's average weekly wage in covered industries under the
17 Unemployment Insurance Act, that being the wage that most
18 closely approximates the State's average weekly wage.
19 The maximum weekly compensation rate, for the period
20 July 1, 1984, through June 30, 1987, except as hereinafter
21 provided, shall be $293.61. Effective July 1, 1987 and on
22 July 1 of each year thereafter the maximum weekly
23 compensation rate, except as hereinafter provided, shall
24 be determined as follows: if during the preceding 12 month
25 period there shall have been an increase in the State's
26 average weekly wage in covered industries under the

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1 Unemployment Insurance Act, the weekly compensation rate
2 shall be proportionately increased by the same percentage
3 as the percentage of increase in the State's average weekly
4 wage in covered industries under the Unemployment
5 Insurance Act during such period.
6 The maximum weekly compensation rate, for the period
7 January 1, 1981 through December 31, 1983, except as
8 hereinafter provided, shall be 100% of the State's average
9 weekly wage in covered industries under the Unemployment
10 Insurance Act in effect on January 1, 1981. Effective
11 January 1, 1984 and on January 1, of each year thereafter
12 the maximum weekly compensation rate, except as
13 hereinafter provided, shall be determined as follows: if
14 during the preceding 12 month period there shall have been
15 an increase in the State's average weekly wage in covered
16 industries under the Unemployment Insurance Act, the
17 weekly compensation rate shall be proportionately
18 increased by the same percentage as the percentage of
19 increase in the State's average weekly wage in covered
20 industries under the Unemployment Insurance Act during
21 such period.
22 From July 1, 1977 and thereafter such maximum weekly
23 compensation rate in death cases under Section 7, and
24 permanent total disability cases under paragraph (f) or
25 subparagraph 18 of paragraph (3) of this Section and for
26 temporary total disability under paragraph (b) of this

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1 Section and for amputation of a member or enucleation of an
2 eye under paragraph (e) of this Section shall be increased
3 to 133-1/3% of the State's average weekly wage in covered
4 industries under the Unemployment Insurance Act.
5 For injuries occurring on or after February 1, 2006,
6 the maximum weekly benefit under paragraph (d)1 of this
7 Section shall be 100% of the State's average weekly wage in
8 covered industries under the Unemployment Insurance Act.
9 4.1. Any provision herein to the contrary
10 notwithstanding, the weekly compensation rate for
11 compensation payments under subparagraph 18 of paragraph
12 (e) of this Section and under paragraph (f) of this Section
13 and under paragraph (a) of Section 7 and for amputation of
14 a member or enucleation of an eye under paragraph (e) of
15 this Section, shall in no event be less than 50% of the
16 State's average weekly wage in covered industries under the
17 Unemployment Insurance Act.
18 4.2. Any provision to the contrary notwithstanding,
19 the total compensation payable under Section 7 shall not
20 exceed the greater of $500,000 or 25 years.
21 5. For the purpose of this Section this State's average
22 weekly wage in covered industries under the Unemployment
23 Insurance Act on July 1, 1975 is hereby fixed at $228.16
24 per week and the computation of compensation rates shall be
25 based on the aforesaid average weekly wage until modified
26 as hereinafter provided.

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1 6. The Department of Employment Security of the State
2 shall on or before the first day of December, 1977, and on
3 or before the first day of June, 1978, and on the first day
4 of each December and June of each year thereafter, publish
5 the State's average weekly wage in covered industries under
6 the Unemployment Insurance Act and the Illinois Workers'
7 Compensation Commission shall on the 15th day of January,
8 1978 and on the 15th day of July, 1978 and on the 15th day
9 of each January and July of each year thereafter, post and
10 publish the State's average weekly wage in covered
11 industries under the Unemployment Insurance Act as last
12 determined and published by the Department of Employment
13 Security. The amount when so posted and published shall be
14 conclusive and shall be applicable as the basis of
15 computation of compensation rates until the next posting
16 and publication as aforesaid.
17 7. The payment of compensation by an employer or his
18 insurance carrier to an injured employee shall not
19 constitute an admission of the employer's liability to pay
20 compensation.
21 (c) For any serious and permanent disfigurement to the
22hand, head, face, neck, arm, leg below the knee or the chest
23above the axillary line, the employee is entitled to
24compensation for such disfigurement, the amount determined by
25agreement at any time or by arbitration under this Act, at a
26hearing not less than 6 months after the date of the accidental

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1injury, which amount shall not exceed 150 weeks (if the
2accidental injury occurs on or after the effective date of this
3amendatory Act of the 94th General Assembly but before February
41, 2006) or 162 weeks (if the accidental injury occurs on or
5after February 1, 2006) at the applicable rate provided in
6subparagraph 2.1 of paragraph (b) of this Section.
7 No compensation is payable under this paragraph where
8compensation is payable under paragraphs (d), (e) or (f) of
9this Section.
10 A duly appointed member of a fire department in a city, the
11population of which exceeds 500,000 according to the last
12federal or State census, is eligible for compensation under
13this paragraph only where such serious and permanent
14disfigurement results from burns.
15 (d) 1. If, after the accidental injury has been sustained,
16the employee as a result thereof becomes partially
17incapacitated from pursuing his usual and customary line of
18employment, he shall, except in cases compensated under the
19specific schedule set forth in paragraph (e) of this Section,
20receive compensation for the duration of his disability,
21subject to the limitations as to maximum amounts fixed in
22paragraph (b) of this Section, equal to 66-2/3% of the
23difference between the average amount which he would be able to
24earn in the full performance of his duties in the occupation in
25which he was engaged at the time of the accident and the
26average amount which he is earning or is able to earn in some

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1suitable employment or business after the accident. For
2accidental injuries that occur on or after September 1, 2011,
3an award for wage differential under this subsection shall be
4effective only until the employee reaches the age of 67 or 5
5years from the date the award becomes final, whichever is
6later.
7 2. If, as a result of the accident, the employee sustains
8serious and permanent injuries not covered by paragraphs (c)
9and (e) of this Section or having sustained injuries covered by
10the aforesaid paragraphs (c) and (e), he shall have sustained
11in addition thereto other injuries which injuries do not
12incapacitate him from pursuing the duties of his employment but
13which would disable him from pursuing other suitable
14occupations, or which have otherwise resulted in physical
15impairment; or if such injuries partially incapacitate him from
16pursuing the duties of his usual and customary line of
17employment but do not result in an impairment of earning
18capacity, or having resulted in an impairment of earning
19capacity, the employee elects to waive his right to recover
20under the foregoing subparagraph 1 of paragraph (d) of this
21Section then in any of the foregoing events, he shall receive
22in addition to compensation for temporary total disability
23under paragraph (b) of this Section, compensation at the rate
24provided in subparagraph 2.1 of paragraph (b) of this Section
25for that percentage of 500 weeks that the partial disability
26resulting from the injuries covered by this paragraph bears to

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1total disability.
2 In computing the compensation to be paid to any employee
3who, before the accident for which he or she claims
4compensation, had previously sustained an injury resulting in
5the payment of compensation for a percentage of partial
6disability under this subparagraph 2, such percentage of
7partial disability shall be deducted from any award made under
8this subparagraph 2 for a subsequent injury to the same portion
9of the body as was involved in the prior injury for which
10compensation was paid; provided, however, nothing herein
11contained shall permit cumulative awards for compensation for
12partial disability under this subparagraph 2 to exceed 500
13weeks, which shall constitute complete loss of use of the body
14as a whole.
15 If, as a result of the accident, the employee shall have
16sustained a fracture of one or more vertebra or fracture of the
17skull, the amount of compensation allowed under this Section
18shall be not less than 6 weeks for a fractured skull and 6
19weeks for each fractured vertebra, and in the event the
20employee shall have sustained a fracture of any of the
21following facial bones: nasal, lachrymal, vomer, zygoma,
22maxilla, palatine or mandible, the amount of compensation
23allowed under this Section shall be not less than 2 weeks for
24each such fractured bone, and for a fracture of each transverse
25process not less than 3 weeks. In the event such injuries shall
26result in the loss of a kidney, spleen or lung, the amount of

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1compensation allowed under this Section shall be not less than
210 weeks for each such organ. Compensation awarded under this
3subparagraph 2 shall not take into consideration injuries
4covered under paragraphs (c) and (e) of this Section and the
5compensation provided in this paragraph shall not affect the
6employee's right to compensation payable under paragraphs (b),
7(c) and (e) of this Section for the disabilities therein
8covered.
9 (e) For accidental injuries in the following schedule, the
10employee shall receive compensation for the period of temporary
11total incapacity for work resulting from such accidental
12injury, under subparagraph 1 of paragraph (b) of this Section,
13and shall receive in addition thereto compensation for a
14further period for the specific loss herein mentioned, but
15shall not receive any compensation under any other provisions
16of this Act. The following listed amounts apply to either the
17loss of or the permanent and complete loss of use of the member
18specified, such compensation for the length of time as follows:
19 1. Thumb-
20 70 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 76 weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or
24 after February 1, 2006.
25 2. First, or index finger-
26 40 weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or

SB0772- 25 -LRB099 04026 KTG 24044 b
1 after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the
2 94th General Assembly but before February 1, 2006.
3 43 weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or
4 after February 1, 2006.
5 3. Second, or middle finger-
6 35 weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or
7 after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the
8 94th General Assembly but before February 1, 2006.
9 38 weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or
10 after February 1, 2006.
11 4. Third, or ring finger-
12 25 weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or
13 after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the
14 94th General Assembly but before February 1, 2006.
15 27 weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or
16 after February 1, 2006.
17 5. Fourth, or little finger-
18 20 weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or
19 after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the
20 94th General Assembly but before February 1, 2006.
21 22 weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or
22 after February 1, 2006.
23 6. Great toe-
24 35 weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or
25 after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the
26 94th General Assembly but before February 1, 2006.

SB0772- 26 -LRB099 04026 KTG 24044 b
1 38 weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or
2 after February 1, 2006.
3 7. Each toe other than great toe-
4 12 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 13 weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or
8 after February 1, 2006.
9 8. The loss of the first or distal phalanx of the thumb
10 or of any finger or toe shall be considered to be equal to
11 the loss of one-half of such thumb, finger or toe and the
12 compensation payable shall be one-half of the amount above
13 specified. The loss of more than one phalanx shall be
14 considered as the loss of the entire thumb, finger or toe.
15 In no case shall the amount received for more than one
16 finger exceed the amount provided in this schedule for the
17 loss of a hand.
18 9. Hand-
19 190 weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or
20 after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the
21 94th General Assembly but before February 1, 2006.
22 205 weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or
23 after February 1, 2006.
24 190 weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or
25 after June 28, 2011 (the effective date of Public Act
26 97-18) and if the accidental injury involves carpal

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1 tunnel syndrome due to repetitive or cumulative
2 trauma, in which case the permanent partial disability
3 shall not exceed 15% loss of use of the hand, except
4 for cause shown by clear and convincing evidence and in
5 which case the award shall not exceed 30% loss of use
6 of the hand.
7 The loss of 2 or more digits, or one or more phalanges
8 of 2 or more digits, of a hand may be compensated on the
9 basis of partial loss of use of a hand, provided, further,
10 that the loss of 4 digits, or the loss of use of 4 digits,
11 in the same hand shall constitute the complete loss of a
12 hand.
13 10. Arm-
14 235 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.
17 253 weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or
18 after February 1, 2006.
19 Where an accidental injury results in the amputation of
20 an arm below the elbow, such injury shall be compensated as
21 a loss of an arm. Where an accidental injury results in the
22 amputation of an arm above the elbow, compensation for an
23 additional 15 weeks (if the accidental injury occurs on or
24 after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 94th
25 General Assembly but before February 1, 2006) or an
26 additional 17 weeks (if the accidental injury occurs on or

SB0772- 28 -LRB099 04026 KTG 24044 b
1 after February 1, 2006) shall be paid, except where the
2 accidental injury results in the amputation of an arm at
3 the shoulder joint, or so close to shoulder joint that an
4 artificial arm cannot be used, or results in the
5 disarticulation of an arm at the shoulder joint, in which
6 case compensation for an additional 65 weeks (if the
7 accidental injury occurs on or after the effective date of
8 this amendatory Act of the 94th General Assembly but before
9 February 1, 2006) or an additional 70 weeks (if the
10 accidental injury occurs on or after February 1, 2006)
11 shall be paid. For purposes of awards under this
12 subdivision (e), injuries to the shoulder shall be
13 considered to be injuries to part of the arm. This
14 amendatory Act of the 99th General Assembly is declarative
15 of existing law and is not a new enactment.
16 11. Foot-
17 155 weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or
18 after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the
19 94th General Assembly but before February 1, 2006.
20 167 weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or
21 after February 1, 2006.
22 12. Leg-
23 200 weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or
24 after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the
25 94th General Assembly but before February 1, 2006.
26 215 weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or

SB0772- 29 -LRB099 04026 KTG 24044 b
1 after February 1, 2006.
2 Where an accidental injury results in the amputation of
3 a leg below the knee, such injury shall be compensated as
4 loss of a leg. Where an accidental injury results in the
5 amputation of a leg above the knee, compensation for an
6 additional 25 weeks (if the accidental injury occurs on or
7 after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 94th
8 General Assembly but before February 1, 2006) or an
9 additional 27 weeks (if the accidental injury occurs on or
10 after February 1, 2006) shall be paid, except where the
11 accidental injury results in the amputation of a leg at the
12 hip joint, or so close to the hip joint that an artificial
13 leg cannot be used, or results in the disarticulation of a
14 leg at the hip joint, in which case compensation for an
15 additional 75 weeks (if the accidental injury occurs on or
16 after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 94th
17 General Assembly but before February 1, 2006) or an
18 additional 81 weeks (if the accidental injury occurs on or
19 after February 1, 2006) shall be paid.
20 For purposes of awards under this subdivision (e), injuries
21to the hip shall be considered to be injuries to part of the
22leg. This amendatory Act of the 99th General Assembly is
23declarative of existing law and is not a new enactment.
24 13. Eye-
25 150 weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or
26 after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the

SB0772- 30 -LRB099 04026 KTG 24044 b
1 94th General Assembly but before February 1, 2006.
2 162 weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or
3 after February 1, 2006.
4 Where an accidental injury results in the enucleation
5 of an eye, compensation for an additional 10 weeks (if the
6 accidental injury occurs on or after the effective date of
7 this amendatory Act of the 94th General Assembly but before
8 February 1, 2006) or an additional 11 weeks (if the
9 accidental injury occurs on or after February 1, 2006)
10 shall be paid.
11 14. Loss of hearing of one ear-
12 50 weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or
13 after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the
14 94th General Assembly but before February 1, 2006.
15 54 weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or
16 after February 1, 2006.
17 Total and permanent loss of hearing of both ears-
18 200 weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or
19 after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the
20 94th General Assembly but before February 1, 2006.
21 215 weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or
22 after February 1, 2006.
23 15. Testicle-
24 50 weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or
25 after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the
26 94th General Assembly but before February 1, 2006.

SB0772- 31 -LRB099 04026 KTG 24044 b
1 54 weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or
2 after February 1, 2006.
3 Both testicles-
4 150 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.
7 162 weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or
8 after February 1, 2006.
9 16. For the permanent partial loss of use of a member
10 or sight of an eye, or hearing of an ear, compensation
11 during that proportion of the number of weeks in the
12 foregoing schedule provided for the loss of such member or
13 sight of an eye, or hearing of an ear, which the partial
14 loss of use thereof bears to the total loss of use of such
15 member, or sight of eye, or hearing of an ear.
16 (a) Loss of hearing for compensation purposes
17 shall be confined to the frequencies of 1,000, 2,000
18 and 3,000 cycles per second. Loss of hearing ability
19 for frequency tones above 3,000 cycles per second are
20 not to be considered as constituting disability for
21 hearing.
22 (b) The percent of hearing loss, for purposes of
23 the determination of compensation claims for
24 occupational deafness, shall be calculated as the
25 average in decibels for the thresholds of hearing for
26 the frequencies of 1,000, 2,000 and 3,000 cycles per

SB0772- 32 -LRB099 04026 KTG 24044 b
1 second. Pure tone air conduction audiometric
2 instruments, approved by nationally recognized
3 authorities in this field, shall be used for measuring
4 hearing loss. If the losses of hearing average 30
5 decibels or less in the 3 frequencies, such losses of
6 hearing shall not then constitute any compensable
7 hearing disability. If the losses of hearing average 85
8 decibels or more in the 3 frequencies, then the same
9 shall constitute and be total or 100% compensable
10 hearing loss.
11 (c) In measuring hearing impairment, the lowest
12 measured losses in each of the 3 frequencies shall be
13 added together and divided by 3 to determine the
14 average decibel loss. For every decibel of loss
15 exceeding 30 decibels an allowance of 1.82% shall be
16 made up to the maximum of 100% which is reached at 85
17 decibels.
18 (d) If a hearing loss is established to have
19 existed on July 1, 1975 by audiometric testing the
20 employer shall not be liable for the previous loss so
21 established nor shall he be liable for any loss for
22 which compensation has been paid or awarded.
23 (e) No consideration shall be given to the question
24 of whether or not the ability of an employee to
25 understand speech is improved by the use of a hearing
26 aid.

SB0772- 33 -LRB099 04026 KTG 24044 b
1 (f) No claim for loss of hearing due to industrial
2 noise shall be brought against an employer or allowed
3 unless the employee has been exposed for a period of
4 time sufficient to cause permanent impairment to noise
5 levels in excess of the following:
6Sound Level DBA
7Slow ResponseHours Per Day
8908
9926
10954
11973
121002
131021-1/2
141051
151101/2
161151/4
17 This subparagraph (f) shall not be applied in cases of
18 hearing loss resulting from trauma or explosion.
19 17. In computing the compensation to be paid to any
20 employee who, before the accident for which he claims
21 compensation, had before that time sustained an injury
22 resulting in the loss by amputation or partial loss by
23 amputation of any member, including hand, arm, thumb or
24 fingers, leg, foot or any toes, such loss or partial loss
25 of any such member shall be deducted from any award made
26 for the subsequent injury. For the permanent loss of use or

SB0772- 34 -LRB099 04026 KTG 24044 b
1 the permanent partial loss of use of any such member or the
2 partial loss of sight of an eye, for which compensation has
3 been paid, then such loss shall be taken into consideration
4 and deducted from any award for the subsequent injury.
5 18. The specific case of loss of both hands, both arms,
6 or both feet, or both legs, or both eyes, or of any two
7 thereof, or the permanent and complete loss of the use
8 thereof, constitutes total and permanent disability, to be
9 compensated according to the compensation fixed by
10 paragraph (f) of this Section. These specific cases of
11 total and permanent disability do not exclude other cases.
12 Any employee who has previously suffered the loss or
13 permanent and complete loss of the use of any of such
14 members, and in a subsequent independent accident loses
15 another or suffers the permanent and complete loss of the
16 use of any one of such members the employer for whom the
17 injured employee is working at the time of the last
18 independent accident is liable to pay compensation only for
19 the loss or permanent and complete loss of the use of the
20 member occasioned by the last independent accident.
21 19. In a case of specific loss and the subsequent death
22 of such injured employee from other causes than such injury
23 leaving a widow, widower, or dependents surviving before
24 payment or payment in full for such injury, then the amount
25 due for such injury is payable to the widow or widower and,
26 if there be no widow or widower, then to such dependents,

SB0772- 35 -LRB099 04026 KTG 24044 b
1 in the proportion which such dependency bears to total
2 dependency.
3 Beginning July 1, 1980, and every 6 months thereafter, the
4Commission shall examine the Second Injury Fund and when, after
5deducting all advances or loans made to such Fund, the amount
6therein is $500,000 then the amount required to be paid by
7employers pursuant to paragraph (f) of Section 7 shall be
8reduced by one-half. When the Second Injury Fund reaches the
9sum of $600,000 then the payments shall cease entirely.
10However, when the Second Injury Fund has been reduced to
11$400,000, payment of one-half of the amounts required by
12paragraph (f) of Section 7 shall be resumed, in the manner
13herein provided, and when the Second Injury Fund has been
14reduced to $300,000, payment of the full amounts required by
15paragraph (f) of Section 7 shall be resumed, in the manner
16herein provided. The Commission shall make the changes in
17payment effective by general order, and the changes in payment
18become immediately effective for all cases coming before the
19Commission thereafter either by settlement agreement or final
20order, irrespective of the date of the accidental injury.
21 On August 1, 1996 and on February 1 and August 1 of each
22subsequent year, the Commission shall examine the special fund
23designated as the "Rate Adjustment Fund" and when, after
24deducting all advances or loans made to said fund, the amount
25therein is $4,000,000, the amount required to be paid by
26employers pursuant to paragraph (f) of Section 7 shall be

SB0772- 36 -LRB099 04026 KTG 24044 b
1reduced by one-half. When the Rate Adjustment Fund reaches the
2sum of $5,000,000 the payment therein shall cease entirely.
3However, when said Rate Adjustment Fund has been reduced to
4$3,000,000 the amounts required by paragraph (f) of Section 7
5shall be resumed in the manner herein provided.
6 (f) In case of complete disability, which renders the
7employee wholly and permanently incapable of work, or in the
8specific case of total and permanent disability as provided in
9subparagraph 18 of paragraph (e) of this Section, compensation
10shall be payable at the rate provided in subparagraph 2 of
11paragraph (b) of this Section for life.
12 An employee entitled to benefits under paragraph (f) of
13this Section shall also be entitled to receive from the Rate
14Adjustment Fund provided in paragraph (f) of Section 7 of the
15supplementary benefits provided in paragraph (g) of this
16Section 8.
17 If any employee who receives an award under this paragraph
18afterwards returns to work or is able to do so, and earns or is
19able to earn as much as before the accident, payments under
20such award shall cease. If such employee returns to work, or is
21able to do so, and earns or is able to earn part but not as much
22as before the accident, such award shall be modified so as to
23conform to an award under paragraph (d) of this Section. If
24such award is terminated or reduced under the provisions of
25this paragraph, such employees have the right at any time
26within 30 months after the date of such termination or

SB0772- 37 -LRB099 04026 KTG 24044 b
1reduction to file petition with the Commission for the purpose
2of determining whether any disability exists as a result of the
3original accidental injury and the extent thereof.
4 Disability as enumerated in subdivision 18, paragraph (e)
5of this Section is considered complete disability.
6 If an employee who had previously incurred loss or the
7permanent and complete loss of use of one member, through the
8loss or the permanent and complete loss of the use of one hand,
9one arm, one foot, one leg, or one eye, incurs permanent and
10complete disability through the loss or the permanent and
11complete loss of the use of another member, he shall receive,
12in addition to the compensation payable by the employer and
13after such payments have ceased, an amount from the Second
14Injury Fund provided for in paragraph (f) of Section 7, which,
15together with the compensation payable from the employer in
16whose employ he was when the last accidental injury was
17incurred, will equal the amount payable for permanent and
18complete disability as provided in this paragraph of this
19Section.
20 The custodian of the Second Injury Fund provided for in
21paragraph (f) of Section 7 shall be joined with the employer as
22a party respondent in the application for adjustment of claim.
23The application for adjustment of claim shall state briefly and
24in general terms the approximate time and place and manner of
25the loss of the first member.
26 In its award the Commission or the Arbitrator shall

SB0772- 38 -LRB099 04026 KTG 24044 b
1specifically find the amount the injured employee shall be
2weekly paid, the number of weeks compensation which shall be
3paid by the employer, the date upon which payments begin out of
4the Second Injury Fund provided for in paragraph (f) of Section
57 of this Act, the length of time the weekly payments continue,
6the date upon which the pension payments commence and the
7monthly amount of the payments. The Commission shall 30 days
8after the date upon which payments out of the Second Injury
9Fund have begun as provided in the award, and every month
10thereafter, prepare and submit to the State Comptroller a
11voucher for payment for all compensation accrued to that date
12at the rate fixed by the Commission. The State Comptroller
13shall draw a warrant to the injured employee along with a
14receipt to be executed by the injured employee and returned to
15the Commission. The endorsed warrant and receipt is a full and
16complete acquittance to the Commission for the payment out of
17the Second Injury Fund. No other appropriation or warrant is
18necessary for payment out of the Second Injury Fund. The Second
19Injury Fund is appropriated for the purpose of making payments
20according to the terms of the awards.
21 As of July 1, 1980 to July 1, 1982, all claims against and
22obligations of the Second Injury Fund shall become claims
23against and obligations of the Rate Adjustment Fund to the
24extent there is insufficient money in the Second Injury Fund to
25pay such claims and obligations. In that case, all references
26to "Second Injury Fund" in this Section shall also include the

SB0772- 39 -LRB099 04026 KTG 24044 b
1Rate Adjustment Fund.
2 (g) Every award for permanent total disability entered by
3the Commission on and after July 1, 1965 under which
4compensation payments shall become due and payable after the
5effective date of this amendatory Act, and every award for
6death benefits or permanent total disability entered by the
7Commission on and after the effective date of this amendatory
8Act shall be subject to annual adjustments as to the amount of
9the compensation rate therein provided. Such adjustments shall
10first be made on July 15, 1977, and all awards made and entered
11prior to July 1, 1975 and on July 15 of each year thereafter.
12In all other cases such adjustment shall be made on July 15 of
13the second year next following the date of the entry of the
14award and shall further be made on July 15 annually thereafter.
15If during the intervening period from the date of the entry of
16the award, or the last periodic adjustment, there shall have
17been an increase in the State's average weekly wage in covered
18industries under the Unemployment Insurance Act, the weekly
19compensation rate shall be proportionately increased by the
20same percentage as the percentage of increase in the State's
21average weekly wage in covered industries under the
22Unemployment Insurance Act. The increase in the compensation
23rate under this paragraph shall in no event bring the total
24compensation rate to an amount greater than the prevailing
25maximum rate at the time that the annual adjustment is made.
26Such increase shall be paid in the same manner as herein

SB0772- 40 -LRB099 04026 KTG 24044 b
1provided for payments under the Second Injury Fund to the
2injured employee, or his dependents, as the case may be, out of
3the Rate Adjustment Fund provided in paragraph (f) of Section 7
4of this Act. Payments shall be made at the same intervals as
5provided in the award or, at the option of the Commission, may
6be made in quarterly payment on the 15th day of January, April,
7July and October of each year. In the event of a decrease in
8such average weekly wage there shall be no change in the then
9existing compensation rate. The within paragraph shall not
10apply to cases where there is disputed liability and in which a
11compromise lump sum settlement between the employer and the
12injured employee, or his dependents, as the case may be, has
13been duly approved by the Illinois Workers' Compensation
14Commission.
15 Provided, that in cases of awards entered by the Commission
16for injuries occurring before July 1, 1975, the increases in
17the compensation rate adjusted under the foregoing provision of
18this paragraph (g) shall be limited to increases in the State's
19average weekly wage in covered industries under the
20Unemployment Insurance Act occurring after July 1, 1975.
21 For every accident occurring on or after July 20, 2005 but
22before the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 94th
23General Assembly (Senate Bill 1283 of the 94th General
24Assembly), the annual adjustments to the compensation rate in
25awards for death benefits or permanent total disability, as
26provided in this Act, shall be paid by the employer. The

SB0772- 41 -LRB099 04026 KTG 24044 b
1adjustment shall be made by the employer on July 15 of the
2second year next following the date of the entry of the award
3and shall further be made on July 15 annually thereafter. If
4during the intervening period from the date of the entry of the
5award, or the last periodic adjustment, there shall have been
6an increase in the State's average weekly wage in covered
7industries under the Unemployment Insurance Act, the employer
8shall increase the weekly compensation rate proportionately by
9the same percentage as the percentage of increase in the
10State's average weekly wage in covered industries under the
11Unemployment Insurance Act. The increase in the compensation
12rate under this paragraph shall in no event bring the total
13compensation rate to an amount greater than the prevailing
14maximum rate at the time that the annual adjustment is made. In
15the event of a decrease in such average weekly wage there shall
16be no change in the then existing compensation rate. Such
17increase shall be paid by the employer in the same manner and
18at the same intervals as the payment of compensation in the
19award. This paragraph shall not apply to cases where there is
20disputed liability and in which a compromise lump sum
21settlement between the employer and the injured employee, or
22his or her dependents, as the case may be, has been duly
23approved by the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission.
24 The annual adjustments for every award of death benefits or
25permanent total disability involving accidents occurring
26before July 20, 2005 and accidents occurring on or after the

SB0772- 42 -LRB099 04026 KTG 24044 b
1effective date of this amendatory Act of the 94th General
2Assembly (Senate Bill 1283 of the 94th General Assembly) shall
3continue to be paid from the Rate Adjustment Fund pursuant to
4this paragraph and Section 7(f) of this Act.
5 (h) In case death occurs from any cause before the total
6compensation to which the employee would have been entitled has
7been paid, then in case the employee leaves any widow, widower,
8child, parent (or any grandchild, grandparent or other lineal
9heir or any collateral heir dependent at the time of the
10accident upon the earnings of the employee to the extent of 50%
11or more of total dependency) such compensation shall be paid to
12the beneficiaries of the deceased employee and distributed as
13provided in paragraph (g) of Section 7.
14 (h-1) In case an injured employee is under legal disability
15at the time when any right or privilege accrues to him or her
16under this Act, a guardian may be appointed pursuant to law,
17and may, on behalf of such person under legal disability, claim
18and exercise any such right or privilege with the same effect
19as if the employee himself or herself had claimed or exercised
20the right or privilege. No limitations of time provided by this
21Act run so long as the employee who is under legal disability
22is without a conservator or guardian.
23 (i) In case the injured employee is under 16 years of age
24at the time of the accident and is illegally employed, the
25amount of compensation payable under paragraphs (b), (c), (d),
26(e) and (f) of this Section is increased 50%.

SB0772- 43 -LRB099 04026 KTG 24044 b
1 However, where an employer has on file an employment
2certificate issued pursuant to the Child Labor Law or work
3permit issued pursuant to the Federal Fair Labor Standards Act,
4as amended, or a birth certificate properly and duly issued,
5such certificate, permit or birth certificate is conclusive
6evidence as to the age of the injured minor employee for the
7purposes of this Section.
8 Nothing herein contained repeals or amends the provisions
9of the Child Labor Law relating to the employment of minors
10under the age of 16 years.
11 (j) 1. In the event the injured employee receives benefits,
12including medical, surgical or hospital benefits under any
13group plan covering non-occupational disabilities contributed
14to wholly or partially by the employer, which benefits should
15not have been payable if any rights of recovery existed under
16this Act, then such amounts so paid to the employee from any
17such group plan as shall be consistent with, and limited to,
18the provisions of paragraph 2 hereof, shall be credited to or
19against any compensation payment for temporary total
20incapacity for work or any medical, surgical or hospital
21benefits made or to be made under this Act. In such event, the
22period of time for giving notice of accidental injury and
23filing application for adjustment of claim does not commence to
24run until the termination of such payments. This paragraph does
25not apply to payments made under any group plan which would
26have been payable irrespective of an accidental injury under

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1this Act. Any employer receiving such credit shall keep such
2employee safe and harmless from any and all claims or
3liabilities that may be made against him by reason of having
4received such payments only to the extent of such credit.
5 Any excess benefits paid to or on behalf of a State
6employee by the State Employees' Retirement System under
7Article 14 of the Illinois Pension Code on a death claim or
8disputed disability claim shall be credited against any
9payments made or to be made by the State of Illinois to or on
10behalf of such employee under this Act, except for payments for
11medical expenses which have already been incurred at the time
12of the award. The State of Illinois shall directly reimburse
13the State Employees' Retirement System to the extent of such
14credit.
15 2. Nothing contained in this Act shall be construed to give
16the employer or the insurance carrier the right to credit for
17any benefits or payments received by the employee other than
18compensation payments provided by this Act, and where the
19employee receives payments other than compensation payments,
20whether as full or partial salary, group insurance benefits,
21bonuses, annuities or any other payments, the employer or
22insurance carrier shall receive credit for each such payment
23only to the extent of the compensation that would have been
24payable during the period covered by such payment.
25 3. The extension of time for the filing of an Application
26for Adjustment of Claim as provided in paragraph 1 above shall

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1not apply to those cases where the time for such filing had
2expired prior to the date on which payments or benefits
3enumerated herein have been initiated or resumed. Provided
4however that this paragraph 3 shall apply only to cases wherein
5the payments or benefits hereinabove enumerated shall be
6received after July 1, 1969.
7(Source: P.A. 97-18, eff. 6-28-11; 97-268, eff. 8-8-11; 97-813,
8eff. 7-13-12.)
9 (820 ILCS 305/10) (from Ch. 48, par. 138.10)
10 Sec. 10. The basis for computing the compensation provided
11for in Sections 7 and 8 of the Act shall be as follows:
12 (1) The compensation shall be computed on the basis of the
13"Average weekly wage" which shall mean the actual earnings of
14the employee in the employment in which he was working at the
15time of the injury during the period of 52 weeks ending with
16the last day of the employee's last full pay period immediately
17preceding the date of injury, illness or disablement excluding
18overtime, and bonus divided by 52; but if the injured employee
19lost 5 or more calendar days during such period, whether or not
20in the same week, then the earnings for the remainder of such
2152 weeks shall be divided by the number of weeks and parts
22thereof remaining after the time so lost has been deducted.
23 (2) Where the employment prior to the injury extended over
24a period of less than 52 weeks, or where the employment is
25noncontinuous or less than full-time, or the employee lost one

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1or more calendar days during that period, the earnings earned
2during that period shall be divided by the number of weeks
3during which the employee worked, regardless of the number of
4hours worked during that week.
5 (3) When the employee is working concurrently with 2 or
6more employers and the respondent employer has knowledge of
7such additional employment prior to the injury, his or her
8wages from all such employers shall be considered as if earned
9from the employer liable for compensation.
10 (4) Each week during which the employee earned wages counts
11as one week for purposes of computation under subdivisions (1),
12(2) and (3), regardless of the number of hours worked during
13that week the method of dividing the earnings during that
14period by the number of weeks and parts thereof during which
15the employee actually earned wages shall be followed.
16 (5) Where by reason of the shortness of the time during
17which the employee has been in the employment of his employer
18or of the casual nature or terms of the employment, it is
19impractical to compute the average weekly wages as above
20defined, regard shall be had to the average weekly amount which
21during the 52 weeks previous to the injury, illness or
22disablement was being or would have been earned by a person in
23the same grade employed at the same work for each of such 52
24weeks for the same number of hours per week by the same
25employer. In the case of volunteer firemen, police and civil
26defense members or trainees, the income benefits shall be based

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1on the average weekly wage in their regular employment. When
2the employee is working concurrently with two or more employers
3and the respondent employer has knowledge of such employment
4prior to the injury, his wages from all such employers shall be
5considered as if earned from the employer liable for
6compensation.
7(Source: P.A. 81-1482.)