CHICAGO (AP) — Amid a federal investigation of potential workers' compensation abuses, Gov. Pat Quinn's administration on Friday proposed systemwide changes to prevent possible malfeasance and save employers money.
The issue also is getting a lot of attention because Illinois is fighting a reputation as a place bad for business after Democratic lawmakers passed an income tax increase in January.
Among Quinn's proposals is a 30 percent cut in payments to medical providers who treat people injured on the job, a reduction the administration estimates could save employers up to $500 million but still generously compensate health care workers.
Quinn also wants to revamp the Workers' Compensation Commission and that includes adding the requirement that arbitrators who decide claims be licensed attorneys and that the Court of Claims, and not arbitrators, decide when claims involve commission appointees or their employees.
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