103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY State of Illinois 2023 and 2024 SB0154 Introduced 1/25/2023, by Sen. Neil Anderson SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED: 820 ILCS 305/8 from Ch. 48, par. 138.8 Amends the Workers' Compensation Act. Provides that in the case of an employee who is a volunteer, paid-on-call, or part-time firefighter, an emergency medical technician, or a paramedic, compensation for temporary total incapacity shall commence on the day after the accident. Effective immediately. LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b A BILL FOR 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY State of Illinois 2023 and 2024 SB0154 Introduced 1/25/2023, by Sen. Neil Anderson SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED: 820 ILCS 305/8 from Ch. 48, par. 138.8 820 ILCS 305/8 from Ch. 48, par. 138.8 Amends the Workers' Compensation Act. Provides that in the case of an employee who is a volunteer, paid-on-call, or part-time firefighter, an emergency medical technician, or a paramedic, compensation for temporary total incapacity shall commence on the day after the accident. Effective immediately. LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b A BILL FOR 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY State of Illinois 2023 and 2024 SB0154 Introduced 1/25/2023, by Sen. Neil Anderson SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED: 820 ILCS 305/8 from Ch. 48, par. 138.8 820 ILCS 305/8 from Ch. 48, par. 138.8 820 ILCS 305/8 from Ch. 48, par. 138.8 Amends the Workers' Compensation Act. Provides that in the case of an employee who is a volunteer, paid-on-call, or part-time firefighter, an emergency medical technician, or a paramedic, compensation for temporary total incapacity shall commence on the day after the accident. Effective immediately. LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b A BILL FOR SB0154LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b SB0154 LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b SB0154 LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b 1 AN ACT concerning employment. 2 Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, 3 represented in the General Assembly: 4 Section 5. The Workers' Compensation Act is amended by 5 changing 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 8 the employee for an accidental injury not resulting in death 9 is: 10 (a) The employer shall provide and pay the negotiated 11 rate, if applicable, or the lesser of the health care 12 provider's actual charges or according to a fee schedule, 13 subject to Section 8.2, in effect at the time the service was 14 rendered for all the necessary first aid, medical and surgical 15 services, and all necessary medical, surgical and hospital 16 services thereafter incurred, limited, however, to that which 17 is reasonably required to cure or relieve from the effects of 18 the accidental injury, even if a health care provider sells, 19 transfers, or otherwise assigns an account receivable for 20 procedures, treatments, or services covered under this Act. If 21 the employer does not dispute payment of first aid, medical, 22 surgical, and hospital services, the employer shall make such 23 payment to the provider on behalf of the employee. The 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY State of Illinois 2023 and 2024 SB0154 Introduced 1/25/2023, by Sen. Neil Anderson SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED: 820 ILCS 305/8 from Ch. 48, par. 138.8 820 ILCS 305/8 from Ch. 48, par. 138.8 820 ILCS 305/8 from Ch. 48, par. 138.8 Amends the Workers' Compensation Act. Provides that in the case of an employee who is a volunteer, paid-on-call, or part-time firefighter, an emergency medical technician, or a paramedic, compensation for temporary total incapacity shall commence on the day after the accident. Effective immediately. LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b A BILL FOR 820 ILCS 305/8 from Ch. 48, par. 138.8 LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b SB0154 LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b SB0154- 2 -LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b SB0154 - 2 - LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b SB0154 - 2 - LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b 1 employer shall also pay for treatment, instruction and 2 training necessary for the physical, mental and vocational 3 rehabilitation of the employee, including all maintenance 4 costs and expenses incidental thereto. If as a result of the 5 injury the employee is unable to be self-sufficient the 6 employer shall further pay for such maintenance or 7 institutional care as shall be required. 8 The employee may at any time elect to secure his own 9 physician, surgeon and hospital services at the employer's 10 expense, or, 11 Upon agreement between the employer and the employees, or 12 the employees' exclusive representative, and subject to the 13 approval of the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission, the 14 employer shall maintain a list of physicians, to be known as a 15 Panel of Physicians, who are accessible to the employees. The 16 employer shall post this list in a place or places easily 17 accessible to his employees. The employee shall have the right 18 to make an alternative choice of physician from such Panel if 19 he is not satisfied with the physician first selected. If, due 20 to the nature of the injury or its occurrence away from the 21 employer's place of business, the employee is unable to make a 22 selection from the Panel, the selection process from the Panel 23 shall not apply. The physician selected from the Panel may 24 arrange for any consultation, referral or other specialized 25 medical services outside the Panel at the employer's expense. 26 Provided that, in the event the Commission shall find that a SB0154 - 2 - LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b SB0154- 3 -LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b SB0154 - 3 - LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b SB0154 - 3 - LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b 1 doctor selected by the employee is rendering improper or 2 inadequate care, the Commission may order the employee to 3 select another doctor certified or qualified in the medical 4 field for which treatment is required. If the employee refuses 5 to make such change the Commission may relieve the employer of 6 his obligation to pay the doctor's charges from the date of 7 refusal to the date of compliance. 8 Any vocational rehabilitation counselors who provide 9 service under this Act shall have appropriate certifications 10 which designate the counselor as qualified to render opinions 11 relating to vocational rehabilitation. Vocational 12 rehabilitation may include, but is not limited to, counseling 13 for job searches, supervising a job search program, and 14 vocational retraining including education at an accredited 15 learning institution. The employee or employer may petition to 16 the Commission to decide disputes relating to vocational 17 rehabilitation and the Commission shall resolve any such 18 dispute, including payment of the vocational rehabilitation 19 program by the employer. 20 The maintenance benefit shall not be less than the 21 temporary total disability rate determined for the employee. 22 In addition, maintenance shall include costs and expenses 23 incidental to the vocational rehabilitation program. 24 When the employee is working light duty on a part-time 25 basis or full-time basis and earns less than he or she would be 26 earning if employed in the full capacity of the job or jobs, SB0154 - 3 - LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b SB0154- 4 -LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b SB0154 - 4 - LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b SB0154 - 4 - LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b 1 then the employee shall be entitled to temporary partial 2 disability benefits. Temporary partial disability benefits 3 shall be equal to two-thirds of the difference between the 4 average amount that the employee would be able to earn in the 5 full performance of his or her duties in the occupation in 6 which he or she was engaged at the time of accident and the 7 gross amount which he or she is earning in the modified job 8 provided to the employee by the employer or in any other job 9 that the employee is working. 10 Every hospital, physician, surgeon or other person 11 rendering treatment or services in accordance with the 12 provisions of this Section shall upon written request furnish 13 full and complete reports thereof to, and permit their records 14 to be copied by, the employer, the employee or his dependents, 15 as the case may be, or any other party to any proceeding for 16 compensation before the Commission, or their attorneys. 17 Notwithstanding the foregoing, the employer's liability to 18 pay for such medical services selected by the employee shall 19 be limited 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 SB0154 - 4 - LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b SB0154- 5 -LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b SB0154 - 5 - LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b SB0154 - 5 - LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b 1 of 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 18 on 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 SB0154 - 5 - LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b SB0154- 6 -LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b SB0154 - 6 - LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b SB0154 - 6 - LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b 1 time to decline the preferred provider program, in 2 which case that would constitute one of the two 3 choices of medical providers to which the employee is 4 entitled 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 12 in this Act prevents an employee whose injury or disability 13 has been established under this Act, from relying in good 14 faith, on treatment by prayer or spiritual means alone, in 15 accordance with the tenets and practice of a recognized church 16 or religious denomination, by a duly accredited practitioner 17 thereof, and having nursing services appropriate therewith, 18 without suffering loss or diminution of the compensation 19 benefits under this Act. However, the employee shall submit to 20 all physical examinations required by this Act. The cost of 21 such treatment and nursing care shall be paid by the employee 22 unless the employer agrees to make such payment. 23 Where the accidental injury results in the amputation of 24 an arm, hand, leg or foot, or the enucleation of an eye, or the 25 loss of any of the natural teeth, the employer shall furnish an 26 artificial of any such members lost or damaged in accidental SB0154 - 6 - LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b SB0154- 7 -LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b SB0154 - 7 - LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b SB0154 - 7 - LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b 1 injury arising out of and in the course of employment, and 2 shall also furnish the necessary braces in all proper and 3 necessary cases. In cases of the loss of a member or members by 4 amputation, the employer shall, whenever necessary, maintain 5 in good repair, refit or replace the artificial limbs during 6 the lifetime of the employee. Where the accidental injury 7 accompanied by physical injury results in damage to a denture, 8 eye glasses or contact eye lenses, or where the accidental 9 injury results in damage to an artificial member, the employer 10 shall replace or repair such denture, glasses, lenses, or 11 artificial member. 12 The furnishing by the employer of any such services or 13 appliances is not an admission of liability on the part of the 14 employer to pay compensation. 15 The furnishing of any such services or appliances or the 16 servicing thereof by the employer is not the payment of 17 compensation. 18 (b) If the period of temporary total incapacity for work 19 lasts more than 3 working days, weekly compensation as 20 hereinafter provided shall be paid beginning on the 4th day of 21 such temporary total incapacity and continuing as long as the 22 total temporary incapacity lasts. Notwithstanding the 23 preceding sentence, in the case of an employee who is employed 24 as a volunteer, paid-on-call, or part-time firefighter, an 25 emergency medical technician, or a paramedic or in In cases 26 where the temporary total incapacity for work continues for a SB0154 - 7 - LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b SB0154- 8 -LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b SB0154 - 8 - LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b SB0154 - 8 - LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b 1 period of 14 days or more from the day of the accident, 2 compensation shall commence on the day after the accident. 3 1. The compensation rate for temporary total 4 incapacity under this paragraph (b) of this Section shall 5 be equal to 66 2/3% of the employee's average weekly wage 6 computed in accordance with Section 10, provided that it 7 shall be not less than 66 2/3% of the sum of the Federal 8 minimum wage under the Fair Labor Standards Act, or the 9 Illinois minimum wage under the Minimum Wage Law, 10 whichever is more, multiplied by 40 hours. This percentage 11 rate shall be increased by 10% for each spouse and child, 12 not to exceed 100% of the total minimum wage calculation, 13 nor exceed the employee's average weekly wage computed in 14 accordance with the provisions of Section 10, whichever is 15 less. 16 2. The compensation rate in all cases other than for 17 temporary total disability under this paragraph (b), and 18 other than for serious and permanent disfigurement under 19 paragraph (c) and other than for permanent partial 20 disability under subparagraph (2) of paragraph (d) or 21 under paragraph (e), of this Section shall be equal to 66 22 2/3% of the employee's average weekly wage computed in 23 accordance with the provisions of Section 10, provided 24 that it shall be not less than 66 2/3% of the sum of the 25 Federal minimum wage under the Fair Labor Standards Act, 26 or the Illinois minimum wage under the Minimum Wage Law, SB0154 - 8 - LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b SB0154- 9 -LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b SB0154 - 9 - LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b SB0154 - 9 - LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b 1 whichever is more, multiplied by 40 hours. This percentage 2 rate shall be increased by 10% for each spouse and child, 3 not to exceed 100% of the total minimum wage calculation, 4 nor exceed the employee's average weekly wage computed in 5 accordance with the provisions of Section 10, whichever is 6 less. 7 2.1. The compensation rate in all cases of serious and 8 permanent disfigurement under paragraph (c) and of 9 permanent partial disability under subparagraph (2) of 10 paragraph (d) or under paragraph (e) of this Section shall 11 be equal to 60% of the employee's average weekly wage 12 computed in accordance with the provisions of Section 10, 13 provided that it shall be not less than 66 2/3% of the sum 14 of the Federal minimum wage under the Fair Labor Standards 15 Act, or the Illinois minimum wage under the Minimum Wage 16 Law, whichever is more, multiplied by 40 hours. This 17 percentage rate shall be increased by 10% for each spouse 18 and child, not to exceed 100% of the total minimum wage 19 calculation, nor exceed the employee's average weekly wage 20 computed in accordance with the provisions of Section 10, 21 whichever is less. 22 3. As used in this Section the term "child" means a 23 child of the employee including any child legally adopted 24 before the accident or whom at the time of the accident the 25 employee was under legal obligation to support or to whom 26 the employee stood in loco parentis, and who at the time of SB0154 - 9 - LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b SB0154- 10 -LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b SB0154 - 10 - LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b SB0154 - 10 - LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b 1 the accident was under 18 years of age and not 2 emancipated. The term "children" means the plural of 3 "child". 4 4. All weekly compensation rates provided under 5 subparagraphs 1, 2 and 2.1 of this paragraph (b) of this 6 Section shall be subject to the following limitations: 7 The maximum weekly compensation rate from July 1, 8 1975, except as hereinafter provided, shall be 100% of the 9 State's average weekly wage in covered industries under 10 the Unemployment Insurance Act, that being the wage that 11 most closely approximates the State's average weekly wage. 12 The maximum weekly compensation rate, for the period 13 July 1, 1984, through June 30, 1987, except as hereinafter 14 provided, shall be $293.61. Effective July 1, 1987 and on 15 July 1 of each year thereafter the maximum weekly 16 compensation rate, except as hereinafter provided, shall 17 be determined as follows: if during the preceding 12 month 18 period there shall have been an increase in the State's 19 average weekly wage in covered industries under the 20 Unemployment Insurance Act, the weekly compensation rate 21 shall be proportionately increased by the same percentage 22 as the percentage of increase in the State's average 23 weekly wage in covered industries under the Unemployment 24 Insurance Act during such period. 25 The maximum weekly compensation rate, for the period 26 January 1, 1981 through December 31, 1983, except as SB0154 - 10 - LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b SB0154- 11 -LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b SB0154 - 11 - LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b SB0154 - 11 - LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b 1 hereinafter provided, shall be 100% of the State's average 2 weekly wage in covered industries under the Unemployment 3 Insurance Act in effect on January 1, 1981. Effective 4 January 1, 1984 and on January 1, of each year thereafter 5 the maximum weekly compensation rate, except as 6 hereinafter provided, shall be determined as follows: if 7 during the preceding 12 month period there shall have been 8 an increase in the State's average weekly wage in covered 9 industries under the Unemployment Insurance Act, the 10 weekly compensation rate shall be proportionately 11 increased by the same percentage as the percentage of 12 increase in the State's average weekly wage in covered 13 industries under the Unemployment Insurance Act during 14 such period. 15 From July 1, 1977 and thereafter such maximum weekly 16 compensation rate in death cases under Section 7, and 17 permanent total disability cases under paragraph (f) or 18 subparagraph 18 of paragraph (3) of this Section and for 19 temporary total disability under paragraph (b) of this 20 Section and for amputation of a member or enucleation of 21 an eye under paragraph (e) of this Section shall be 22 increased to 133-1/3% of the State's average weekly wage 23 in covered industries under the Unemployment Insurance 24 Act. 25 For injuries occurring on or after February 1, 2006, 26 the maximum weekly benefit under paragraph (d)1 of this SB0154 - 11 - LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b SB0154- 12 -LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b SB0154 - 12 - LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b SB0154 - 12 - LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b 1 Section shall be 100% of the State's average weekly wage 2 in covered industries under the Unemployment Insurance 3 Act. 4 4.1. Any provision herein to the contrary 5 notwithstanding, the weekly compensation rate for 6 compensation payments under subparagraph 18 of paragraph 7 (e) of this Section and under paragraph (f) of this 8 Section and under paragraph (a) of Section 7 and for 9 amputation of a member or enucleation of an eye under 10 paragraph (e) of this Section, shall in no event be less 11 than 50% of the State's average weekly wage in covered 12 industries under the Unemployment Insurance Act. 13 4.2. Any provision to the contrary notwithstanding, 14 the total compensation payable under Section 7 shall not 15 exceed the greater of $500,000 or 25 years. 16 5. For the purpose of this Section this State's 17 average weekly wage in covered industries under the 18 Unemployment Insurance Act on July 1, 1975 is hereby fixed 19 at $228.16 per week and the computation of compensation 20 rates shall be based on the aforesaid average weekly wage 21 until modified as hereinafter provided. 22 6. The Department of Employment Security of the State 23 shall on or before the first day of December, 1977, and on 24 or before the first day of June, 1978, and on the first day 25 of each December and June of each year thereafter, publish 26 the State's average weekly wage in covered industries SB0154 - 12 - LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b SB0154- 13 -LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b SB0154 - 13 - LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b SB0154 - 13 - LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b 1 under the Unemployment Insurance Act and the Illinois 2 Workers' Compensation Commission shall on the 15th day of 3 January, 1978 and on the 15th day of July, 1978 and on the 4 15th day of each January and July of each year thereafter, 5 post and publish the State's average weekly wage in 6 covered industries under the Unemployment Insurance Act as 7 last determined and published by the Department of 8 Employment Security. The amount when so posted and 9 published shall be conclusive and shall be applicable as 10 the basis of computation of compensation rates until the 11 next posting and publication as aforesaid. 12 7. The payment of compensation by an employer or his 13 insurance carrier to an injured employee shall not 14 constitute an admission of the employer's liability to pay 15 compensation. 16 (c) For any serious and permanent disfigurement to the 17 hand, head, face, neck, arm, leg below the knee or the chest 18 above the axillary line, the employee is entitled to 19 compensation for such disfigurement, the amount determined by 20 agreement at any time or by arbitration under this Act, at a 21 hearing not less than 6 months after the date of the accidental 22 injury, which amount shall not exceed 150 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 162 weeks (if the accidental injury 26 occurs on or after February 1, 2006) at the applicable rate SB0154 - 13 - LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b SB0154- 14 -LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b SB0154 - 14 - LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b SB0154 - 14 - LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b 1 provided in subparagraph 2.1 of paragraph (b) of this Section. 2 No compensation is payable under this paragraph where 3 compensation is payable under paragraphs (d), (e) or (f) of 4 this Section. 5 A duly appointed member of a fire department in a city, the 6 population of which exceeds 500,000 according to the last 7 federal or State census, is eligible for compensation under 8 this paragraph only where such serious and permanent 9 disfigurement results from burns. 10 (d) 1. If, after the accidental injury has been sustained, 11 the employee as a result thereof becomes partially 12 incapacitated from pursuing his usual and customary line of 13 employment, he shall, except in cases compensated under the 14 specific schedule set forth in paragraph (e) of this Section, 15 receive compensation for the duration of his disability, 16 subject to the limitations as to maximum amounts fixed in 17 paragraph (b) of this Section, equal to 66-2/3% of the 18 difference between the average amount which he would be able 19 to earn in the full performance of his duties in the occupation 20 in which he was engaged at the time of the accident and the 21 average amount which he is earning or is able to earn in some 22 suitable employment or business after the accident. For 23 accidental injuries that occur on or after September 1, 2011, 24 an award for wage differential under this subsection shall be 25 effective only until the employee reaches the age of 67 or 5 26 years from the date the award becomes final, whichever is SB0154 - 14 - LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b SB0154- 15 -LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b SB0154 - 15 - LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b SB0154 - 15 - LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b 1 later. 2 2. If, as a result of the accident, the employee sustains 3 serious and permanent injuries not covered by paragraphs (c) 4 and (e) of this Section or having sustained injuries covered 5 by the aforesaid paragraphs (c) and (e), he shall have 6 sustained in addition thereto other injuries which injuries do 7 not incapacitate him from pursuing the duties of his 8 employment but which would disable him from pursuing other 9 suitable occupations, or which have otherwise resulted in 10 physical impairment; or if such injuries partially 11 incapacitate him from pursuing the duties of his usual and 12 customary line of employment but do not result in an 13 impairment of earning capacity, or having resulted in an 14 impairment of earning capacity, the employee elects to waive 15 his right to recover under the foregoing subparagraph 1 of 16 paragraph (d) of this Section then in any of the foregoing 17 events, he shall receive in addition to compensation for 18 temporary total disability under paragraph (b) of this 19 Section, compensation at the rate provided in subparagraph 2.1 20 of paragraph (b) of this Section for that percentage of 500 21 weeks that the partial disability resulting from the injuries 22 covered by this paragraph bears to total disability. If the 23 employee shall have sustained a fracture of one or more 24 vertebra or fracture of the skull, the amount of compensation 25 allowed under this Section shall be not less than 6 weeks for a 26 fractured skull and 6 weeks for each fractured vertebra, and SB0154 - 15 - LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b SB0154- 16 -LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b SB0154 - 16 - LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b SB0154 - 16 - LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b 1 in the event the employee shall have sustained a fracture of 2 any of the following facial bones: nasal, lachrymal, vomer, 3 zygoma, maxilla, palatine or mandible, the amount of 4 compensation allowed under this Section shall be not less than 5 2 weeks for each such fractured bone, and for a fracture of 6 each transverse process not less than 3 weeks. In the event 7 such injuries shall result in the loss of a kidney, spleen or 8 lung, the amount of compensation allowed under this Section 9 shall be not less than 10 weeks for each such organ. 10 Compensation awarded under this subparagraph 2 shall not take 11 into consideration injuries covered under paragraphs (c) and 12 (e) of this Section and the compensation provided in this 13 paragraph shall not affect the employee's right to 14 compensation payable under paragraphs (b), (c) and (e) of this 15 Section for the disabilities therein covered. 16 (e) For accidental injuries in the following schedule, the 17 employee shall receive compensation for the period of 18 temporary total incapacity for work resulting from such 19 accidental injury, under subparagraph 1 of paragraph (b) of 20 this Section, and shall receive in addition thereto 21 compensation for a further period for the specific loss herein 22 mentioned, but shall not receive any compensation under any 23 other provisions of this Act. The following listed amounts 24 apply to either the loss of or the permanent and complete loss 25 of use of the member specified, such compensation for the 26 length of time as follows: SB0154 - 16 - LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b SB0154- 17 -LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b SB0154 - 17 - LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b SB0154 - 17 - LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b 1 1. Thumb- 2 70 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 76 weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or 6 after February 1, 2006. 7 2. First, or index finger- 8 40 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 43 weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or 12 after February 1, 2006. 13 3. Second, or middle finger- 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 4. Third, or ring finger- 20 25 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 27 weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or 24 after February 1, 2006. 25 5. Fourth, or little finger- 26 20 weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or SB0154 - 17 - LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b SB0154- 18 -LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b SB0154 - 18 - LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b SB0154 - 18 - LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b 1 after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 2 94th General Assembly but before February 1, 2006. 3 22 weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or 4 after February 1, 2006. 5 6. Great toe- 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 7. Each toe other than great toe- 12 12 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 13 weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or 16 after February 1, 2006. 17 8. The loss of the first or distal phalanx of the thumb 18 or of any finger or toe shall be considered to be equal to 19 the loss of one-half of such thumb, finger or toe and the 20 compensation payable shall be one-half of the amount above 21 specified. The loss of more than one phalanx shall be 22 considered as the loss of the entire thumb, finger or toe. 23 In no case shall the amount received for more than one 24 finger exceed the amount provided in this schedule for the 25 loss of a hand. 26 9. Hand- SB0154 - 18 - LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b SB0154- 19 -LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b SB0154 - 19 - LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b SB0154 - 19 - LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b 1 190 weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or 2 after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 3 94th General Assembly but before February 1, 2006. 4 205 weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or 5 after February 1, 2006. 6 190 weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or 7 after June 28, 2011 (the effective date of Public Act 8 97-18) and if the accidental injury involves carpal 9 tunnel syndrome due to repetitive or cumulative 10 trauma, in which case the permanent partial disability 11 shall not exceed 15% loss of use of the hand, except 12 for cause shown by clear and convincing evidence and 13 in which case the award shall not exceed 30% loss of 14 use of the hand. 15 The loss of 2 or more digits, or one or more phalanges 16 of 2 or more digits, of a hand may be compensated on the 17 basis of partial loss of use of a hand, provided, further, 18 that the loss of 4 digits, or the loss of use of 4 digits, 19 in the same hand shall constitute the complete loss of a 20 hand. 21 10. Arm- 22 235 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. 25 253 weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or 26 after February 1, 2006. SB0154 - 19 - LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b SB0154- 20 -LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b SB0154 - 20 - LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b SB0154 - 20 - LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b 1 Where an accidental injury results in the amputation 2 of an arm below the elbow, such injury shall be 3 compensated as a loss of an arm. Where an accidental 4 injury results in the amputation of an arm above the 5 elbow, compensation for an additional 15 weeks (if the 6 accidental injury occurs on or after the effective date of 7 this amendatory Act of the 94th General Assembly but 8 before February 1, 2006) or an additional 17 weeks (if the 9 accidental injury occurs on or after February 1, 2006) 10 shall be paid, except where the accidental injury results 11 in the amputation of an arm at the shoulder joint, or so 12 close to shoulder joint that an artificial arm cannot be 13 used, or results in the disarticulation of an arm at the 14 shoulder joint, in which case compensation for an 15 additional 65 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) or an 18 additional 70 weeks (if the accidental injury occurs on or 19 after February 1, 2006) shall be paid. 20 11. Foot- 21 155 weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or 22 after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 23 94th General Assembly but before February 1, 2006. 24 167 weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or 25 after February 1, 2006. 26 12. Leg- SB0154 - 20 - LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b SB0154- 21 -LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b SB0154 - 21 - LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b SB0154 - 21 - LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b 1 200 weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or 2 after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 3 94th General Assembly but before February 1, 2006. 4 215 weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or 5 after February 1, 2006. 6 Where an accidental injury results in the amputation 7 of a leg below the knee, such injury shall be compensated 8 as loss of a leg. Where an accidental injury results in the 9 amputation of a leg above the knee, compensation for an 10 additional 25 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) or an 13 additional 27 weeks (if the accidental injury occurs on or 14 after February 1, 2006) shall be paid, except where the 15 accidental injury results in the amputation of a leg at 16 the hip joint, or so close to the hip joint that an 17 artificial leg cannot be used, or results in the 18 disarticulation of a leg at the hip joint, in which case 19 compensation for an additional 75 weeks (if the accidental 20 injury occurs on or after the effective date of this 21 amendatory Act of the 94th General Assembly but before 22 February 1, 2006) or an additional 81 weeks (if the 23 accidental injury occurs on or after February 1, 2006) 24 shall be paid. 25 13. Eye- 26 150 weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or SB0154 - 21 - LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b SB0154- 22 -LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b SB0154 - 22 - LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b SB0154 - 22 - LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b 1 after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 2 94th General Assembly but before February 1, 2006. 3 162 weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or 4 after February 1, 2006. 5 Where an accidental injury results in the enucleation 6 of an eye, compensation for an additional 10 weeks (if the 7 accidental injury occurs on or after the effective date of 8 this amendatory Act of the 94th General Assembly but 9 before February 1, 2006) or an additional 11 weeks (if the 10 accidental injury occurs on or after February 1, 2006) 11 shall be paid. 12 14. Loss of hearing of one ear- 13 50 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 54 weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or 17 after February 1, 2006. 18 Total and permanent loss of hearing of both ears- 19 200 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. 22 215 weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or 23 after February 1, 2006. 24 15. Testicle- 25 50 weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or 26 after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the SB0154 - 22 - LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b SB0154- 23 -LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b SB0154 - 23 - LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b SB0154 - 23 - LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b 1 94th General Assembly but before February 1, 2006. 2 54 weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or 3 after February 1, 2006. 4 Both testicles- 5 150 weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or 6 after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 7 94th General Assembly but before February 1, 2006. 8 162 weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or 9 after February 1, 2006. 10 16. For the permanent partial loss of use of a member 11 or sight of an eye, or hearing of an ear, compensation 12 during that proportion of the number of weeks in the 13 foregoing schedule provided for the loss of such member or 14 sight of an eye, or hearing of an ear, which the partial 15 loss of use thereof bears to the total loss of use of such 16 member, or sight of eye, or hearing of an ear. 17 (a) Loss of hearing for compensation purposes 18 shall be confined to the frequencies of 1,000, 2,000 19 and 3,000 cycles per second. Loss of hearing ability 20 for frequency tones above 3,000 cycles per second are 21 not to be considered as constituting disability for 22 hearing. 23 (b) The percent of hearing loss, for purposes of 24 the determination of compensation claims for 25 occupational deafness, shall be calculated as the 26 average in decibels for the thresholds of hearing for SB0154 - 23 - LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b SB0154- 24 -LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b SB0154 - 24 - LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b SB0154 - 24 - LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b 1 the frequencies of 1,000, 2,000 and 3,000 cycles per 2 second. Pure tone air conduction audiometric 3 instruments, approved by nationally recognized 4 authorities in this field, shall be used for measuring 5 hearing loss. If the losses of hearing average 30 6 decibels or less in the 3 frequencies, such losses of 7 hearing shall not then constitute any compensable 8 hearing disability. If the losses of hearing average 9 85 decibels or more in the 3 frequencies, then the same 10 shall constitute and be total or 100% compensable 11 hearing loss. 12 (c) In measuring hearing impairment, the lowest 13 measured losses in each of the 3 frequencies shall be 14 added together and divided by 3 to determine the 15 average decibel loss. For every decibel of loss 16 exceeding 30 decibels an allowance of 1.82% shall be 17 made up to the maximum of 100% which is reached at 85 18 decibels. 19 (d) If a hearing loss is established to have 20 existed on July 1, 1975 by audiometric testing the 21 employer shall not be liable for the previous loss so 22 established nor shall he be liable for any loss for 23 which compensation has been paid or awarded. 24 (e) No consideration shall be given to the 25 question of whether or not the ability of an employee 26 to understand speech is improved by the use of a SB0154 - 24 - LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b SB0154- 25 -LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b SB0154 - 25 - LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b SB0154 - 25 - LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b 1 hearing aid. 2 (f) No claim for loss of hearing due to industrial 3 noise shall be brought against an employer or allowed 4 unless the employee has been exposed for a period of 5 time sufficient to cause permanent impairment to noise 6 levels in excess of the following: 7Sound Level DBA 8Slow Response Hours Per Day 990 8 1092 6 1195 4 1297 3 13100 2 14102 1-1/2 15105 1 16110 1/2 17115 1/4 7 Sound Level DBA 8 Slow Response Hours Per Day 9 90 8 10 92 6 11 95 4 12 97 3 13 100 2 14 102 1-1/2 15 105 1 16 110 1/2 17 115 1/4 7 Sound Level DBA 8 Slow Response Hours Per Day 9 90 8 10 92 6 11 95 4 12 97 3 13 100 2 14 102 1-1/2 15 105 1 16 110 1/2 17 115 1/4 18 This subparagraph (f) shall not be applied in cases of 19 hearing loss resulting from trauma or explosion. 20 17. In computing the compensation to be paid to any 21 employee who, before the accident for which he claims 22 compensation, had before that time sustained an injury 23 resulting in the loss by amputation or partial loss by 24 amputation of any member, including hand, arm, thumb or 25 fingers, leg, foot or any toes, such loss or partial loss 26 of any such member shall be deducted from any award made SB0154 - 25 - LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b 7 Sound Level DBA 8 Slow Response Hours Per Day 9 90 8 10 92 6 11 95 4 12 97 3 13 100 2 14 102 1-1/2 15 105 1 16 110 1/2 17 115 1/4 SB0154- 26 -LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b SB0154 - 26 - LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b SB0154 - 26 - LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b 1 for the subsequent injury. For the permanent loss of use 2 or the permanent partial loss of use of any such member or 3 the partial loss of sight of an eye, for which 4 compensation has been paid, then such loss shall be taken 5 into consideration and deducted from any award for the 6 subsequent injury. 7 18. The specific case of loss of both hands, both 8 arms, or both feet, or both legs, or both eyes, or of any 9 two thereof, or the permanent and complete loss of the use 10 thereof, constitutes total and permanent disability, to be 11 compensated according to the compensation fixed by 12 paragraph (f) of this Section. These specific cases of 13 total and permanent disability do not exclude other cases. 14 Any employee who has previously suffered the loss or 15 permanent and complete loss of the use of any of such 16 members, and in a subsequent independent accident loses 17 another or suffers the permanent and complete loss of the 18 use of any one of such members the employer for whom the 19 injured employee is working at the time of the last 20 independent accident is liable to pay compensation only 21 for the loss or permanent and complete loss of the use of 22 the member occasioned by the last independent accident. 23 19. In a case of specific loss and the subsequent 24 death of such injured employee from other causes than such 25 injury leaving a widow, widower, or dependents surviving 26 before payment or payment in full for such injury, then SB0154 - 26 - LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b SB0154- 27 -LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b SB0154 - 27 - LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b SB0154 - 27 - LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b 1 the amount due for such injury is payable to the widow or 2 widower and, if there be no widow or widower, then to such 3 dependents, in the proportion which such dependency bears 4 to total dependency. 5 Beginning July 1, 1980, and every 6 months thereafter, the 6 Commission shall examine the Second Injury Fund and when, 7 after deducting all advances or loans made to such Fund, the 8 amount therein is $500,000 then the amount required to be paid 9 by employers pursuant to paragraph (f) of Section 7 shall be 10 reduced by one-half. When the Second Injury Fund reaches the 11 sum of $600,000 then the payments shall cease entirely. 12 However, when the Second Injury Fund has been reduced to 13 $400,000, payment of one-half of the amounts required by 14 paragraph (f) of Section 7 shall be resumed, in the manner 15 herein provided, and when the Second Injury Fund has been 16 reduced to $300,000, payment of the full amounts required by 17 paragraph (f) of Section 7 shall be resumed, in the manner 18 herein provided. The Commission shall make the changes in 19 payment effective by general order, and the changes in payment 20 become immediately effective for all cases coming before the 21 Commission thereafter either by settlement agreement or final 22 order, irrespective of the date of the accidental injury. 23 On August 1, 1996 and on February 1 and August 1 of each 24 subsequent year, the Commission shall examine the special fund 25 designated as the "Rate Adjustment Fund" and when, after 26 deducting all advances or loans made to said fund, the amount SB0154 - 27 - LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b SB0154- 28 -LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b SB0154 - 28 - LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b SB0154 - 28 - LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b 1 therein is $4,000,000, the amount required to be paid by 2 employers pursuant to paragraph (f) of Section 7 shall be 3 reduced by one-half. When the Rate Adjustment Fund reaches the 4 sum of $5,000,000 the payment therein shall cease entirely. 5 However, when said Rate Adjustment Fund has been reduced to 6 $3,000,000 the amounts required by paragraph (f) of Section 7 7 shall be resumed in the manner herein provided. 8 (f) In case of complete disability, which renders the 9 employee wholly and permanently incapable of work, or in the 10 specific case of total and permanent disability as provided in 11 subparagraph 18 of paragraph (e) of this Section, compensation 12 shall be payable at the rate provided in subparagraph 2 of 13 paragraph (b) of this Section for life. 14 An employee entitled to benefits under paragraph (f) of 15 this Section shall also be entitled to receive from the Rate 16 Adjustment Fund provided in paragraph (f) of Section 7 of the 17 supplementary benefits provided in paragraph (g) of this 18 Section 8. 19 If any employee who receives an award under this paragraph 20 afterwards returns to work or is able to do so, and earns or is 21 able to earn as much as before the accident, payments under 22 such award shall cease. If such employee returns to work, or is 23 able to do so, and earns or is able to earn part but not as 24 much as before the accident, such award shall be modified so as 25 to conform to an award under paragraph (d) of this Section. If 26 such award is terminated or reduced under the provisions of SB0154 - 28 - LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b SB0154- 29 -LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b SB0154 - 29 - LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b SB0154 - 29 - LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b 1 this paragraph, such employees have the right at any time 2 within 30 months after the date of such termination or 3 reduction to file petition with the Commission for the purpose 4 of determining whether any disability exists as a result of 5 the original accidental injury and the extent thereof. 6 Disability as enumerated in subdivision 18, paragraph (e) 7 of this Section is considered complete disability. 8 If an employee who had previously incurred loss or the 9 permanent and complete loss of use of one member, through the 10 loss or the permanent and complete loss of the use of one hand, 11 one arm, one foot, one leg, or one eye, incurs permanent and 12 complete disability through the loss or the permanent and 13 complete loss of the use of another member, he shall receive, 14 in addition to the compensation payable by the employer and 15 after such payments have ceased, an amount from the Second 16 Injury Fund provided for in paragraph (f) of Section 7, which, 17 together with the compensation payable from the employer in 18 whose employ he was when the last accidental injury was 19 incurred, will equal the amount payable for permanent and 20 complete disability as provided in this paragraph of this 21 Section. 22 The custodian of the Second Injury Fund provided for in 23 paragraph (f) of Section 7 shall be joined with the employer as 24 a party respondent in the application for adjustment of claim. 25 The application for adjustment of claim shall state briefly 26 and in general terms the approximate time and place and manner SB0154 - 29 - LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b SB0154- 30 -LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b SB0154 - 30 - LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b SB0154 - 30 - LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b 1 of the loss of the first member. 2 In its award the Commission or the Arbitrator shall 3 specifically find the amount the injured employee shall be 4 weekly paid, the number of weeks compensation which shall be 5 paid by the employer, the date upon which payments begin out of 6 the Second Injury Fund provided for in paragraph (f) of 7 Section 7 of this Act, the length of time the weekly payments 8 continue, the date upon which the pension payments commence 9 and the monthly amount of the payments. The Commission shall 10 30 days after the date upon which payments out of the Second 11 Injury Fund have begun as provided in the award, and every 12 month thereafter, prepare and submit to the State Comptroller 13 a voucher for payment for all compensation accrued to that 14 date at the rate fixed by the Commission. The State 15 Comptroller shall draw a warrant to the injured employee along 16 with a receipt to be executed by the injured employee and 17 returned to the Commission. The endorsed warrant and receipt 18 is a full and complete acquittance to the Commission for the 19 payment out of the Second Injury Fund. No other appropriation 20 or warrant is necessary for payment out of the Second Injury 21 Fund. The Second Injury Fund is appropriated for the purpose 22 of making payments according to the terms of the awards. 23 As of July 1, 1980 to July 1, 1982, all claims against and 24 obligations of the Second Injury Fund shall become claims 25 against and obligations of the Rate Adjustment Fund to the 26 extent there is insufficient money in the Second Injury Fund SB0154 - 30 - LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b SB0154- 31 -LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b SB0154 - 31 - LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b SB0154 - 31 - LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b 1 to pay such claims and obligations. In that case, all 2 references to "Second Injury Fund" in this Section shall also 3 include the Rate Adjustment Fund. 4 (g) Every award for permanent total disability entered by 5 the Commission on and after July 1, 1965 under which 6 compensation payments shall become due and payable after the 7 effective date of this amendatory Act, and every award for 8 death benefits or permanent total disability entered by the 9 Commission on and after the effective date of this amendatory 10 Act shall be subject to annual adjustments as to the amount of 11 the compensation rate therein provided. Such adjustments shall 12 first be made on July 15, 1977, and all awards made and entered 13 prior to July 1, 1975 and on July 15 of each year thereafter. 14 In all other cases such adjustment shall be made on July 15 of 15 the second year next following the date of the entry of the 16 award and shall further be made on July 15 annually 17 thereafter. If during the intervening period from the date of 18 the entry of the award, or the last periodic adjustment, there 19 shall have been an increase in the State's average weekly wage 20 in covered industries under the Unemployment Insurance Act, 21 the weekly compensation rate shall be proportionately 22 increased by the same percentage as the percentage of increase 23 in the State's average weekly wage in covered industries under 24 the Unemployment Insurance Act. The increase in the 25 compensation rate under this paragraph shall in no event bring 26 the total compensation rate to an amount greater than the SB0154 - 31 - LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b SB0154- 32 -LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b SB0154 - 32 - LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b SB0154 - 32 - LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b 1 prevailing maximum rate at the time that the annual adjustment 2 is made. Such increase shall be paid in the same manner as 3 herein provided for payments under the Second Injury Fund to 4 the injured employee, or his dependents, as the case may be, 5 out of the Rate Adjustment Fund provided in paragraph (f) of 6 Section 7 of this Act. Payments shall be made at the same 7 intervals as provided in the award or, at the option of the 8 Commission, may be made in quarterly payment on the 15th day of 9 January, April, July and October of each year. In the event of 10 a decrease in such average weekly wage there shall be no change 11 in the then existing compensation rate. The within paragraph 12 shall not apply to cases where there is disputed liability and 13 in which a compromise lump sum settlement between the employer 14 and the injured employee, or his dependents, as the case may 15 be, has been duly approved by the Illinois Workers' 16 Compensation Commission. 17 Provided, that in cases of awards entered by the 18 Commission for injuries occurring before July 1, 1975, the 19 increases in the compensation rate adjusted under the 20 foregoing provision of this paragraph (g) shall be limited to 21 increases in the State's average weekly wage in covered 22 industries under the Unemployment Insurance Act occurring 23 after July 1, 1975. 24 For every accident occurring on or after July 20, 2005 but 25 before the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 94th 26 General Assembly (Senate Bill 1283 of the 94th General SB0154 - 32 - LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b SB0154- 33 -LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b SB0154 - 33 - LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b SB0154 - 33 - LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b 1 Assembly), the annual adjustments to the compensation rate in 2 awards for death benefits or permanent total disability, as 3 provided in this Act, shall be paid by the employer. The 4 adjustment shall be made by the employer on July 15 of the 5 second year next following the date of the entry of the award 6 and shall further be made on July 15 annually thereafter. If 7 during the intervening period from the date of the entry of the 8 award, or the last periodic adjustment, there shall have been 9 an increase in the State's average weekly wage in covered 10 industries under the Unemployment Insurance Act, the employer 11 shall increase the weekly compensation rate proportionately by 12 the same percentage as the percentage of increase in the 13 State's average weekly wage in covered industries under the 14 Unemployment Insurance Act. The increase in the compensation 15 rate under this paragraph shall in no event bring the total 16 compensation rate to an amount greater than the prevailing 17 maximum rate at the time that the annual adjustment is made. In 18 the event of a decrease in such average weekly wage there shall 19 be no change in the then existing compensation rate. Such 20 increase shall be paid by the employer in the same manner and 21 at the same intervals as the payment of compensation in the 22 award. This paragraph shall not apply to cases where there is 23 disputed liability and in which a compromise lump sum 24 settlement between the employer and the injured employee, or 25 his or her dependents, as the case may be, has been duly 26 approved by the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission. SB0154 - 33 - LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b SB0154- 34 -LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b SB0154 - 34 - LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b SB0154 - 34 - LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b 1 The annual adjustments for every award of death benefits 2 or permanent total disability involving accidents occurring 3 before July 20, 2005 and accidents occurring on or after the 4 effective date of this amendatory Act of the 94th General 5 Assembly (Senate Bill 1283 of the 94th General Assembly) shall 6 continue to be paid from the Rate Adjustment Fund pursuant to 7 this paragraph and Section 7(f) of this Act. 8 (h) In case death occurs from any cause before the total 9 compensation to which the employee would have been entitled 10 has been paid, then in case the employee leaves any widow, 11 widower, child, parent (or any grandchild, grandparent or 12 other lineal heir or any collateral heir dependent at the time 13 of the accident upon the earnings of the employee to the extent 14 of 50% or more of total dependency) such compensation shall be 15 paid to the beneficiaries of the deceased employee and 16 distributed as provided in paragraph (g) of Section 7. 17 (h-1) In case an injured employee is under legal 18 disability at the time when any right or privilege accrues to 19 him or her under this Act, a guardian may be appointed pursuant 20 to law, and may, on behalf of such person under legal 21 disability, claim and exercise any such right or privilege 22 with the same effect as if the employee himself or herself had 23 claimed or exercised the right or privilege. No limitations of 24 time provided by this Act run so long as the employee who is 25 under legal disability is without a conservator or guardian. 26 (i) In case the injured employee is under 16 years of age SB0154 - 34 - LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b SB0154- 35 -LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b SB0154 - 35 - LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b SB0154 - 35 - LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b 1 at the time of the accident and is illegally employed, the 2 amount of compensation payable under paragraphs (b), (c), (d), 3 (e) and (f) of this Section is increased 50%. 4 However, where an employer has on file an employment 5 certificate issued pursuant to the Child Labor Law or work 6 permit issued pursuant to the Federal Fair Labor Standards 7 Act, as amended, or a birth certificate properly and duly 8 issued, such certificate, permit or birth certificate is 9 conclusive evidence as to the age of the injured minor 10 employee for the purposes of this Section. 11 Nothing herein contained repeals or amends the provisions 12 of the Child Labor Law relating to the employment of minors 13 under the age of 16 years. 14 (j) 1. In the event the injured employee receives 15 benefits, including medical, surgical or hospital benefits 16 under any group plan covering non-occupational disabilities 17 contributed to wholly or partially by the employer, which 18 benefits should not have been payable if any rights of 19 recovery existed under this Act, then such amounts so paid to 20 the employee from any such group plan as shall be consistent 21 with, and limited to, the provisions of paragraph 2 hereof, 22 shall be credited to or against any compensation payment for 23 temporary total incapacity for work or any medical, surgical 24 or hospital benefits made or to be made under this Act. In such 25 event, the period of time for giving notice of accidental 26 injury and filing application for adjustment of claim does not SB0154 - 35 - LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b SB0154- 36 -LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b SB0154 - 36 - LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b SB0154 - 36 - LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b 1 commence to run until the termination of such payments. This 2 paragraph does not apply to payments made under any group plan 3 which would have been payable irrespective of an accidental 4 injury under this Act. Any employer receiving such credit 5 shall keep such employee safe and harmless from any and all 6 claims or liabilities that may be made against him by reason of 7 having received such payments only to the extent of such 8 credit. 9 Any excess benefits paid to or on behalf of a State 10 employee by the State Employees' Retirement System under 11 Article 14 of the Illinois Pension Code on a death claim or 12 disputed disability claim shall be credited against any 13 payments made or to be made by the State of Illinois to or on 14 behalf of such employee under this Act, except for payments 15 for medical expenses which have already been incurred at the 16 time of the award. The State of Illinois shall directly 17 reimburse the State Employees' Retirement System to the extent 18 of such credit. 19 2. Nothing contained in this Act shall be construed to 20 give the employer or the insurance carrier the right to credit 21 for any benefits or payments received by the employee other 22 than compensation payments provided by this Act, and where the 23 employee receives payments other than compensation payments, 24 whether as full or partial salary, group insurance benefits, 25 bonuses, annuities or any other payments, the employer or 26 insurance carrier shall receive credit for each such payment SB0154 - 36 - LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b SB0154- 37 -LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b SB0154 - 37 - LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b SB0154 - 37 - LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b 1 only to the extent of the compensation that would have been 2 payable during the period covered by such payment. 3 3. The extension of time for the filing of an Application 4 for Adjustment of Claim as provided in paragraph 1 above shall 5 not apply to those cases where the time for such filing had 6 expired prior to the date on which payments or benefits 7 enumerated herein have been initiated or resumed. Provided 8 however that this paragraph 3 shall apply only to cases 9 wherein the payments or benefits hereinabove enumerated shall 10 be received after July 1, 1969. 11 (Source: P.A. 97-18, eff. 6-28-11; 97-268, eff. 8-8-11; 12 97-813, eff. 7-13-12.) 13 Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon 14 becoming law. SB0154 - 37 - LRB103 24919 SPS 51253 b