Isn’t it
time we did something about the Illinois Industrial Commission? Illinois
law entrusts the commission with several duties, including resolving
Workers’ Compensation disputes, protecting the rights of workers and
employers and keeping statistics. It does none of them well.
Workers’
Compensation is insurance created to provide wage replacement and
medical bill benefits to workers hurt on the job. Compensation was
supposed to be swift and automatic, since workers wouldn’t face the
delays of going to court. Yet the system often failed miserably, partly
because insurance companies dispute a high percentage of claims-
especially more serious injuries.
With
approximately 60,000 cases filed each year, the industrial commission
has only 28 arbitrators to settle disputes. After the pending caseload
increased by 4,000 cased per year for 12 straight years, the commission
instituted procedures to speed up settlements. Still many workers must
wait many months-even years-to resolve their claim. The commission needs
more arbitrators and support staff.
Besides
additional funding, changes are needed to protect workers’ rights. Too
often, insurers collect premiums, then shirk their duty to the people
who become disabled. Insurance companies love delay-after all, they’re
holding the workers’ money. When workers get discouraged and give up-or
even die- the insurers keep the money.
One way to
keep workers’ money is to terminate benefits for no reason, leaving
workers without income or access to medical care. The commission should
require insurers to show cause for terminating workers’ benefits.
Reforming
the commission’s funding mechanism could make needed changes painless
for taxpayers. Most states fund the commissions counterparts through
assessments on insurance companies. In Illinois, taxpayers fund the
commission while insurers keep the profits-$386 million in 1997. By
stopping the insurers free ride and instituting a few reforms, Illinois
finally could have a high quality Industrial Commission.
