This year Governor Quinn and members of the legislature have stated that worker's compensation reform is a priority to help reform the business climate in Illinois.  According to the Illinois Chamber of Commerce, nearly everyone recognizes that substantial changes need to be made to current Illinois law on this subject, but the legislature has yet to act on any meaningful legislation.  Senator Kyle McCarter (R-Lebanon) introduced SB 1349 that included reform measures, but it did not get the necessary votes to pass the Senate.  Many Democratic members of the Senate voted "present" on the bill, revealing that they know change is needed, but by voting present they also demonstrate that they are unwilling to go against strong lobbying forces such as the trial lawyers and unions who typically oppose workers comp reform.  Senator Mike Jacobs (D-Moline) was the only Senate Democrat to vote in favor of SB 1349. 

Please let your state Senator or Representatives know how important workers comp reform is to improving the business climate in Illinois.  If they are a member of the Democratic party, a phone call or note to them is imperative.  The legislature adjourns on May 31 so there isn't much time left.  One of the main areas of reform is related to "causation."  In Illinois, a claim can be filed if the workplace attributes 1% or less to the injury.  An employee must only show that the workplace duties could or might have been a cause of an injury, or could or might have been a cause in aggravating a pre-existing condition.  29 states have a higher standard of "causation" than Illinois.