Michael Glaub will continue to serve as an Arbitrator on the Workers’ Compensation Commission.* Glaub currently serves as an Arbitrator for the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission (IWCC). He began his legal career working for the IWCC as a Staff Attorney, and he entered private practice in 1987. There, he concentrated solely on workers’ compensation law, becoming partner at the Law Offices of Hennessy & Roach. Glaub received his appointment to serve as an Arbitrator at the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission in 2016. Glaub has consistently received high ratings in evaluations of his service as an Arbitrator by the bar. He also has served as a lecturer for the Illinois Institute of Continuing Legal Education. Glaub has been elected on five occasions to serve as Trustee of the Norridge Park District and as a School Board member of CUSD 234 (Ridgewood HS), where he also served as President of those Boards. He earned his undergraduate degrees from Southern Illinois University Carbondale and his Juris Doctorate from DePaul University College of Law.
William McLaughlin will continue to serve as an Arbitrator on the Workers’ Compensation Commission.* McLaughlin has served as an Arbitrator with the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission since 2019. Prior to serving as an Arbitrator, McLaughlin was a sole practitioner in Cook County and surrounding Counties for over twenty years. There, he handled matters in a variety of areas, including criminal defense, real estate, personal injury, wills, and administrative hearings. During this time, McLaughlin also served as a Cook County Arbitrator. Before entering private practice, he worked as a staff attorney for the Illinois Department of Professional Regulation, prosecuting violations of the Medical Malpractice Act. He was also a Cook County Assistant State’s Attorney, responsible for cases in all areas of criminal prosecution. McLaughlin earned his Juris Doctorate at the University of Nebraska College of Law and his Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice at St. Xavier College.
Francis Brady will continue to serve as an Arbitrator of the Workers’ Compensation Commission.* Brady has dedicated his legal career to defending employers in workers’ compensation litigation. Brady began his career with his father in Bloomington, Illinois trying cases and arguing appeals in state and federal courts across Illinois, primarily for plaintiffs and petitioners. He also handled injury and property damage claims for a major insurer. Brady received a Bachelor of Arts in History from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and his Juris Doctorate from Loyola University Chicago School of Law.
Kisa Sthankiya will serve as a Member of the Workers’ Compensation Medical Fee Advisory Board.* Sthankiya is a partner at Rusin Law, Ltd. in Chicago, specializing in workers’ compensation defense. Throughout her legal career, she has focused on representing clients in both the public and private sectors, providing strategic guidance from case inception through litigation and appeals. Sthankiya has extensive experience in the courtroom and has successfully argued cases before various courts. Before joining Rusin Law in 2011, she served as in-house counsel for a national insurer, where she focused on workers' compensation and civil litigation. In 2023, she was appointed to the Workers' Compensation Commission Review Board. Sthankiya is a frequent speaker and author for the Illinois Institute of Continuing Education and the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission. Sthankiya received a Bachelor of Science degree from Northwestern University and a Juris Doctorate from Loyola University Chicago School of Law.
* Appointments pending confirmation by the Illinois Senate.
Governor JB Pritzker announced the following appointments on July 7, 2025
Frank Soto will serve as a Business Commissioner for the Workers’ Compensation Commission.* Frank Soto an attorney for 30 years, with nine years serving as an arbitrator and 21 years in private practice. Prior to being an arbitrator, he was president of the Village of Bensenville and was the first Latino elected mayor/village president in DuPage County. While village president, he settled the litigation with the City of Chicago allowing the O’Hare Airport Modernization to proceed. He was awarded municipal leader of the year by CISCO and was recognized as a leader in municipal transparency by the Illinois Policy Institute and by Judy Baar Topinka from the Illinois Office of the Comptroller. He was appointed by former Governor Quinn to the Elgin-O’Hare Western Bypass Advisory Council to identify the economic benefits of the I-390 expressway and to identify the most cost-effective means to build it. He also worked as deputy director of Administrative Hearing for the Illinois Secretary of State, hearing officer for the Illinois Court of Claims, as well as for the Illinois Attorney General and McHenry County State’s Attorney. He earned a degree in economics and business administration from Eastern Illinois University and graduated from John Marshall Law School.
Workers’ Compensation Commission Arbitrators
Jacqueline Haralelli will continue to serve as an Arbitrator on the Workers’ Compensation Commission.* Previously, Jacqueline Hickey worked as a trial attorney for Goldberg Weisman Cairo where she garnered extensive trial experience working on a range of complex litigation cases in the areas of workers’ compensation, medical malpractice, construction negligence, and trucking accidents. She has worked within the legal practice of Workers’ Compensation for fifteen years. Hickey, as a Mexican American, Spanish-speaking lawyer, also previously served and was ratified as the Consultant Attorney for the Consulate General of Mexico in Chicago prior to her appointment to the bench as an arbitrator. Arbitrator Hickey is a member of Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Association, Loyola Academy Bar Association, and Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois. She holds a Juris Doctor from John Marshall Law School and Bachelor of Science from DePaul University.
Dennis O’Brien will continue to serve as an Arbitrator on the Workers’ Compensation Commission.* O’Brien has served as an Arbitrator with the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission since 2019. Prior to his appointment, he served as a prosecutor in Sangamon and Lake Counties, and practiced workers’ compensation law for over 35 years, representing both employers and employees throughout the State of Illinois, as a shareholder at Livingstone, Mueller, O’Brien & Davlin, P.C. in Springfield, Illinois. A frequent author and lecturer on workers’ compensation issues for continuing legal education seminars, O’Brien earned his Bachelor of Arts from Dominican University in River Forest, and a Juris Doctor from Loyola University Chicago School of Law.
Efi Poziopoulos James will continue to serve as an Arbitrator on the Workers’ Compensation Commission.* Poziopoulos James has served as an Arbitrator at the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission since her appointment in March 2023. Poziopoulos James began her legal career in 1997 as an Assistant State’s Attorney in the Criminal Prosecutions Bureau in Cook County. In this role, she was honored for her advocacy work on behalf of victims of domestic violence. After 10 years in public service, she moved into private practice and represented injured workers’ for 16 years. During this time, she worked at Baum, Ruffolo & Marzal law firm, and later Karchmar & Stone law firm, where she appeared and argued numerous cases at Arbitration before the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission, in Circuit Court, and at the Appellate Court level. She served as a Chair for the Current Issues in Illinois Workers' Compensation Seminar and was Chair of the Chicago Bar Association Workers' Compensation Committee. She also worked as an Adjunct Professor at Kaplan University, where she taught criminal justice courses in their Master’s degree program. Poziopoulos James received her Juris Doctorate from John Marshall Law School and Bachelor of Arts from DePaul University.
Elaine Llerena will continue to serve as an Arbitrator on the Workers’ Compensation Commission.* Llerena was appointed as an Arbitrator to the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission in November of 2019. Prior to that, she worked as a Staff Attorney at the Commission for various Commissioners for over 10 years. Llerena also worked as an Associate Attorney at Beaulieu Law Offices, dealing mostly with Spanish-speaking clients, and at the time of her appointment, she worked as a Staff Attorney at Seyfarth Shaw. In March of 2025, Arbitrator Llerena presented, along with colleagues and members of the bar, on the topic of Generational Practices in Workers’ Compensation Law. She attained her Bachelor of Arts at Florida State University and her Juris Doctor from John Marshall Law School in Chicago, now the University of Illinois- Chicago (UIC) School of Law.
Kurt Carlson will continue to serve as an Arbitrator on the Workers’ Compensation Commission.* Carlson currently serves as a workers’ compensation Arbitrator in the venues of Peoria, Bloomington, and Rock Island, Illinois. He began his legal career in Chicago as a workers’ compensation associate in 1997 with Power & Cronin (respondent), and later Teplitz & Bell (petitioner) until receiving his appointment to the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission in 2003. He has tried matters in nearly every workers’ compensation venue in the State of Illinois and is often invited to lecture by organizations such as The Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission, The Illinois Institute of Continuing Legal Education and the Chicago Bar Association. Carlson received a Bachelor’s degree from University of Wisconsin-Madison and his Juris Doctorate at the John Marshall Law School, now the University of Illinois- Chicago (UIC) School of Law.
Roma Dalal will continue to serve as an Arbitrator on the Workers’ Compensation Commission.* Dalal has served as an Arbitrator with the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission since 2021. Prior to this role, Dalal served as a partner at Wiedner & McAuliffe, LTD where she provided professional legal assistance, advice, and counsel on workers’ compensation-related matters. Before being named partner, she served Wiedner & McAuliffe as Associate Attorney for nearly ten years. She received her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Michigan and her Juris Doctor from DePaul University College of Law.
William Gallagher will continue to serve as an Arbitrator on the Workers’ Compensation Commission.* Gallagher has served as an Arbitrator since his appointment in 2012. Throughout his 48-year legal career, he has focused on workers’ compensation law. Prior to his appointment as an Arbitrator, he represented both Petitioners and Respondents in Illinois and Missouri workers’ compensation cases for 35 years. He previously served on the Workers’ Compensation Section Council of the Illinois State Bar Association and has presented at numerous seminars. In 2020, he received the honor of being selected as a Fellow of the College of Workers’ Compensation Lawyers. Gallagher received a Bachelor of Arts from Southern Illinois University – Edwardsville and a Juris Doctor from Southern Illinois University – Carbondale.
Edward Lee will continue to serve as an Arbitrator on the Workers’ Compensation Commission.* Lee began his career in the U.S. Army where he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant Army Officer. Prior to law school, and as an Army Officer, Lee worked in the Judge Advocate General’s Office defending soldiers and representing the Army in Special Court Martial proceedings. Lee was honorably discharged and attended law school through the G.I. Bill. After law school, Lee entered private practice specializing in Workers’ Compensation Law. While employed at Perz & McGuire, he represented petitioners and respondents, including the Ford Motor Company. Lee was appointed Arbitrator by Governor Jim Edgar in November 1997 and has been continuously reappointed since then, most recently by Governor JB Pritzker in 2022. Edward Lee received a Bachelor’s degree from Tulane University and a Juris Doctor from John Marshall Law School.
Khama Sharp will serve as an Arbitrator on the Workers’ Compensation Commission.* In his most recent role as Assistant Director of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Sharp was committed to creating equitable economic opportunities across the state. He supported Illinois businesses, communities, local governments, and non-profits by overseeing several bureaus within the Department and providing leadership support for the agency’s overall agenda. As an attorney, Sharp has over 15 years of experience providing leadership and counsel on a wide range of subjects. Previously, he served as the Deputy General Counsel of the agency, where he had a significant role in policy development, contract administration, grant compliance, and resolving labor issues. He also brings a wealth of experience in the legislative branch, having served as Senior Legal Counsel for the Office of the Senate President of the Illinois State Senate and in various capacities with the U.S. House of Representatives. Sharp holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Minnesota and a Juris Doctor degree from Howard University - School of Law.
On Friday, January 24, 2025, Governor JB Pritzker announced the following Commissioners were reappointed:
Carolyn M. Doherty Christopher A. Harris Stephen J. Mathis Deborah L. Simpson Raychel A. Wesley
The ISIA congratulates these Commissioners on their respective reappointments.
State Representative Kam Buckner (D-26th Dist.) introduced legislation seeking to amend the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act. The bill, HB 5625, would amend the Act’s definition of "employee" to include “every student participant in an athletic program at an institutions of higher education, but only when the student is participating in an athletic event, travel to and from an athletic event, or an organized training activity.” The proposed legislation would determine the average weekly wage by taking the total scholarship awarded to the student athlete for his or her participation in an athletic program and all other grants and subsides awarded to him or her due to their participation in the athletic program in the current academic year, or if the athlete is not injured, during the prior academic year or the following academic year, whichever is greater, and dividing that total compensation by “52”. At this time, the bill has been assigned to the Rules Committee.
On Friday, July 21, 2023, Governor JB Pritzker announced the reappointment of the following Arbitrators:
Jeanne AuBuchon Paul-Eric Seal
Linda Jean Cantrell Rachael Sinnen
Bradley Gillespie Charles Watts
Gerald Napleton Raychel Wesley
Arbitrators David Kane and Steven Fruth have announced their retirement, effective August 28, 2023. Governor Pritzker appointed two new Arbitrators to serve upon the retirement of Arbitrators Fruth and Kane. The new Arbitrators are:
Jennifer E. Bae
Ms. Bae has been a practicing attorney, with more than 25 years of experience, in various capacities. She is currently the Director of Employee Discipline for the Cook County Sheriff’s Office. As the Director, she is responsible for the handling of disciplinary matters for the more than 6000 employees of the office. She has acted in this capacity since 2019. In the past, she has been self employed as a private practitioner, worked as a Staff Attorney for the City of Chicago, was a Member of the Cook County Sheriff’s Merit Board and worked as an Assistant State’s Attorney in Cook County. As an ASA, she worked in the Appellate, Traffic and Domestic Violence Divisions. She is a graduate of the University of Chicago Law School.
James Byrnes
Mr. Byrnes has been a practicing attorney for more than 30 years, with an emphasis on workers’ compensation matters. He is currently a partner at the firm of Ganan & Shapiro, in Chicago. He has been with the firm since 2002. Mr. Byrnes has previously been an Associate Attorney at the firms of Freeborn & Peters and the Law Office of Patricia Cassiday. Additionally, Mr. Byrnes was a Staff Attorney at the IWCC, working with then Commissioner Linzey Jones, Jr. He earned his Juris Doctorate Degree at the University of Illinois.
Governor Pritzker reappointed Chairman Michael Brennan and Commissioners Kathryn Doerries (Business Member), Maria Portela (Public Member), and Marc Parker (Labor Member). Their terms run through January 18, 2027.
The Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission has announced several changes regarding Arbitrators and Commissioners. Commissioner Thomas Tyrrell recently retired. Amylee Simonovich replaces Commissioner Tyrrell on Panel A as the Labor Member. Commissioner Simonovich’s term runs through January 18, 2027. Arbitrator Stephen Fruth announced his retirement effective at the end of his term. Arbitrator Crystal Caison will assume Arbitrator Fruth’s docket in Chicago. The IWCC appointed Efi James and Frank Brady as Arbitrators. Both are former workers’ compensation attorneys. Their terms expire on July 1, 2025.
On July 1, 2023, nine Arbitrators will be up for reappointment. The following Arbitrators have terms that expire this year: Jeanne AuBuchon, Linda Cantrell, Bradley Gillespie, David Kane, Gerald Napleton, Paul Seal, Rachael Sinnen, Charles Watts, and Raychel Wesley.
On August 19, 2022, Governor Pritzker announced the following Arbitrators were reappointed with the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission:
The ISIA recognizes the continued hard work of these Arbitrators presiding over hearings and trials, swiftly approving settlements and otherwise managing their dockets.
HB 1208, sponsored by Rep. Jay Hoffman (D-Swansea) and Sen. Bill Cunningham (D-Chicago) replaces language regarding the qualifications of Commissioners of the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission with language requiring each Commissioner appointed on or after the effective date of the amendatory Act to be authorized to practice law in this State. HB 1208 further provides that the performance of Arbitrators shall be reviewed by the Chairman every other year, or more often at the discretion of the Chairman. Presently reviews are on an annual basis. HB 1208 provides that no Arbitrator shall hear cases in any county, other than Cook County, for more than 4 years consecutively versus the current 2 years in each 3-year term. This bill also provides for the dissolution of the Self-Insurers Administration Fund and for the transfer of the moneys in that fund to the Self-Insurers Security Fund. The bill authorizes expenditures from the Self-Insurers Security Fund for the purposes that were authorized for the Self-Insurers Administration Fund; effective immediately.
The Senate Labor Committee advanced the Bill to the Senate floor. A Senate Amendment requested by the Comptroller's office was added to the bill. The Amendment provides that on the effective date, or as soon as practicable thereafter, the State Comptroller shall direct--and the State Treasurer shall transfer--the remaining balance from the Self-Insurers Administration Fund into the Self-Insurers Security Fund. Upon completion of the transfers, the Self-Insurers Administration Fund is dissolved, and any future deposits due to the Self-Insurers Administration Fund and any outstanding obligations or liabilities of the Self-Insurers Administration Fund pass to the Self-Insurers Security Fund. The Illinois Self Insurers’ Association supports the bill. Proposed Bill.
Beginning on Thursday, March 17, 2022, all Urbana Arbitration cases including Arbitrator Trials and any in-person special settings will be conducted at a new hearing site in Champaign, Illinois. Beginning on Monday, May 9, 2022, Commissioner Simpson’s Review Call, will be heard in-person in Urbana. The March Review Call of Commissioner Simpson will remain virtual. The address of the new hearing site location is as follows: I Hotel and Illinois Conference Center 1900 South First Street Champaign, Illinois 61820 The hearing room number for each day will be posted on an electronic billboard visible when entering the facility. The North entrance is closest to the hearing rooms. However, you can also enter through the main facility entrance which is located on the West side of the facility near the Houlihan’s Restaurant. A layout of the facility can be found online at I Hotel and Conference Center!. Once connected click on the tab “Meeting + Events” and scroll down to the facility layout. Hearings will be held in one of the following rooms: Knowledge, Innovation, Excellence, Loyalty or Leadership Boardroom.
In March, 2020 with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission made changes that kept the Commission operational. The ISIA recognizes the swift action taken by the Chairman, Michael Brennan, and his staff. The Commission remained operational throughout the crisis. As COVID-19 restrictions and guidance have evolved, the Commission continued to adjust. New protocols remain in place at the Commission. Arbitrators continue to conduct their monthly status call virtually. Cases that are properly motioned under Section 19(b) and motions for trial are set for a pre-trial conference during the same month as the status call. Pre-trials also continue to be held virtually. Arbitrators then schedule trial dates during the next calendar month following the status call. Trial dates are held in-person with appropriate health and safety policies in place.
Like the status calls, the Commission Review Calls are also proceeding virtually. Cases needing a hearing before a Commissioner are scheduled and are in-person. For now, oral arguments continue virtually. When appropriate, oral arguments will return to in person. In Summer, 2021, the Commission moved its Chicago administrative and hearing location from the 8th Floor of the Thompson Center to new office and hearing space. Hearings are now held in the lower level of the Daley Center. Administrative, Arbitrator and Commissioner offices are located at 69 West Washington Street, Suite 900, Chicago, 60602. The new hearing location offers updated technology and more efficient use of space.
The Commission moved quickly to a paperless environment by upgrading its hardware and software. Rolled out initially for settlement contract approval, the CompFile system now allows all filing to be by e-filing. The next roll-out will include application for, and management of, self insurance.
There are many new Arbitrator appointments. The ISIA welcomes the new Arbitrators. All Arbitrator slots are filled, which should help move more cases through the system. In 2021, approximately 900 cases proceeded to trial and decision. With a full roster of Arbitrators and the current procedures in place, this number is expected to rise in 2022.
Finally, the ISIA would like to acknowledge the announced retirement of Arbitrator Molly Mason. Arbitrator Mason has presided over cases assigned to the Chicago docket. The ISIA thanks Arbitrator Mason for her years of dedicated service and wishes her well in her new life chapter.
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