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.