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SPRINGFIELD, Ill.—Illinois lawmakers continued to grapple Tuesday with legislation that would change the state’s workers compensation system, including the possibility of abolishing the system.
The Illinois House on Sunday failed to pass H.B. 1698 on a 55-39 vote, with the bill needing 60 votes to win approval of the measure that would have made sweeping changes in the state’s workers comp system.
The bill had passed the Illinois Senate on a 46-8 vote on Saturday.
Proponents of the reform said it would have cut between $500 million to $700 million a year from the program’s cost by reducing medical provider rates by 30%, which Republican lawmakers said it would do little to improve the state’s business climate.
Rep. John E. Bradley, D-Marion, House sponsor of the bill, reportedly said Tuesday that he might revive the reform package for another vote in the House.
Meanwhile, a separate workers comp bill was making its way through the Illinois Senate.
S.B. 1933, which was proposed Thursday and passed the state House Friday, would abolish the state’s workers compensation system entirely, a move that has been widely criticized by insurance industry groups. The American Insurance Assn. called the measure “ill-conceived.”
The Senate has yet to vote on the measure.
SPRINGFIELD, Ill.—An Illinois House committee has advanced legislation that would do away with the state’s workers compensation system.