Audit: Overhaul Illinois Workers’ Comp System

By Jayette Bolinski, Illinois Statehouse NewsIllinois’ Workers’ Compensation Program has “numerous shortcomings” and is “ill designed to protect the state’s best interests,” according to a state audit released this week. Auditor General Bill Holland’s report urges lawmakers to change the program for state employees because of “extensive problems.”

The state paid out a total of more than $295 million from 2007 to 2010. Sprains and contusions accounted for three-quarters of all injuries. The audit identified problems within the Workers’ Compensation Commission and the state’s Central Management Service, or CMS, both of which oversee the workers’ compensation program.

Among the findings:
 * The commission failed to review arbitrators’ performance annually and had no guidelines for how arbitrators were to award compensation for particular injuries, causing inconsistencies.
 * CMS negotiated settlements with injured employees’ attorneys, made decisions about compensation without appropriate forms and had no policies to address conflicts of interest by those who handle workers’ compensation claims for the state.

Also, the review board that investigates complaints against arbitrators and commissioners did not meet for three and a half years.

 Both CMS and the Workers' Compensation Commission indicated in the auditor's report that they plan to address or have begun addressing most of the audit’s recommendations already.

You can read Jayette's full report at: http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/8336/audit-overhaul-workers-comp-system-for-il-workers/