Pease take notice that as of the close of business, 5:00 p.m., on Friday, November 13, 2020, all in person Hearings, of any kind, will be discontinued at the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission, at ALL venues.

 There will be no in person Arbitration or Review hearings of any kind.

• There will be no pro se settlement hearings of any kind.
• Virtual Review Status Call Hearings and Virtual Oral Arguments will still be heard, as scheduled.
• Virtual Arbitration Monthly Status Calls and Virtual Pre-Trial Conferences will still be heard, as scheduled.
• There will be NO PRO SE ARBITRATORS sitting at any venue through the end of November.
• It is hoped that in person hearings will resume after November 30, 2020. An announcement regarding emergency matters will be forthcoming. 

- Laura D. Hrubec
  WCLA President

In the Covid World, the Commission has been constantly pivoting to make certain that we keep operating. As the Bar is aware, the Commission has faced great difficulty in the receipt and redistribution of mail.

The USPS has not always been able to deliver mail on a consistent basis. To alleviate some of the mail issues, Arbitrators will consider all Motions and Petitions that are received by them, by e-mail, at least two business days prior to the Monthly Status Call. This has been posted on our website for the last several weeks.

Because of Covid, and in accord with our Rules, we have temporarily abandoned the requirement that a purple ink Commission stamp be affixed to all Motions and Petitions. Section 9015 of our Rules allows the Chairman to set procedures that provide for the electronic filing of documents with the Commission. We believe that this action is consistent with our Rules and that it will alleviate difficulties with the USPS.

Please also remember that all of this presupposes that your opponent has been properly served with any documents in accord with our Rules. This only applies to the requirement of Notice to the Commission.

WCLA is a proud supporter of Kids’ Chance of Illinois and recently donated $5,000.00 to this incredible organization. Kids’ Chance of Illinois provides need-based scholarships to the families of seriously injured workers in our state.  Kids’ Chance organizations across the country have awarded over 7,300 educational scholarships since their inception, with over $24,000,000 in scholarship funds to workers’ families.  If you know of an applicant who may be interested in applying for a scholarship through Kids’ Chance, please visit their website to review the criteria: https://www.kidschanceofillinois.com/apply-for-scholarship.html

As we indicated in our email last week, WCLA is proud to donate to many worthy organizations and we hope you will also consider supporting Kids’ Chance.  To make a donation or consider sponsorship, please visit their website or refer to the attached application: https://www.kidschanceofillinois.com/donate.html

Kids' Chance 2020 Corporate Sponsor Packet

- Laura D. Hrubec
  WCLA President

The WCLA recognizes the significant impact the COVID-19 pandemic has on everyone in Illinois.  The current crisis has resulted in the cancellation of our holiday party and several other in-person events.  Since we will not be paying for those events this year, we have decided to donate the money we would have spent on these events to those in need. 

For years, the WCLA has been a proud sponsor of the Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC).  This organization provides places to stay for families of hospitalized children.  It provides rooms, food and overall support.  This organization has made a crucial difference in the lives of so many families.  As you can all imagine, charitable donations overall have been down this year, everywhere.  The RMHC, and the kids and families they provide for, need our help. The WCLA has donated $50,000 to this organization.  We encourage anyone that is able to follow this link https://www.rmhc.org/ and provide what you can to help.  Every little bit helps these kids.

As a result of COVID -19, many families are also going hungry and we would like to help.  We will donate $3,500 to three Illinois Food banks, listed below.  By donating to each food bank, we are helping feed those in need throughout the entire state.  Below are the names of the organizations and a link for you to follow should you wish to contribute to this worthy cause:

• Central Illinois Food Bank: https://www.centralilfoodbank.org/
• Greater Chicago Food Depository: https://www.chicagosfoodbank.org/
• Northern Illinois Food Bank: https://solvehungertoday.org/

It is a credit to our membership and sponsors that the WCLA is able to donate at this level during times like these.  We are honored to be a part of such an amazing organization.  Thank you to all of you who have sponsored and supported us.  We could not do this without your help.  

Use the links to view the letter to WCLA from the CompFile Team and a flyer indicating that they will be going live on July 22^nd for contract filing. You must register with CompFile in order to submit contracts for approval in all in cases except as it concerns Pro Se contracts.

• CompFile R2 Letter to WCLA Members
• Electronic Settlements

By Order of the Chairman, the below listed Special Circumstance Procedures for both Review and Arbitration, that are listed for the month of June, 2020, will be carried over through the month of July, 2020.

An announcement relative to the continuing process for the month of August will be made near the end of the month of July.

A calendar, together with the WebEx information for the Call and hearing dates of each Commissioner and Arbitrator can be accessed from the IWCC website utilizing the links provided.

This is a reminder to all members of the Bar. When you appear at the IWCC, you must engage in social distancing. By this we mean that you must stand approximately six (6) feet apart. A horde of lawyers crowded into a small space at the IWCC is not social distancing.

Pro se litigants are in no way to be blamed for the Bar’s inability to engage in social distancing and or estimate a safe number of people in a confined area. It is the responsibility of the attorneys to make certain that all whom they invite act appropriately.

Due to the large number of attorneys and pro se litigants that appeared at the Commission, in Chicago, on Wednesday, June 10, 2020, we are forced to add additional dates for a pro se arbitrator. We originally scheduled Arbitrator Seal for each Wednesday in Chicago, during the month of June.

Arbitrator Seal will now be available for pro se settlements on Monday, June 15, Wednesday, June 17, Friday June 19, Wednesday June 24 and Thursday June 25, 2020. If additional dates are needed we will add them.

If there is a repeat of the overcrowding of the IWCC offices in Chicago, or for that matter any venue, we will take steps to limit the number of persons allowed into our offices.

Using this link, please review the document from CompFile. Once they go “live” in July for contract submissions, paper submissions will no longer be accepted except for pro se settlements. If you are not yet registered, please register now. Information regarding registration is on our website.

The June Arbitration Location Schedule has been updated on the IWCC website.  Hearing location updates are as follows:

1. Ottawa trials will be in OTTAWA on Friday, June 26^th
2. Bloomington trials will be held in Springfield on Monday, June 29^th and Tuesday, June 30^th
3. Kankakee trials will be held in Chicago on Friday, June 19^th
4. Geneva trials will be held in Wheaton on Monday, June 15^th, Tuesday, June 16^th, and Wednesday, June 17^th.

To access the complete “June Arbitration Location Schedule please go to the IWCC website homepage and scroll down to Click Here For The June Arbitration Location Schedule.