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PROPOSED ORDINANCE
AN ORDINANCE DISSOLVING THE INJURY COMPENSATION COMMITTEE AND THE ADVISORY BOARD TO THE INJURY COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
WHEREAS, the Injury Compensation Committee and the Advisory Board to the Injury Compensation Committee were established in 1972 and last amended in 1980 to execute the provisions of the Workers’ Compensation Act and the Workers’ Occupational Disease Act; and
WHEREAS, the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act and the Workers’ Occupational Disease Act was last amended by the Illinois General Assembly in 2011; and
WHEREAS, neither the Injury Compensation Committee nor the Advisory Board to the Injury Compensation Committee has met since 2011; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Risk Management is responsible for the administration and payment of workers’ compensation benefits for injuries or illnesses sustained in the course and scope of employment with Cook County in accordance with the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act; and
WHEREAS, the State’s Attorney’s Office - Workers Compensation Division provides legal counsel to the Department of Risk Management regrading questions of law rising from the Illinois Workers Compensation Act; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Risk Management utilizes a Risk Management Information System that allows County employers to review financial information regarding claims originating from their workforce; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Risk Management has improved transparency and accountability over the Cook County’s workers’ compensation program, has staffed the program with professional claims adjusters and management, and implemented policies and procedures which reflect best practices in the field of workers compensation; and
WHEREAS, the Cook County Board of Commissioners receives regular reports regarding workers compensation claims payments and retains the authority to approve all settlements and awards; and
WHEREAS, the Cook County Board of Commissioners has determined that it is in the best interest of Cook County that the Injury Compensation Committee and the Advisory Board to the Injury Compensation Committee be dissolved.
NOW, BE IT ORDAINED, by the Cook County Board of Commissioners, that Chapter 2, Administration, ARTICLE VI - Boards, Commissions and Committees, Division 2, Injury Compensation Committee, Section 2-501 through 2-504 is hereby repealed:
Sec. 2-501 - Established
There is hereby established a committee to be known as the Injury Compensation Committee consisting of the Chief of the Bureau of Human Resources, the Comptroller, the Chief Administrative Officer, the Director of Risk Management and an employee representative (an elected trustee of the Cook County Annuity and Pension Fund) or their duly designated representatives as permanent members of the committee. Nonpermanent members of the committee shall be an elected official other than a member of the County Board, selected by the permanent members and any other individuals the permanent members of the committee select to serve. The terms of office of nonpermanent members shall be one year. The purpose of the committee shall be to carry out the provisions of the Workers' Compensation Act (820 ILCS 305/1 et seq.) and the Workers' Occupational Disease Act (820 ILCS 310/1 et seq.). All members of the Injury Compensation Committee shall serve without compensation.
Section 2-502 - Advisory Board
An Advisory Board to the Injury Compensation Committee shall consist of the following individuals: the Chief of the Bureau of Human Resources and the Director of Department of Risk Management or their designee; a representative of the State's Attorney's office; and the Safety Coordinators of the respective departments and agencies of the County.
Section 2-503 - Authority
The Injury Compensation Committee shall have the authority subject to the approval of the Board of Commissioners and the President, to make settlement of claims, but not suits, and make a report thereof to the Board of Commissioners.
Section 2-504 - Payments from Workers’ Compensation Fund
The Injury Compensation Committee is hereby authorized to recommend payment from funds appropriated for Workers' Compensation Claims upon the recommendation of a majority of the committee to any employee, or in case of the employee's death to the employee's personal representative, such sum of money as such employee or the employee's personal representative shall from time to time be entitled to pursuant to law and ordinance.
Effective date: This ordinance shall be in effect immediately upon adoption
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