Building a Better Climate for Construction and Development.
2005: Workers Compensation Campaign
The 2005 legislative session was a productive one for the construction industry.
The watershed workers’ compensation bill that passed, Public Act 94-0277, included important benefits for employers and for the construction industry, and removed or mitigated some of the most potentially damaging provisions.
The construction industry was able to play a central role in negotiations and in the drafting of the bill. By providing consistent and professional technical advice, and by maintaining unity as an industry, construction won a vital seat at the table.
This legislation was truly significant for the construction industry; it is more balanced because of our involvement in its development.
But the legislation is far more complex than the numbers that have served as the headlines for this bill: there will indeed probably be an overall 5% benefits increase, and a savings of about 6.5% to the overall system’s costs.
No individual company, however, is likely to see exactly this mix of increases and savings. Many factors will determine the actual impact.
This update will examine those specific details, and show just where those benefit increases occur, and just where the industry will benefit.
A bill to reinstate this law was reintroduced in Springfield this spring, but it was never called for a floor vote.
Thanks to all of you who voiced your opposition to your legislators!
