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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
TO ALIGN WORKERS’ COMPENSATION PAYMENT PROCESS WITH STATE STATUTE
WHEREAS, the Forest Preserves of Cook County (the “Forest Preserves”) administers workers’ compensation benefits for Forest Preserves employees pursuant to the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act, 820 ILCS 305/1 et seq. (the “Act”); and
WHEREAS, the Finance Subcommittee on Workers’ Compensation authorizes workers’ compensation settlements and awards as presented by the Forest Preserves’ Legal Counsel; and
WHEREAS, the Forest Preserves’ Legal Department works to ensure that employees with workplace related injuries receive proper workers’ compensation benefits/payments as required under the Act; and
WHEREAS, recent amendments to the Act require medical providers to bill an employer or its designee directly and requires payment of such bills within thirty (30) days of receipt; and
WHEREAS, under the Act the Forest Preserves could face interest charges at the rate of 1% per month for late payment of medical provider bills; and
WHEREAS, on June 6, 2019, the Cook County Board of Commissioners passed a resolution granting the County’s Department of Risk Management authority to resolve and execute all workers’ compensation claim payments, provided, that a monthly report of such approved payments be made available to the Finance Committee of the County Board (County Board Item 19-2123).
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Forest Preserves of Cook County Board of Commissioners that the Forest Preserves’ Finance and Legal Departments be granted the authority to resolve and execute all workers’ compensation claim payments. A report of such approved workers’ compensation claim payments shall be made available to the Finance Committee of the Forest Preserves’ Board on a monthly basis beginning no later than March 2020 by the Finance and Legal Departments. end