On April 13, 2020, the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission issued an emergency amendment to address COVID -19 concerns.
Under this amendment, the goal was to provide additional protections to first responders and front line/essential workers. The emergency amendment provides that an employee, who has an injury or period of incapacity resulting from exposure to the COVID-19 virus, will be rebuttably presumed to have arisen out of and in the course of their employment. It will further be presumed that the exposure to COVID-19 for these first responders and frontline workers, is causally connected to the hazards and exposures of the employment.
The emergency order further indicates and defines what a first responder or frontline worker means. The emergency amendment is meant to cover the following first responders: police, fire personnel, EMTs, paramedics, individuals involved in patient care, and correctional officers. Additional frontline and essential workers include employees in the following capacities: grocery stores and medicine, food beverage, cannabis and agriculture, charitable and social services, gas stations and transportation businesses, financial institutions, hardware supply stores, critical trades, postal services, educational institutions, laundry services, restaurants (assuming off premises consumption), supplies to work from home, supplies for essential businesses operations, home based daycare services, residential facilities and shelters, professional services, manufacturing, critical labor union functions, hotels, and funeral services.
This emergency rule is set for a 150-day period, which may be extended.
The attorneys at Betty, Neuman & McMahon are here to help with any issues that arise under this new emergency amendment.
Post written by Lori Scardina-Utsinger
