Last Wednedsay, the Illinois House of Representatives passed new workers' compensation legislation that keeps people who are injured while engaged in a felony, reckless homicide, or aggravated DUI from receiving benefits.  Members of the Senate approved the bill in April.  The bill now awaits a signature from Governor Quinn.

Senate Bill 1147 states that if a person is injured in one of the three aforementioned crimes and "caused an accident resulting in the death or severe injury of another person," they are not eligible to receive workers' compensation benefits.

Represenative Dwight Kay, the bill's sponsor, stated, "Taxpayers should not have to pay a person who was injured while committing a crime on the state's dime."  In addition, "Taxpayers and employers should not have to pay an employee for an injury that arises out of a commission of a felony while on the job."

If you or someone you know needs to file for workers' compensation benefits, contact the Chicago workers' compensation lawyers of Friedman & Bonebrake, P.C. at 312-466-8200 to learn more about your rights to workers' compensation.