Appointments Latest Step in Series of Workers' Compensation Reforms

CHICAGO - October 17, 2011. Governor Pat Quinn today announced the appointments of 7 commissioners to the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission (IWCC). Commissioners review workers' compensation appeals, and today's appointments relate to the package of reforms to the workers' compensation system that Governor Quinn led through the General Assembly and signed earlier this year.

"We set out to review and reform our entire workers' compensation system in Illinois, and that's what we have done," Governor Quinn said. "Our reforms continue protections for workers, while also saving our businesses millions and improving Illinois' business climate. These commissioners will ensure that Illinois workers' compensation cases are judged fairly so that workers and business can have confidence in our system."

Commissioners sit on one of three IWCC panels that review appeals by petitioners or respondents to an arbitrator's decision. To ensure balanced reviews, each panel consists of three commissioners: a commissioner representing the public, a labor commissioner representing the employee community, and a business commissioner representing the employer community.

In June, Governor Quinn signed House Bill 1698, a comprehensive overhaul of Illinois' workers' compensation system. The reforms are expected to save Illinois businesses between $500 and $750 million dollars annually, while continuing protections for injured workers. The reform package also included a major overhaul of Illinois' troubled Workers' Compensation Commission.

Last Friday, the Governor appointed 29 arbitrators to the IWCC, following a rigorous vetting process by the Advisory Board and the Office of the Governor. The overhaul called for the Governor to make appointments or reappointments to fill all arbitrator positions, considering recommendations from the Workers' Compensation Advisory Board. Members of the board - six representing employers and six representing workers - were appointed by the Governor earlier this year

The new law requires both arbitrators and commissioners to follow the rules and ethical practices of judges. Arbitrators and commissioners must also take at least 20 hours of training every 2 years while in office regarding professional and ethical standards, detection of fraud, evidence-based medical treatment, and Coal Workers' Pneumoconiosis.

The Governor appointed commissioners to seven positions that were on expired terms. Five commissioners were reappointed. Commissioner Molly Mason was appointed as an arbitrator on Friday. Three commissioners, Yolaine Dauphin, Thomas Tyrrell, and Chairman Mitchell Weisz, are in the midst of four year terms, set to expire on Jan. 21, 2013.

Current panels and Commissioners:

Governor Quinn has appointed:

Mario Basurto of Cook County has more than 15 years of experience as an attorney and legal supervisor and has been a commissioner with the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission since 2005. Previously, Mr. Basurto worked as an attorney for the firm Dranias, Harrington & Wilson, and as an in-house trial attorney and assistant legal supervisor for the Law Offices of Lauren Meachum, where he was exclusively responsible for over 70% of the firm's largest corporate client, United Parcel Service. Mr. Basurto is an active member in such organizations as the Chicago Bar Association, the Hispanic Lawyers Assication and the Puerto Rican Lawyers Association. He received a J.D. and a B.A. from the University of Illinois. Mr. Basurto will be serving as a Commissioner on Panel C.

Charles DeVriendt of Will County has nearly 30 years of experience as a workers' compensation attorney through his private practice, DeVriendt and Associates, and has served as an arbitrator with the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission since 2004. Mr. DeVriendt previously served as Assistant General Counsel at the Chicago Park District, Assistant Corporation Counsel at the City of Chicago and served as a police officer at the Chicago Police Department. He holds a J.D. from DePaul University, and a B.A. from St. Joseph College. Mr. DeVriendt will be appointed as a Commissioner on Panel B.

Daniel R. Donohoo of Madison County has more than 25 years of experience as a CPA and county recorder and has served as a Commissioner with the Illinois Worker's Compensation Commission since May of 2010. Mr. Donohoo served for over 20 years as the recorder for Madison County in addition to being a board member for four years. He has worked at the firms Schoppet & Schoppet and Croxford, Donohoo & Co. Mr. Donohoo is a member of ABA, ISBA, AICPA and ILCPA and has been a member of Governor Quinn's Taxpayer Action Board. He holds a J.D. from Thomas L. Cooley Law School and a B.A. from Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville. Mr. Donohoo will be serving as a Commissioner on Panel A.

David L. Gore Jr. of Will County has nearly 20 years of experience as an attorney and has served as a commissioner with the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission since 2006. Previously, he was a partner at the firm Gore & Gore, specializing in workers compensation cases. Mr. Gore has also served as Assistant State's Attorney for Chicago, staff attorney with the Illinois Legislative Reference Bureau and Contract Administrator for an intellectual property protection company. In addition, he has served as staff representative of the United Steelworkers of America, ALF-CIO-CLC. Gore holds a J.D., an M.A. and a B.A. from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Mr. Gore will be serving as a Commissioner on Panel C.

Kevin W. Lamborn of DuPage County has more than 20 years of experience as a prosecutor in several divisions of the Cook County States' Attorney and has served as a commissioner with the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission since 2007. Mr. Lamborn previously worked as an attorney and partner for the firm McAuley & Lamborn and as an associate attorney for the municipal practice law firm Storino, Ramello & Durkin. He holds a J.D. from The John Marshall Law School and a B.A. from Valparaiso University. Mr. Lamborn will be serving as a Commissioner on Panel A.

Michael Paul Latz of Cook County has more than 20 years of experience as an attorney in private practices and in the public sector. Mr. Latz is currently Of Counsel with the firm Ancel Glink Diamond Bush DiCianni & Kraftheffer. Previously, he was an associate and partner for Bollinger, Rueberry & Garvey and associate at Potter & Schaffner and O'Conner, Schiff & Meyer. He has also served as assistant state's attorney for Cook County. He holds a J.D. and a B.A. from University of Notre Dame. Mr. Latz will be serving as a Commissioner on Panel C.

Nancy H. Lindsay of Sangamon County has more than 30 years of experience as an attorney specializing in workers' compensation and has served as a commissioner with the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission since 2006. Previously, Ms. Lindsay taught business law at Illinois College in Jacksonville for nearly 20 years. She has served as a member and president for the Morgan County Bar Association and is currently a member of the Illinois State Bar Association. Ms. Lindsay holds a J.D. from Saint Louis University School of Law, a M.A. from Sangamon State University and a B.A. from Illinois College. Ms. Lindsay will be serving as a Commissioner on Panel B.

CHICAGO - October 17, 2011. Governor Pat Quinn today released the following statement regarding Senate Bill 744.

"Over the past several months, my administration has conducted a thorough review of Senate Bill 744. After decades of fiscal mismanagement and ethical problems, a quick fix with significant and long-lasting consequences for our state is not the answer. My office has spent months examining the proposed bill's potential economic, ethical, revenue and regulatory impacts. We studied the effects of gaming here and in other states. And I have met - at length - with both the bill's supporters and opponents.

"Following this comprehensive review, I have determined this bill falls well short of the best interest of the people of Illinois. I will not sign SB 744 as it is currently proposed.

"To promote and protect the interests of the people of Illinois, I can only support a smaller, more moderate expansion that prevents corruption and provides adequate revenue for education.

"Illinois cannot expand gambling at all without ensuring proper oversight and full integrity. The Illinois Gaming Board must be equipped with ultimate oversight authority and the necessary tools to continue its exemplary record of keeping corruption out of our gaming industry.

"To prevent conflicts of interest, I also ask the legislature to take the additional step of banning campaign contributions to elected officials by gaming licensees and casino managers, as lawmakers in other states have done. If we allow any gambling expansion in Illinois, we should do so in good conscience, without the excessive influence of those that may benefit from such an expansion.

"Second, as I have said repeatedly, I believe the current bill is top-heavy with too many new gambling locations. I will only support a smaller, more balanced and modest expansion. As long as I'm Governor, Illinois will not become the Las Vegas of the Midwest.

"Lastly, I feel it is critical for any expansion to provide adequate revenue for state education and infrastructure. Any unfair tax breaks for lucrative casinos buried into this bill must be scaled back to ensure that the revenues generated go where they should - to statewide education and infrastructure.

"The attached framework represents a way forward on this issue, and I look forward to working with members of the General Assembly."

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Join the celebration at the Eastern Avenue Branch Library on Tuesday, October 18 at 1:00 p.m. as the library celebrates receiving the LEED Silver designation by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC).

Bruce Hamous from the Eastern Iowa Branch of the Iowa Chapter of the United States Green Building Council will present the award to the library.  Representatives involved with designing and constructing the beautiful, environmentally friendly library will be present, as well as the mayor and members of the city council.