The Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission will withdraw a controversial rule that would grant benefits to essential employees who become ill from COVID-19 even if the workers cannot prove they got the virus while on the job. Gov. J.B. Pritzker says the panel will try again and it is scheduled to meet in an emergency session this morning at 10 a.m.
The move comes after the Illinois Retail Merchants Association and the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association filed a lawsuit to block the rule, arguing it’s unfair to employers. Employers who are members of the two groups have millions of Illinoisans working at factories and commercial outlets throughout the state during the governor’s stay-home order because they are deemed essential. More than two dozen business groups supported the lawsuit.
They were granted a temporary restraining order by a Sangamon County judge last week.
