IICLE’s workers’ compensation practice guides have long been a trusted resource in the Illinois legal community — a tradition that surpasses 50 years with the 2026 edition of this handbook. Beginning with a detailed analysis of the Workers’ Compensation Act, these 15 chapters tackle the many technicalities of workers’ compensation cases. This book guides the reader from bringing a claim before the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission through brokering a settlement or litigating at every level of the state’s court system. Along the way, it establishes and defines key terms, caselaw, statutes, and procedures all while providing editable forms and sample language.
Chapter 1 — Basic Aspects of the Workers’ Compensation Act
Paul A. Krauter, Evans & Dixon, LLC, Chicago
Chapter 2 — Employer-Employee Issues
James R. Clune, Garofalo, Schreiber, Storm & Grant, Chtd., Chicago
Chapter 3 — What is an Accident? Arising Out Of
Brian A. Rosenblatt, Downey & Lenkov LLC, Chicago, Ryan A. Dezonno, Downey & Lenkov LLC, Chicago
Chapter 4 — What is an Accident? In the Course Of
Michael F. Doerries, Nyhan Bambrick Kinzie Lowry, Chicago
Chapter 5 — Procedure, Appeals, and Special Remedies
Tracy L. Jones, Black & Jones Attorneys at Law, Rockford
Chapter 6 — Interim Benefits: Temporary Total, Medical, and Rehabilitation
Marcy E. Bennett, Downey & Lenkov LLC, Chicago, Taylar R. Young, Downey & Lenkov LLC, Chicago
Chapter 7 — Social Security Disability Offsets of Workers’ Compensation Benefits
Kristin E. Lechowicz, Downey & Lenkov LLC, Chicago
Chapter 8 — Disability Evaluation
Richard K. Johnson, Katz, Friedman, Eisenstein, Johnson, Bareck & Bertuca, Chicago
Chapter 9 — Fatal Cases
Ann-Louise Kleper, Dworkin & Maciariello, Chicago
Chapter 10 — Occupational Diseases
Kylee J. Jordan, Goldberg Segalla, Chicago, Brandy L. Johnson, Early & Miranda, P.C., Carbondale
Chapter 11 — Third-Party Recovery and Subrogation
Steven F. Hanagan, Hanagan & McGovern PC, Mount Vernon
Chapter 12 — Medicare Secondary Payer Statute
Catherine Krenz Doan, Rubin Law Group, Ltd., Chicago
Chapter 13 — Trial Preparation — Petitioner’s Viewpoint
Tracy L. Jones, Black & Jones Attorneys at Law, Rockford, Jason R. Esmond, Black & Jones Attorneys at Law, Rockford
Chapter 14 — Trial Preparation — Respondent’s Viewpoint
Logan E. March, Downey & Lenkov LLC, Chicago
Chapter 15 — Workers’ Compensation Retaliatory Discharge
Joseph P. Basile, Chicago
