HB 782 — EMPLOYMENT-TECH

5-144) Sec.

5-144.

Death from injury in the performance of acts of duty;

compensation annuity and supplemental annuity.

(a) Beginning January 1, 1986, and without regard to whether or not the annuity in question began before that date, if the annuity for the widow of a policeman whose death, on or after January 1, 1940, results from injury incurred in the performance of an act or acts of duty, is not equal to the sum HB0782 Engrossed - 6 - LRB101 03774 JLS 48782 b hereinafter stated, "compensation annuity" equal to the difference between the annuity and an amount equal to 75% of the policeman's salary attached to the position he held by certification and appointment as a result of competitive civil service examination that would ordinarily have been paid to him as though he were in active discharge of his duties shall be payable to the widow until the policeman, had he lived, would have attained age 63.

The total amount of the widow's annuity and children's awards payable to the family of such policeman shall not exceed the amounts stated in Section 5-152.

For the purposes of this Section only, the death of any policeman as a result of the exposure to and contraction of COVID-19, as evidenced by either (i) a confirmed positive laboratory test for COVID-19 or COVID-19 antibodies or (ii) a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 from a licensed medical professional, shall be rebuttably presumed to have been contracted while in the performance of an act or acts of duty and the policeman shall be rebuttably presumed to have been fatally injured while in active service.

The presumption shall apply to any policeman who was exposed to and contracted COVID-19 on or after March 9, 2020 and on or before June 30, 2021 (including the period between December 31, 2020 and the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 101st General Assembly) December 31, 2020;

except that the presumption shall not apply if the policeman was on a leave of absence from his or her employment or otherwise not required to report for duty HB0782 Engrossed - 7 - LRB101 03774 JLS 48782 b for a period of 14 or more consecutive days immediately prior to the date of contraction of COVID-19.

For the purposes of determining when a policeman contracted COVID-19 under this paragraph, the date of contraction is either the date that the policeman was diagnosed with COVID-19 or was unable to work due to symptoms that were later diagnosed as COVID-19, whichever occurred first.

The provisions of this Section, as amended by Public Act 84-1104, including the reference to the date upon which the deceased policeman would have attained age 63, shall apply to all widows of policemen whose death occurs on or after January 1, 1940 due to injury incurred in the performance of an act of duty, regardless of whether such death occurred prior to September 17, 1969.

For those widows of policemen that died prior to September 17, 1969, who became eligible for compensation annuity by the action of Public Act 84-1104, such compensation annuity shall begin and be calculated from January 1, 1986.

The provisions of this amendatory Act of 1987 are intended to restate and clarify the intent of Public Act 84-1104, and do not make any substantive change.

(b) Upon termination of the compensation annuity, "supplemental annuity" shall become payable to the widow, equal to the difference between the annuity for the widow and an amount equal to 75% of the annual salary (including all salary increases and longevity raises) that the policeman would have been receiving when he attained age 63 if the policeman had HB0782 Engrossed - 8 - LRB101 03774 JLS 48782 b continued in service at the same rank (whether career service or exempt) that he last held in the police department.

The increase in supplemental annuity resulting from this amendatory Act of the 92nd General Assembly applies without regard to whether the deceased policeman was in service on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act and is payable from July 1, 2002 or the date upon which the supplemental annuity begins, whichever is later.

(c) Neither compensation nor supplemental annuity shall be paid unless the death of the policeman was a direct result of the injury, or the injury was of such character as to prevent him from subsequently resuming service as a policeman;

nor shall compensation or supplemental annuity be paid unless the widow was the wife of the policeman when the injury occurred.

(Source:

P.A.

101-633, eff.

6-5-20.) (40 ILCS 5/5-153) (from Ch.

108 1/2, par.

5-153) Sec.

5-153.

Death benefit.

(a) Effective January 1, 1962, an ordinary death benefit is payable on account of any policeman in service and in receipt of salary on or after such date, which benefit is in addition to all other annuities and benefits herein provided.

This benefit is payable upon death of a policeman:

(1) occurring in active service while in receipt of salary;

(2) on an authorized and approved leave of absence, HB0782 Engrossed - 9 - LRB101 03774 JLS 48782 b without salary, beginning on or after January 1, 1962, if the death occurs within 60 days from the date the employee was in receipt of salary;

or otherwise in the service and not separated by resignation or discharge beginning January 1, 1962 if death occurs before his resignation or discharge from the service;

(3) receiving duty disability or ordinary disability benefit;

(4) occurring within 60 days from the date of termination of duty disability or ordinary disability benefit payments if re-entry into service had not occurred;

or (5) occurring on retirement and while in receipt of an age and service annuity, Tier 2 monthly retirement annuity, or prior service annuity;

provided (a) retirement on such annuity occurred on or after January 1, 1962, and (b) such separation from service was effective on or after the policeman's attainment of age 50, and (c) application for such annuity was made within 60 days after separation from service.

(b) The ordinary death benefit is payable to such beneficiary or beneficiaries as the policeman has nominated by written direction duly signed and acknowledged before an officer authorized to take acknowledgments, and filed with the board.

If no such written direction has been filed or if the designated beneficiaries do not survive the policeman, payment HB0782 Engrossed - 10 - LRB101 03774 JLS 48782 b of the benefit shall be made to his estate.

(c) Until December 31, 1977, if death occurs prior to retirement on annuity and before the policeman's attainment of age 50, the amount of the benefit payable is $6,000.

If death occurs prior to retirement, at age 50 or over, the benefit of $6,000 shall be reduced $400 for each year (commencing on the policeman's attainment of age 50, and thereafter on each succeeding birthdate) that the policeman's age, at date of death, is more than age 50, but in no event below the amount of $2,000.

However, if death results from injury incurred in the performance of an act or acts of duty, prior to retirement on annuity, the amount of the benefit payable is $6,000 notwithstanding the age attained.

Until December 31, 1977, if the policeman's death occurs while he is in receipt of an annuity, the benefit is $2,000 if retirement was effective upon attainment of age 55 or greater.

If the policeman retired at age 50 or over and before age 55, the benefit of $2,000 shall be reduced $100 for each year or fraction of a year that the policeman's age at retirement was less than age 55 to a minimum payment of $1,500.

After December 31, 1977, and on or before January 1, 1986, if death occurs prior to retirement on annuity and before the policeman's attainment of age 50, the amount of the benefit payable is $7,000.

If death occurs prior to retirement, at age 50 or over, the benefit of $7,000 shall be reduced $400 for each year (commencing on the policeman's attainment of age 50, HB0782 Engrossed - 11 - LRB101 03774 JLS 48782 b and thereafter on each succeeding birthdate) that the policeman's age, at date of death, is more than age 50, but in no event below the amount of $3,000.

However, if death results from injury incurred in the performance of an act or acts of duty, prior to retirement on annuity, the amount of the benefit payable is $7,000 notwithstanding the age attained.

After December 31, 1977, and on or before January 1, 1986, if the policeman's death occurs while he is in receipt of an annuity, the benefit is $2,250 if retirement was effective upon attainment of age 55 or greater.

If the policeman retired at age 50 or over and before age 55, the benefit of $2,250 shall be reduced $100 for each year or fraction of a year that the policeman's age at retirement was less than age 55 to a minimum payment of $1,750.

After January 1, 1986, if death occurs prior to retirement on annuity and before the policeman's attainment of age 50, the amount of benefit payable is $12,000.

If death occurs prior to retirement, at age 50 or over, the benefit of $12,000 shall be reduced $400 for each year (commencing on the policeman's attainment of age 50, and thereafter on each succeeding birthdate) that the policeman's age, at date of death, is more than age 50, but in no event below the amount of $6,000.

However, if death results from injury in the performance of an act or acts of duty, prior to retirement on annuity, the amount of benefit payable is $12,000 notwithstanding the age attained.

After January 1, 1986, if the policeman's death occurs HB0782 Engrossed - 12 - LRB101 03774 JLS 48782 b while he is in receipt of an annuity, the benefit is $6,000.

(d) For the purposes of this Section only, the death of any policeman as a result of the exposure to and contraction of COVID-19, as evidenced by either (i) a confirmed positive laboratory test for COVID-19 or COVID-19 antibodies or (ii) a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 from a licensed medical professional, shall be rebuttably presumed to have been contracted while in the performance of an act or acts of duty and the policeman shall be rebuttably presumed to have been fatally injured while in active service.

The presumption shall apply to any policeman who was exposed to and contracted COVID-19 on or after March 9, 2020 and on or before June 30, 2021 (including the period between December 31, 2020 and the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 101st General Assembly) December 31, 2020;

except that the presumption shall not apply if the policeman was on a leave of absence from his or her employment or otherwise not required to report for duty for a period of 14 or more consecutive days immediately prior to the date of contraction of COVID-19.

For the purposes of determining when a policeman contracted COVID-19 under this subsection, the date of contraction is either the date that the policeman was diagnosed with COVID-19 or was unable to work due to symptoms that were later diagnosed as COVID-19, whichever occurred first.

(Source:

P.A.

101-633, eff.

6-5-20.) HB0782 Engrossed - 13 - LRB101 03774 JLS 48782 b (40 ILCS 5/6-140) (from Ch.

108 1/2, par.

6-140) Sec.

6-140.

Death in the line of duty.

(a) The annuity for the widow of a fireman whose death results from the performance of an act or acts of duty shall be an amount equal to 50% of the current annual salary attached to the classified position to which the fireman was certified at the time of his death and 75% thereof after December 31, 1972.

Unless the performance of an act or acts of duty results directly in the death of the fireman, or prevents him from subsequently resuming active service in the fire department, the annuity herein provided shall not be paid;

nor shall such annuities be paid unless the widow was the wife of the fireman at the time of the act or acts of duty which resulted in his death.

For the purposes of this Section only, the death of any fireman as a result of the exposure to and contraction of COVID-19, as evidenced by either (i) a confirmed positive laboratory test for COVID-19 or COVID-19 antibodies or (ii) a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 from a licensed medical professional, shall be rebuttably presumed to have been contracted while in the performance of an act or acts of duty and the fireman shall be rebuttably presumed to have been fatally injured while in active service.

The presumption shall apply to any fireman who was exposed to and contracted COVID-19 on or after March 9, 2020 and on or before June 30, 2021 (including the period between December 31, 2020 and the HB0782 Engrossed - 14 - LRB101 03774 JLS 48782 b effective date of this amendatory Act of the 101st General Assembly) December 31, 2020;

except that the presumption shall not apply if the fireman was on a leave of absence from his or her employment or otherwise not required to report for duty for a period of 14 or more consecutive days immediately prior to the date of contraction of COVID-19.

For the purposes of determining when a fireman contracted COVID-19 under this paragraph, the date of contraction is either the date that the fireman was diagnosed with COVID-19 or was unable to work due to symptoms that were later diagnosed as COVID-19, whichever occurred first.

(b) The changes made to this Section by this amendatory Act of the 92nd General Assembly apply without regard to whether the deceased fireman was in service on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act.

In the case of a widow receiving an annuity under this Section that has been reduced to 40% of current salary because the fireman, had he lived, would have attained the age prescribed for compulsory retirement, the annuity shall be restored to the amount provided in subsection (a), with the increase beginning to accrue on the later of January 1, 2001 or the day the annuity first became payable.

(Source:

P.A.

101-633, eff.

6-5-20.) (40 ILCS 5/6-150) (from Ch.

108 1/2, par.

6-150) Sec.

6-150.

Death benefit.

(a) Effective January 1, 1962, an ordinary death benefit HB0782 Engrossed - 15 - LRB101 03774 JLS 48782 b shall be payable on account of any fireman in service and in receipt of salary on or after such date, which benefit shall be in addition to all other annuities and benefits herein provided.

This benefit shall be payable upon death of a fireman:

(1) occurring in active service while in receipt of salary;

(2) on an authorized and approved leave of absence, without salary, beginning on or after January 1, 1962, if the death occurs within 60 days from the date the fireman was in receipt of salary;

(3) receiving duty, occupational disease, or ordinary disability benefit;

(4) occurring within 60 days from the date of termination of duty disability, occupational disease disability or ordinary disability benefit payments if re-entry into service had not occurred;

or (5) occurring on retirement and while in receipt of an age and service annuity, prior service annuity, Tier 2 monthly retirement annuity, or minimum annuity;

provided (a) retirement on such annuity occurred on or after January 1, 1962, and (b) such separation from service was effective on or after the fireman's attainment of age 50, and (c) application for such annuity was made within 60 days after separation from service.

(b) The ordinary death benefit shall be payable to such HB0782 Engrossed - 16 - LRB101 03774 JLS 48782 b beneficiary or beneficiaries as the fireman has nominated by written direction duly signed and acknowledged before an officer authorized to take acknowledgments, and filed with the board.

If no such written direction has been filed or if the designated beneficiaries do not survive the fireman, payment of the benefit shall be made to his estate.

(c) Beginning July 1, 1983, if death occurs prior to retirement on annuity and before the fireman's attainment of age 50, the amount of the benefit payable shall be $12,000.

Beginning July 1, 1983, if death occurs prior to retirement, at age 50 or over, the benefit of $12,000 shall be reduced $400 for each year (commencing on the fireman's attainment of age 50 and thereafter on each succeeding birth date) that the fireman's age, at date of death, is more than age 49, but in no event below the amount of $6,000.

Beginning July 1, 1983, if the fireman's death occurs while he is in receipt of an annuity, the benefit shall be $6,000.

(d) For the purposes of this Section only, the death of any fireman as a result of the exposure to and contraction of COVID-19, as evidenced by either (i) a confirmed positive laboratory test for COVID-19 or COVID-19 antibodies or (ii) a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 from a licensed medical professional, shall be rebuttably presumed to have been contracted while in the performance of an act or acts of duty and the fireman shall be rebuttably presumed to have been fatally injured while in active service.

The presumption shall HB0782 Engrossed - 17 - LRB101 03774 JLS 48782 b apply to any fireman who was exposed to and contracted COVID-19 on or after March 9, 2020 and on or before June 30, 2021 (including the period between December 31, 2020 and the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 101st General Assembly) December 31, 2020;

except that the presumption shall not apply if the fireman was on a leave of absence from his or her employment or otherwise not required to report for duty for a period of 14 or more consecutive days immediately prior to the date of contraction of COVID-19.

For the purposes of determining when a fireman contracted COVID-19 under this subsection, the date of contraction is either the date that the fireman was diagnosed with COVID-19 or was unable to work due to symptoms that were later diagnosed as COVID-19, whichever occurred first.

(Source:

P.A.

101-633, eff.

6-5-20.) Section 15.

The Workers' Occupational Diseases Act is amended by changing Section 1 as follows:

(820 ILCS 310/1) (from Ch.

2a.1)172.36) Sec.

1.1.1.

ShortThis title.Act shall be known and may be cited as the "Workers' Occupational Diseases Act".

This(a) ActThe mayterm be"employer" cited as theused thein Laborthis DisputeAct Act.shall be construed to be:

1.

The State and each county, city, town, township, incorporated village, school district, body politic, or HB0782 Engrossed - 18 - LRB101 03774 JLS 48782 b municipal corporation therein.

2.

Every person, firm, public or private corporation, including hospitals, public service, eleemosynary, religious or charitable corporations or associations, who has any person in service or under any contract for hire, express or implied, oral or written.

3.

Where an employer operating under and subject to the provisions of this Act loans an employee to another such employer and such loaned employee sustains a compensable occupational disease in the employment of such borrowing employer and where such borrowing employer does not provide or pay the benefits or payments due such employee, such loaning employer shall be liable to provide or pay all benefits or payments due such employee under this Act and as to such employee the liability of such loaning and borrowing employers shall be joint and several, provided that such loaning employer shall in the absence of agreement to the contrary be entitled to receive from such borrowing employer full reimbursement for all sums paid or incurred pursuant to this paragraph together with reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses in any hearings before the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission or in any action to secure such reimbursement.

Where any benefit is provided or paid by such loaning employer, the employee shall have the duty of rendering reasonable co-operation in any hearings, trials or proceedings in the case, including HB0782 Engrossed - 19 - LRB101 03774 JLS 48782 b such proceedings for reimbursement.

Where an employee files an Application for Adjustment of Claim with the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission alleging that his or her claim is covered by the provisions of the preceding paragraph, and joining both the alleged loaning and borrowing employers, they and each of them, upon written demand by the employee and within 7 days after receipt of such demand, shall have the duty of filing with the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission a written admission or denial of the allegation that the claim is covered by the provisions of the preceding paragraph and in default of such filing or if any such denial be ultimately determined not to have been bona fide then the provisions of Paragraph K of Section 19 of this Act shall apply.

An employer whose business or enterprise or a substantial part thereof consists of hiring, procuring or furnishing employees to or for other employers operating under and subject to the provisions of this Act for the performance of the work of such other employers and who pays such employees their salary or wage notwithstanding that they are doing the work of such other employers shall be deemed a loaning employer within the meaning and provisions of this Section.

(b) The term "employee" as used in this Act, shall be construed to mean:

HB0782 Engrossed - 20 - LRB101 03774 JLS 48782 b 1.

Every person in the service of the State, county, city, town, township, incorporated village or school district, body politic or municipal corporation therein, whether by election, appointment or contract of hire, express or implied, oral or written, including any official of the State, or of any county, city, town, township, incorporated village, school district, body politic or municipal corporation therein and except any duly appointed member of the fire department in any city whose population exceeds 500,000 according to the last Federal or State census, and except any member of a fire insurance patrol maintained by a board of underwriters in this State.

One employed by a contractor who has contracted with the State, or a county, city, town, township, incorporated village, school district, body politic or municipal corporation therein, through its representatives, shall not be considered as an employee of the State, county, city, town, township, incorporated village, school district, body politic or municipal corporation which made the contract.

2.

Every person in the service of another under any contract of hire, express or implied, oral or written, who contracts an occupational disease while working in the State of Illinois, or who contracts an occupational disease while working outside of the State of Illinois but where the contract of hire is made within the State of Illinois, HB0782 Engrossed - 21 - LRB101 03774 JLS 48782 b and any person whose employment is principally localized within the State of Illinois, regardless of the place where the disease was contracted or place where the contract of hire was made, including aliens, and minors who, for the purpose of this Act, except Section 3 hereof, shall be considered the same and have the same power to contract, receive payments and give quittances therefor, as adult employees.

An employee or his or her dependents under this Act who shall have a cause of action by reason of an occupational disease, disablement or death arising out of and in the course of his or her employment may elect or pursue his or her remedy in the State where the disease was contracted, or in the State where the contract of hire is made, or in the State where the employment is principally localized.

(c) "Commission" means the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission created by the Workers' Compensation Act, approved July 9, 1951, as amended.

(d) In this Act the term "Occupational Disease" means a disease arising out of and in the course of the employment or which has become aggravated and rendered disabling as a result of the exposure of the employment.

Such aggravation shall arise out of a risk peculiar to or increased by the employment and not common to the general public.

A disease shall be deemed to arise out of the employment if there is apparent to the rational mind, upon consideration of HB0782 Engrossed - 22 - LRB101 03774 JLS 48782 b all the circumstances, a causal connection between the conditions under which the work is performed and the occupational disease.

The disease need not to have been foreseen or expected but after its contraction it must appear to have had its origin or aggravation in a risk connected with the employment and to have flowed from that source as a rational consequence.

An employee shall be conclusively deemed to have been exposed to the hazards of an occupational disease when, for any length of time however short, he or she is employed in an occupation or process in which the hazard of the disease exists;

provided however, that in a claim of exposure to atomic radiation, the fact of such exposure must be verified by the records of the central registry of radiation exposure maintained by the Department of Public Health or by some other recognized governmental agency maintaining records of such exposures whenever and to the extent that the records are on file with the Department of Public Health or the agency.

Any injury to or disease or death of an employee arising from the administration of a vaccine, including without limitation smallpox vaccine, to prepare for, or as a response to, a threatened or potential bioterrorist incident to the employee as part of a voluntary inoculation program in connection with the person's employment or in connection with any governmental program or recommendation for the inoculation of workers in the employee's occupation, geographical area, or HB0782 Engrossed - 23 - LRB101 03774 JLS 48782 b other category that includes the employee is deemed to arise out of and in the course of the employment for all purposes under this Act.

This paragraph added by Public Act 93-829 is declarative of existing law and is not a new enactment.

The employer liable for the compensation in this Act provided shall be the employer in whose employment the employee was last exposed to the hazard of the occupational disease claimed upon regardless of the length of time of such last exposure, except, in cases of silicosis or asbestosis, the only employer liable shall be the last employer in whose employment the employee was last exposed during a period of 60 days or more after the effective date of this Act, to the hazard of such occupational disease, and, in such cases, an exposure during a period of less than 60 days, after the effective date of this Act, shall not be deemed a last exposure.

If a miner who is suffering or suffered from pneumoconiosis was employed for 10 years or more in one or more coal mines there shall, effective July 1, 1973 be a rebuttable presumption that his or her pneumoconiosis arose out of such employment.

If a deceased miner was employed for 10 years or more in one or more coal mines and died from a respirable disease there shall, effective July 1, 1973, be a rebuttable presumption that his or her death was due to pneumoconiosis.

Any condition or impairment of health of an employee employed as a firefighter, emergency medical technician (EMT), emergency medical technician-intermediate (EMT-I), advanced HB0782 Engrossed - 24 - LRB101 03774 JLS 48782 b emergency medical technician (A-EMT), or paramedic which results directly or indirectly from any bloodborne pathogen, lung or respiratory disease or condition, heart or vascular disease or condition, hypertension, tuberculosis, or cancer resulting in any disability (temporary, permanent, total, or partial) to the employee shall be rebuttably presumed to arise out of and in the course of the employee's firefighting, EMT, EMT-I, A-EMT, or paramedic employment and, further, shall be rebuttably presumed to be causally connected to the hazards or exposures of the employment.

This presumption shall also apply to any hernia or hearing loss suffered by an employee employed as a firefighter, EMT, EMT-I, A-EMT, or paramedic.

However, this presumption shall not apply to any employee who has been employed as a firefighter, EMT, EMT-I, A-EMT, or paramedic for less than 5 years at the time he or she files an Application for Adjustment of Claim concerning this condition or impairment with the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission.

The rebuttable presumption established under this subsection, however, does not apply to an emergency medical technician (EMT), emergency medical technician-intermediate (EMT-I), advanced emergency medical technician (A-EMT), or paramedic employed by a private employer if the employee spends the preponderance of his or her work time for that employer engaged in medical transfers between medical care facilities or non-emergency medical transfers to or from medical care facilities.

The changes made to this subsection by this HB0782 Engrossed - 25 - LRB101 03774 JLS 48782 b amendatory Act of the 98th General Assembly shall be narrowly construed.

The Finding and Decision of the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission under only the rebuttable presumption provision of this paragraph shall not be admissible or be deemed res judicata in any disability claim under the Illinois Pension Code arising out of the same medical condition;

however, this sentence makes no change to the law set forth in Krohe v.

City of Bloomington, 204 Ill.2d 392.

The insurance carrier liable shall be the carrier whose policy was in effect covering the employer liable on the last day of the exposure rendering such employer liable in accordance with the provisions of this Act.

(e) "Disablement" means an impairment or partial impairment, temporary or permanent, in the function of the body or any of the members of the body, or the event of becoming disabled from earning full wages at the work in which the employee was engaged when last exposed to the hazards of the occupational disease by the employer from whom he or she claims compensation, or equal wages in other suitable employment;

and "disability" means the state of being so incapacitated.

(f) No compensation shall be payable for or on account of any occupational disease unless disablement, as herein defined, occurs within two years after the last day of the last exposure to the hazards of the disease, except in cases of occupational disease caused by berylliosis or by the inhalation of silica dust or asbestos dust and, in such cases, within 3 HB0782 Engrossed - 26 - LRB101 03774 JLS 48782 b years after the last day of the last exposure to the hazards of such disease and except in the case of occupational disease caused by exposure to radiological materials or equipment, and in such case, within 25 years after the last day of last exposure to the hazards of such disease.

(g)(1) In any proceeding before the Commission in which the employee is a COVID-19 first responder or front-line worker as defined in this subsection, if the employee's injury or occupational disease resulted from exposure to and contraction of COVID-19, the exposure and contraction shall be rebuttably presumed to have arisen out of and in the course of the employee's first responder or front-line worker employment and the injury or occupational disease shall be rebuttably presumed to be causally connected to the hazards or exposures of the employee's first responder or front-line worker employment.

(2) The term "COVID-19 first responder or front-line worker" means:

all individuals employed as police, fire personnel, emergency medical technicians, or paramedics;

all individuals employed and considered as first responders;

all workers for health care providers, including nursing homes and rehabilitation facilities and home care workers;

corrections officers;

and any individuals employed by essential businesses and operations as defined in Executive Order 2020-10 dated March 20, 2020, as long as individuals employed by essential businesses and operations are required by their employment to encounter members of the general public or to work in HB0782 Engrossed - 27 - LRB101 03774 JLS 48782 b employment locations of more than 15 employees.

For purposes of this subsection only, an employee's home or place of residence is not a place of employment, except for home care workers.

(3) The presumption created in this subsection may be rebutted by evidence, including, but not limited to, the following:

(A) the employee was working from his or her home, on leave from his or her employment, or some combination thereof, for a period of 14 or more consecutive days immediately prior to the employee's injury, occupational disease, or period of incapacity resulted from exposure to COVID-19;

or (B) the employer was engaging in and applying to the fullest extent possible or enforcing to the best of its ability industry-specific workplace sanitation, social distancing, and health and safety practices based on updated guidance issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or Illinois Department of Public Health or was using a combination of administrative controls, engineering controls, or personal protective equipment to reduce the transmission of COVID-19 to all employees for at least 14 consecutive days prior to the employee's injury, occupational disease, or period of incapacity resulting from exposure to COVID-19.

For purposes of this subsection, "updated" means the guidance in effect at least 14 days prior to the COVID-19 diagnosis.

For purposes of this HB0782 Engrossed - 28 - LRB101 03774 JLS 48782 b subsection, "personal protective equipment" means industry-specific equipment worn to minimize exposure to hazards that cause illnesses or serious injuries, which may result from contact with biological, chemical, radiological, physical, electrical, mechanical, or other workplace hazards.

"Personal protective equipment" includes, but is not limited to, items such as face coverings, gloves, safety glasses, safety face shields, barriers, shoes, earplugs or muffs, hard hats, respirators, coveralls, vests, and full body suits;

or (C) the employee was exposed to COVID-19 by an alternate source.

(4) The rebuttable presumption created in this subsection applies to all cases tried after June 5, 2020 (the effective date of Public Act 101-633) this amendatory Act of the 101st General Assembly and in which the diagnosis of COVID-19 was made on or after March 9, 2020 and on or before June 30, 2021 (including the period between December 31, 2020 and the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 101st General Assembly) December 31, 2020.

(5) Under no circumstances shall any COVID-19 case increase or affect any employer's workers' compensation insurance experience rating or modification, but COVID-19 costs may be included in determining overall State loss costs.

(6) In order for the presumption created in this subsection to apply at trial, for COVID-19 diagnoses occurring on or HB0782 Engrossed - 29 - LRB101 03774 JLS 48782 b before June 15, 2020, an employee must provide a confirmed medical diagnosis by a licensed medical practitioner or a positive laboratory test for COVID-19 or for COVID-19 antibodies;

for COVID-19 diagnoses occurring after June 15, 2020, an employee must provide a positive laboratory test for COVID-19 or for COVID-19 antibodies.

(7) The presumption created in this subsection does not apply if the employee's place of employment was solely the employee's home or residence for a period of 14 or more consecutive days immediately prior to the employee's injury, occupational disease, or period of incapacity resulted from exposure to COVID-19.

(8) The date of injury or the beginning of the employee's occupational disease or period of disability is either the date that the employee was unable to work due to contraction of COVID-19 or was unable to work due to symptoms that were later diagnosed as COVID-19, whichever came first.

(9) An employee who contracts COVID-19, but fails to establish the rebuttable presumption is not precluded from filing for compensation under this Act or under the Workers' Compensation Act.

(10) To qualify for temporary total disability benefits under the presumption created in this subsection, the employee must be certified for or recertified for temporary disability.

(11) An employer is entitled to a credit against any liability for temporary total disability due to an employee as HB0782 Engrossed - 30 - LRB101 03774 JLS 48782 b a result of the employee contracting COVID-19 for (A) any sick leave benefits or extended salary benefits paid to the employee by the employer under Emergency Family Medical Leave Expansion Act, Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, or any other federal law, or (B) any other credit to which an employer is entitled under the Workers' Compensation Act.

86-1324.)101-633, eff.

6-5-20.) Section 90.

The State Mandates Act is amended by adding Section 8.44 as follows:

(30 ILCS 805/8.44 new) Sec.

8.44.

Exempt mandate.

Notwithstanding Sections 6 and 8 of this Act, no reimbursement by the State is required for the implementation of any mandate created by this amendatory Act of the 101st General Assembly.

Section 99.

Effective date.

This Act takes effect upon becoming law.