Workers' Comp on the Brink of Collapse

In Illinois, the workers’ comp system is so out-of-control that Democratic state Rep. John Bradley introduced legislation to abolish it and put workers’ compensation cases in the state’s circuit courts.

Workers’ comp was established nearly a century ago as a no-fault insurance system so workers and employers would not have to go to court. However, without major reforms, it is certain to collapse because of rapidly escalating costs and premiums charged to employers.

In Springfield, lawmakers, unions, doctors, business owners and trial lawyers have been trying unsuccessfully to reform the system...