According to our friends at the Illinois Chamber of Commerce, HB 6218 was sent to the House Labor Committee earlier this week. HB 6218 amends the Workers’ Compensation Act and establishes a new causation standard.  In addition to defining the terms “accident” and “injury,” the bill provides that “injury” includes the aggravation of a pre-existing condition by an accident arising out of and in the course of the employment, but only for so long as the aggravation of the pre-existing condition continues to be the major contributing cause of the disability. An injury resulting directly or indirectly from idiopathic causes also would not be compensable.

The measure is sponsored by Republican Leader Jim Durkin with co-sponsors Dwight Kay – Darlene J. Senger – Keith P. Sommer – C.D. Davidsmeyer, Ed Sullivan, Jr., David Reis, John D. Cavaletto, Chad Hays, Mike Fortner, Michael Unes, Adam Brown, John D. Anthony, Bill Mitchell, David Harris, Kay Hatcher, Thomas Morrison, Patricia R. Bellock, Jeanne M Ives, John M. Cabello, Dan Brady, JoAnn D. Osmond, David McSweeney, Ron Sandack, Michael W. Tryon and Barbara Wheeler