For Additional Information:
Michelle Benson
708-907-5301
16th Annual Work Injury Conference Announced --
The Reality of the Illinois Workers’ Compensation System
“Culture Change, Culture Shock”
(Champaign, IL -- September 24, 2008) The 16th annual Work Injury Conference is scheduled for Tuesday, October 21, 2008 at the
I-Hotel and Conference Center in Champaign. The theme of this year’s all-day conference is
“The Reality of the Illinois Workers’ Compensation System: Culture Change, Culture Shock” and will feature outgoing Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission (IWCC) Chairman
Dennis Ruth.
More than three years has passed since comprehensive Workers’ Compensation (WC) reform was passed
with the promise given to Illinois employers that costs would be lower and the system would run more
efficiently. “Illinois employers question the benefit of these reforms and still see Workers’ Compensation
costs as a significant cost of doing business in an unfavorable business climate and a major drag on job
creation,” noted conference director Dr. David J. Fletcher, Medical Director of SafeWorks Illinois.
State Representative David Reis (R, Effingham) and
Jay Shattuck, Lobbyist for Illinois Business, and
speakers at the Work Injury Conference will discuss what needs to change in the state’s Workers’
Compensation system in order to make Illinois more competitive in job creation.
According to the Illinois Chamber of Commerce, employers have consistently indicated that more needs
to be done to address the abuses and the imbalance of the Illinois Workers’ Compensation system. Despite
the recent Workers’ Compensation reforms, Illinois continues to lag behind other states that have enacted
reform and it is major economic development issue.
The Conference is aimed toward employers, physicians, nurse case managers, insurance adjusters, and
attorneys who have a vital stake in the Illinois Workers’ Compensation system. The Work Injury
Conference brings to the same table diverse interests to discuss their concerns and discuss strategies for
solutions to improve the Illinois Workers’ Compensation system.
The Conference will discuss the various cost drivers responsible for Workers’ Compensation costs.
Attendees will learn cultural changes employers can enact to empower themselves to control costs and
what proactive steps employers can take to improve the overall health of today’s workforce to promote
a safer, healthy workforce.
Additional conference speakers include:
- Brad Cooper, CEO, U.S. Corporate Wellness
- Jeff Sunderlin, MS, ATC, Illinois Department of Public Health
- Bruce Bonds, JD, Attorney, Heyl Royster Voelker & Allen
- Jeff Frederick, JD, Frederick and Hagle
- Ron Bensyl, GTPS Insurance
- Mike Weber, Safety Director , Super-Valu
- Tom Grey, Safety Consultant, Grey and Associates
- Lawrence Li, MD, Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Center (OSMC)
- David Dodgin, MD, Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Center (OSMC)
- David J. Fletcher, MD, MPH, FACOEM, SafeWorks Illinois
The conference is sponsored by SafeWorks Illinois, the Champaign County Chamber of Commerce, and
several other organizations.
CEU credits and PT/PTA credits are available, and CLE/CCM credits are applied for.
For registration information, visit www.safeworksillinois.com
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ABOUT SAFEWORKS ILLINOIS
SafeWorks Illinois provides comprehensive occupational health services and return to work programs to
create safe, drug-free business and industries. SafeWorks’ ultimate goal is to promote wellness in the
workplace by developing prevention programs, providing injury treatment and industrial rehabilitation services
to help the employee recover, rehabilitate and return to work. SafeWorks Illinois provides 24-hour access to
doctors and ‘Fast-Track’ services with offices in Decatur, Champaign and Chicago.
