Senate panel OKs ending workers’ compensation

SPRINGFIELD — A proposal to end workers’ compensation in Illinois moved a step closer to reality when it was approved by a state Senate committee.

The legislation now goes to the Senate floor. Approval there would put abolition on the governor’s desk.

The Senate Executive Committee split along party lines in the 9-6 vote.

Democrats say efforts to fix the costly workers’ compensation system have failed, so now it’s time to start over.

Critics call the idea irresponsible and say it makes Illinois look bad.

Ending workers’ compensation would mean the court system handles injury claims.

That could mean 50,000 cases a year in the courts, a situation that could slow payments to injured workers and expose business to the risk of huge lawsuit awards.