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Expires: 2/1/2024

Expires: 2/1/2024

*Petitioner’s Perspective
**Respondent’s Perspective

Welcoming Announcements from Program Moderators
David M. Barish, Katz, Friedman, Eisenstein, Johnson, Bareck & Bertuca, Chicago
Arnold G. Rubin, Rubin Law Group, Ltd., Chicago

Opening Remarks
Chairman Michael Brennan, Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission, Chicago                      

Caselaw Update
Learn about recent Illinois Appellate Court cases, including Rule 23 cases, which impact the practice, with important insights for both Petitioner’s and Respondent’s attorneys. We will also discuss the Armstead decision from the Supreme Court of Illinois and recent COVID-19 decisions from the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission.
Arnold G. Rubin, Rubin Law Group, Ltd., Chicago     

Nature and Extent: The Total Permanent Disability 8(d)1 vs. 8(d)2 Dilemma/Choice
Complex Case Conclusion: This panel will address the factors and figures necessary to formulate respective settlement structures in the context of:

• Vocational Rehabilitation
• Odd Lot Permanent Total Disability
• Wage Loss Exposure
• Workplace Accommodation.

Steven Blumenthal, Blumenthal & Associates LLC, Westchester
Jack Cannon, Shannon Law Group, P.C., Chicago*
Brian Koch, Wiedner & McAuliffe, Chicago** 

The Evolving Employer-Employee Relationship
Are changes coming to Section 1 of the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act? We will look at changing employer/employee and contractual relationships and how, in the gig economy, definitions of “employee” and “employer” may be evolving, including the impact such changes will have on civil liability and who will pay compensation. Does anybody get away scott-free?
Francis J. Lynch, Wolter, Beeman, Lynch & Londrigan, Springfield* 
Kisa P. Sthankiya, Rusin & Maciorowski, Chicago** 

Computation of the Average Weekly Wage
In this session, we will demonstrate the computations practitioners should use to calculate the average weekly wage to factor in:

• missed days from work
• overtime
• seasonal employment
• concurrent employment
• bonuses/shift premiums
• volunteers
• school district employees/teachers who are paid for the year but only work 36 weeks
• possible windfalls

Philip A. Bareck, Katz, Friedman, Eisenstein, Johnson, Bareck & Bertuca, Chicago*
James Clune, Garofalo, Schreiber, Storm & Grant, Chtd., Chicago**& 

CompFile and Other Commission Technology Updates: Practical Tips & Tricks for Using the System
(0.75 professional responsibility)
In addition to an overview of the CompFile system, this session also brings you up to speed on recent updates and offers and practical tips for using the system, along with other related technology currently being used by the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission.
Catherine Krenz Doan, Rubin Law Group, Ltd., Chicago*
William A. Lowry, Jr., Nyhan, Bambrick, Kinzie & Lowry, P.C., Chicago** 

Current Issues with Medicare Set-Aside Alternatives
This session will provide clarity around the options available for Medicare Set-Asides (MSAs) and a variety of alternatives, as well as the pros/cons of each approach so that you are better prepared to make specific recommendations to clients based on risk tolerance, settlement goals, and cost when weighing options for:

• Traditional MSA vs. MSA Legal Opinion
• Traditional MSA vs. Evidence-Based MSA
• Submit vs. Non-Submit

 Rafael Gonzalez, Cattie & Gonzalez, PLLC 

Navigating the New Virtual Commission (Cook County and Outlying Counties)
The Arbitrator’s view of virtual hearings, CompFile, and trial practice. Learn new work habits and tips to be effective and successful in the virtual world
Arbitrator Kurt Carlson, Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission, Chicago
Arbitrator Stephen Friedman, Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission, Chicago&

View from the Bench: Q&A with Justice Holdridge
(0.75 professional responsibility)
Justice William E. Holdridge, Third District Appellate Court of Illinois, Ottawa
David M. Barish, Katz, Friedman, Eisenstein, Johnson, Bareck & Bertuca, Chicago
Arnold G. Rubin, Rubin Law Group, Ltd., Chicago

Adjourn

& = IICLE® Publications Author

Description

Thursday, March 3, 2022
 Live Webcast

*Petitioner’s Perspective
**Respondent’s Perspective

8:55 – 9:00              Welcoming Announcements from Program Moderators
David M. Barish, Katz, Friedman, Eisenstein, Johnson, Bareck & Bertuca, Chicago
Arnold G. Rubin, Rubin Law Group, Ltd., Chicago

9:00 – 9:15            Opening Remarks
Chairman Michael Brennan, Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission, Chicago                      

9:15 – 10:03          Caselaw Update
Learn about recent Illinois Appellate Court cases, including Rule 23 cases, which impact the practice, with important insights for both Petitioner’s and Respondent’s attorneys. We will also discuss the Armstead decision from the Supreme Court of Illinois and recent COVID-19 decisions from the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission.
Arnold G. Rubin, Rubin Law Group, Ltd., Chicago      

10:03 – 10:15            Break

10:15 - 11:15         Nature and Extent: The Total Permanent Disability 8(d)1 vs. 8(d)2 Dilemma/Choice
Complex Case Conclusion: This panel will address the factors and figures necessary to formulate respective settlement structures in the context of:

• Vocational Rehabilitation
• Odd Lot Permanent Total Disability
• Wage Loss Exposure
• Workplace Accommodation.

Steven Blumenthal, Blumenthal & Associates LLC, Westchester
Jack Cannon, Shannon Law Group, P.C., Chicago*
Brian Koch, Wiedner & McAuliffe, Chicago** 

11:15 – 12:05        The Evolving Employer-Employee Relationship
Are changes coming to Section 1 of the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act? We will look at changing employer/employee and contractual relationships and how, in the gig economy, definitions of “employee” and “employer” may be evolving, including the impact such changes will have on civil liability and who will pay compensation. Does anybody get away scott-free?
Francis J. Lynch, Wolter, Beeman, Lynch & Londrigan, Springfield* 
Kisa P. Sthankiya, Rusin & Maciorowski, Chicago** 

12:05 – 12:30            Lunch Break

12:30 – 1:15          Computation of the Average Weekly Wage
In this session, we will demonstrate the computations practitioners should use to calculate the average weekly wage to factor in:

• missed days from work
• overtime
• seasonal employment
• concurrent employment
• bonuses/shift premiums
• volunteers
• school district employees/teachers who are paid for the year but only work 36 weeks
• possible windfalls

Philip A. Bareck, Katz, Friedman, Eisenstein, Johnson, Bareck & Bertuca, Chicago*
James Clune, Garofalo, Schreiber, Storm & Grant, Chtd., Chicago**& 

1:15 – 2:00                 CompFile and Other Commission Technology Updates: Practical Tips & Tricks for Using the System
(0.75 professional responsibility)
In addition to an overview of the CompFile system, this session also brings you up to speed on recent updates and offers and practical tips for using the system, along with other related technology currently being used by the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission.
Catherine Krenz Doan, Rubin Law Group, Ltd., Chicago*
William A. Lowry, Jr., Nyhan, Bambrick, Kinzie & Lowry, P.C., Chicago** 

2:00 - 2:55               Current Issues with Medicare Set-Aside Alternatives
This session will provide clarity around the options available for Medicare Set-Asides (MSAs) and a variety of alternatives, as well as the pros/cons of each approach so that you are better prepared to make specific recommendations to clients based on risk tolerance, settlement goals, and cost when weighing options for:

• Traditional MSA vs. MSA Legal Opinion
• Traditional MSA vs. Evidence-Based MSA
• Submit vs. Non-Submit

 Rafael Gonzalez, Cattie & Gonzalez, PLLC 

2:55 – 3:00                 Break 

3:00 – 3:50            Navigating the New Virtual Commission (Cook County and Outlying Counties)
The Arbitrator’s view of virtual hearings, CompFile, and trial practice. Learn new work habits and tips to be effective and successful in the virtual world
Arbitrator Kurt Carlson, Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission, Chicago
Arbitrator Stephen Friedman, Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission, Chicago&

3:50 – 4:45            View from the Bench: Q&A with Justice Holdridge
(0.75 professional responsibility)
Justice William E. Holdridge, Third District Appellate Court of Illinois, Ottawa
David M. Barish, Katz, Friedman, Eisenstein, Johnson, Bareck & Bertuca, Chicago
Arnold G. Rubin, Rubin Law Group, Ltd., Chicago

4:45                              Adjourn

& = IICLE® Publications Author