Illinois Governor Pat Quinn recently signed two laws that limit benefits available to workers who commit crimes. Senate Bill 1147 prohibits employees from receiving workers’ compensation benefits for injuries sustained while committing a forcible felony, aggravated DUI or reckless homicide. The law further prohibits employees charged with such crimes from collecting workers’ compensation benefits until their criminal cases are concluded.

The law was drafted in response to a November 2007 incident in which an Illinois state trooper responding to a traffic emergency crossed a highway median and crashed into a car, killing two people. The trooper was reportedly driving more than 120 miles per hour, weaving in and out of heavy traffic, and talking on his cell phone when he lost control of his car. The trooper survived the crash and has a workers’ compensation claim pending, according to Illinois Representative Dwight Kay, a sponsor of the bill. “It’s simply common sense that taxpayers and employers should not have to pay an employee for an injury that arises out of the commission of a felony while on the job,” Representative Kay said.

“Our workers’ compensation system is designed to protect workers injured on the job, not those who commit crimes,” said Governor Quinn. “This is another tool to make sure that workers’ compensation benefits go only to those who deserve them.” The law took effect upon signing.

In a similar vein, the Governor signed House Bill 3591 to prohibit all new hires to the Chicago Transit Authority, Metra and Pace from collecting pension benefits if they are convicted of a felony related to their duties. All other state retirement systems already include similar protections. “This overdue law will hold CTA, Metra and Pace employees to the same standards as other public servants throughout Illinois,” Governor Quinn said. The law took effect immediately.