According to statistics from 2016, which is the latest year for which such data was available, Illinois had the 11th lowest rate of workplace fatalities in the United States. That year 5,190 died while on the job in America. Of the workers killed, 171 were in Illinois. The national rate for workplace fatalities was 3.6 deaths per 100,000 workers, accounting for all industries. In contrast, the workplace fatality rate in Illinois was well below the national average at 2.9 deaths per 100,000 workers. Meanwhile, the state's rate of workplace illness or injury - including workers' compensation injuries - was 2.7 per 100 workers.
State debates workers' compensation system reform
The Illinois workers' compensation system may be headed for major reforms, but it is not yet clear how those reforms will ultimately work.
Workers' comp for Illinois workers who get sick on the job
The dangers of working in a health care setting are well-documented. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has pointed out that the health care sector accounts for more on the job injuries than either construction or manufacturing. One explanation for this is that healthcare is one of the economy's fastest growing sectors.
Manufacturing’s repetitive injuries
Even though manufacturing is now a highly automated industry, there still are repetitive motions that workers must do day in and day out. Unlike an injury that debilitates immediately, the damage of a repetitive motion injury (RMI) accumulates over time. Here are some of the types of RMIs and their symptoms, along with what to do if you think you may have one of these cumulative injuries.
Fulfillment centers hazardous for Illinois workers
Many workplaces can be hazardous. Health care and manufacturing workers are among the most frequent victims of workers' compensation injuries. Another type of workplace that is coming under increased scrutiny by watchdog groups and agencies is the online order fulfillment center -- in particular, those owned by Amazon, the 500-pound gorilla of online retailing. Our state is home to five such facilities.
