b'CONNECTINGWorkers CompThe Illinois Chamber partnered onceand discussed expectations for again with the Illinois Self-Insurersolder employees.Association (ISIA) to host our ConferenceAnnual Workers Compensation & Kevin Deuschle of IFMK Law Safety Conference. This years eventpresented on AI-powered claims handling, focusing on legal 2025 Highlights took place on November 6, 2025, atrisk mitigation, efficiency, cost the DoubleTree Hilton in Lisle. savings, and best practices for The event opened with remarksusing AI.from Lori Hiltabrand, the Illinois Chambers COO & General Counsel, Brian Weitzman of Marsh along with Adam Cox, ExecutiveMcLennan explored ways to Director of the ISIA. Gina Breen,improve credit risk management President of ISIA, also welcomed thein self-insurance. He addressed attendees. collateral requirements, credit The first presentation of theanalysis, ongoing portfolio day was an evaluation of the resultsmonitoring, and other solutions from the latest study by the Workersdesigned to protect businesses Compensation Research Institute. Dr.and reduce costs.Bogdan Savych examined data from Joseph Belmonte of Vocamotive, 29 states, comparing cases where careInc. offered insight into their began with advanced practitionersapproach to job search and versus primary care physicians.vocational rehabilitation, The study showed little differenceproviding legally sound in outcomes for workers whoand objective criteria for were initially treated by advancedimplementing cost-effective practitioners. protocols.Next, Lisa Azoory-Keller and Adam Cox discussed severalAfter a lunch break, the Chairman of Appellate Court case decisions issuedthe Illinois Workers Compensation over the past year. They walkedCommission provided updates through the circumstances of eachon ongoing improvements and case and reviewed the impact theseinitiatives within the agency.decisions will have on workersThe next general session, The compensation claims movingCase for Civility: Why It Matters forward. Now More than Ever, featured Four workshops followed,Commissioner Raychel Wesley of splitting the group for the next hour. the Illinois Workers Compensation Commission. She discussed theJohn Campbell of Keefedecline in professional courtesy Campbell Biery & Associatesand offered a roadmap for restoring analyzed the impact the agingcivility through practical solutions.workforce is having on theDr. Leon Benson of the Illinois workers compensation industry.Bone & Joint Institute then presented He compared different situationsIME: Pearls and Pitfalls. He discussed 6ILLINOIS BUSINESS LEADER'