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SB 35

WORK COMP-SOLE PROPRIETORS

104th Regular Session Introduced by Jil Tracy

SB 35 allows Illinois sole proprietors to voluntarily enroll in workers' compensation insurance, extending workplace injury protection to self-employed business owners.

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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 35

Legislative bill overview

SB 35 proposes to extend workers' compensation coverage to sole proprietors in Illinois, allowing self-employed business owners to voluntarily participate in the state's workers' compensation insurance system. Currently, Illinois law typically excludes sole proprietors from mandatory workers' compensation requirements. The bill would create a pathway for these individuals to obtain workplace injury protection.

Why is this important

Sole proprietors currently bear all financial risk from workplace injuries without the safety net that employees receive through workers' compensation. This affects an estimated hundreds of thousands of self-employed workers in Illinois who face potential bankruptcy from serious injuries. Expanding access could provide medical coverage and wage replacement for injured self-employed workers while potentially reducing litigation over injury claims.

Potential points of contention

  • Cost implications: Determining fair insurance premiums for self-employed workers and whether subsidies or incentives are needed to encourage participation
  • Moral hazard concerns: Questions about whether self-employed individuals might over-claim benefits or abuse the system without employer oversight
  • Competitive fairness: Debate over whether this creates unequal treatment between sole proprietors who opt in versus those who don't, or versus incorporated small businesses

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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