Challenge to Workers’ Comp Law Has First Court Hearing

A legal challenge to the workers’ compensation law that was passed and signed into law last year has begun in a Cole County Courtroom. The plaintiffs, representing a number of unions and other interested parties, claim the legislation takes away rights that workers have earned over the years. They want the law struck down as unconstitutional. Attorneys representing the state claim the law is completely constitutional, and that the Legislature is within its right to make changes to workers’ comp rules. Cole County Circuit Judge Byron Kinder, hearing the case, says he’ll take the arguments under advisement, but has given a clear indication he does not want to throw out the law based on what he has heard. It’s an eight count petition, with counts one and three being discussed during Friday’s first hearing. The judge has tentatively scheduled the next hearing for June 13th.