Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission issues first work stop order against Evanston employer
On Wednesday, the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission announced its first work stop order in the closing of a business in Illinois for failure to comply with Illinois' mandatory Workers' Compensation Insurance requirements.
All Good Dogs Pet Care was forced to stop all work by the IWCC and the City of Evenston. They operate a store front in Evanston at 941 Chicago Ave. They employ dog walkers in six suburbs.
The authority of the IWCC to issue a work-stop order was strengthened by the state legislature in 2005. The IWCC has the authority to issue a work stop order against a state employer if the employer knowingly fails to carry workers' compensation insurance.
Two employees of All Good Dogs Pet Care are eligible to receive benefits under the workers' compensation act, however, the owners have not paid benefits.
According to Jan Eisbart, the manager of the commission's insurance compliance division, All Good Dogs Pet Care was given every opportunity to puchase insurance and to comply with the state's insurance requirements.
"All they had to do was get insurance and they have not complied, " Eisbart said. "They did not respond to our letters or even apepar at the hearing. They forced our hand."
Uninsured employers can be fined up to $500 for each day that they do not have insurance the maximum fine is $10,000. The Commission noted that corporate officers could be held personally liable or could be sent to prison or both.
