Bill Summary: HB3390 (Public Act 098-0040)

• Amends the Workers' Compensation Act and Workers' Occupational Diseases Act to eliminate filing fees previously charged to parties seeking judicial review, replacing a per-page cost structure with a simple notice of intent requirement.

• Requires the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission to provide qualified independent interpreters at no cost to unrepresented employees who cannot read or communicate in English during lump sum settlement petition hearings.

• Makes the handbook published by the Commission about workers' compensation rights and obligations available on the Commission's Internet website in addition to print distribution.

• Transfers all remaining funds held in the Commission's trust fund (previously collected as filing fees) to the Injured Workers' Benefit Fund within 60 days to pay claims for injured employees who received final awards in Fiscal Year 2013.

• Updates arbitrator appointment procedures to require law license authorization and establishes 3-year terms with gubernatorial appointment subject to Senate confirmation, effective June 28, 2011.