IL HB1309

Amends the Workers' Compensation Act to strengthen the rebuttable presumption for firefighters, EMTs, and paramedics who develop certain occupational conditions including bloodborne pathogens, MRSA, lung/respiratory disease, heart/vascular disease, hypertension, tuberculosis, cancer, hernia, or hearing loss

Shifts the burden of proof to employers, requiring them to establish by clear and convincing evidence that a condition has an independent, non-work-related cause and that no aspect of employment contributed to the condition

Prohibits employers from overcoming the hearing loss presumption by arguing the injured employee did not meet exposure thresholds specified in Section 8 of the Act

Maintains the existing 5-year minimum employment requirement before workers can invoke the presumption when filing claims with the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission

Preserves the exemption for EMTs and paramedics employed by private companies who primarily perform non-emergency medical transfers between facilities