Section 9015.10  Overview of Electronic Filing

a)         The Uniform Electronic Transactions Act [815 ILCS 333] (UETA) authorizes State agencies to send and receive electronic records and electronic signatures to and from other persons and otherwise create, use, store, and rely upon electronic records and electronic signatures. The purpose of the UETA is to facilitate electronic communication by means of reliable electronic records and to facilitate electronic filing of documents. By virtue of the UETA, and with guidance from Supreme Court Rules, the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission adopts this Part.

b)         Pursuant to Section 13 of the Illinois Workers' Compensation Act (Act), the Chairman will set forth administrative guidelines for the implementation of a system by which documents filed under this Part may be formatted and filed electronically. The Chairman shall set forth administrative procedures by which pro se nonattorney litigants may gain access to and file documents using the electronic filing system (e-filing system).

c)         Prior to filing any document electronically with the Commission, users are required to register with the Commission and provide all information as required by the Commission's registration procedure. Users shall promptly update the required information. The Commission shall provide an identifier to all registered participants and a means to confirm that the filing was approved by an authorized user. The Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission number may be used as the identifier for attorneys to ensure that the attorney is licensed and in good standing.

d)         The e-filing system will allow the Commission to verify whether an attorney who registers as a user is authorized to practice in Illinois.

e)         Information, records, and signatures shall not be denied legal effect, validity, or enforceability solely on the grounds that they are in electronic form. Further, if statute, regulation, or case law requires information to be "written" or "in writing", or provides for certain consequences if it is not, an electronic record satisfies that requirement.

(Source:  Amended at 47 Ill. Reg. 6144, effective April 13, 2023)