Section 9030.10  Arbitration Assignments

a)         In cases arising in Cook County, cases shall be assigned at the time of the First Notice of Hearing to Arbitrators on a random basis.

b)         In cases arising outside Cook County, cases shall be assigned to an Arbitrator, on a random basis, at the time of the First Notice of Hearing, depending on the place of the accident.  Each Arbitrator outside Cook County shall be given a zone.

c)         All assignments on Arbitration are final, except as otherwise provided in Section 14 of the Workers' Compensation Act [820 ILCS 305] (Act), Section 9030.30 of this Part, and 50 Ill. Adm. Code 9070.40, or when consolidation with a previously filed case is required.

d)         In the event a Petitioner has an Application for Adjustment of Claim pending and files one or more Applications for Adjustment of Claim against the same Respondent, or against different Respondents alleging accidental injuries to the same part of the body, subsequent cases shall, on motion of any party, be assigned to the Arbitrator of the case filed first.  However, the Commission may make an exception based on a showing of good cause by the objecting party. 

e)         When more than one Petitioner files a claim against the same Respondent relating to the same accident, the cases may be consolidated, upon the motion of any party.  The Arbitrator assigned to the case filed first shall determine whether consolidation would promote consistency and efficiency of administration.  Motions to consolidate must be heard by the Arbitrator that is assigned to the earliest filed claim.

f)         If a case is dismissed or otherwise closed and the Petitioner files an Application for Adjustment of Claim relating to the same accident, the case will be assigned to the Arbitrator assigned to the first case filed involving that accident.

(Source:  Amended at 40 Ill. Reg. 15732, effective November 9, 2016)