Worker's comp rate increase denied
A bid by the National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) to increase worker's comp rates in Illinois to 36.8 percent was rejected by the Department of Insurance.

The July 16 decision by former Illinois Supreme Court Justice Walter V. Schaefer, who was special hearing officer in the case, held that 23.8 percent was the maximum increase justified. The hearing was called December 5, 1978, to appeal a previous denial by the department for the increase. No rate hike for worker's comp insurance rates has been granted since 1975, and the NCCI plans to refile for an increase.

Schaefer cited as reasons for denial that the insurance companies' costs of doing business, apart from claim payment loss, had not increased in the same proportion as the losses. He stated that the companies had underestimated the possibility of loss recovery through other insurance coverages such as product liability, and that they had projected an overly high increase in their medical and other costs.

The Department of Insurance is forming an advisory board for cost control to help insurance companies contain their medical and administrative costs. The companies' ability to contain costs will be considered when they apply for future rate increases.

In the first program, 80 women currently on Aid to Famihes with Dependent Children will receive training in four areas: computer data entry, child or nursing home care, typing, and apprenticeships in areas such as welding, plumbing and carpentry.

The second program will give 125 women pre-apprenticeship opportunities in both construction and general industry. This program will include counseling, lectures, training, referral to unions and employers, and job placement.

GOMHD allocated an additional$49,000 to the Midwest Women's Center which, in conjunction with the two training programs, will assist employers in job development and personnel recruitment.