6  ILLINOIS BUSINESS LEADER
CONNECTING
The Illinois Chamber partnered once 
again with the Illinois Self-Insurers’ 
Association (ISIA) to host our 
Annual Workers’ Compensation & 
Safety Conference. This year’s event 
took place on November 6, 2025, at 
the DoubleTree Hilton in Lisle.
	
The event opened with remarks 
from Lori Hiltabrand, the Illinois 
Chamber’s COO & General Counsel, 
along with Adam Cox, Executive 
Director of the ISIA. Gina Breen, 
President of ISIA, also welcomed the 
attendees.
	
The first presentation of the 
day was an evaluation of the results 
from the latest study by the Workers 
Compensation Research Institute. Dr. 
Bogdan Savych examined data from 
29 states, comparing cases where care 
began with advanced practitioners 
versus primary care physicians. 
The study showed little difference 
in outcomes for workers who 
were initially treated by advanced 
practitioners.
	
Next, Lisa Azoory-Keller 
and Adam Cox discussed several 
Appellate Court case decisions issued 
over the past year. They walked 
through the circumstances of each 
case and reviewed the impact these 
decisions will have on workers’ 
compensation claims moving 
forward.
	
Four workshops followed, 
splitting the group for the next hour.
•	John Campbell of Keefe 
Campbell Biery & Associates 
analyzed the impact the aging 
workforce is having on the 
workers’ compensation industry. 
He compared different situations 
and discussed expectations for 
older employees.
•	Kevin Deuschle of IFMK Law 
presented on AI-powered claims 
handling, focusing on legal 
risk mitigation, efficiency, cost 
savings, and best practices for 
using AI.
•	Brian Weitzman of Marsh 
McLennan explored ways to 
improve credit risk management 
in self-insurance. He addressed 
collateral requirements, credit 
analysis, ongoing portfolio 
monitoring, and other solutions 
designed to protect businesses 
and reduce costs.
•	Joseph Belmonte of Vocamotive, 
Inc. offered insight into their 
approach to job search and 
vocational rehabilitation, 
providing legally sound 
and objective criteria for 
implementing cost-effective 
protocols.
After a lunch break, the Chairman of 
the Illinois Workers’ Compensation 
Commission provided updates 
on ongoing improvements and 
initiatives within the agency.
	
The next general session, The 
Case for Civility: Why It Matters 
Now More than Ever, featured 
Commissioner Raychel Wesley of 
the Illinois Workers’ Compensation 
Commission. She discussed the 
decline in professional courtesy 
and offered a roadmap for restoring 
civility through practical solutions.
	
Dr. Leon Benson of the Illinois 
Bone & Joint Institute then presented 
IME: Pearls and Pitfalls. He discussed 
Workers’ Comp 
Conference 
2025 Highlights

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