Hoffman Initiative to Expand Support for First Responders, Essential Workers Signed Into Law

BELLEVILLE, Ill. – Bipartisan legislation passed by state Rep. Jay Hoffman, D-Swansea, to expand worker’s compensation benefits to include first responders, health care workers, nursing home employees and other essential workers afflicted with COVID-19 was recently signed into law by Gov. JB Pritzker.

“First responders, medical care workers and other essential workers have put their lives on the line each and every day to keep our communities safe throughout the COVID-19 crisis,” said Hoffman. “Our first responders, health care employees and other essential workers have gone above and beyond the call of duty by working on the front lines in the fight against COVID-19. They deserve our greatest respect and support, especially now as they navigate this unprecedented time working in potentially dangerous situations.”

Hoffman led the effort to pass House Bill 2455, which expands worker’s compensation benefits for first responders, health care workers and other essential employees who have lost their lives in the line of duty to include all those who have contracted COVID-19. Hoffman’s bill passed the House and Senate with overwhelming bipartisan support and was recently signed into law by Gov. JB Pritzker.

“As a member of the House Labor and Commerce Committee, and as Co-Chair of the Economic Recovery and Labor and Unemployment Insurance Working Groups, we were able to bring labor and business together to develop this commonsense legislation to protect essential workers who have continued to work during the pandemic,” continued Hoffman. “I applaud the governor for his swift action to sign this bill into law, ensuring our essential workers who fall ill receive the worker’s compensation benefits they need.”