"Workers' comp reform is a mixed bag," Senator Holmes said. "Reforms are absolutely needed to improve the business climate in our state, but the bills being floated around right now are harmful to Illinois workers. We need to focus on rooting out fraud and abuse. Illinois working-class men and women are already struggling. We shouldn't be focused on crippling their benefits, but on fixing the system."

About three months ago, the State Senate created two special committees focused on reforming Medicaid and workers' compensation laws. After several meetings and positive discussions, landmark Medicaid reforms were signed into law with little opposition. Holmes highlighted the process taken to reform Medicaid as a framework for how workers' compensation reform should be handled.

"This has been done in the past as an agreed bill process to make sure all interested parties have a voice at crafting meaningful legislation. We need to bring all sides together on this - business owners, doctors, lawyers, workers," Holmes said. "In the end, we have to come to an agreement that makes doing business in Illinois more attractive and also protects workers in Illinois."