Add professional football players to the list of special-interest groups barking their demands under the Capitol dome in Springfield. The union representing National Football League players recently inserted itself into negotiations on a workers’ compensation proposal.
As it stands now under Illinois law, a professional athlete can retire in his or her 20s after working only a few years and still receive up to $55,900 annually in workers’ comp payouts from his or her employer until age 67. The system puts professional athletes on par with construction workers, bricklayers and factory workers, who earn far less and, on average, work far longer.
Lawmakers are considering a bill that would allow professional athletes to collect workers’ comp benefits only until age 35 or for five years following the date of an injury, whichever is later. The bill, which has not been called for a vote yet, is part of a fragile budget compromise package moving through the Senate.
Stunningly, the comparison to blue-collar laborers was made by the players union itself. In a conference call with reporters earlier this month, representatives of the National Football League Players Association defended the rights of professional athletes to earn workers’ comp protections equal to "a steel worker who goes and hurts his shoulder doing steel," players association President Eric Winston said.
Representatives of the union have been vocal and strident in opposing the bill, whining about the unfairness of changing age eligibility for football players when every other worker in Illinois can qualify for the benefit up to age 67. No other state extends the benefit that long to professional athletes.
We get that the union is protecting its members’ interests. Perhaps a potent dose of perspective would be helpful. Players’ salaries vary widely, but Bears quarterback Jay Cutler has earned between $15.5 million and $17.5 million in base salary the past three seasons. If he were injured and forced to retire, we’re pretty sure his post-career earning potential would far exceed that of a steelworker sidelined by chronic tendinitis from lifting beams.
NFL players’ union fires away at Bears over workers’ comp, but argument is weak, misguided David Haugh
Illinois is the only state with a workers’ compensation law that offers wage differential to professional athletes until the age of 67.
Since 2005, the five major professional sports teams in Illinois have paid more money in workers’ compensation claims than teams in any other state — 41 percent…
Illinois is the only state with a workers’ compensation law that offers wage differential to professional athletes until the age of 67.
Since 2005, the five major professional sports teams in Illinois have paid more money in workers’ compensation claims than teams in any other state — 41 percent…
(David Haugh)
For years, the Illinois Legislature has been debating changes to Illinois’ workers’ compensation system, which provides insurance and wage replacement to employees injured on the job.
Illinois’ law is out of step with those of neighboring states, costing employers more and often encouraging them to relocate. The same injury to the same employee doing the same job here can cost a business owner three times more in wage and medical payouts than if it happened in a neighboring state.
Reducing the eligibility age for professional athletes makes perfect sense. Employers — even the big guns like the Chicago Bears, Bulls, White Sox, Cubs and Blackhawks — shouldn’t have to keep supporting injured players decades after they have retired.
Bears confident support for workers’ comp changes won’t affect free-agency efforts Dan Wiederer
In biting comments last week, the executive director of the NFL Players Association, promised the union would attempt to dissuade potential free agents from signing with the Bears based on the team’s support of a pending bill in the Illinois General Assembly involving workers’ compensation reform.
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In biting comments last week, the executive director of the NFL Players Association, promised the union would attempt to dissuade potential free agents from signing with the Bears based on the team’s support of a pending bill in the Illinois General Assembly involving workers’ compensation reform.
… (Dan Wiederer)
And lawmakers shouldn’t be distracted by the ill-timed demands of a professional football union.
Due to the state’s budget gridlock, disabled kids are on waiting lists for services. Senior citizens are losing Meals on Wheels. Social service programs have been slashed. And taxpayers are stuck with a stack of unpaid bills higher than Halas Hall.
Sorry, players union, but Illinois has far more alarming issues to address than professional athlete payouts. Give it a rest.
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