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  • 01/12/2026 4:57 PM | Honor Ortega (Administrator)
    We are pleased to announce that WCLA Past President and longtime member Frank A. Sommario has been elected as a Fellow of the College of Workers’ Compensation Lawyers (CWCL) in the Class of 2026.

    Fellowship in the College is one of a distinguished honor in the field of workers’ compensation law, recognizing attorneys who have demonstrated excellence, integrity, and a sustained commitment to advancing the practice. This distinguished achievement reflects not only Frank’s professional accomplishments, but also his dedication to leadership and service within the workers’ compensation community.

    On behalf of the Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Association, we extend our sincere congratulations to Frank A. Sommario on this well-deserved recognition. The 20th Anniversary Induction Dinner will take place at Loews Ventana Canyon Resort in Tucson, AZ on the evening of Saturday April 18, 2026.

    Please join us in celebrating this outstanding achievement!

  • 12/29/2025 3:00 PM | Honor Ortega (Administrator)

    Members of the WCLA demonstrated their commitment to giving back this holiday season by donating $2,125 to Toys for Tots, helping bring joy to children and families in need. In support of this effort, WCLA matched the member donations dollar for dollar, doubling the impact and bringing the total contribution to $4,250.

    The donation will support Toys for Tots’ mission to collect and distribute new, unwrapped toys to children during the holiday season, ensuring that no child is forgotten during this special time of year.

    Toys for Tots, a program run by the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, has been delivering hope and happiness to millions of children nationwide for more than 75 years.

    WCLA extends its sincere thanks to all members who participated and helped make this initiative a success.

  • 12/24/2025 7:24 AM | Honor Ortega (Administrator)

    We're pleased to announce the 2026 Board Members for the Workers' Compensation Lawyers Association. These individuals bring a wealth of expertise, dedication, and passion to our organization. Please join me in welcoming:

    Executive Board:

    •  President: Austin Friedrich
    •  Vice President: Lindsey Strom
    •  Secretary: Nicole Schnoor
    •  Treasurer: Tracy Jones

    Petitioners: 

    • Brad Badgley
    • Tyler Berberich
    • Matthew Coleman
    • Julio Costa
    • David Menchetti
    • John Rizzo
    • Kevin Veugeler
    • Jill Wagner

    Respondents: 

    • Benjamin Breslau
    • Denne Knell
    • Robert Pawlowski
    • Michael Powalisz
    • Jane Ryan
    • Craig Scarpelli
    • Amelia Schwingle
    • Monika Trujillo

    We are grateful to our outgoing board members for their time, guidance, and service, and we appreciate their contributions.

    We look forward to a successful year under the leadership of our newly elected board. Together, we will continue to strengthen the workers' compensation legal community and provide valuable resources for our members.

    Please join us in congratulating and supporting the 2026 WCLA Board Members! Join us at the Installation Dinner on Saturday, January 10, 2026, at the Four Seasons Hotel at 6:00 PM. Registration is required.


  • 01/15/2024 9:56 AM | Judy Pfeiffer (Administrator)

    Direct Effect Charities is grateful to WCLA members for their incredible generosity and support.

    Thanks to your unwavering commitment to making a positive impact, Direct Effect Charities (Letters to Santa Program) has thrived, bringing smiles and warmth to those who need it most. Your kindness has touched the hearts of many, creating a ripple effect of compassion and care throughout the community.

    Additionally, your involvement in the Letters to Santa Program has made the 2023 festive season extra special for countless children. Your willingness to participate in spreading joy and fulfilling the holiday wishes is truly heartwarming. 

    We understand that there are many deserving causes vying for your attention, and we are sincerely grateful that you chose to support WCLA's initiatives. Your commitment to making a positive impact reinforces the strength of our community and inspires others to join us in creating a brighter future.

    As we reflect on the past year, we are filled with gratitude for members like you who embody the spirit of giving. Your support has made a meaningful difference, and we look forward to continuing this journey together in the coming year.


  • 06/05/2023 10:25 AM | Judy Pfeiffer (Administrator)

    We are pleased to announce that WCLA completed its first volunteer day with Habitat For Humanity on June 2, 2023.  A group of WCLA Volunteers had a rewarding day building houses for Habitat.  We hope to continue the tradition in the future. 


  • 05/19/2023 2:06 PM | Judy Pfeiffer (Administrator)

    Supplemental Arbitration Pre-Trial Procedures
    for All Attorneys and Litigants

    Effective May 22, 2023

    Prior to the Monthly Status Call Day

    • NO Clerks or Clerking Services may set Pre-Trial dates, prior to the Status Call

    On the Monthly Status Call Day

    • All Pre-Trials will be set by the Arbitrator at the Monthly Status Call
    • Dates and times will be sequenced by CompFile
    • Pre-Trials are heard from 9 to 5, with scheduled breaks determined by the Arbitrator
    • No more than 20 Pre-Trials will be set per hour

    On the Pre-Trial Day

    • Pre-Trials will begin at the top of each hour, in sequence, e. g. 1 to 20, 1st hour
    • Parties must proceed to assigned breakout room upon entering the Webex meeting

    o Sequence Number equals Room Number

    • Arbitrator will advise when you can leave the breakout room

    o Be on the lookout for Broadcast Messages

    • Move into your breakout room with your opponent

    o Get down to business, discuss your case

    o This is an opportunity to discuss the case, NOT fight

    o Try and resolve your issues

    • Abusive language will not be tolerated
    • Do not summarize your entire case at the Pre-Trial, just speak to the issues for which you and your opponent need assistance from the Arbitrator
    • If needed, tell the Arbitrator that you must go to Trial, and why

    Prior to the Trial Day

    • A Stip sheet need not be sent to the Arbitrator before the Trial date
    • If the matter will not proceed on the set date, notify the Arbitrator no less than 48 hours in advance and send a copy of any correspondence to your opponent

    2023-05-19 - Supplemental Arb procedures.pdf

  • 12/21/2022 4:06 PM | Judy Pfeiffer (Administrator)

    TO: MEMBERS OF THE BAR AND ALL LITIGANTS

    FROM:  MICHAEL J. BRENNAN

    SUBJECT: DECEMBER 22ND AND 23RD HEARINGS

    DATE: 12/21/2022

    CC: ALL COMMISSIONERS AND ARBITRATORS

    Please be advised that due to inclement weather, that has been predicted for Thursday, December 22, 2022, and Friday, December 23, 2022, we are taking precautionary measures regarding trials and hearings.

    There are no trials currently scheduled for Friday, December 23, 2022. If a matter has been specially set, the Arbitrator will reach out to you to reschedule the matter.

    If you have a matter set for hearing on Thursday, December 22, 2022, we ask that you conclude your hearing by 12:00 pm, due to the pending storm, which will hit Thursday afternoon. This will afford the bar, witnesses and IWCC personnel the opportunity to stay off the road and avoid hazardous conditions.


  • 11/01/2021 12:58 PM | Anonymous

    As a result of our very successful annual school supply drive, over 260 backpacks full of supplies were delivered to Bernard J. Ward Elementary in Bolingbrook. We were able to attend and assist with the distribution of these backpacks at the school. Along with the student body, Principal Kathleen Nigro and Assistant Principal Patti Chow wish to thank all of our members for their generous donations. Pictured: WCLA YLS Chair Benjamin Breslau, WCLA member Jacob Schneider, Principal Kathleen Nigro, Assistant Principal Patti Chow, 4th Grade teacher Mrs. Tiemann, and her students.


  • 10/01/2021 11:32 AM | Anonymous

    Former Commissioner Barbara Flores will be sworn in as an associate judge to the Circuit Court of Cook County on Monday, October 4, 2021 at 11:00 am.  This link can be used to watch the ceremony: https://www.youtube.com/user/CookCntyCourt  

    The WCLA congratulates Judge Flores on her appointment to the bench.

    We thank her for her service to the Commission, and for her support of the WCLA.


  • 06/28/2021 7:07 PM | Anonymous

    Building on a strong team of diverse experts in their fields, Governor JB Pritzker announced the following appointments in his administration:  

    PUBLIC GUARDIANS AND PUBLIC ADMINISTRATORS 

    Sharon Rudy will serve as Public Administrator and Public Guardian of Jo Daviess, Ogle, and Stephenson Counties.* Rudy has been practicing law through her private practice, Attorney Sharon R. Rudy P.C., since 1988. She represents Adult Protective Services provider agencies and victims of abuse. She is involved with the Illinois Guardianship Association where she served as President from 2003-2004, 2011-2012, and 2018-2021. Rudy received a Bachelor of Arts from Carleton College and Juris Doctor from Loyola University School of Law.  

    Scott Schultz will serve as Public Administrator and Public Guardian of Jersey County.* Schultz serves as the Chief Public Defender for Jersey County. He previously practiced law at Scott W. Schultz, Attorney at Law and Wiseman Law Firm where he focused on litigation cases as well as family, injury, and criminal cases. Schultz received a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and Juris Doctor from the University of Tulsa College of Law.  

    STATEWIDE UNIVERSITIES RETIREMENT SYSTEM 

    Richard Figueroa will continue to serve on the State Universities Retirement System Board of Trustees.* Figueroa currently serves as the Principal and Co-Founder of Lux Net Lease, a commercial real estate investment firm. Prior to his current role, he served as the Chief Investment Officer of Barrett-Lo Visionary Development and Chief Operating Officer of Janko Group. Prior, he was the Director of Capital Markets for the Opus Group where he was responsible for developing and leading a national capital markets capability that sources capital for current and future development/investment opportunities. For four years prior, he served as the Director of Acquisitions for Mansur & Company, where he was responsible for the implementation and operation of the commercial real estate investment platform. Figueroa earned a Bachelor’s degree from Yale University, Master of Arts in public policy and Master of Business Administration from the University of Chicago. 

    Scott Hendrie will continue to serve on the State Universities Retirement System Board of Trustees.* Hendrie is the Vice President of Finance & Treasury at the Carle Foundation, serving on both their Retirement Plan and Health and Welfare Committees. Hendrie is a member of the Carle Illinois College of Medicine Joint Liaison Committee and a Board Observer for Ascension Ventures IV, L.P. Prior to his tenure at Carle Health, he worked for First Busey Corporation, a financial holding company, for 15 years. Hendrie received his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in Finance and Economics. Additionally, he earned his Chartered Financial Analyst charter in 1999. 

    WILL COUNTY METROPOLITAN EXPOSITION AND AUDITORIUM AUTHORITY 

    William Kent will serve on the Metropolitan Exposition and Auditorium Authority.* Kent serves as the President and Owner of three fire and flood restoration franchises: SERVPRO of Joliet, Lockport, Lemont, Homer Glen and Aurora.  He grew the business from his garage with one service truck and two employees to three separate franchises that operate out of a 20,000 square foot facility with over 20 service trucks and 31 employees. Prior to running his own business, Kent served as the Program Manager of Tellabs Inc. Kent is a graduate of Bolingbrook High School.  

    WORKERS’ COMPENSATION COMMISSION  

    Roma Parikh Dalal will serve as an Arbitrator on the Workers’ Compensation Commission.* Dalal has most recently served as a Partner at Wiedner & McAuliffe, LTD where she has provided professional legal assistance, advice and counsel on workers’ compensation related matters. Before being named Partner she served Wiedner & McAuliffe as an Associate Attorney for nearly ten years. She received her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Michigan and Juris Doctor from DePaul University College of Law.  

    Antara Nath Rivera will serve as an Arbitrator on the Workers’ Compensation Commission.* Rivera currently serves as the Chief of General Prosecutions of the Enforcement Unit at the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation where she oversees licensures cases for a wide variety of professions. Previously she served as an Administrative Law Judge for the Arizona Office of Administrative Hearings in which she presided over cases ranging from licensure for the Arizona medical board to Social Security and Medicaid benefits. Rivera has also served in the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office as the Deputy County Attorney in the Special Victims Division, an Investigator for the Workers’ Compensation Fraud Unit for the Illinois Department of Insurance, and as an Assistant State’s Attorney for the Criminal Prosecutions Bureau of the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office. She received her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Illinois and Juris Doctor from Western Michigan University Thomas M. Cooley Law School.  

    Ana Vazquez will serve as an Arbitrator on the Workers’ Compensation Commission.* Vazquez currently serves as the Assistant Attorney General in the Government Representation Division of the Workers’ Compensation Bureau within the Illinois Attorney General’s Office where she has represented the state and its people in workers’ compensation related litigation. Prior to her work for the state she served as Attorney for the Law Offices of Lawrence Wolf Levin where she also served as Law Clerk and Legal Assistant. She received her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Illinois at Chicago and her Juris Doctor from Chicago-Kent College of Law.  

    * Appointments pending confirmation by the Illinois Senate. 


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Austin E. Friedrich President
Lindsey S. Strom Vice President
Tracy L. Jones  Treasurer
Nicole M. Schnoor Secretary

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