Alexander v. Industrial Commission

Regarding oral argument before the Illinois Industrial Commission (the Commission), section 19(e) of the Workers’ Compensation Act provides in pertinent part: “In the event either party requests oral argument, such argument shall be had before a panel of 3 members of the Commission ***. *** A decision of the Commission shall be approved by a majority of Commissioners present at such hearing.” 820 ILCS 305/19(e) (West 1996). In this case, oral argument was requested and had before a panel of three commissioners. However, at the time the Commission’s decision was issued, the term of one of the…