City of Chicago v. Industrial Commission

After a hearing before an arbitrator the petitioner, Merton E. Freeman, was awarded benefits for complete and permanent disability. The award was affirmed by the Industrial Commission and confirmed by the circuit court of Cook County. The employer, the City of Chicago, has appealed to this court. 50 Ill.2d R. 302(a)(2).

On July 3, 1969, the petitioner was employed by the City of Chicago as an iron worker, as he had been for the prior 20 years. He testified before the arbitrator that on that day he was working in a confined area and began removing a plywood wall which blocked ventilation of the…