City of Springfield, Illinois, Police Department v. Industrial Commission

Claimant, Glen Wessel, sought benefits pursuant to the Workers’ Compensation Act (Act) (820 ILCS 305/1 et seq. (West 1996)) for injuries arising out of and in the course of his employment as a police officer/juvenile detective with the City of Springfield (employer). A hearing was held before an arbitrator of the Illinois Industrial Commission (Commission). The arbitrator denied the claim, finding that claimant had failed to prove that he sustained accidental injuries arising out of and in the course of his employment. On appeal, the Commission reversed the decision of the arbitrator and…