The Workers’ Compensation Advisory Council is asking employers to submit comments and their suggestions for changes to Wisconsin’s Workers’ Compensation Insurance System.

The Advisory Council, created in 1911, provides guidance to the Department of Workforce Development (DWD), but has a key role in developing recommendations for changes to the workers compensation system.

The process begins with gathering public input, next the council works through an “agreed bill” whereby Council members agree to oppose WC changes that have not gone through or been considered by the Council.

The most recent reforms to the workers compensation program were approved by the Legislature and signed into law by Governor Tony Evers on March 22, 2024.

In 2023, workers compensation costs declined for the eighth straight year, saving employers $150 million in insurance premiums, according to the Department of Workforce Development.

Membership of the Council includes five employee representatives, five employer representatives, three insurer representatives, and one representative of the Department of Workforce Development.

“We welcome the people of Wisconsin to take this opportunity to improve the workers compensation system through public comments,” said DWD Secretary Amy Pechacek, “Civic engagement has been a hallmark of our state’s workers’ compensation system for more than a century, and we invite participation in person, through online attendance, or with written comments.”

Written comments may be submitted to John Dipke, Chair, Workers’ Compensation Advisory Council, 201 E. Washington Avenue, Room C100, Madison, WI 53703.  The submission deadline is January 10, 2025.