REPORT DIGEST ILLINOIS WORKERS’ COMPENSATION COMMISSION COMPLIANCE EXAMINATION FOR THE TWO YEARS ENDED JUNE 30, 2025 Release Date: March 10, 2026 FINDINGS THIS AUDIT: 11 CATEGORY: NEW -- REPEAT – TOTAL Category 1: 0 -- 1 -- 1 Category 2: 1-- 9 -- 10 Category 3: 0 -- 0 -- 0 TOTAL: 1 -- 10 -- 11 FINDINGS LAST AUDIT: 21 State of Illinois, Office of the Auditor General FRANK J. MAUTINO, AUDITOR GENERAL To obtain a copy of the Report contact: Office of the Auditor General, 400 West Monroe, Suite 306, Springfield, IL 62704-9849 (217) 782-6046 or TTY (888) 261-2887 This Report Digest and Full Report are also available on the worldwide web at www.auditor.illinois.gov SYNOPSIS • (25-08) The Commission had weaknesses in its change management controls. • (25-11) The Commission had certain deficiencies in its internal control to ensure accurate census data was provided to the State Employees’ Retirement System of Illinois for use in the applicable annual actuarial valuations. FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS CHANGE CONTROL WEAKNESS The Commission had weaknesses in its change management controls. The Commission has several computer applications which were critical for providing and overseeing a no-fault system of benefits to workers who experience job- related injuries or diseases. During our testing of the Commission’s case management system change requests, we noted two of four (50%) change requests tested did not have evidence of management approval. In addition, we noted the Commission had not developed and formalized a change management policy or procedure for its critical applications. (Finding 8, pages 26-27) We recommended the Commission adopt a formal change control policy and to ensure its change management process is documented and followed for its change requests, including obtaining approvals. Commission officials agreed with our recommendation. INACCURATE CENSUS DATA The Commission had certain deficiencies in its internal control to ensure accurate census data was provided to the State Employees’ Retirement System of Illinois (System) for use in the applicable annual actuarial valuations. During the performance of the census examination, it was identified that: • During testing of System records to Commission records (forwards testing), we identified 1 of 22 (5%) employees with an incorrect rate of pay. The rate of pay reported was overstated by $100, or approximately 1%, and the error was applicable to fifteen pay periods of the fiscal year, for a total of $750. • During testing of Commission records to System records (backwards testing), we identified 1 of 22 (5%) employees with an incorrect retirement deduction code. • During forwards and backwards testing, we identified 12 of 44 (27%) additional employees with an incorrect rate of pay. These employees had earned a longevity pay rate increase of $30, effective January 1, 2024, but these increases were not processed or paid through fiscal year-end. Per further investigation and inquiry with Commission officials, we noted that the Department of Central Management Services (CMS) had also identified 17 additional Commission employees with the same exception. In total, these exceptions resulted in an understatement in gross earnings of approximately $5,220. The issue was resolved subsequent to fiscal year-end. The result of the errors above led to contributions due to the plan being understated and inaccurate census data being utilized by the System and the State in the performance of the annual pension and other postemployment benefit (OPEB) actuarial valuation processes. The independent actuaries utilized by the System and the State of Illinois for the pension and OPEB plans deemed these errors immaterial to the plan level valuations as a whole. (Finding 11, pages 31-32) We recommended the Commission strengthen controls to ensure accurate census data is provided to the System for use in the annual actuarial valuation process. If differences are noted between the Commission’s data and the System’s data, these differences should be communicated timely and rectified to ensure the actuarial valuations are using accurate data. Commission officials agreed with the finding and indicated they are working to identified any differences in its data in a timely manner. OTHER FINDINGS The remaining findings are reportedly being given attention by the Commission. We will review the Commission’s progress towards the implementation of our recommendations in our next State compliance examination. ACCOUNTANT’S OPINION The accountants conducted a State compliance examination of the Commission for the two years ended June 30, 2025, as required by the Illinois State Auditing Act. The accountants qualified their report on State compliance for Finding 2025-001. Except for the noncompliance described in the finding, the accountants stated the Commission complied, in all material respects, with the requirements described in the report. This State compliance examination was conducted by Roth & Co., LLP. COURTNEY DZIERWA Division Director This report is transmitted in accordance with Section 3-14 of the Illinois State Auditing Act. FRANK J. MAUTINO Auditor General FJM:jgr