TRANSMITTAL LETTER FOR BOARD MEETING OF JANUARY 8, 2026
COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY
Mr. John P. Murray, Executive Director
Title
Authority to settle the Workers’ Compensation Claim of Timothy Durham vs. MWRDGC, Claim number 24WC004982 Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission (IWCC), in the sum of $187,422.00, Account 901-30000-601090
Body
Dear Sir:
Timothy Durham was an Electrical Instrument Testing Mechanic at the Calumet Water Reclamation Plant. He retired from the District effective October 1, 2025. On May 23, 2022, Mr. Durham reported he was inspecting a meter at Conrail in Calumet City when he stepped over a guardrail, struck a tree stump with his right foot, and twisted his lower right leg. He sought treatment at the Industrial Clinic and was diagnosed with a strain of the Right Lower Extremity. Mr. Durham was taken off work effective May 24, 2022.
Mr. Durham had an MRI which revealed a tear of the Achilles Tendon and a full thickness tear of the Peroneus Brevis and Peroneus Longus Tendons. He underwent surgery on July 1, 2022. Mr. Durham returned to work on October 10, 2022. He was off work again starting on March 20, 2023, for work conditioning, and returned to work again on May 22, 2023.
On May 10, 2023, Mr. Durham was found to be at maximum medical improvement. It was also determined that the employee had permanent restrictions.
Mr. Durham was off work again, effective September 29, 2023, and remained off work until his retirement effective October 1, 2025.
Mr. Durham was paid 133.40 weeks of lost time benefits totaling $201,054.46.
Mr. Durham filed an Application of Adjustment of Claim with the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission (IWCC) through his counsel. Subject to the approval of the IWCC, this case can be settled for $187,422.00 representing approximately 40.0% loss of a person as a whole. This settlement will close out any future lost time and medical benefits.
The Director of Human Resources believes this settlement is in the best interest of the District and requests payment of that sum be approved and he be authorized to execute such documents as may be necessary to effect the settlement.
Requested, Thaddeus J. Kosowski, Director of Human Resources, TJK:BLW:DMG
Disposition of this agenda item will be documented in the official Regular Board Meeting Minutes of the Board of Commissioners for January 8, 2026