Gruszeczka v. Ill. Workers Compensation Commission

This case presents question as to whether Circuit Court had subject-matter jurisdiction to consider claimant's appeal of adverse Workers Compensation Commission decision where claimant's counsel mailed claimant's request for issuance of summons and his attorney's affidavit of payment of probable costs of record within applicable 20-day period for appealing instant decision, but where Clerk of Circuit Court did not receive said documents until 24 days after receipt of Commission's decision by claimant's attorney. Appellate Court found that Circuit Court lacked subject-matter jurisdiction because claimant's documents had not been received by Circuit Court within mandatory 20-day period contained in section 19(f)(1) of Workers Compensation Act.