Best Practices in Workers’ Compensation For Illinois School Districts
Strengthening Safety, Stability and Student Success
By Paulette Howard
Claims Team Lead
Sedgwick
Christopher Johnson, Ed.D.
Deputy Superintendent
New Trier Twp. HSD 203
Kate Olson
Account Executive – Key Accounts
Risk Program Administrators
When educators talk about what drives student achievement, the conversation often centers on curriculum, instructional strategies and support services. Yet one foundational factor is frequently overlooked: students learn best when the adults who support them are healthy, present and able to do their work safely. For Illinois school districts, managing workers’ compensation isn’t simply a legal or financial obligation — it is a direct investment in student success.
Every workplace injury has consequences that extend beyond the employee involved. Absences disrupt instruction, strain already limited substitute resources and reduce continuity for students who rely on stable relationships with staff. Human resources departments and supervisors devote significant time to managing claims, coordinating medical care and arranging coverage, while district budgets absorb the costs of substitutes, overtime and medical expenses. When workers’ compensation is managed effectively, these disruptions are minimized, operating costs are reduced and staff can remain focused on their primary role: supporting students.