SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (CN) - Gov. Pat Quinn signed a bill that prohibits payment of worker's compensation to people who are injured while committing crimes. The law was inspired by the 2007 deaths of sisters Kelli and Jessica Uhl, who were killed when State Trooper Matt Mitchell smashed into their car head-on.
Mitchell was driving more than 120 mph while talking on his cell phone and was speeding without cause, police said.
Mitchell, who survived, pleaded guilty to reckless homicide, then filed a worker's compensation claim for his injuries.
His claim was denied, but the fact that it got a hearing at all raised the ire of many lawmakers.
The new law, which takes effect immediately, did not receive a single No vote throughout the process, in either house of the Legislature.
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