6-figure workers comp settlement proposed for ex-Bloomington cop

Posted on July 12, 2021

*The city council is expected to vote on the proposed settlement at its meeting Monday. (WJBC file photo)*

BLOOMINGTON – The Bloomington City Council is being asked to approve a workers compensation settlement with a police officer who was unable to return to work after an on-duty knee injury he suffered three years ago.

The staff’s report to the council said the proposed settlement calls for Luke Maurer to receive a workers comp settlement of $158,128 for a knee injury he suffered while struggling with a suspect on June 3, 2018.

According to staff, an arbitrator determined the dollar amount based on Maurer having to change jobs rather than the specifics of his physical disability.

The staff’s report also said Maurer is receiving a duty disability pension.

The money will be paid to Maurer from the city’s escrow account.

The city council is expected to vote on the proposed settlement at its meeting Monday.

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year. It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city. Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University. We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk. Going to work every day for some people means…