Split Court Upholds Denial of Claim for Injury Sustained While Participating in Costume Contest

A divided Illinois Appellate Court ruled that a university employee’s injury that happened during a costume contest at a mandatory work meeting was not compensable. Case: Mirretti v. IWCC, No. 3-26-0126WC, 10/13/2026, unpublished. Facts: Armaline Mirretti worked for Elmhurst University in the Office of Admissions. She filed a workers’ compensation claim, asserting that she had injured her right foot and ankle in October 2023. At the hearing on Mirretti’s claim, witnesses testified that Elmhurst (whose mascot is the bluejay) holds a mandatory meeting, called the B...