Players Union Angered Over Comp Initiative It Says Would Harm Pro Athletes

The National Football League Players Association is threatening to warn free agents not to sign with the Chicago Bears over legislation that would end workers’ compensation disability benefits at age 35 for professional athletes in Illinois. The provision is in a draft of Senate Bill 12, which proposes a series of workers’ compensation reforms and is one of 13 bills tied together in a compromise package aimed at breaking the nation’s longest budget impasse. Illinois has not had a full spending plan since June 30, 2015. The Chicago Sun Times reports that the Bears, White So...