Section 2. An employer in this State, who does not come within the classes

enumerated by Section 3 of this Act, may elect to provide and pay

compensation for accidental injuries sustained by himself or any employee,

arising out of and in the course of the employment according to the provisions

of this Act, and thereby relieve himself from any liability for the recovery of

damages, except as herein provided. The State of Illinois hereby elects to

provide and pay compensation according to the provisions of this Act.

(a) Election by any employer to provide and pay compensation according to

the provisions of this Act shall be made by the employer filing notice of

such election with the Commission, or by insuring his liability to pay

compensation under this Act in some insurance carrier authorized,

licensed or permitted to do such insurance business in this State.

(b) Every employer within the provisions of this Act who has elected to

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provide and pay compensation according to the provisions of this Act by

filing notice of such election with the Commission, shall be bound

thereby as to all his employees until January 1

year and for terms of each year thereafter.

Any such employer who may have once elected, may elect not to provide

and pay the compensation herein provided for accidents resulting in either

injury or death and occurring after the expiration of any such calendar

year by filing notice of such election with the Commission at least 60

days prior to the expiration of any such calendar year, and by posting

such notice at a conspicuous place in the plant, shop, office, room or

place where such employee is employed, or by personal service, in

written or printed form, upon such employees, at least 60 days prior to the

expiration of any such calendar year.

Every employer within the provisions of this Act who has elected to

provide and pay compensation according to the provisions of this Act by

insuring his liability to pay compensation under this Act, as above

provided, shall be bound thereby as to all his employees until the date of

expiration or cancellation of such policy of insurance, or any renewal

thereof.

(c) In the event any employer mentioned in this section, elects to provide and

pay the compensation provided in this Act, then every employee of such

employer, as a part of his contract of hiring or who may be employed at

the time of the taking effect of this Act and the acceptance of its

provisions by such employer, shall be deemed to have accepted all the

provisions of this Act and shall be bound thereby unless within 30 days

after such hiring or after the taking effect of this Act, and its acceptance

by such employee, he shall file a notice to the contrary with the

Commission, whose duty it shall be to immediately notify the employer,

and until such notice to the contrary is given to the employer, the measure

of liability of such employer shall be determined according to the

compensation provisions of this Act.

However, any employee may withdraw from the operation of this Act,

except those under Section 3, upon filing a written notice of withdrawal

at least 10 days prior to January 1

whose duty it shall be to immediately notify such employer by registered

mail, and, until such notice to the contrary is given to such employer, the

measure of liability of such employer shall be determined according to

the compensation provisions of this Act.

(d) Any such employer or employee may, without prejudice to any existing

right or claim withdraw his election to reject this Act by giving 30 days’

written notice in such manner and form as may be provided by the

Commission.