One hundred years ago, Wisconsin made history by enacting the first constitutionally valid worker?s compensation law. Worker?s comp was one of many innovative laws pioneered for the country by Wisconsin?s Progressive movement.
Faculty at the University of Wisconsin along with state managers and legislators gushed forth with many progressive legislative ideas, including factory safety laws, child labor laws, utility regulation and unemployment insurance. Teddy Roosevelt, the country?s Progressive in Chief, was a big fan of “The Wisconsin Idea” for public policy-making.