Latest Illinois Headlines
All the headlines from our Illinois Topic Page, ordered by recency.
States Surprised with Burst of Insurance Fraud-Related Legislation in 2018
Jan 7 2019 // Lawmakers Debated More Than 100 Fraud-Related Bills and Passed 33 into Law The introduction of new bills slows down during years when legislators tend to be more concerned with reelection. That’s why 2018 was such a...
Recreational Pot Legalization Debate in Illinois Shifts from ‘When’ to ‘How’
Jan 4 2019 // Proposed plans for the legalization of recreational marijuana use in Illinois have shifted from “when” to “how.” Democratic Gov.-elect J.B. Pritzker campaigned on the legalization issue and its...
Population in Illinois Declined by More than 45K Last Year
Jan 3 2019 // Illinois’ population decreased in 2018 by more than 45,100 residents, second largest statewide decline in the U.S., according to the Illinois Policy Institute. The figure is based on a U.S. Census Bureau report on...
Insurance Journal Midwest’s Top Stories for 2018: From Agent Fraud to Ruby Slippers
Dec 31 2018 // The most-read stories in Insurance Journal’s Midwest region in 2018 covered agent fraud, a fatal tourist boat sinking in Missouri, court cases and opinions, and even a pair of stolen — and returned — ruby red...
Missourians Urge FEMA Action Over Too-High Illinois Levee
Dec 27 2018 // Missouri landowners and environmentalists are urging a federal agency to sanction a levee district on the Illinois side of the Mississippi River, arguing that the earthen barrier has been built above its authorized height,...
People
Dec 17 2018 // Cincinnati, Ohio-based American Financial Group Inc. (AFG) hired Anthony W. Dunn as vice president, overseeing the internal audit function for the company and its subsidiaries. Dunn has 20 years of experience in the...
Stamping Fee to Decrease on Illinois Surplus Line Policies Effective Jan. 1
Dec 17 2018 // The stamping fee for surplus line policies written in Illinois with an effective date on or after Jan. 1, 2019, will drop to 0.075 percent (premium X 0.00075), rounded to the nearest whole dollar, the Surplus Line...
New Brightway Insurance Agency Opens in Illinois
Dec 13 2018 // Brightway Insurance has added a new agency location in Illinois — Brightway, The Nadelhoffer Family Agency in Warrenville opened by Matt and Rebecca Nadelhoffer. The Nadelhoffers come to Brightway with experience in...
50K or More Hens Died in Illinois Egg Farm Fire, Company Says
Dec 7 2018 // A company spokesman says 50,000 or more hens died in a fire that destroyed two barns of an egg farm in rural northeastern Illinois. Mussman’s Back Acres Inc. spokesman Brian Burch says 275,000 to 300,000 hens...
Head Joins Ellsworth Insurance Agency in Illinois
Dec 5 2018 // Ellsworth Insurance Agency in Edwardsville, Illinois, has hired Aaron Head as an insurance advisor and producer. Head will generate leads, develop new accounts, and handle existing accounts. He also will provide...
Stamping Fee to Decrease on Illinois Surplus Line Policies Effective Jan. 1
Dec 4 2018 // The stamping fee for Illinois surplus line policies an effective date of Jan. 1, 2019, and later will drop to 0.075 percent (premium X 0.00075), rounded to the nearest whole dollar, Surplus Line Association of Illinois...
Lawsuit Against Fraternity over Illinois Student’s Hazing Death Settled for $14M
Dec 3 2018 // The family of a Northern Illinois University student who died while enduring a fraternity hazing has reached a $14 million settlement of their lawsuit. David Bogenberger of Palatine, Illinois, was found dead in November...
Multiple Tornadoes Hit the Midwest; One Killed in Missouri
Dec 3 2018 // The National Weather Service says multiple tornadoes touched down in central Illinois, damaging dozens of structures, downing power lines and injuring at least 20 people. Meteorologist Chris Geelhart says the twisters...
Legionnaire’s Crisis Behind Illinois Damage-Award Veto Override
Nov 29 2018 // People who are harmed or injured in incidents that are the state government’s fault will be eligible for damage awards of as much as $2 million after the state House voted to override a veto by Illinois Gov. Bruce...
J.M. Wilson Announces Promotions, New Hires in Transportation Unit
Nov 27 2018 // Managing general agency and surplus lines broker, J.M. Wilson, has made a number of personnel changes in its transportation department with promotions and new hires in the Midwest. Josh Mauk was promoted to senior...
Illinois Supreme Court Sides with Agent in Policy Dispute
Nov 8 2018 // The Illinois Supreme Court has agreed with an insurance agent’s argument that under state law insureds have two years from the date an insurance policy is issued to file suit against an insurance producer alleging...
Mile Auto Launches Pay-Per-Mile Insurance in Oregon, Illinois
Nov 8 2018 // Mile Auto Inc. has launched its pay-per-mile insurance product in Oregon and Illinois. In a press announcement, Mile Auto said its pay-per-mile model can save low mileage drivers 30 percent to 40 percent over traditional...
Credit Ratings of Illinois’ Governmental Interinsurance Exchange
Nov 8 2018 // A.M. Best has downgraded the Financial Strength Rating to A- (Excellent) from A (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating to “a-” from “a” of Governmental Interinsurance Exchange (GIE) in...
Illinois Launches Autonomous Vehicle Testing Program
Oct 30 2018 // The Illinois Department of Transportation has begun a statewide initiative among multiple government agencies to develop a testing program for connected and autonomous vehicles. Gov. Bruce Rauner signed an executive order...
Illinois’ Cook County Board OKs $4M Medical Malpractice Settlement
Oct 19 2018 // Cook County’s board of commissioners have voted for a nearly $4 million settlement of a malpractice lawsuit filed after an alleged botched heart surgery at Chicago’s Stroger Hospital. Lawyers for Jaime Flores...
