Illinois News

Texas Coast and Rio Grande Valley Still ‘Judicial Hellholes,’ Group Says

The Texas Gulf Coast and the Rio Grande Valley areas retained their reputation as “Judicial Hellholes” in 2007, according to a tort reform advocacy group that ranks jurisdictions it believes consistently hand out unfair jury awards in civil lawsuits. The …

New Markets

The following markets were selected from the MyNewMarkets database of 25,000 coverages and programs. To find additional markets, or to submit markets, go to www.MyNewMarkets.com. Small Residential General Contractors Nuts & Bolts: NSM Insurance Group is offering coverage for general …

Business Moves

R.E. Chaix & Associates, Katie Freeman Insurance Services Irvine, Calif.-based R.E. Chaix & Associates Insurance Brokers Inc. has agreed to purchase Katie Freeman Insurance Services Inc. Neither companies’ clients will experience any change in the usual service, said Timothy Chaix, …

New Markets

The following markets were selected from the MyNewMarkets database of 25,000 coverages and programs. To find additional markets, or to submit markets, go to www.MyNewMarkets.com. Oil and Gas Well Drilling Contractors

AIG Insurer to Pay $42.5M to Cleanup Sites of Bankrupt Underwear Company

The American International Specialty Lines Insurance Co. Inc. (AISLIC) has agreed to pay $42.5 million to clean up contamination at four industrial facilities run by a bankrupt insured in a suit in which the Department of Justice intervened on behalf …

A.M. Best Affirms Ratings of Allstate and Subsidiaries

Rating agency A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the financial strength rating (FSR) of A+ (Superior) and issuer credit ratings (ICR) of “aa” of Allstate Insurance Group (Allstate) and its members. Additionally, A.M. Best has affirmed the ICR of “a” and …

Group Settles 22 Mississippi Katrina Cases with Insurer

State Farm Fire and Casualty Co. reached a settlement on 22 lawsuits stemming from Hurricane Katrina damage. “Obviously, we are pleased to settle without costly and lengthy litigation,” said State Farm spokesman Fraser Engerman. He declined to comment further because …

Insurer Wants Scruggs-Affiliated Attorneys off Mississippi Katrina Case

State Farm Fire & Casualty Co. is seeking to disqualify several former members of the Scruggs Katrina Group – a Mississippi legal team led by embattled attorney Richard “Dickie” Scruggs – from representing a couple suing the insurer over Hurricane …

Delays Plaque Ill. Studies of Hospital Safety; Obama Champion of Law

When state lawmakers passed two pioneering laws aimed at providing hospital safety information to patients, health care experts said Illinois was a national model. Four years and many missed deadlines later, that’s no longer true. “It’s disappointing because Illinois was …

Arthur J. Gallagher Acquires Wholesaler AVRECO

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. recently announced the acquisition of AVRECO, based in Chicago, from The Park Group, Inc. The transaction was effective Dec. 31, 2007 and terms were not disclosed. Founded in 1962, AVRECO is a managing general agent …