Illinois News

Illinois Prep Sports Group: Concussions Lawsuit ‘Threatens’ Football

The nation’s first prep sports governing body to face a class-action concussions lawsuit has asked an Illinois judge to dismiss the suit, arguing that if it prevails, it could kill football programs statewide. In its 16-page motion filed in Cook …

Auto-Theft Task Forces Closing Amid Illinois Budget Crisis

Officials with police-run auto-theft task forces say they are shutting down across Illinois due to state spending freezes. Separately, the (Peoria) Journal Star also reports that a bipartisan deal reached in the state Legislature last week will siphon $6 million …

CNA Names Kubursi Senior VP – Financial Institutions, Management Liability

Chicago-based insurance CNA has appointed Ziad Kubursi to senior vice president, Financial Institutions and Management Liability, effective April 6, 2015. Ziad brings more than 18 years of insurance industry experience to this role, most recently serving as senior vice president, …

Chicago-Based Alper Services Partners with Germany’s unisonBrokers

Alper Services LLC, an independent insurance brokerage in Chicago, Ill., announced it recently signed an agreement with unisonBrokers, a global broker network with multinational insurance and risk management services, who partners with select growth-oriented regional brokers. The agreement allows Alper …

Illinois Lawmaker Wants Prison Time for Distracted Drivers in Fatal Crashes

Fatal crashes caused by illegal cellphone use should carry penalties similar to those imposed on drunk drivers who kill, a suburban lawmaker says. The (Arlington Heights) Daily Herald reports that Rep. Robert Marwick wants aggravated use of an electronic communication …

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. Acquires NationAir Aviation Insurance

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. has acquired NationAir Aviation Insurance (NationAir) based in West Chicago, Ill. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Founded in 1978, NationAir is a retail insurance broker offering commercial property/casualty and risk management insurance services …

Problem of Metal Theft Focus of Illinois House Bill

A bill filed in the Illinois House would form a new task force to address thefts of recyclable metals, including copper. The Belleville News-Democrat reports the panel would review efforts to combat theft and come up with new ideas. Findings …

Motorcycle Safety Bill Proposed in Illinois

An Illinois lawmaker wants motorcycle safety to be a formal part of driver’s education courses. The proposal by Republican Rep. Tom Bennett of Gibson City would amend the driver’s education act in the Illinois School Code to require that all …

Outlook Revised to Stable for Illinois Casualty Co.

A.M. Best has revised the outlook to stable from negative for the financial strength rating (FSR) and issuer credit rating (ICR) of Illinois Casualty Co. (Illinois Casualty) in Rock Island, Ill., while affirming the FSR of B++ (Good) and the …

Rash of Fires Deemed Suspicious in Southern Illinois Town

Authorities in southern Illinois are investigating half a dozen recent fires in the village of Marissa, including one that destroyed a local landmark serving as a museum to the area’s coal mining history. The blaze gutted the Academy Building Friday …