Illinois News

U.S. Ex-Im Bank Gives Financial Support to Rebuild Chile Infrastructure

The Export Import Bank of the United States announced that over the last two months it has “has approved five medium-term insurance policies through PNC Bank for buyers in Chile, all of which focus on infrastructure development.” The bank’s bulletin …

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. Acquires Arkansas Insurance Agency

Insurance brokerage and risk management services firm Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. has acquired the operations of Bowen, Miclette, Britt & Merry of Arkansas Inc. in Fort Smith, Ark., from Bowen, Miclette & Britt Insurance Agency LLC in Houston, Texas, …

Illinois Orders Producer, Agency to Stop Selling Insurance in State

The Illinois Department of Insurance on May 28, 2010, ordered Roberto Garcia and RG International to stop transacting insurance business in the state and now has scheduled a June 23 public hearing on the case. Garcia, individually and through his …

Group: Southwestern Illinois Levee Fixes May Cost $170M

A group scrambling to upgrade Mississippi River levees in southwestern Illinois before new floodplain maps potentially raise insurance costs says it can make the fixes for $160 million to $170 million – and pay for it with sales taxes and …

And the Best, Worst States for Tort Liability Costs Are…

Alaska, Hawaii and North Carolina get thumbs up while New Jersey, New York and Florida get thumbs down for their tort liability costs in the latest ranking by a free-market think tank. The states with the worst performance had the …

Louisiana Tells Illinois Pair to Cease Unlicensed Insurance Business

The Louisiana Department of Insurance has issued a Cease and Desist Order against Shel St. Clair and Richard Rinalo, doing business as Integrity Claims Consulting and/or Red River Insurance Construction. The department alleges the pair have been conducting business in …

Study Ties 1811, 1812 Midwest Quakes to Illinois Fault

New research by U.S. Geological Survey scientists is casting doubt on the long-held idea that the New Madrid fault zone in Missouri’s Bootheel unleashed a series of devastating earthquakes in 1811 and 1812. In a new study, the researchers say …

Change in Michigan Law Opened Door to Lawsuits Against Hooters

An attorney for two former waitresses in Michigan who said Hooters fired them because of their weight told a newspaper the case is about civil rights. But Hooters said the appearance of its waitresses is a legitimate business concern. “This …

Best Affirms Horace Mann and Subsidiaries ‘A-‘ Ratings; Outlook Stable

A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the financial strength ratings (FSR) of ‘A-‘ (Excellent) and issuer credit ratings (ICR) of “a-” of the P/C group, Horace Mann Insurance Group, its members and the life/health insurance company, Horace Mann Life Insurance Company. …

4 Killed in Midwest Storms; Property Damage Extensive

Tornados and thunderstorms that swept through the Midwest over the weekend killed at least four people in Ohio, sent several to hospitals, destroyed 50 homes and damaged scores more, as well a high school gymnasium where graduation was to be …