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INSIGHT Features 11
January 2024
Table of Contents
2023 P&C Combined Ratio Forecasted to Deteriorate to 103.8
12
ILLINOIS
By Will Jones
P&C Outlook: Premiums in Race to Catch up With Claims Costs
By Thomas Holzheu & James Finucane
14
March of the Acronyms
15
History of the Independent Insurance Agent Association in Illinois
16
Celebrating 125 Years of Independent Insurance Agents of Illinois
19
Inflation, High Interest Rates, and Catastrophes Contribute to 2023 Underwriting Loss for P&C Industry
14
By Jennifer Jacobs
By Insurance Information Institute (Triple I)
20
How to Move from Burnout to Full Charged in Life and Work
24
What Employers Need to Know About Paid Leave for All Workers and New Pay Transparency Requirements
By Kathy Caprino
By Jennifer Jacobs
In This Issue
20
7
Letter from the Editor
8
President’s Message
9
Brett’s 5 Sense
22
Trusted Choice
26
Associate Member News
27
Agency Member News
28
Association Update
29
Big I Illinois News
30
Classifieds
info@ilbigi.org | www.ilbigi.org | (217) 793-6660 Insight is the official publication of Big I Illinois. The magazine is published monthly for the members of the state association, with the office located at 4360 Wabash Avenue, Springfield, Illinois 62711-7009; Consumer Website: www.ChooseIndependent.com. Big I Illinois welcomes letters discussing concerns of the insurance industry, articles, editorials, other matters of interest to the membership. The editor reserves the right to edit and select submissions for publication. Address submissions for review to Rachel Romines at rromines@ilbigi.org. For advertising information, contact Tami Hubbell at thubbell@ilbigi.org.
14-Time Winner
Advertisers ILLINOIS
Board of Directors Executive Committee Chairman of the Board - Kevin Lesch klesch@arachasgroup.com President - Allyson Padilla allyson@blanksinsurance.com President-Elect - Patrick Taphorn, CIC, CSRM ptaphorn@unland.com Vice President - Thomas Evans, Jr. tom.evans@assuredpartners.com Secretary/Treasurer - Cindy Jackman, CIC, CISR cjackman@arlingtonroe.com IIABA National Director - George Daly george.daly@thehortongroup.com
32
Applied Underwriters
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Berkshire Hathaway Guard Ins. Group
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Big I Markets
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EMC Insurance
18
Envision Healthcare
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JM Wilson
Cover Tip
Omaha National
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Secura
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West Bend
Directors Mohammed Ali - mali@aliminsurance.com Amiri Curry - acurry@assuranceagency.com Charles Hruska - chas@hruskains.com David Jenk, Esq. - djenk@nwibrokers.com Jeff McMillan - jeff@mcmillanins.com Patrick Muldowney - patrick.muldowney@alliant.com Lindsey Polzin - lpolzin@presidiogrp.com Ray Roentz - ray.roentz@hwcrins.com James Sager - james@sagerins.com Luke Sandrock, CIC - lsandrock@2cornerstone.com Noele Tatlock - ntatlock@unland.com
Committee Chairs Budget & Finance | Cindy Jackman, CIC, CISR cjackman@arlingtonroe.com Education | Lisa Lukens salibainsurance@gmail.com Farm Agents Council | Steve Foster s.foster@ciagonline.com Government Relations | Dustin Peterson dustin@peterson.insurance Planning & Coordination | Nick Gunn, CIC nickgunn@nixonagency.com Technology | Brian Ogden brian@ogdeninsurance.com Young Agents | Renee Crissie renee@crissieins.com
Follow us on socials.
Big I Illinois Staff Director of Information and Technology
Shannon Churchill (217) 321-3004 - schurchill@ilbigi.org
Director of Education and Agency Resources
Brett Gerger, CIC (217) 321-3006 - bgerger@ilbigi.org
Accounting & Admin Services
Tami Hubbell, CIC (217) 321-3016 - thubbell@ilbigi.org
Director of Human Resources, Board Admin
Jennifer Jacobs, SHRM-CP (217) 321-3013 - jjacobs@ilbigi.org
Sr. Vice President/Chief Financial Officer
Mark Kuchar (217) 321-3015 - mkuchar@ilbigi.org
Chief Executive Officer
Phil Lackman, IOM (217) 321-3005 - plackman@ilbigi.org
Director of Membership Services
Lori Mahorney, CISR Elite (217) 415-7550 - lmahorney@ilbigi.org
Director of Government Relations
Evan Manning (217) 321-3002 - emanning@ilbigi.org
Office Administrator
Kristi Osmond, CISR (217) 321-3007 - kosmond@ilbigi.org
Director of Communications
Rachel Romines (217) 321-3024 - rromines@ilbigi.org
Marketing Representative Director of Professional Liability & Insurance Products
Tom Ross, CRIS, CPIA (217) 321-3003 - tross@ilbigi.org Carol Wilson, CPIA (217) 321-3011 - cwilson@ilbigi.org
Letter from the Editor
It’s Official – We Are Big I Illinois As we’ve communicated over the past few weeks, the association membership voted in October 2023 to rebrand from IIA of IL to Big I Illinois. This brand better reflects a name that has resonated with agents, carriers, and lawmakers throughout the organization’s 125-year history. It’s an exciting time to be part of an association with such a long-standing history of supporting independent insurance agents in the state. Along with the new brand comes new publication designs. As you can see, Insight magazine received a facelift, as will our digital publications. The Big I Illinois staff has been hard at work for months to update the association website. This became a big project, as we wanted to provide an easier experience for all our website users. Our new website will provide better navigation, a layout allowing users to find exactly what they need and didn’t know they needed, but we still have all the great information our members are used to, like the Solution Center. Look for the new website to launch soon at www.ilbigi.org. Staff email
addresses will also be changing. You’ll now use first initial, last name @ilbigi.org (rromines@ilbigi.org). Add ilbigi.org to your safe senders list to ensure delivery of our digital publications and correspondence. 2024 also marks the association’s 125th Anniversary. Over the next several months, we will be highlighting the association’s rich history in the magazine and other publications. We hope you enjoy looking back at some of the events, news, photos, and more! We plan to end our anniversary celebration with a big party at CONVO in October (official dates coming soon). As we honor the past, we realize how much we’ve learned, how much this association has contributed to the industry, and how much we’ve helped independent insurance agents in Illinois grow and thrive. Moving into the next chapter, we are committed to continuing to be your number-one resource. We look forward to the next 125 years of partnership and success!
Rachel Romines - Big I Illinois Director of Communications/Insight Editor - rromines@ilbigi.org
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7
President’s Message
Quasquicentennial - pertaining to or marking a period of 125 years. noun. 2. a 125th anniversary. According to Wikipedia the following things occurred in 1899: • January 10 The Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity is founded, at Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, Illinois. • February 3 Kansas University’s new college basketball team, coached by the game’s inventor, Dr. James Naismith, plays its first game, and is defeated by the YMCA team of Kansas City, Kansas, 16 to 5. • March 2 Mount Rainier National Park is established in the U.S. state of Washington. • June 9 American boxer James J. Jeffries wins the world heavyweight boxing championship when he knocks out Cornish-born Bob Fitzsimmons in the 11th round of a bout at Coney Island at Brooklyn, New York. • July 4 The most famous skeleton of a dinosaur ever found intact, a Diplodicus, is discovered at the Sheep Creek Quarry in the western United States near Medicine Bow, Wyoming. • August 24 France’s Minister of Commerce, Alexandre Millerand, decrees a change in regulations to extend the right to workers’ compensation to cover all profit-making establishments. • December 25 Humphrey Bogart, American actor, was born.
I recently was reviewing some highlights of a speaker for a future event and I was struck by what he had to say. Finding it poignant not only for my agency and me but for our association. The speaker discussed his struggle with bringing new ideas to his multigenerational organization as a young and green professional. After he nervously presented his ideas to his father, he was met with kindness and support. His ideas were new and innovative, unconventional to his current business model, and not tested in his locale. However, with the support of those who came before him, he was able to grow his idea into success. There is a lot that has been learned in the last 12-18 months in our industry, and while I find value in the struggles we have faced, I, like many, would like to move past it in 2024. As we move into the year, celebrating all we have accomplished as an association in the past 125 years, I hope that we can also focus on the future. Supporting our new and young agents and agencies with mentorship and education, providing our members with market access, and discovering and vetting new technology that will help our members have a sustainable competitive advantage for another 125 years. I wish you all much success and support this New Year! Regards, Allyson Padilla
AND on August 2, 1899, Big I of Illinois was established. While a number of things are different than they were 125 years ago, one thing remains the same, we are committed to providing a sustainable competitive advantage for our members.
Allyson Padilla - Big I Illinois President - (618) 393-2195 - allyson@blanksinsurance.com 8
Insight
January 2024
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MARCH OF THE ACRONYMS By Jennifer Jacobs In in the fall of 2011, I found myself on the sidelines of a debate that began in 1993 when our association merged with PIA and became the PIIAI. That year, the convention was labeled as the first PIIAI convention, and marketing materials and press releases were promoting that year of the merger as the date the association was founded. Jack Payan, who had spent many years in service to the industry as President of three organizations: the Chicago Board of Underwriters; Independent Insurance Agents of Illinois; and Independent Insurance Agents of America, took offense at the new founding date. Jack’s history of the association went back much farther than that and he couldn’t fathom not bringing forward the history of the IIAI when we merged with the PIA. In a letter to Tom Walsh, who was newly installed as PIIAI president that year, Jack wrote about his “consternation when I attended my 36th consecutive Illinois annual convention in 1993. That convention was billed as the 1st Annual Convention of the PIIAI. It should have been the 94th annual convention of the newly combined organization. I was in shock, but quickly realized that nobody seemed to care how I felt about the subject.” Jack’s tenacity finally paid off and he found the right audience in the Executive Committee. It was agreed that the association should adhere to the original founding date of 1899, and at the same time, Jack landed a book deal that ensured he would have access to association resources in exchange for volunteering his time in writing and researching the association’s history. I quickly went from sitting on the sidelines to being declared the research assistant on this project. In addition to receiving a printed carbon copy of every piece of correspondence Jack sent related to the book and its publication, I was charged with digging through the association archives (boxes and boxes of photos and documents) to locate the images and lists he requested. It was tedious work, but I truly enjoyed being immersed, so to speak, in the association’s history. Countless hours of research and several months later, I met with Jack over egg salad sandwiches at his kitchen table in Palos Heights and finalized the materials for publication. The finished product, March of the Acronyms debuted at the association’s convention (the 113th annual event). Jack attended the Past Presidents Dinner and a special book signing event to much fanfare and celebration. Two months later, Jack was laid to rest and left us with a lasting legacy. I am grateful to have worked with him on the history book. What follows is my edit of Jack’s original research on the association history. If you would like to read March of the Acronyms in its entirety, please reach out to me at jjacobs@ilbigi.org or (217) 321-3013 and I would be happy to mail you a copy.
Jennifer Jacobs, SHRM-CP, is Big I Illinois Director of Human Resources and liaison to the Board of Directors.
14
Insight
January 2024
History of the Independent Agent Association in Illinois Cincinnati had been the Western Capital of the rapidly growing country’s insurance industry but as the muddy frontier town of Chicago began to outgrow its more easterly rival, Chicago became the industry hub. When Gurdon S. Hubbard wrote the first fire insurance policy in the city in 1834 for the Howard Insurance Company, there were no automobiles, nor electric lights, much less television. Liability insurance, workers’ compensation and accident and health coverages as well as fidelity and surety, were unknown. By 1849, the city was a boom town of 23,047 people and it was in that year that Hubbard helped organize the Chicago Board of Underwriters (CBU). The CBU had been founded with both company people and agents as members and was the second oldest insurance association in the nation. The first was the Greater Board of Underwriters of Cincinnati, which was established in 1846. Throughout the latter part of the 19th Century, the insurance agency system was fragmented, and agents had grown disgusted with the treatment that they were receiving from the insurance companies of the day. Of primary importance was commissions, but other issues such as direct writing and ownership of their expiration lists were key issues as well. With this backdrop, 20 insurance men representing agencies from across the country responded to a letter from a Denver agent to meet in Chicago at the Great Northern Hotel which was at the Northeast corner of Jackson and Dearborn, where the Everett Dirksen Federal Building now stands. The twoday meeting resulted in the formation of the first national association of insurance agents, the National Association of Local Fire Insurance Agents (NALFIA) which was established on September 30, 1896. Illinois reporter C.M. Cartwright of the Chicago InterOcean was at that first meeting, and he later became the managing editor of the National Underwriter. Two of the “Immortal Twenty” agents at that first meeting were from Illinois, Thomas L Fekete from East Saint Louis and Jacob Wachenheimer from Peoria. Interestingly, there we no representatives from Chicago at the historic meeting, although the Chicago Board of Underwriters (CBU) had been established since 1849 in that city and was a powerful organization in its own right at the time.
Many of the original founding members, as well as several other influential agents from Illinois provided a strong voice for the state by serving on the NALIFA Executive Committee throughout the early years. A later constitutional change made by the national association, then called the National Association of Insurance Agents (NAIA), mandated each state shall provide a representative to be known as a State National Director (SND). The new board was granted constitutional powers which had previously been the sole purview of the Executive Committee. The new powers included the formulation of statements and policies and the drafting of resolutions to be presented at membership meetings. For the first time, the SNDs would also serve as the nominating committee to present candidates for officer positions. This provided a greater opportunity for members representing all of the state affiliates to play a role in the governance of the organization. Another national organization, The National Association of Mutual Insurance Agents, came on the scene in 1931, but did not have a state affiliate until 1952 when Ray Mead of Peoria became the first president of the Illinois Association of Mutual Insurance Agents. The organization became what was known as Illinois Association of Professional Insurance Agents in 1981. The Illinois PIA ceased to exist in 1993 when the group merged with the Independent Insurance Agents of Illinois (IIAI), forming what would be called the PIIAI until 2009. The merged organization formally voted to disaffiliate with the PIA in November of 2000. In 2009, the PIIAI changed its name to the Independent Insurance Agents of Illinois (IIA of IL). The national PIA organization still exists today. In the mid 1980s, the CBU turned over the administration of most of its services such as education, legislative and other support, to the IIAI. The CBU remained active until 2006 when participation had waned and the organization discontinued its meetings and operations. A new local organization was formed in 2015, Chicagoland IIA. A local affiliate of the IIA of IL, Chicagoland IIA’s mission is to advocate for and provide relevant content for agents in Cook County.
One of the early goals of NALFIA was to create state associations of agents countrywide, as few existed at the time. The creation of the Independent Insurance Agents of Illinois (IIAI) was a direct result of that commitment and the IIAI was founded in 1899 under the leadership of its first president, R.W. Hosmer of Chicago. Jacob Wachenheimer of Callender & Company Agency in Peoria, was a prime organizer of the association as was Chicagoan Clarence S. Pellet who was, at the time, president of the CBU. Other agents who were also influential in the establishment of the IIAI included C.F. Hildreth, of Freeport; J.A. Giberson, of Alton; George Taylor, of Streator and several others. The venerable and powerful CBU provided the seed money to the fledgling organization. Almost immediately, 36 agents statewide joined the association.
January 2024
insight
15
5 2 1 Timeline provided by Phil Lackman.
1849
The Chicago Board of Underwriters (CBU) is organized
1869
General Assembly passes law allowing the organization of fire insurance companies
1940
National Association of Insurance Women (NAIW) formed
1945
McCarran-Ferguson Act Passed
1971
IL General Assembly fails to renew Rating Law, begins Illinois’ File and Use System
1871
Great Chicago Fire
1933
Allan I Wolf becomes second Illinois agent elected president of NAIA
1893
Illinois Department of Insurance created
1931
Professional Insurance Agents (National) formed
1952
Walter M. Sheldon becomes Third Illinois agent elected president of NAIA
Celebrating 125 Years of the Indepe
Throughout 2024, we’ll be looking back on the history of our Association made this long history possible. Since 1899, it has been a privilege to re changed over the years, the mission of what we do remains the
1971
Harry Parrish becomes fourth Illinois agent elected president of NAIA
Without your Association, the legislative and marketplace environment o detrimental to the independent agency channel. With the many people seen an industry that is as relevant a
Through world wars, pandemics, economic calamities, natural disasters Illinois. Your Association is proud of the work agents do in their commu organizations, and businesses
From advocacy to education, resources to event making the next 125 years as successful as the fir
National Association Logos Through the Years
1976
National Association changes name from NAIA to Independent Insurance Agents of America (IIAA)
1976
IIABA created NAPAC, now InsurPac
2009
PIIAI changes name to Independent Insurance Agents of Illinois (IIA of IL)
2015
Agents organize Chicagoland IIA local board
16
Insight
2018
State Supreme Court upholds and strengthens Producer Tort Reforms
1982
Jack Payan becomes fifth Illinois Agent elected IIABA President
2006
Chicago Board of Underwriters Operations Cease
2022
Greg Sandrock elected to IIABA Executive Committee
January 2024
5 1896
National Association of Local Fire Insurance Agents (NALFIA) formed
1930
Agents Qualification Law (licensing) passed in Illinois
1899
Independent Insurance Agents of Illinois formed
1930
Illinois Farm Agents Association established
1904
The Yonkers Case Agents Own Their Expirations
1914
The Insurance Federation of Illinois (companies) formed
1952
Illinois Association of Mutual Insurance Agents (later PIA) formed
1913
NALFIA changed name to National Association of Insurance Agents (NAIA)
1913
CF Hildreth becomes first Illinois agent elected president of NAIA
1956
Big I logo came into use by national association
5 2
ependent Insurance Agents of Illinois
ation and paying tribute to many of the people and organizations who have to represent independent agents across this state. While many things have s the same – to provide a competitive advantage to our members.
ment of our state is likely to have seen many changes that would have been eople who have been involved in our work over the years, we have instead vant and important as it has ever been.
1967
Proposed state tax on agents’ commissions defeated
asters, and more, the independent agent has stood strong in the state of ommunities everyday to support the insuring public and the many people, esses that make our state great!
1965
State Association changes name to Independent Insurance Agents of Illinois
vents, products to programs – we’re committed to e first. We thank you for being part of this journey!
1993
IIAI & PIA Merger creates PIIAI
2002
National Association adds Brokers to name - becoming Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of America (IIABA)
2023
IIA of IL Membership votes to change name to Big I Illinois January 2024
1995
1997
Insurance Producer Tort Reform Passed
Financial Institutions Insurance Sales Act Passed
2001
2000
Ownership of Expirations Codified in State Statute
ILLIN O I S
Disaffiliation from PIA
1999
PIIAI celebrates centennial
We will continue the celebration in next month’s Insight magazine. Stay tuned!
insight
17
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Associate Member News Thank you to our Associate Members.
Diamond Level
Platinum Level
Gold Level
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Progressive Surplus Line Association of Illinois
Silver Level Imperial PFS IMT Insurance Keystone Insurance Group, Inc. SECURA Insurance West Bend Mutual Insurance Co.
Bronze Level A. J. Wayne & Associates AAA Insurance AMERISAFE AmTrust North America Auto-Owners Insurance Co. Badger Mutual Insurance Company Berkley Aspire Berkley Management Protection Berkley Small Business Solutions Berkshire Hathaway Guard Insurance Companies BluSky Restoration Contractors BriteCo Jewelry & Watch Insurance Central Illinois Mutual Insurance Company Chubb Columbia Insurance Group Continental Western Group Cornerstone National Insurance Company Cowbell Cyber Donald Gaddis Company, Inc. Donegal Insurance Group EMC Insurance Encova Insurance Erie Insurance Group Foremost Choice Property & Casualty Forreston Mutual Insurance Company Frankenmuth Insurance Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance Company IA Valuations Illinois Mine Subsidence Ins. Fund 26
Insight
Illinois Public Risk Fund Indiana Farmers Insurance Insurance Program Managers Group J M Wilson Liberty Mutual/Safeco Insurance Madison Mutual Insurance Company Main Street America Insurance Maximum Independent Brokerage, LLC Mercury Insurance Group Method Workers Comp Midwest Insurance Company Nationwide NHRMA Mutual Workers’ Compensation Novatae Risk Group Previsor Insurance & Missouri Employers Mutual PuroClean Disaster Services Rhodian Group Rockford Mutual Insurance Company ServiceMaster DSI SERVPRO of Gurnee Society Insurance SPRISKA - Specialty Risk of America Steadily Travelers UFG Insurance Universal Property & Casualty Utica National Insurance Group W. A. Schickedanz Agency, Inc./Interstate Risk Placement Western National Insurance Westfield January 2024
Agency Member News Big I Illinois Member Bennie Jones Receives NAAIA Agent & Broker Award
The National African American Insurance Association (NAAIA) announced the association’s 2023 Leadership Awards, recognizing excellence and leadership, at their annual event in October. Bennie Jones of Risk Management Solutions of America, Inc. in Chicago was selected as the recipient of the NAAIA Agent and Broker Leader Award. This award recognizes an African American Insurance Agent or Broker who has demonstrated business success, significant and positive impact upon the industry and the community served. He/she may have also demonstrated significant contributions to helping others to succeed and/or to enter and excel in their industry career.
Don was a lifelong and active member of Trinity Lutheran Church. He served on the First National Bank of Arenzville board of directors for nearly 50 years, and also served on the Arenzville Town Board, Passavant Area Hospital board of directors, and was president of the Jacksonville Country Club board. He enjoyed watching his boys play football, spending time in Florida, Ludington, Michigan, and the Lake of the Ozarks. The Big I Illinois Board of Directors and Staff extend our condolences to the friends, family, and co-workers of Don Wessler.
“Bennie has demonstrated leadership, both in his community and in the industry when it comes to developing and recruiting diverse talent,” said Phil Lackman, CEO. “Big I Illinois is proud to have had Bennie serve on our Executive Committee and we are grateful for his continued guidance in the association’s own D&I initiatives.” Congratulations to Bennie Jones!
In Memoriam... Don Wessler, 91, of Arenzville, passed away on December 8, 2023 in Jacksonville, IL. He was born August 12, 1932, in Jacksonville, the son of Edward “Pete” and Marcella Zulauf Wessler. Don married Shirlee A. Rowden on August 28, 1953, in Ferguson, Missouri, and she preceded him in death on December 4, 2022. Don is survived by two sons, Jeff (Gale) Wessler of Arenzville and Jay (Shelley) Wessler of Concord; five grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. Don graduated from Arenzville High School in 1950 and met Shirlee while attending CulverStockton College on a basketball scholarship. Following his college graduation in 1954, Don served in the United States Army for two years stationed at Fort Dietrich, Maryland. Following his discharge, Don went to work for A.C. Hart in Arenzville and later formed Wessler Bros. Agency, which continues as a family-owned and operated business today.
January 2024
2023 JM Wilson Insurance Insight OUTLINES-v2.indd 3
11/28/23 insight9:09 AM 27
Association Update
ILLINOIS
Enhancing Our Knowledge Mark Kuchar
Mark attended the annual two-day Federal Income Tax update offered by the University of Illinois. The hours counted not only for his IRS designation, but toward his insurance license CE as well. In addition to being Big I Illinois CFO, he is also a tax preparer. Mark has been doing taxes since 1985 and is always ready to assist you with individual tax questions.
Tami Hubbell
Tami attended the December James K. Ruble seminar as part of her CIC designation update. She learned from Bobby Shomo on property coverage traps and catastrophic loss. Keith Wilts presented on commercial property and business and personal auto.
Staff Holiday Outing Ax Throwing
Shannon Churchill
Shannon Churchill attended Association Forum’s Holiday Showcase 2023 Incubate, where she spent two days learning with other association peers on topics including cyberattacks, association growth, leveraging technology and data, AI, innovation, and more. Shannon serves as a member of the ISAE Board of Directors, a chapter of Association Forum, and says “this is a great opportunity to interact with other association professionals throughout the state. Discussing trends, challenges and meeting with industry partners during the tradeshow is beneficial so Big I Illinois can continue to bring forward-thinking trends, and valuable resources to the membership.”
Big I Illinois staff has been hosting monthly virtual town meetings over the past few months. Topics have included Navigating the Hard Market, Market Access options, the state of the industry, and agency marketing made easy. Sessions were recorded and are available in CONNECT. These virtual meetings continue in 2024, starting with Resources to Hire, Retain, and Compensate Your Staff on January 22. The next several months will include topics on the economy, in-depth information on legislative events, surplis lines, and many more! Visit CONNECT for details and to sign up for these free sessions.
28
Insight
January 2024
Big I Illinois News
Welcome New Big I Illinois Members! Member Agency Babcock & Associates, Inc. Glen Carbon, IL Harry Rice Insurance Agency Lawrenceville, IL Zumstein Insurance Agency Canton, IL
For information regarding Big I Illinois membership or company sponsorship, contact Lori Mahorney, Director of Membership Services, at (217) 321-3008, lmahorney@ilbigi.org.
January 2024
insight
29
Classifieds INDEPENDENT INSURANCE AGENCIES WANTED
17. We are an Independent family-owned agency located in the Chicago area. We are looking to expand through growth and acquisition. If you have a small to medium sized agency and are looking to sell, call or send us a message. We are strictly looking for Personal Lines and Small Commercial accounts with preferred companies.
GALO Insurance Agency, Inc (847) 832-0888 steve@galoagency.com
AGENCY OR BOOK OF BUSINESS FOR SALE
34. Small established agency in southern Illinois for sale. Can be sold as just the book of business or the physical location. The book of business includes personal and commercial P&C as well as individual and group medical. The physical location includes the building as well as furniture.
For details, contact Tami Hubbell at the IIA of IL: thubbell@iiaofil.org or (217) 321-3016 and reference blind ad #34.
AGENCY WANTED
20. Since 2004, Central Illinois Agents Group LLC has been providing independent agents with a variety of markets with contingency opportunities. Agents have availability to several markets that they may not be able to sustain or maintain on their own. We have markets for personal, commercial, agricultural and crop insurance lines. Let us help you get to the next level.
Visit www.ciagonline.com for contact information.
The next step in your
insurance career is a few clicks away.
INDUSTRY JOB BOARD LISTING iiaofil.org/careers 30
Insight
LOOKING FOR AN EXIT STRATEGY?
23. Are you looking for an exit strategy while still continuing to produce for a few years or are you ready to sell now? Paczolt Insurance would like to talk with you! We are an independent agency dating back to the 1970s that is located in the western suburbs. Our focus is on mid-to-small commercial accounts and personal lines. Our companies include EMC, Badger Mutual, Safeco, Progressive, and Travelers. We have the flexibility and capital to get a deal done. Contact:
Susan Troppito Paczolt Insurance susan@piaigroup.com (708) 215-5202
AGENCY/AGENTS/PRODUCERS WANTED
02. Forest Park/Oak Park agency for over 60 years, will meet your needs by providing space, markets, marketing & sales support, automation, merging with or purchasing your agency. Perpetuation/ Succession Plans, Buy-Sell Agreements also available. We have experienced, educated and dedicated staff for you and your clients. Have access to our numerous companies, office services and many other resources. Retain ownership in your book with contingency. Please look closely at us- we are an agency you want to do business with! We’ve done it before, we know howwe make it easy! Visit our website at forestagency.com/ agents.html, or call for a confidential discussion and a list of Agency benefits. Dan Browne will provide an agency evaluation/ appraisal at little cost to you. Please call:
Dan Browne or Cathy Hall Forest Insurance (708) 383-9000 www.forestinsured.com/mergers-acquisitions
OPPORTUNITIES/SPACE AVAILABLE/ RETAIN OWNERSHIP
13. We are a 100 year old Northbrook agency looking to discuss any mutually beneficial opportunity. Our producers, mergers, clusters and agency purchases receive 50% commissions on new and renewal business without any expenses. We can provide: office space, phones, agency management system, service renewals and changes. The companies we represent are: Badger Mutual, Employers Mutual, General Casualty, Guide One, Hartford, Kemper, Progressive, Rockford Mutual, Safeco, State Auto, Travelers and Met Life. Contact:
Nancy Solomon Martini, Miller & Schloss, Inc. (847) 291-1313 Ron@martini-miller.com
January 2024
Commercial | Farm | Agribusiness | Specialty
Betsy V. Commercial Lines Underwriter
Brian R. Farm Lines Underwriter
Jamie V. Specialty Lines Underwriter
Matthew B. Illinois Sales Manager
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