Latest Illinois Headlines
All the headlines from our Illinois Topic Page, ordered by recency.
Illinois’ Madison County a Center for Asbestos Lawsuits
May 18 2015 // Few of the tourists who drive old Route 66 through this rural Illinois town are aware of its true economic engine: a booming business in asbestos lawsuits that attracts law firms from across the country. Since 2005, those...
Partisan Differences Highlight Debate over Illinois Workers’ Comp Reform
May 18 2015 // Business groups and injured employees had a chance on May 5 to tell Illinois lawmakers their thoughts on a possible revamp of the state’s workers’ compensation insurance program. Democratic House Speaker...
Safety Officials Fine Illinois Auto Parts Company $114K
May 15 2015 // A Peoria, Ill., auto parts manufacturer has been fined $114,100 for federal workplace safety violations that the government says put workers at risk of amputation and other injuries. The U.S. Department of Labor’s...
Debate on Workers’ Comp Reform Begins in Illinois
May 7 2015 // Business groups and injured employees weighed in May 6 as Illinois lawmakers began debating whether to revamp the state’s workers’ compensation insurance program to reduce costs for employers. Democratic House...
Illinois’ Madison County a Center for Asbestos Lawsuits
Apr 30 2015 // Few of the tourists who drive old Route 66 through this rural Illinois town are aware of its true economic engine: a booming business in asbestos lawsuits that attracts law firms from across the country. Since 2005, those...
Chief: No Pattern to String of Rental Home Fires in Southern Illinois
Apr 21 2015 // A southern Illinois fire chief says a string of fires at rental properties do not appear to be connected. The (Carbondale) Southern Illinoisan reports there have been 12 fires at rental homes since May 2014. Seven of them...
Ratings of Illinois-Based Unique Insurance Downgraded
Apr 21 2015 // A.M. Besthas downgraded the financial strength rating to B- (Fair) from B (Fair) and the issuer credit rating to “bb-” from “bb” of Unique Insurance Co. (Unique) of Chicago, Ill. The outlook for...
Illinois Gov. Wants Lower Workers’ Comp Costs
Apr 20 2015 // High on the list of Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner’s legislative priorities is reducing the amount employers pay for workers’ compensation insurance. Illinois currently has some of the highest workers’ comp...
Ratings of Illinois-Based Specialty Risk of America Downgraded
Apr 17 2015 // A.M. Best has downgraded the financial strength rating (FSR) to B+ (Good) from B++ (Good) and the issuer credit rating (ICR) to “bbb-” from “bbb+” of Specialty Risk of America (SPRISKA) in...
Illinois Prep Sports Group: Concussions Lawsuit ‘Threatens’ Football
Apr 15 2015 // 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...
Illinois Governor Looks to Reduce Worker’s Comp Costs
Apr 13 2015 // High on the list of Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner’s legislative priorities is reducing the amount employers pay for workers’ compensation insurance. Illinois currently ranks 7th nationwide for the highest cost per...
Midwest Storms Continue; At Least 1 Killed in Illinois Tornado
Apr 10 2015 // One person was reported killed and several others injured when a large tornado swept through Northern Illinois on April 9. The Illinois towns of Fairdale, Rochelle and Kirkland sustained major damage. Fairdale, a community...
Auto-Theft Task Forces Closing Amid Illinois Budget Crisis
Mar 31 2015 // 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...
J.M. Wilson Announces Staff Changes in Illinois
Mar 26 2015 // Jenna Caschetta Insurance wholesaler J.M. Wilson has promoted Jenna Caschetta to property/casualty underwriter in its Arlington Heights, Ill., office and added Gerry McCabe as P/C underwriter. Caschetta is responsible for...
Judge Dismisses Mayflower, Arkansas Oil Spill Lawsuit
Mar 19 2015 // A federal class-action lawsuit against Exxon Mobil Corporation over a 2013 crude oil spill in central Arkansas has been dismissed by a federal judge, who acknowledged in his ruling that his decision seems unfair. U.S....
Illinois County Fairs Losing State Money for Insurance, Other Costs
Mar 17 2015 // County fairs across Illinois are reassessing their finances as the state reduces its support in a cost-saving measure. A recent letter from Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner’s administration instructed county fairs to...
Insurers, Drugmakers Tussle Over Drug Copay Caps
Mar 13 2015 // The battle over soaring U.S. drug prices is heading for the states. With the price of some treatments topping $100,000, patient groups are pushing for state laws to make sure insurers cover most of the costs. Their...
Illinois Lawmaker Wants Prison Time for Distracted Drivers in Fatal Crashes
Mar 10 2015 // 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...
Fratianni-Atsaves Appointed Chair of Illinois Workers’ Comp Commission
Feb 25 2015 // Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner has appointed Joann Fratianni-Atsaves as the chairman of the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission (IWCC). She has 34 years of experience in workers’ compensation law and has...
Problem of Metal Theft Focus of Illinois House Bill
Feb 19 2015 // 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...
