DEDICATED TO SOLID FOUNDATIONS
Help your customers build a better tomorrow with our Contractors coverage. It’s made to fit the specific needs of a construction business. From equipment breakdown to construction-cost protection and more, we handle the heavy lifting of unforeseen circumstances. Trust in Tomorrow.® Talk to us today.
INSIGHT
Brent Kelly
Diane T. Keil-Hipp
Board of Directors
Executive Committee
Chairman of the Board - Allyson Padilla allyson@blanksinsurance.com
President - Patrick Taphorn, CIC, CSRM ptaphorn@unland.com
President-Elect - Thomas Evans, Jr. tom.evans@assuredpartners.com
Vice President - Chris Leming cleming@troxellins.com
Secretary/Treasurer - Cindy Jackman, CIC, CISR cjackman@arlingtonroe.com
IIABA National Director - George Daly george.daly@thehortongroup.com
Directors
Mohammed Ali - mali@aliminsurance.com
Charles Hruska, IV - chas@hruskains.com
David Jenk, Esq. - djenk@nwibrokers.com
Rebecca Kohn - rkohn@worthyinsurance.com
Lindsey Polzin - lpolzin@presidiogrp.com
Ray Roentz - ray.roentz@hwcrins.com
Noele Tatlock - ntatlock@unland.com
Luis Tayahua - lt@goldenowlinsurance.com
Sharon Waldvogel - sharon@infinitybrokersinc.com
Andrea Wallace - andrea@aadins.com
At-Large Directors
Amiri Curry - acurry@assuranceagency.com
Kevin Lesch - klesch09@gmail.com
Jeff McMillan - jeff@mcmillanins.com
James Sager - james@sagerins.com
Luke Sandrock, CIC - lsandrock@2cornerstone.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 ngunn@envisionins.com
Technology | Brian Ogden brian@ogdeninsurance.com
Young Agents | Cody Imming cody@imminginsurance.com
Follow us on socials.
Big I Illinois Staff
Insurance Products Administrator
Director of Information and Technology
Director of Education and Agency Resources
Accounting & Admin Services
Director of Human Resources, Board Admin
Sr. Vice President/Chief Financial Officer
Chief
Director
Director
Office Administrator
Director of Communications
Marketing Representative
Rebecca Buchanan (217) 321-3010 - rbuchanan@ilbigi.org
Shannon Churchill (217) 321-3004 - schurchill@ilbigi.org
Brett Gerger, CIC (217) 321-3006 - bgerger@ilbigi.org
Tami Hubbell, CIC (217) 321-3016 - thubbell@ilbigi.org
Jennifer Jacobs, SHRM-CP (217) 321-3013 - jjacobs@ilbigi.org
Mark Kuchar (217) 321-3015 - mkuchar@ilbigi.org
Phil Lackman, IOM (217) 321-3005 - plackman@ilbigi.org
Lori Mahorney, CISR Elite (217) 415-7550 - lmahorney@ilbigi.org
Evan Manning (217) 321-3002 - emanning@ilbigi.org
Kristi Osmond, CISR Elite (217) 321-3007 - kosmond@ilbigi.org
Rachel Romines (217) 321-3024 - rromines@ilbigi.org
Tom Ross, CRIS, CPIA (217) 321-3003 - tross@ilbigi.org
Carol Wilson, CPIA (217) 321-3011 - cwilson@ilbigi.org
How Does It Work?
n Envision’s proprietary system enables brokers to present unique benefit programs not available through any insurance company
n Envision’s professional, easy enrollment and customer service team delivers seamless processing for your customers.
n Envision’s innovative reporting capability is designed to enable management to make informed decisions concerning their employees’ healthcare costs
Developing a HIGH-PERFORMANCE Insurance Agencies Culture at
By ReFocus
Create a high-performance culture at your insurance agency by setting clear goals, fostering accountability, and investing in leadership development.
Thank you to our Associate Members.
Diamond Level
Platinum Level
Progressive
Surplus Line Association of Illinois
Silver Level
Gold Level
Arlington/Roe
Blue Cross/Blue Shield of IL
Pekin Insurance
A. J. Wayne & Associates
AAA, The Auto Club Group
AMERISAFE
AmTrust Insurance
Amwins
Apollo Brokers dba Limit
Auto-Owners Insurance Co.
Berkley Aspire
Berkley Management Protection
Berkley Small Business Solutions
Berkshire Hathaway GUARD Insurance Companies
Bliss McKnight
BluSky Restoration Contractors, LLC
Boundless Rider
BriteCo Jewelry & Watch Insurance
Central Illinois Mutual Insurance Company
Chubb
Columbia Insurance 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
Illinois Public Risk Fund
XPT Specialty Bronze Level
Imperial PFS
Independent Mutual Fire Insurance Company
Indiana Farmers Insurance
Insurance Program Managers Group (IPMG)
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
Paychex HR and Payroll Solutions
Pinnacle Minds, Inc.
Rhodian Group
Rockford Mutual Ins. Co.
ServiceMaster DSI
Society Insurance
SPRISKA - Specialty Risk of America
Steadily
Summit Insurance
Travelers
Universal Property & Casualty
Utica National Insurance Group
W. A. Schickedanz Agency, Inc./Interstate Risk Placement
West Bend Insurance Company
Western National Insurance
Westfield
Member Agency Receives Insurance Journal’s
“Best
Agency to Work For”
We’re thrilled to congratulate The Bulow Group for being named one of Insurance Journal’s 2024 Best Agencies to Work For. This well-deserved recognition highlights the agency’s commitment to fostering a positive and supportive work environment.
The Bulow Group prioritizes work-life balance, employee well-being, and open communication. With initiatives like unlimited PTO, state-of-the-art offices, and employee-driven decision-making, the agency continues to create a thriving culture where employees can flourish. Read the full article at insurancejournal.com/news/ midwest/2024/12/03/802575.htm.
Member Agency Celebrates 102nd Anniversary
On January 23, 2025, Walter W. Schultz Insurance Agency, Inc. in Lansing, IL will be celebrating their 102nd anniversary. Congratulations to everyone in the agency!
Small Business Insurance
The traditional coverage your customers need
The customized options your customers desire.
The affordable price your customers deserve.
We’ve been successfully protecting small businesses since 1983.
Association Staff & Board
ILLINOIS
Big I Illinois Education Team
Launches New CE Self-Study Book
The Big I Illinois Education team has launched three new Self-Study options for Continuing Education! You can now purchase the books and exams for:
• 12-hour P&C •
• 9-hour L&H •
• 21-hour P&C and L&H • (includes free Ethics)
ilbigi.org/education/educationcourses/self-study
Staff Members
Attend In-Person Associate Member Visits
Big I Illinois staff members, Lori Mahorney, Jennifer Jacobs, and Brett Gerger visited with two Associate Members in the Peoria area on Thursday, December 5.
The team presented to over 80 execs at Pekin Insurance to discuss our partnership, benefits, and educated the group on issues we are hearing from our member agents. Members of the team at RLI met with our staff later that day to discuss our partnership and advantages we can offer our agency members.
Women in Insurance Group
Virtual Meeting
The Women in Insurance Group met on Friday, December 6 for their monthly virtual discussion. Attendees shared experiences and advice other were able to implement right away. Sign up for future meetings at my.ilbigi.org/ About-Us/Women-inInsurance.
MID-WINTER MEETING
Education Session Topics
E&O Crop Insurance meets Big I E&O discount requirement meets IL 3-Hour Ethics requirement
Hard Market Conditions and Climate Changes
Presenters
Brett Gerger
Evan Manning
Special guest from IL DOI
Trent Munson
Luke Sandrock
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 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.
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. Please look closely at us- we are an agency you want to do business with! We’ve done it before, we know how- we 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/Relations Insurance Services
(708)383-9000
www.forestinsured.com/mergers-acquisitions
Lots of companies make promises about how much your client can save if they switch their business insurance.
Well, here’s our promise – they can save everything.
Every memory. Every detail. Everything they’ve worked hard to build.
Protect what’s important for your client with a policy from an insurance company you can trust.
