| On the road with Gov. Blagojevich
I was probably more surprised than anyone when I was invited to tag along on Gov. Rod Blagojevich's road trip last week. The governor toured the state to push his universal health insurance plan and his gross receipts tax on business. I was on the bus with him for three days, and we talked for countless hours. I had a cordial relationship with Blagojevich back when he was in the Illinois House, but that was a long time ago. Over the years, the governor granted interviews to almost every other news bureau in the Statehouse, but I was excluded. He has visited the editorial boards of every major, and quite a few minor, newspapers in the state -- but I was kept away. During one press conference a few years ago, Blagojevich refused to answer any questions from me at all, so I whispered my questions to a couple of willing Chicago TV reporters who relayed them on my behalf, knowing he couldn't ignore them.
Phillip Roy Financial Services Announces 500th Life Insurance and ...
Phillip Roy Financial Services, the fastest growing annuity and Life insurance marketing firm in Florida, announces the addition of its 500th life insurance and annuity agent. SARASOTA, Fla. (BusinessWire EON) March 21, 2007 -- With agents located everywhere from Florida, Chicago, Las Vegas, Phoenix and California, Phillip Roy Financial Services is one of the nation's largest sellers of annuity products and life insurance. The company's web site, http://www.philliproyfinancial.com has research papers available to the public regarding topics as diverse as reverse mortgages, taxes, long term care, life insurance including term and whole life, annuities and more. The company currently has over 3000 clients. Phil Wasserman, president of Phillip Roy Financial Services, is a nationally recognized expert and speaker on life insurance and annuities.
Norvax Names Steve Greanias Director of Client Services
Today Norvax, the leading provider of online insurance marketing tools and sales technology to the health insurance industry, announced that Steve Greanias has joined the company as director of client services. Chicago (PRWeb) April 1, 2007 -- Today Norvax, the leading provider of online insurance marketing tools and sales technology to the health insurance industry, announced that Steve Greanias has joined the company as director of client services. Mr. Greanias joins Norvax from Wilson Dow Group, a marketing consulting agency focusing on internal communications and sales strategies for pharmaceutical companies. At Norvax, Mr. Greanias will oversee all client services, including support and training programs for insurance agents, general agencies, and carriers.
Unitrin Announces Definitive Agreement to Acquire Merastar ...
CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 26, 2007--Unitrin, Inc. (NYSE:UTR) announced today that its subsidiary, Trinity Universal Insurance Company ("Trinity"), has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Merastar Insurance Company ("Merastar Insurance") and certain of its affiliates, superseding the previously announced agreement in principle. Trinity will acquire Merastar Insurance in a cash transaction valued at approximately $45 million, subject to certain purchase price adjustments. The transaction is subject to approvals by insurance regulators and other third parties and other customary closing conditions, and is expected to close in the second quarter. Merastar Insurance is based in Chattanooga, Tennessee and specializes in the sale of personal automobile and homeowners' insurance through employer-sponsored voluntary benefit programs.
AM Best Affirms Ratings of Unitrin Inc. and Its Subsidiaries
OLDWICK, N.J.-(Business Wire)-April 6, 2007 - A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the financial strength rating (FSR) of A (Excellent) and the issuer credit ratings (ICR) of "a" of Unitrin Property and Casualty Insurance Group (Unitrin) and its members. A.M. Best has also affirmed the FSR of A (Excellent) and the ICRs of "a" of United Insurance Company of America (UICA) (Chicago, IL), Union National Life Insurance Company (Baton Rouge, LA) and The Reliable Life Insurance Company (St. Louis, MO), the three career agent life/health insurance subsidiaries of Unitrin's publicly-traded parent, Unitrin, Inc. (Chicago, IL) (NYSE: UTR). Additionally, A.M. Best has affirmed the FSR of A- (Excellent) and ICR of "a-" of Reserve National Insurance Company (RNIC) (Oklahoma City, OK), Unitrin, Inc.'s independent agent life/health insurance subsidiary.
State to borrow out of veterans health insurance fund to pay death ...
CHICAGO - The state will borrow $1 million from a veterans health insurance program to compensate 22 families of fallen soldiers and Marines that have been waiting for death benefits, officials said Sunday.Under the 2004 Line of Duty Compensation Act, families of Illinois troops killed while on active duty are entitled to about $277,000 from the state, the same benefit granted to those of police officers and firefighters who die on the job.Casualties in Iraq and Afghanistan have been higher than expected, overwhelming the fund, state officials have said. So far, Illinois has paid more than $27 million in death benefits to 102 troops' families.Four families that have been waiting the longest will get the full benefit, Quinn and Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs director Tammy Duckworth said at a news conference Sunday.Each remaining family will get $50,000, borrowed from the Veterans Care health insurance program, Duckworth said."We are taking immediate action to help these 22 families and as this war continues, we will be taking steps to address the needs of the growing number of families of our fallen heroes," Duckworth said.
Phillip Wasserman of Phillip Roy Financial Services Announces New ...
BOCA RATON, Fla. (BusinessWire EON/PRWeb ) March 22, 2007 -- Phillip Wasserman, president of Phillip Roy Financial Services, announces new speaking events in Las Vegas and California for April and May. Mr. Wasserman is a noted authority on annuity and life insurance and speaks to thousands of retirees, baby boomers and financial planners and life insurance agents every year. Phillip Roy Financial Services regularly holds seminars on annuity and life insurance issues in Florida, Chicago, Las Vegas and Phoenix. .
Homeowners Insurance Line Three Times More Volatile Than Private ...
CHICAGO, March 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Homeowners insurance line was the most volatile major insurance line in the 14-year period 1992-2005, due in large part to the active 2004 and 2005 Atlantic hurricane seasons. Homeowners was three times more volatile than the Private Passenger Auto line, according to an Aon Re Global study. The study shows that the Private Passenger Auto line experienced the lowest volatility during that period, followed by the Auto Physical Damage, Commercial Auto and Workers Compensation lines. Excluding catastrophe losses, the Homeowners line has a risk level comparable to the Commercial Auto line. Liability lines and Medical Malpractice also have significantly above average volatility. Aon Re's Insurance Risk Study quantifies the systemic risk for each line of business, representing the risk to a large portfolio from non-diversifiable risk sources such as: For large books of non-cat-exposed business, systemic risk is the major component of underwriting volatility.
30th Annual Nationwide Insurance 10 Kilometer Run for ASPIRE
The 30th anniversary Nationwide Insurance 10 Kilometer Run for ASPIRE almost had to be something special, and it certainly was - featuring what has to be classified as one of the greatest duels to the finish in this and perhaps any other local road race in recent memory. The run was held on the roads of Plainview-Old Bethpage and Bethpage, on Saturday morning, March 31, with the start and finish at the H.B. Mattlin Middle School on Washington Avenue in Plainview. Bellmore Strider teammates Chris Fogarazzo and Chris Mammone ran together stride for stride for most of the 6.2 mile course, and it wasn't till the final stride and lean that Fogarazzo emerged as the winner. Both were timed in 31:46. Pawtucket, RI, speedster Janelle Kraus had a far easier time winning the women's division with a time of 35:25, nearly three full minutes faster than runner-up Tara Wilson of Lindenhurst, and only 30 seconds shy of the women's course record set by Angela Hearn in 1989.
Phillip Roy Financial Services Announces 500 th Life Insurance and ...
SARASOTA, Fla. (BusinessWire EON/PRWeb ) March 22, 2007 -- Phillip Roy Financial Services, the fastest growing annuity and Life insurance marketing firm in Florida, announces the addition of its 500th life insurance and annuity agent. With agents located everywhere from Florida, Chicago, Las Vegas, Phoenix and California, Phillip Roy Financial Services is one of the nation's largest sellers of annuity products and life insurance. The company's web site, http://www.philliproyfinancial.com has research papers available to the public regarding topics as diverse as reverse mortgages, taxes, long term care, life insurance including term and whole life, annuities and more. The company currently has over 3000 clients. Phil Wasserman, president of Phillip Roy Financial Services, is a nationally recognized expert and speaker on life insurance and annuities.
Fitch Affirms Stewart Title Group; Outlook Stable
CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 14, 2007--Fitch Ratings has affirmed the 'A+' insurer financial strength (IFS) ratings of Stewart Title Guaranty Company (STG) and its wholly owned subsidiary Stewart Title Insurance Company (STC), collectively referred to as Stewart. The companies are ultimately owned by Stewart Information Services Corporation (SISCO). The Rating Outlook is Stable. The primary factor supporting the affirmations is the company's strong balance sheet fundamentals including a solid risk-adjusted and absolute capital position, conservative reserving practices, minimal debt leverage, high quality and very liquid investment portfolio, and moderate operating leverage. At year-end 2005, Stewart's 236% risk-adjusted capital (RAC) as measured by Fitch's ratio was the highest of the five national title groups.
COUNTRY Appoints Fisher to Lead New Chicago District Office
CHICAGO, March 22 /PRNewswire/ -- Veteran Chicago financial services executive Michael Fisher has been appointed director of new market development by COUNTRY Insurance & Financial Services and will manage its newly created Chicago district office. Fisher's hiring as director of new market development accelerates the organization's plans to offer insurance and investment products in Chicago for the first time in its 80-year history. COUNTRY plans to open an 8,000-square-foot Chicago district office at 55 W. Monroe in June. The office will be fully staffed to handle marketing, claims and underwriting to support its Chicago-based agents. In addition, COUNTRY will open branch offices in Beverly, Bridgeport and Clearing this year. Eventually, COUNTRY plans to have 20 Chicago locations and about 100 employees.
NBIS-CTU Opens Office in Denver, Colorado
ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 9, 2007--Atlanta, Georgia headquartered NationsBuilders Insurance Services, Inc. (NBIS) announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, NBIS Construction & Transport Underwriters (NBIS CTU) has opened a full service underwriting office in Denver, Colorado. The new office located in the Governor's Center II building, 600 Grant Street, Denver will service producers in Colorado, Idaho, Utah, Montana, Wyoming and New Mexico. Insurance programs for the Residential and Commercial Construction, Transportation, Crane/Rigging and Heavy Haul industries include General Liability, Commercial Auto, Pollution, and Inland Marine including Contractors Equipment, Builders Risk and Installation Floater. Dan Houska, Senior Vice President, and Mike Gratrix, Vice President of NBIS CTU, will jointly work to manage the underwriting and risk management aspects of each account.
Global 360 to Participate in Future of BPM Panel Discussion
DALLAS, April 9 /PRNewswire/ -- Global 360, Inc., a leading provider of business process management (BPM) intelligence and optimization solutions, today announced Steve McDonald will participate in a panel discussion detailing the future of Business Process Management Suites at BrainStorm Chicago on April 10, 2007. What: "What's Next for BPM?" Panel Discussion Moderated by Bruce Silver When: Tuesday, April 10, 2007 11:45 - 12:45 p.m. CDT Who: Steve McDonald Director of Product Marketing, Global 360, Inc. Where: BrainStorm Chicago The Drake Hotel Chicago, Illinois 60611 Session Details: Managing the complete process lifecycle. Modeling to workflow to integration. Business rules. BAM. The first generation of BPM suites focused on these operations. What comes next? A panel of leading BPMS vendors looks at what the next generation will bring, from team collaboration to dynamic process optimization to industry solution frameworks to better linkage with the emerging SOA infrastructure.
Bishop Eddie Long and Pastor Noel Jones Confirmed for Clear ...
Uplift! Chicago will bring together the nations leading inspirational icons, motivational powerhouses, and popular performers. Bishop Eddie Long and Pastor Noel Jones are among the nation's foremost spiritual leaders. Bishop Long's New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Georgia has a membership of over 30,000. In 2006 Bishop Long, officiated the home going ceremony for Mrs. Coretta Scott King. Pastor Noel Jones is the brother of singer Grace Jones, and author of several books, including, The Battle for the Mind: How You Can Think the Thoughts of God. His congregation includes former gang members alongside many in show business. Uplift! Chicago will also feature relevant seminars, panel discussions, a youth summit, and a literary caf with notable authors; a corporate and small vendor's business marketplace, together with specialty pavilions such as financial empowerment, and nutrition & wellness.
Bartuška: Energy security is elusive
Q: Why then did the original report draw exact conclusions, such as the need for more nuclear power? It seems as if it was incomplete, which is one of Bursks criticisms. A: I dont think it was incomplete. Its a broad work of many people. I agree with Bursk that there are some things that could be added. But our oil and gas dependency is something energy savings or biofuels cant change dramatically. There also seems to be consensuswith the exception of the MPthat well need more energy sources and power plants. Q: Isnt there concern that the country is dismissing the potential of renewable energy too quickly? Theres still time to reach the government target of 8 percent of renewables by 2008. A: Britain set a target of 10 percent by 2010, discovered it couldnt meet it and made a new target of 20 percent by 2020.
Accident at carnival injures child
A seven-year old Hispanic boy was transported Sunday night from a Texarkana hospital to Arkansas Children's Hospital for treatment of injuries recieved after he allegedly fell from a moving carnival ride here.LifeNet air ambulance transported the youngster from the parking lot of the Hope Expo Center shopping plaza here about 6 p.m. Sunday, and an emergency room employee of Christus-St. Michael Medical Center in Texarkana said Monday that the child was subsequently taken to ACH on Sunday night.ACH spokesperson Ginger Daril said Monday that the boy remained at ACH in critical condition. .
Major Tax Hike Not on Kaine's Agenda
RICHMOND, April 5 -- With the fight over transportation money now behind him, Virginia Gov. Timothy M. Kaine said Thursday that he will not seek a major statewide tax increase during the remainder of his term. Kaine (D) said in an interview that he plans to try to increase health-care access, improve public education and launch several environmental initiatives during his last 2 1/2 years as governor. .
Women's Health and Wellness: Dental Tips Booklets Help Employers ...
Philadelphia, PA (PRWeb) March 23, 2007 -- OraMedica International, LLC, a leading provider of dental-systemic health and wellness education, announced a new dental information health tips booklet, "Take a Holistic Bite Out of Dentistry for Women," designed to raise awareness and improve the health of women in the workplace.
"Dental conditions have more to do with overall health than most people are aware of," says Dr. Andrea Brockman, president of OraMedica, as well as a dentist and former coronary care nurse. "For instance, employers recognize that obesity is a major risk factor for heart disease and diabetes, and take positive steps to encourage better food choices and physical activity."
However, food choices, digestion, and absorption of nutrients are greatly affected by chewing, which can be hindered by tooth or jaw pain, mouth infections, missing teeth, or dry mouth.
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