Illinois Reaches $1M Settlement in Wage-Fixing Case with Staffing Agency

The Illinois Attorney General’s office has reached a $1 million settlement with Midway Staffing Inc. after accusations that the temporary staffing agency took part in illegal agreements with other staffing companies. These agreements prevented the companies from hiring each other’s workers and fixed wages, limiting job options and pay for temporary employees. This settlement wraps … Read more

Washington Commissioner Assembles Advisory Board to Monitor Insurer AI Usage

Washington Insurance Commissioner Patty Kuderer brought together a new group this week in Seattle to talk about how artificial intelligence is being used in the insurance world. The meeting marked the first gathering of the state’s Artificial Intelligence Advisory Board, which will focus on shaping policies, overseeing regulations, and helping consumers understand AI in insurance. … Read more

US Investigates Former Ransom Negotiator Allegedly Collaborating with Hackers

Authorities are investigating a former employee of DigitalMint, a company that helps businesses negotiate with hackers and handle cryptocurrency payments during ransomware attacks. The Chicago-based firm confirmed that the US Justice Department is looking into claims that this ex-employee made secret deals with cybercriminals to earn extra money from extortion payouts. DigitalMint’s president, Marc Jason … Read more

Inland Marine vs. Installation Floater: Understanding the Differences

Contractors and builders often find themselves confused between two similar-sounding insurance coverages: inland marine and installation floater. Understanding the difference is important to make sure tools, equipment, and materials are properly protected throughout a job. Inland marine insurance covers items that move over land, like tools and equipment used on different job sites. Despite its … Read more

What will the insurance executive of the future look like?

The insurance industry is changing fast, and the question on many minds is whether talent is keeping up. Eileen Garrity, head of claims at One80 Intermediaries, believes the future of insurance depends on closing three big skills gaps: data and technology, meeting customer expectations, and adapting to constant change. Garrity points out that while insurers … Read more

Precise and catastrophic

The first half of 2025 has shown an unusual pattern in the world of cyber insurance: there were fewer claims overall, but the ones that did come in were much more costly. A recent report from Resilience highlights this shift, revealing a 53% drop in claim notifications compared to the same period last year. However, … Read more

First Mid Insurance Group Grows Illinois Footprint Through Acquisition

First Mid Insurance Group has taken a step to grow its business in Illinois by acquiring assets from AAdvantage Insurance. This purchase includes the former Waterman-Neely agency located in Chatham, Illinois. The move helps First Mid Insurance Group increase its reach around Springfield and boosts its commercial insurance services around the Metro East area and … Read more

Relation Insurance Acquires Advantage Insurance Group in Oklahoma

Relation Insurance Services has taken over the assets of Advantage Insurance Group, a family-owned business in El Reno, Oklahoma. The acquisition became official on May 31, 2025, though the financial details were not shared. Advantage Insurance Group provides both personal and commercial insurance products. Despite the change in ownership, the company’s offices will still be … Read more