Welcome to the Young Agent's Advocate, an electronic newsletter published by the Professional Independent Insurance Agents of Illinois. If you are a young agent (under the age of 40), we invite you to join our young agents mailing list. Simply send an e-mail to Shannon Churchill that includes your name and agency, and we'll add you to our database.

Illinois Young Agents Committee Awarded by IIABA
Congratulations are in order for the IL Young Agents Committee for bringing home two IIABA awards. The Young Agents received the 2007 Outstanding Political Involvement Award for outstanding achievement in promoting young agent participation in the legislative process, and the 2007 Outstanding Membership Development Award for excellent achievement in recruiting and maintaining Young Agents participation in association activities.

Lindsey Polzin Named Young Agent of the Year by PIIAI
Lindsey Polzin with Stewart Keator Kessberger & Lederer, Inc., Burr Ridge, was named recipient of the 2007 PIIAI Young Agent of the Year Award. Lindsey was recognized for demonstrated service to the insurance industry, professional trade associations, and community in a manner that is considered exceptional for a person of her age.

Lindsey has worked as an Account Executive for 4 ½ years. After working on the personal lines side, and as a CSR for one of the agency’s principals, she has finally landed in her current role as commercial lines producer. Lindsey also functions as the agency’s front line technical support person.  She is currently working towards her CIC designation and with only one class to go she should have it completed within the next year.

Lindsey has been an active member of the Young Agents Committee for the last four years.  She helped to revise the internship program to make it Internet based. In addition, as a volunteer at several job fairs, she has worked to encourage young people, especially young women, into the Insurance Industry.

A past recipient of the G.A. Mavon Memorial Scholarship, Lindsey graduated Summa Cum Laude from Bradley University. She has completed Hartford’s Consultative Selling Program for producers and has received a certificate in General Insurance from the Insurance Institute of America.

On a personal level, Lindsey is a member of the Prince of Peace Lutheran Church and the Willowbrook Burr Ridge Chamber of Commerce.  She is married to her college sweetheart Tim. In addition, a few years ago, Lindsey donated a kidney to her Aunt.

Lindsey is an upcoming force in the Insurance Industry and will most likely follow in the footsteps of her father someday and be President of the PIIAI.

For this and all her of hard work and contributions the PIIAI Young Agents Network is proud to announce Lindsey as Young Agent of the Year.

PIIAI Convention Showcase a Success!
PIIAI hosted another successful annual convention October 3-5 at the Crowne Plaza in Springfield. Over 1300 members attended the "County Fair" themed event which included the induction of the new PIIAI board, the annual business meeting, a sold out trade show featuring 138 vendors, and 20 continuing education sessions. In all, 350 attendees earned C.E. credits, 59 of which earned the total 15 hours offered.
The keynote speaker of the General Session was Former Governor James Thompson who spoke on issues that currently divide the Illinois legislature including revenue, healthcare and education.

Region 10 Director Michael Linderman of the Insurance Center in Wheeling was named Regional Director of the Year and William Snow, CPCU, of MIC Insurance brokerage in Naperville was named Committee Chair of the Year for his work on the Education Committee.

Gary Semmer, CIC, CWCA, of Spillman & Wotyla, Inc. in Glen Ellen was presented the Cartwright Award which recognized his numerous years of service to PIIAI as well as his meritorious service on behalf of insurance agents throughout the state.

The Young Agent of the Year Award went to Lindsey Polzin of Stewart, Keator, Kessberger & Lederer, Inc.

For detailed overview of the convention and listing of the tradeshow prize winners see the November issue of Insurance Insight magazine. Convention photos are available on the PIIAI website.

This marks the 10th consecutive year the PIIAI Annual Convention has been held in Springfield. This event generates over half a million dollars in economic benefits to the city of Springfield and local businesses annually. Plans are already underway for the next convention which will be held October 1-3 in Springfield. Any suggestions, ideas or comments are welcome. Please email Sandy Cuffle at scuffle@piiai.org.

GAME ON! PIIAI Hosts 2nd Annual Trusted Choice® Tournament of Champions
The second annual Trusted Choice® Tournament of Champions Classic, presented by the PIIAI, will be returning November 23-24 at Pekin High School in Pekin, Illinois and Washington High School in Washington, Illinois. The lineup for the tournament is in place, welcoming back many of last year’s top players as well as a host of new talent. The tournament will feature 20 teams and 17 All-Americans who will ultimately vie for three separate tournament championships. For a complete listing of games, featured players or ticket information, visit www.peoria.org.

PIIAI Seeks Community Service Information

Martin Luther King, Jr. said it best. “Everyone can be great, because everyone can serve.”  Independent Insurance Agents have a long history of giving back to their community in huge doses. Conduct a quick check into any agency or company and you will likely find many individuals working hard for numerous causes. It is not at all unlikely for an agent to sit on the board of a charitable organization, chair an annual fundraising project, or even spearhead a new fundraiser altogether.

At PIIAI, we are proud of the many civic and charitable contributions our members make to their local communities. To that end, we are starting a regular feature in this publication that will highlight the community involvement and service of our members.

If you have information about a project on which you are currently working, or have recently completed, please forward it to Deann French, (dfrench@piiai.org) and we will get it placed in this new column. In addition, we welcome corresponding pictures to accompany the article. If you have any questions, or need additional information, please contact Deann French 800-628-6436, ext. 3022.

For more information on upcoming classes, visit the PIIAI Education Center.

Thank you to our Young Agents Sponsors! 
Their financial contributions have enabled PIIAI to offer activities to young agents at substantial cost savings.
AAA Insurance, Allstate/Deerbrook/Encompass Insurance, Arlington/Roe & Company, Inc., Badger Mutual Ins. Company, Consumers Insurance Company, General Casualty Co., Grange Insurance, Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance Co., The Hanover Insurance Group, IMT Insurance Company, Insight Insurance Services, Inc., Interstate Risk Placement Inc., Iowa Mutual Insurance Company, Mercury Insurance Group, Ohio Casualty Group, OneBeacon Insurance, Pekin Insurance, Progressive, Rain & Hail, LLC, Rockford Mutual Insurance Company, Roush Insurance Services, Inc., W.A. Schickedanz Agency Inc., Selective Insurance, Society Insurance, Standard Mutual Insurance Company, United Fire Group, West Bend Mutual Insurance Co., Westfield Insurance Companies, J M Wilson, Zurich Small Business