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.

Take the Challenge - WhirlyBall - March 10th in Lombard

The PIIAI Young Agents Network presents an evening of WhirlyBall! WhirlyBall is an exciting combination of basketball, polo and hockey, played with a Jai-Alai type plastic scoop and a plastic whiffle ball the size of a softball. Two teams challenge each other, with each player riding in an electrically powered machine, similar to a bumper car, called a WhirlyBug. The object is to throw the ball into a 15-inch net target on goals situated on both ends of a 4,000 sq. ft. court. It's an easy game to play and is competitive for EVERYONE of all ages and sizes.
The WhirlyBall tournament will begin at 7pm on Friday, March 10 at the WhirlyBall center in Lombard. At only $40 per person, the package includes dinner, beverages, court time and equipment. Click here for registration materials.

Looking for Qualified Young Talent for Your Agency?

Following the success of the past internship programs, PIIAI is again seeking agencies interested in hiring qualified intern candidates from some of the top universities in the state. The summer program offers a pool of young talent available to participating agencies allowing the agencies to mold the future of the industry.  If you chose to hire an intern through this program, your agency will be responsible for compensation and guiding the student through an eight-week program that allows them to experience the independent agency system. Different from previous years the 2006 program will be completely on-line.  Students will have the opportunity to search the list of agencies looking to fill positions and agencies can search the database of students.  If your agency is interested in participating in this program please go to the Internship website at http://www.piiai.org/internship/ and fill out the agency sign-up form.

Insurance Industry Legislative Day Set for February 14, 2006

Insurance Industry Legislative Day has been scheduled for Tuesday, February 14th, 2006 at the Hilton Hotel in Springfield. The event is being coordinated by the PIIAI, Illinois Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (IAIFA), Illinois Insurance Association (IIA), Illinois State Association of Health Underwriters (ISAHU), Illinois Association of Mutual Insurance Companies (IAMIC) and the Financial Planning Association of Illinois (FPA of IL).

Legislative Day 2005 drew over 400 insurance agents and company representatives to lobby their legislators on legislative issues impacting the insurance industry. The 2006 event will feature a Gubernatorial Candidate Forum during the lunch presentation; break out sessions; lobbying at the Capitol; and a reception with members of the Illinois General Assembly.

Registration forms will be posted online soon at www.piiai.org/government. PIIAI has reserved a block of rooms at the Springfield Hilton Hotel for the night of Tuesday, February 14th. If you would like to reserve a room, please call (800) 445-8667. The block is held under Insurance Leg. Day. Reservation cut off is Tuesday, January 24th. The Hilton is located at 700 E. Adams in downtown Springfield.

Please contact Jennifer Jacobs at (217) 321-3013 or email jjacobs@piiai.org with questions about this event.

Big “I” National Legislative Conference and Convention Set for April 26-28, 2006

The PIIAI will again be coordinating a delegation to attend the Big “I” National Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C., the insurance industry’s premier federal lobbying event. For 2006, the Big “I” has combined its convention trade show with the conference. Each year, PIIAI coordinates a delegation to travel to D.C. and is hoping to take a group of 70 agents, representing each congressional district in the state. PIIAI will pay convention registration fees for members who attend. First-time attendees will receive a stipend for travel and PIIAI will pay for their two-night stay at the Grand Hyatt Washington on a shared-room basis. Returning participants will receive only a stipend for travel. Due to our goal to have agents representing each congressional district, we are limited to the five participants from each district who sign up. Please mark your calendar and contact the PIIAI to reserve your place in the delegation.

To join the Illinois Delegation to DC in 2006, you must:
·    Make a minimum contribution to PIIAPAC, our state political action committee, in the current (2006) dues year.
·    Make a minimum contribution to InsurPac, our national political action committee.
·    Attend 2006 state Insurance Industry Legislative Day in Springfield (date TBD)

Members of the 2005 delegation heard from President Bush and met with House Speaker Hastert, Senator Durbin and 17 other Illinois Members of Congress. For more information, or to find out how you can join the PIIAI at the Big “I” National Legislative Conference and Convention, please contact Jennifer Jacobs at (800) 628-6436, ext. 3013 or email jjacobs@piiai.org.

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