DOI CONSOLIDATION, MED-MAL ALSO ON ILL. DOCKET:

Meanwhile, Blagojevich’s proposal to consolidate the Illinois Department of Insurance (DOI) within the Department of Professional Regulation has received some opposition in the Illinois Senate. Democratic Sen. Miguel del Valle proposed a resolution to reject the governor’s proposal, but it is unclear whether he will call for a vote during the Senate Executive Committee before the end of the session deadline, according to a briefing from the Professional Independent Insurance Agents of Illinois (PIIAI). The PIIAI briefing also reported that negotiations on what to do about the state’s medical liability insurance crisis continue without clear resolution. The Democratic-controlled General Assembly has appeared to lean in the direction of rate regulation as the answer. The Illinois Trial Lawyers Association has called for using Web-based direct marketing instead of agents and brokers to distribute medical liability insurance, using the projected savings to reduce rates. The PIIAI briefing said it is unlikely the concept will gain any traction.