Independent Insurance Agents of Illinois

What Independent Insurance Agents of Illinois does

Big I Illinois, legally doing business as the Independent Insurance Agents of Illinois (formerly IIA of IL), is a Springfield, Illinois-based nonprofit professional trade association founded in 1899 that serves independent insurance agencies, carrier partners, and individual agents across the state. It is the only Illinois trade association dedicated exclusively to independent agencies and their company, wholesale, and vendor partners, offering a bundled membership proposition that includes tiered agency dues (scaled from $630 to $5,500 against P/C premium volume), continuing education and designation programming (CISR, CIC, pre-licensing, ethics, flood, One Hour Big Impact webinars), access to E&O insurance through Swiss Re Corporate Solutions America and Utica National Insurance Group, Illinois P&C Marketplace Reports, advocacy via state and federal PACs, and community engagement through the CONNECT platform, Young Agents committee, Women in Insurance group, and Farm Agents Council. The organization operates on a multi-stream revenue model combining subscription-style agency and associate dues, professional-services fees for CE courses, transaction/event revenue from the annual CONVO conference and ancillary outings, and newsletter advertising in the e-Weekly (reaching 12,000+ inboxes) and Insight magazine.

Under the hood, Big I Illinois is a services organization rather than a technology company. Core technology surfaces include the my.ilbigi.org member portal for applications, event registration, and education enrollment, plus the CONNECT community platform for peer networking and legislative updates. No proprietary AI/ML models, APIs, or developer platforms are present in the data; the AI surface is limited to a planned July 2026 educational tech event on practical AI uses for agencies. Distribution is primarily direct-to-member via the portal, with a parallel associate-member channel for carriers (Hanover, Progressive, BCBS IL, Pekin, Grinnell Mutual, IMT, MEM, and others) and wholesale brokers (Arlington/Roe, CRC Group) that distribute products and services through the association's network.

Governance is member-driven via a Board of Directors and Executive Committee. Leadership transitioned in July 2025 from Phil Lackman (31-year CEO) to Brett Gerger, who joined the association in 2019 and holds a CIC designation earned in 2021. Headcount sits in the 11-50 band per firmographics, with no disclosed revenue figures in the source data.

Name

Independent Insurance Agents of Illinois

Legal name

Big I Illinois

Website

https://ilbigi.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1899

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Big I Illinois is a 1899-founded, Springfield-based nonprofit trade association serving independent insurance agencies in Illinois through tiered membership dues, CE/designation education, E&O insurance access, advocacy, and member community programming.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Springfield

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Agency Membership Dues: Membership dues are based on agency annual P/C premium volume. Agencies with $0-$1.5M pay $630, scaling up to $5,500 for agencies with $50M+ premium volume. Dues include access to education, advocacy, E&O coverage options, and member resources.
2. Associate Membership Dues: Associate membership for insurance carriers and allied businesses, providing marketing exposure through association sponsorship and access to agency members.
3. Education and CE Course Fees: Fees for continuing education courses, designation programs (CISR, CIC), webinars, and pre-licensing programs. CISR classes $180, CIC courses $460, pre-licensing $199-$229.
4. Event Registration and Sponsorships: Revenue from annual CONVO conference, local events, golf outings, baseball events, and sponsorship opportunities. Baseball outing sponsorship tiers: $250-$2,500.
5. Advertising - e-Weekly Newsletter: Weekly newsletter advertising reaching 12,000+ inboxes. Ad placements range from $350-$450 per insertion with multi-insertion discounts available.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels12 records

Core offering

Big I Illinois is a nonprofit professional trade association that delivers membership, education, advocacy, and insurance products to independent insurance agencies in Illinois. Its core offerings include tiered agency membership, designation and continuing education programs (CISR, CIC), access to Errors & Omissions insurance through Swiss Re and Utica National, Illinois P&C Marketplace Reports, the CONNECT member community, and annual events such as the CONVO conference.

Product overview

Big I Illinois operates as a professional trade association for independent insurance agents in Illinois, offering a comprehensive suite of member services since 1899. The organization provides education and professional development through designation programs (CISR, CIC), continuing education courses (E&O, Ethics, Flood, Pre-Licensing, Webinars), and the One Hour Big Impact webinar series. Additional member services include E&O insurance coverage options, Illinois P&C Marketplace Reports, advocacy representation, and community platforms (CONNECT). The association also hosts the annual CONVO conference and maintains special interest groups for Young Agents and Women in Insurance. This is a membership-based service organization, not a technology product platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Agency Membership Tiered membership for independent insurance agencies in Illinois, priced from $630 to $5,500 annually based on P/C premium volume. Includes access to education, advocacy, E&O coverage options, networking events, and member resources.
• Associate Membership Membership for insurance carriers and allied businesses providing marketing exposure to member agencies through sponsorship opportunities and association participation.
• Continuing Education Courses Continuing education courses for insurance professionals covering Errors & Omissions, Ethics, Flood training, Pre-Licensing, Self-Study, and webinar-based instruction.
• CISR Designation Program Certified Insurance Service Representative (CISR) professional designation program delivered in partnership with The National Alliance. Courses include Agency Operations, Commercial Casualty, Life & Health Essentials, Personal Auto, Risk Management, and Commercial Property at $180 per course.
• CIC Designation Program Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) professional designation program including Commercial Multiline, Commercial Property, Commercial Casualty, and Personal Lines. The CIC James K. Ruble Graduate Seminar is priced at $460 for 16 hours CE credit.
• Errors & Omissions Insurance Errors & Omissions insurance coverage for member agencies, offered through Swiss Re Corporate Solutions America and Utica National Insurance Group, with policyholder discounts available for members attending designated risk management seminars.
• CONVO Annual Conference Annual conference bringing together independent insurance professionals for education, networking, and association awards, scheduled for October 14-16, 2026 in Peoria, IL.
• Illinois P&C Marketplace Reports Exclusive reports for members providing market insights, industry data, and performance metrics for the Illinois property and casualty insurance marketplace, including premiums, losses, underwriting results, carrier performance, and emerging market trends.
• One Hour Big Impact Webinar Series Monthly webinar series providing targeted one-hour education on specific insurance topics for member professionals.
• Insurance Journal Academy of Insurance Access Discounted member access to the Insurance Journal Academy of Insurance, offering one-hour, non-CE online courses on sales, agency management, HR, and coverage analysis.
• CONNECT Community Platform Online member community platform for networking, legislative updates, and resource sharing among independent insurance professionals in Illinois.
• Young Agents Program Networking and professional development program for insurance professionals under age 41 or with less than five years in the industry, including mentorship, committee involvement, and social events.
• Women in Insurance Group Networking series and support group for women in the insurance industry with monthly virtual discussions and special events.

Quantifiable outcome

• Member agencies receive up to $1,000 in marketing reimbursement funds
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Swiss Re Corporate Solutions AmericacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerE&O insurance coverage provider for Big I Illinois member agencies. Swiss Re provides policyholder discount programs for members who attend designated risk management seminars.
• Utica National Insurance GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerE&O insurance coverage provider for Big I Illinois member agencies. Utica offers policyholder discount programs for members completing specific education requirements.
• Trusted ChoicecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerNational brand program for independent insurance agents providing marketing materials, the Trusted Choice website for consumers to find agents, and co-branding opportunities.
• The Hanover Insurance GroupminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAssociate member providing carrier products to member agencies.
• Progressive InsuranceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAssociate member carrier partner.
• Surplus Line Association of IllinoisminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAssociate member supporting the independent agency system.
• Arlington/RoeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAssociate member, wholesale broker.
• BlueCross BlueShield of IllinoisminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAssociate member carrier partner.
• CRC GroupminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAssociate member, wholesale broker.
• Pekin InsuranceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAssociate member regional carrier.
• Bliss-McKnightminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAssociate member supporting independent agencies.
• Grinnell MutualminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAssociate member regional carrier.
• IMT InsuranceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAssociate member regional carrier.
• KeystoneminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAssociate member.
• MEM (Missouri Employers Mutual)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerAssociate member workers compensation carrier.
• The National AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvider of CIC, CISR, and other designation programs. Big I Illinois serves as the local delivery partner for The National Alliance's insurance education courses.
• Insurance Journal Academy of InsuranceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership providing discounted access to one-hour, non-CE online courses on sales, agency management, HR, coverage analysis.
• ABEN (American Business and Media)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWebinar provider offering E&O risk management and ethics courses that qualify for policyholder discounts.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies (NAMIC): National trade association for mutual insurance companies. Comparable as an insurance-industry membership organization providing advocacy, education, and convening services, though membership is composed of carrier companies rather than independent agencies.
• Council of Insurance Agents & Brokers (CIAB): National trade association representing commercial insurance brokers and agents, focused on the larger wholesale and commercial lines segment. Comparable as a peer association serving agents/brokers but skewed to larger commercial intermediaries rather than retail independent agents.
• CPCU Society (Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter Society): National professional society for CPCU designation holders. Comparable as a peer insurance professional membership organization offering networking, education, and credentials, but anchored to a more advanced designation than CISR/CIC.

Direct peers

• Professional Insurance Agents (PIA): National trade association for independent insurance agents and brokers, with affiliated state chapters. Directly competes with Big I Illinois for independent agent membership, advocacy, and education services across overlapping state footprints.
• Independent Insurance Agents of Indiana: State-level Big I chapter in neighboring Indiana. Highly comparable as a peer state trade association delivering membership, education, advocacy, and E&O resources to independent agencies within a single state geography.
• Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (Big I National): National federation of which Big I Illinois is a state affiliate. Directly comparable as the umbrella trade association for independent insurance agents, providing federal advocacy, the Trusted Choice brand, and shared education and E&O programs across all 50 states.
• Independent Insurance Agents of Wisconsin: State-level Big I chapter in Wisconsin. Comparable as a peer state association with the same Big I model: tiered dues, education, E&O access, and advocacy for independent agencies in its state.
• The National Alliance for Insurance Education & Research: Provider of the CISR and CIC designation programs that Big I Illinois delivers locally. Core strategic partner and content backbone for the association's education business, and a direct peer in the insurance CE/designation ecosystem.

Others

• National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC): U.S. state insurance regulators' standards-setting body. Comparable as a key counterparty shaping the regulatory and CE landscape that Big I Illinois members must navigate, though not a commercial peer.
• Trusted Choice: National consumer-brand program for independent insurance agents, operated as a partnership between carriers and Big I state associations. Comparable as a co-marketing and consumer-lead-generation asset that Big I Illinois members leverage.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/iiaofil
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@IllinoisBigI
• Facebookfacebook.com/IIAofIL
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/independent-insurance-agents-of-illinois
• Instagraminstagram.com/illinoisbigi

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Independent Insurance Agents of Illinois