100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2017 and 2018
HB0709

 

Introduced 1/25/2017, by Rep. Emanuel Chris Welch

 

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 
215 ILCS 5/193  from Ch. 73, par. 805
215 ILCS 5/531.03  from Ch. 73, par. 1065.80-3
215 ILCS 5/531.05  from Ch. 73, par. 1065.80-5
215 ILCS 5/531.07  from Ch. 73, par. 1065.80-7
215 ILCS 5/531.08  from Ch. 73, par. 1065.80-8
215 ILCS 5/531.09  from Ch. 73, par. 1065.80-9
215 ILCS 5/531.10  from Ch. 73, par. 1065.80-10
215 ILCS 5/531.14  from Ch. 73, par. 1065.80-14

    Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. In the Article concerning the Illinois Life and Health Insurance Guaranty Association, makes changes to the organization of provisions concerning coverage and limitations and powers and duties of the Association. Makes changes in the provisions concerning definitions; the Board of Directors of the Association; assessments; and miscellaneous provisions. In a provision concerning duties of the Director of Insurance as liquidator, provides that upon the entry of an order directing liquidation of a company, the Director may, subject to a provision of the Insurance Code that allows the Association to exercise all the rights of the Director with respect to covered policies after the Association becomes obligated by statute or a provision of the Health Maintenance Organization Act, cede or reinsure all or so much as may be necessary of the in-force business to another company using assets of the liquidated company to pay therefor in preference to satisfying other obligations or creditors. Effective immediately.


LRB100 06021 SMS 16051 b

 

 

A BILL FOR

 

HB0709LRB100 06021 SMS 16051 b

1    AN ACT concerning regulation.
 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3represented in the General Assembly:
 
4    Section 5. The Illinois Insurance Code is amended by
5changing Sections 193, 531.03, 531.05, 531.07, 531.08, 531.09,
6531.10, and 531.14 as follows:
 
7    (215 ILCS 5/193)  (from Ch. 73, par. 805)
8    Sec. 193. Duties of Director as liquidator; sales;
9reinsurance.
10    (1) Upon the entry of an order directing liquidation, the
11Director shall immediately proceed to liquidate the property,
12business, and affairs of the company. The Director is hereby
13authorized to deal with the property, business, and affairs of
14the company in his name as Director, or, if the court shall so
15order, in the name of the company.
16    (2) The Director may, subject to the approval of the court,
17sell or otherwise dispose of the real and personal property, or
18any part thereof, and sell or compromise all debts or claims
19owing to the company, except that whenever the value of any
20real or personal property or the amount of any debt owing to
21the company does not exceed $25,000, the Director may sell,
22dispose of, compromise, or compound the same upon such terms as
23the Director deems to be in the best interest of the company

 

 

HB0709- 2 -LRB100 06021 SMS 16051 b

1without obtaining approval of the court.
2    (3) The Director may bring any action, claim, suit, or
3proceeding against any director or officer of the company or
4against any other person with respect to that person's dealings
5with the company including, but not limited to, prosecuting any
6action, claim, suit, or proceeding on behalf of the creditors,
7members, policyholders, or shareholders of the company.
8Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to affect the
9standing of the Illinois Insurance Guaranty Fund, the Illinois
10Life and Health Insurance Guaranty Association, or the Illinois
11Health Maintenance Organization Guaranty Association to sue or
12be sued under applicable law.
13    (4) In order to preserve so far as possible the rights and
14interests of the policyholders of the company whose contracts
15were cancelled by the liquidation order and of such other
16creditors as may be possible, the Director may solicit a
17contract or contracts whereby a solvent company or companies
18will agree to assume in whole, or in part, or upon a modified
19basis, the liabilities owing to said former policyholders or
20creditors. The Director may, subject to paragraph (h) of
21subsection (11) of Section 531.08 531.08(h) of this Code or
22Section 6-8 of the Health Maintenance Organization Act, cede or
23reinsure all or so much as may be necessary of the in-force
24business to another company using assets of the liquidated
25company to pay therefor in preference to satisfying other
26obligations or creditors. The Director may assign any rights or

 

 

HB0709- 3 -LRB100 06021 SMS 16051 b

1interests of the company to receive reinsurance proceeds for
2losses to the Illinois Life and Health Insurance Guaranty
3Association, the Illinois Health Maintenance Organization
4Guaranty Association or any similar organization in any other
5state. If, after a full hearing upon a petition filed by the
6Director, the court shall find that the Director endeavored to
7obtain the best contract for the benefit of said parties in
8interest, and if the said Director shall report to the court
9that he is ready and willing to enter into a contract and
10submit a copy thereof to the court, the court shall examine the
11procedure and acts of the Director, and if the court shall find
12that the best possible contract in the interests of said
13parties has been obtained and that it is best for the interests
14of said parties that said contract be entered into, the court
15shall by written order approve the acts of the Director and
16authorize him to execute said contract.
17    (5) In recognition of the rights of policyholders whose
18"claims made" contracts were cancelled by the liquidation
19order, he may, in his discretion, permit such policyholders to
20purchase an extended discovery period which is subject to the
21limitations in this Article. The policyholder shall pay to the
22liquidator a premium which is appropriate for the rights
23purchased as determined by the liquidator and approved by the
24court. No extended discovery period purchased before or after
25the entry of the liquidation order shall extend the time to
26file claims as set by the court pursuant to Section 208 of this

 

 

HB0709- 4 -LRB100 06021 SMS 16051 b

1Code. Claims accruing by virtue of such extended discovery
2period shall be treated as any other claim under Article XXXIV
3of this Code, and shall be subject to the limitations,
4exclusions and conditions in the Illinois Insurance Guaranty
5Fund Act and in the laws governing similar organizations in
6other states.
7    (6) The Director is authorized to cancel policies, bonds,
8and contracts of insurance subject to court approval.
9    (7) All persons, companies, and entities shall immediately
10turn over to the Director all unearned premium that has been
11collected by or on behalf of the company and all earned premium
12owing the company unless otherwise directed in writing by the
13Director or by court order. Within 30 days of the date of a
14written request of the Director, those persons, companies, and
15entities shall submit affidavits verifying amounts collected
16by, on behalf of, or due and owing the company and further
17shall provide copies of all premium fund trust account
18information and such other applicable documentation as
19requested by the Director. Nothing in this subsection shall be
20construed to affect the rights of (i) the Illinois Life and
21Health Insurance Guaranty Association to collect premium under
22subsection (4) item (6) of Section 531.08 of this Code or (ii)
23the Illinois Health Maintenance Organization Guaranty
24Association to collect premium under item (11) of Section 6-8
25of the Health Maintenance Organization Act.
26    (8) The amount recoverable by the Director from a reinsurer

 

 

HB0709- 5 -LRB100 06021 SMS 16051 b

1shall not be reduced or diminished as a result of the entry of
2an order of liquidation notwithstanding any provision in the
3reinsurance contract or other such agreement. Payment made by a
4reinsurer to or on behalf of an insured of the company shall
5not diminish the reinsurer's obligation to the company except
6when the reinsurance agreement lawfully provides for payment to
7or on behalf of the company's insured by the reinsurer. All
8reinsurance contracts to which the company is a party, which do
9not contain the provisions required with respect to the
10obligation of a reinsurer in the event of insolvency of the
11reinsured to obtain credit for reinsurance or pursuant to other
12applicable statutes, shall contain or be construed to contain
13all of the following provisions:
14        (a) Upon the entry of an order of liquidation and
15    notwithstanding the Director's failure to pay all or a
16    portion of a claim, the reinsurance obligation shall be due
17    and owing to the Director on the basis of claims allowed in
18    the liquidation proceeding. The reinsurer shall submit the
19    amounts due and owing directly to the company as ceding
20    insurer or to the Director.
21        (b) The Director shall give written notice or arrange
22    for the giving of written notice to reinsurers or their
23    agents of the pendency of a claim against the company
24    indicating the policy or bond reinsured within a reasonable
25    time after the claim is filed. The reinsurer may interpose,
26    at its own expense, in the proceeding where the claim is to

 

 

HB0709- 6 -LRB100 06021 SMS 16051 b

1    be adjudicated, any defenses that it may deem available to
2    the company or the Director.
3(Source: P.A. 88-297; 89-206, eff. 7-21-95.)
 
4    (215 ILCS 5/531.03)  (from Ch. 73, par. 1065.80-3)
5    Sec. 531.03. Coverage and limitations.
6    (1) This Article shall provide coverage for the policies
7and contracts specified in paragraph (2) of this Section:
8        (a) to persons who, regardless of where they reside
9    (except for non-resident certificate holders under group
10    policies or contracts), are the beneficiaries, assignees
11    or payees of the persons covered under subparagraph (1)(b),
12    and
13        (b) to persons who are owners of or certificate holders
14    under the policies or contracts (other than unallocated
15    annuity contracts and structured settlement annuities) and
16    in each case who:
17            (i) are residents; or
18            (ii) are not residents, but only under all of the
19        following conditions:
20                (A) the insurer that issued the policies or
21            contracts is domiciled in this State;
22                (B) the states in which the persons reside have
23            associations similar to the Association created by
24            this Article;
25                (C) the persons are not eligible for coverage

 

 

HB0709- 7 -LRB100 06021 SMS 16051 b

1            by an association in any other state due to the
2            fact that the insurer was not licensed in that
3            state at the time specified in that state's
4            guaranty association law.
5        (c) For unallocated annuity contracts specified in
6    subsection (2), paragraphs (a) and (b) of this subsection
7    (1) shall not apply and this Article shall (except as
8    provided in paragraphs (e) and (f) of this subsection)
9    provide coverage to:
10            (i) persons who are the owners of the unallocated
11        annuity contracts if the contracts are issued to or in
12        connection with a specific benefit plan whose plan
13        sponsor has its principal place of business in this
14        State; and
15            (ii) persons who are owners of unallocated annuity
16        contracts issued to or in connection with government
17        lotteries if the owners are residents.
18        (d) For structured settlement annuities specified in
19    subsection (2), paragraphs (a) and (b) of this subsection
20    (1) shall not apply and this Article shall (except as
21    provided in paragraphs (e) and (f) of this subsection)
22    provide coverage to a person who is a payee under a
23    structured settlement annuity (or beneficiary of a payee if
24    the payee is deceased), if the payee:
25            (i) is a resident, regardless of where the contract
26        owner resides; or

 

 

HB0709- 8 -LRB100 06021 SMS 16051 b

1            (ii) is not a resident, but only under both of the
2        following conditions:
3                (A) with regard to residency:
4                    (I) the contract owner of the structured
5                settlement annuity is a resident; or
6                    (II) the contract owner of the structured
7                settlement annuity is not a resident but the
8                insurer that issued the structured settlement
9                annuity is domiciled in this State and the
10                state in which the contract owner resides has
11                an association similar to the Association
12                created by this Article; and
13                (B) neither the payee or beneficiary nor the
14            contract owner is eligible for coverage by the
15            association of the state in which the payee or
16            contract owner resides.
17        (e) This Article shall not provide coverage to:
18            (i) a person who is a payee or beneficiary of a
19        contract owner resident of this State if the payee or
20        beneficiary is afforded any coverage by the
21        association of another state; or
22            (ii) a person covered under paragraph (c) of this
23        subsection (1), if any coverage is provided by the
24        association of another state to that person.
25        (f) This Article is intended to provide coverage to a
26    person who is a resident of this State and, in special

 

 

HB0709- 9 -LRB100 06021 SMS 16051 b

1    circumstances, to a nonresident. In order to avoid
2    duplicate coverage, if a person who would otherwise receive
3    coverage under this Article is provided coverage under the
4    laws of any other state, then the person shall not be
5    provided coverage under this Article. In determining the
6    application of the provisions of this paragraph in
7    situations where a person could be covered by the
8    association of more than one state, whether as an owner,
9    payee, beneficiary, or assignee, this Article shall be
10    construed in conjunction with other state laws to result in
11    coverage by only one association.
12    (2)(a) This Article shall provide coverage to the persons
13specified in paragraph (1) of this Section for direct, (i)
14nongroup life, health, annuity and supplemental policies, or
15contracts, (ii) for certificates under direct group policies or
16contracts, (iii) for unallocated annuity contracts and (iv) for
17contracts to furnish health care services and subscription
18certificates for medical or health care services issued by
19persons licensed to transact insurance business in this State
20under the Illinois Insurance Code. Annuity contracts and
21certificates under group annuity contracts include but are not
22limited to guaranteed investment contracts, deposit
23administration contracts, unallocated funding agreements,
24allocated funding agreements, structured settlement
25agreements, lottery contracts and any immediate or deferred
26annuity contracts.

 

 

HB0709- 10 -LRB100 06021 SMS 16051 b

1    (b) This Article shall not provide coverage for:
2        (i) that portion of a policy or contract not guaranteed
3    by the insurer, or under which the risk is borne by the
4    policy or contract owner;
5        (ii) any such policy or contract or part thereof
6    assumed by the impaired or insolvent insurer under a
7    contract of reinsurance, other than reinsurance for which
8    assumption certificates have been issued;
9        (iii) any portion of a policy or contract to the extent
10    that the rate of interest on which it is based or the
11    interest rate, crediting rate, or similar factor is
12    determined by use of an index or other external reference
13    stated in the policy or contract employed in calculating
14    returns or changes in value:
15            (A) averaged over the period of 4 years prior to
16        the date on which the member insurer becomes an
17        impaired or insolvent insurer under this Article,
18        whichever is earlier, exceeds the rate of interest
19        determined by subtracting 2 percentage points from
20        Moody's Corporate Bond Yield Average averaged for that
21        same 4-year period or for such lesser period if the
22        policy or contract was issued less than 4 years before
23        the member insurer becomes an impaired or insolvent
24        insurer under this Article, whichever is earlier; and
25            (B) on and after the date on which the member
26        insurer becomes an impaired or insolvent insurer under

 

 

HB0709- 11 -LRB100 06021 SMS 16051 b

1        this Article, whichever is earlier, exceeds the rate of
2        interest determined by subtracting 3 percentage points
3        from Moody's Corporate Bond Yield Average as most
4        recently available;
5        (iv) any unallocated annuity contract issued to or in
6    connection with a benefit plan protected under the federal
7    Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, regardless of
8    whether the federal Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation
9    has yet become liable to make any payments with respect to
10    the benefit plan;
11        (v) any portion of any unallocated annuity contract
12    which is not issued to or in connection with a specific
13    employee, union or association of natural persons benefit
14    plan or a government lottery;
15        (vi) an obligation that does not arise under the
16    express written terms of the policy or contract issued by
17    the insurer to the contract owner or policy owner,
18    including without limitation:
19            (A) a claim based on marketing materials;
20            (B) a claim based on side letters, riders, or other
21        documents that were issued by the insurer without
22        meeting applicable policy form filing or approval
23        requirements;
24            (C) a misrepresentation of or regarding policy
25        benefits;
26            (D) an extra-contractual claim; or

 

 

HB0709- 12 -LRB100 06021 SMS 16051 b

1            (E) a claim for penalties or consequential or
2        incidental damages;
3        (vii) any stop-loss insurance, as defined in clause (b)
4    of Class 1 or clause (a) of Class 2 of Section 4, and
5    further defined in subsection (d) of Section 352;
6        (viii) any policy or contract providing any hospital,
7    medical, prescription drug, or other health care benefits
8    pursuant to Part C or Part D of Subchapter XVIII, Chapter 7
9    of Title 42 of the United States Code (commonly known as
10    Medicare Part C & D) or any regulations issued pursuant
11    thereto;
12        (ix) any portion of a policy or contract to the extent
13    that the assessments required by Section 531.09 of this
14    Code with respect to the policy or contract are preempted
15    or otherwise not permitted by federal or State law;
16        (x) any portion of a policy or contract issued to a
17    plan or program of an employer, association, or other
18    person to provide life, health, or annuity benefits to its
19    employees, members, or others to the extent that the plan
20    or program is self-funded or uninsured, including, but not
21    limited to, benefits payable by an employer, association,
22    or other person under:
23            (A) a multiple employer welfare arrangement as
24        defined in 29 U.S.C. Section 1002 29 U.S.C. Section
25        1144;
26            (B) a minimum premium group insurance plan;

 

 

HB0709- 13 -LRB100 06021 SMS 16051 b

1            (C) a stop-loss group insurance plan; or
2            (D) an administrative services only contract;
3        (xi) any portion of a policy or contract to the extent
4    that it provides for:
5            (A) dividends or experience rating credits;
6            (B) voting rights; or
7            (C) payment of any fees or allowances to any
8        person, including the policy or contract owner, in
9        connection with the service to or administration of the
10        policy or contract;
11        (xii) any policy or contract issued in this State by a
12    member insurer at a time when it was not licensed or did
13    not have a certificate of authority to issue the policy or
14    contract in this State;
15        (xiii) any contractual agreement that establishes the
16    member insurer's obligations to provide a book value
17    accounting guaranty for defined contribution benefit plan
18    participants by reference to a portfolio of assets that is
19    owned by the benefit plan or its trustee, which in each
20    case is not an affiliate of the member insurer;
21        (xiv) any portion of a policy or contract to the extent
22    that it provides for interest or other changes in value to
23    be determined by the use of an index or other external
24    reference stated in the policy or contract, but which have
25    not been credited to the policy or contract, or as to which
26    the policy or contract owner's rights are subject to

 

 

HB0709- 14 -LRB100 06021 SMS 16051 b

1    forfeiture, as of the date the member insurer becomes an
2    impaired or insolvent insurer under this Code, whichever is
3    earlier. If a policy's or contract's interest or changes in
4    value are credited less frequently than annually, then for
5    purposes of determining the values that have been credited
6    and are not subject to forfeiture under this Section, the
7    interest or change in value determined by using the
8    procedures defined in the policy or contract will be
9    credited as if the contractual date of crediting interest
10    or changing values was the date of impairment or
11    insolvency, whichever is earlier, and will not be subject
12    to forfeiture; or
13        (xv) that portion or part of a variable life insurance
14    or variable annuity contract not guaranteed by an insurer.
15    (3) The benefits for which the Association may become
16liable shall in no event exceed the lesser of:
17        (a) the contractual obligations for which the insurer
18    is liable or would have been liable if it were not an
19    impaired or insolvent insurer, or
20        (b)(i) with respect to any one life, regardless of the
21    number of policies or contracts:
22            (A) $300,000 in life insurance death benefits, but
23        not more than $100,000 in net cash surrender and net
24        cash withdrawal values for life insurance;
25            (B) in health insurance benefits:
26                (I) $100,000 for coverages not defined as

 

 

HB0709- 15 -LRB100 06021 SMS 16051 b

1            disability insurance or basic hospital, medical,
2            and surgical insurance or major medical insurance
3            or long-term care insurance, including any net
4            cash surrender and net cash withdrawal values;
5                (II) $300,000 for disability insurance and
6            $300,000 for long-term care insurance as defined
7            in Section 351A-1 of this Code; and
8                (III) $500,000 for basic hospital medical and
9            surgical insurance or major medical insurance;
10            (C) $250,000 in the present value of annuity
11        benefits, including net cash surrender and net cash
12        withdrawal values;
13        (ii) with respect to each individual participating in a
14    governmental retirement benefit plan established under
15    Sections 401, 403(b), or 457 of the U.S. Internal Revenue
16    Code covered by an unallocated annuity contract or the
17    beneficiaries of each such individual if deceased, in the
18    aggregate, $250,000 in present value annuity benefits,
19    including net cash surrender and net cash withdrawal
20    values;
21        (iii) with respect to each payee of a structured
22    settlement annuity or beneficiary or beneficiaries of the
23    payee if deceased, $250,000 in present value annuity
24    benefits, in the aggregate, including net cash surrender
25    and net cash withdrawal values, if any; or
26        (iv) with respect to either (1) one contract owner

 

 

HB0709- 16 -LRB100 06021 SMS 16051 b

1    provided coverage under subparagraph (ii) of paragraph (c)
2    of subsection (1) of this Section or (2) one plan sponsor
3    whose plans own directly or in trust one or more
4    unallocated annuity contracts not included in subparagraph
5    (ii) of paragraph (b) of this subsection, $5,000,000 in
6    benefits, irrespective of the number of contracts with
7    respect to the contract owner or plan sponsor. However, in
8    the case where one or more unallocated annuity contracts
9    are covered contracts under this Article and are owned by a
10    trust or other entity for the benefit of 2 or more plan
11    sponsors, coverage shall be afforded by the Association if
12    the largest interest in the trust or entity owning the
13    contract or contracts is held by a plan sponsor whose
14    principal place of business is in this State. In no event
15    shall the Association be obligated to cover more than
16    $5,000,000 in benefits with respect to all these
17    unallocated contracts.
18    (3.1) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (3), in
19In no event shall the Association be obligated to cover more
20than (1) an aggregate of $300,000 in benefits with respect to
21any one life under subparagraphs (i), (ii), and (iii) of this
22paragraph (b) of subsection (3) except with respect to benefits
23for basic hospital, medical, and surgical insurance and major
24medical insurance under item (B) of subparagraph (i) of this
25paragraph (b) of subsection (3), in which case the aggregate
26liability of the Association shall not exceed $500,000 with

 

 

HB0709- 17 -LRB100 06021 SMS 16051 b

1respect to any one individual or (2) with respect to one owner
2of multiple nongroup policies of life insurance, whether the
3policy owner is an individual, firm, corporation, or other
4person and whether the persons insured are officers, managers,
5employees, or other persons, $5,000,000 in benefits,
6regardless of the number of policies and contracts held by the
7owner.
8    (3.2) The limitations set forth in subsections (3) and
9(3.1) this subsection are limitations on the benefits for which
10the Association is obligated before taking into account either
11its subrogation and assignment rights or the extent to which
12those benefits could be provided out of the assets of the
13impaired or insolvent insurer attributable to covered
14policies. The costs of the Association's obligations under this
15Article may be met by the use of assets attributable to covered
16policies or reimbursed to the Association pursuant to its
17subrogation and assignment rights.
18    (4) In performing its obligations to provide coverage under
19Section 531.08 of this Code, the Association shall not be
20required to guarantee, assume, reinsure, or perform or cause to
21be guaranteed, assumed, reinsured, or performed the
22contractual obligations of the insolvent or impaired insurer
23under a covered policy or contract that do not materially
24affect the economic values or economic benefits of the covered
25policy or contract.
26(Source: P.A. 96-1450, eff. 8-20-10.)
 

 

 

HB0709- 18 -LRB100 06021 SMS 16051 b

1    (215 ILCS 5/531.05)  (from Ch. 73, par. 1065.80-5)
2    Sec. 531.05. Definitions. As used in this Act:
3    "Account" means either of the 2 3 accounts created under
4Section 531.06.
5    "Association" means the Illinois Life and Health Insurance
6Guaranty Association created under Section 531.06.
7    "Authorized assessment" or the term "authorized" when used
8in the context of assessments means a resolution by the Board
9of Directors has been passed whereby an assessment shall be
10called immediately or in the future from member insurers for a
11specified amount. An assessment is authorized when the
12resolution is passed.
13    "Benefit plan" means a specific employee, union, or
14association of natural persons benefit plan.
15    "Called assessment" or the term "called" when used in the
16context of assessments means that a notice has been issued by
17the Association to member insurers requiring that an authorized
18assessment be paid within the time frame set forth within the
19notice. An authorized assessment becomes a called assessment
20when notice is mailed by the Association to member insurers.
21    "Director" means the Director of Insurance of this State.
22    "Contractual obligation" means any obligation under a
23policy or contract or certificate under a group policy or
24contract, or portion thereof for which coverage is provided
25under Section 531.03.

 

 

HB0709- 19 -LRB100 06021 SMS 16051 b

1    "Covered person" means any person who is entitled to the
2protection of the Association as described in Section 531.02.
3    "Covered policy" means any policy or contract within the
4scope of this Article under Section 531.03.
5    "Extra-contractual claims" shall include, for example,
6claims relating to bad faith in the payment of claims, punitive
7or exemplary damages, or attorneys' fees and costs.
8    "Impaired insurer" means (A) a member insurer which, after
9the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 96th General
10Assembly, is not an insolvent insurer, and is placed under an
11order of rehabilitation or conservation by a court of competent
12jurisdiction or (B) a member insurer deemed by the Director
13after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 96th
14General Assembly to be potentially unable to fulfill its
15contractual obligations and not an insolvent insurer.
16    "Insolvent insurer" means a member insurer that, after the
17effective date of this amendatory Act of the 96th General
18Assembly, is placed under a final order of liquidation by a
19court of competent jurisdiction with a finding of insolvency.
20    "Member insurer" means an insurer licensed or holding a
21certificate of authority to transact in this State any kind of
22insurance for which coverage is provided under Section 531.03
23of this Code and includes an insurer whose license or
24certificate of authority in this State may have been suspended,
25revoked, not renewed, or voluntarily withdrawn or whose
26certificate of authority may have been suspended pursuant to

 

 

HB0709- 20 -LRB100 06021 SMS 16051 b

1Section 119 of this Code, but does not include:
2        (1) a hospital or medical service organization,
3    whether profit or nonprofit;
4        (2) a health maintenance organization;
5        (3) any burial society organized under Article XIX of
6    this Code, any fraternal benefit society organized under
7    Article XVII of this Code, any mutual benefit association
8    organized under Article XVIII of this Code, and any foreign
9    fraternal benefit society licensed under Article VI of this
10    Code or a fraternal benefit society;
11        (4) a mandatory State pooling plan;
12        (5) a mutual assessment company or other person that
13    operates on an assessment basis;
14        (6) an insurance exchange;
15        (7) an organization that is permitted to issue
16    charitable gift annuities pursuant to Section 121-2.10 of
17    this Code;
18        (8) any health services plan corporation established
19    pursuant to the Voluntary Health Services Plans Act;
20        (9) any dental service plan corporation established
21    pursuant to the Dental Service Plan Act; or
22        (10) an entity similar to any of the above.
23    "Moody's Corporate Bond Yield Average" means the Monthly
24Average Corporates as published by Moody's Investors Service,
25Inc., or any successor thereto.
26    "Owner" of a policy or contract and "policy owner" and

 

 

HB0709- 21 -LRB100 06021 SMS 16051 b

1"contract owner" mean the person who is identified as the legal
2owner under the terms of the policy or contract or who is
3otherwise vested with legal title to the policy or contract
4through a valid assignment completed in accordance with the
5terms of the policy or contract and properly recorded as the
6owner on the books of the insurer. The terms owner, contract
7owner, and policy owner do not include persons with a mere
8beneficial interest in a policy or contract.
9    "Person" means an individual, corporation, limited
10liability company, partnership, association, governmental body
11or entity, or voluntary organization.
12    "Plan sponsor" means:
13        (1) the employer in the case of a benefit plan
14    established or maintained by a single employer;
15        (2) the employee organization in the case of a benefit
16    plan established or maintained by an employee
17    organization; or
18        (3) in a case of a benefit plan established or
19    maintained by 2 or more employers or jointly by one or more
20    employers and one or more employee organizations, the
21    association, committee, joint board of trustees, or other
22    similar group of representatives of the parties who
23    establish or maintain the benefit plan.
24    "Premiums" mean amounts or considerations, by whatever
25name called, received on covered policies or contracts less
26returned premiums, considerations, and deposits and less

 

 

HB0709- 22 -LRB100 06021 SMS 16051 b

1dividends and experience credits.
2    "Premiums" does not include:
3        (A) amounts or considerations received for policies or
4    contracts or for the portions of policies or contracts for
5    which coverage is not provided under Section 531.03 of this
6    Code except that assessable premium shall not be reduced on
7    account of the provisions of subparagraph (iii) of
8    paragraph (b) of subsection (2) (a) of Section 531.03 of
9    this Code relating to interest limitations and the
10    provisions of paragraph (b) of subsection (3), subsection
11    (3.1), or subsection (3.2) of Section 531.03 relating to
12    limitations with respect to one individual, one
13    participant, and one contract owner;
14        (B) premiums in excess of $5,000,000 on an unallocated
15    annuity contract not issued under a governmental
16    retirement benefit plan (or its trustee) established under
17    Section 401, 403(b) or 457 of the United States Internal
18    Revenue Code; or
19        (C) with respect to multiple nongroup policies of life
20    insurance owned by one owner, whether the policy owner is
21    an individual, firm, corporation, or other person, and
22    whether the persons insured are officers, managers,
23    employees, or other persons, premiums in excess of
24    $5,000,000 with respect to these policies or contracts,
25    regardless of the number of policies or contracts held by
26    the owner.

 

 

HB0709- 23 -LRB100 06021 SMS 16051 b

1    "Principal place of business" of a plan sponsor or a person
2other than a natural person means the single state in which the
3natural persons who establish policy for the direction,
4control, and coordination of the operations of the entity as a
5whole primarily exercise that function, determined by the
6Association in its reasonable judgment by considering the
7following factors:
8        (A) the state in which the primary executive and
9    administrative headquarters of the entity is located;
10        (B) the state in which the principal office of the
11    chief executive officer of the entity is located;
12        (C) the state in which the board of directors (or
13    similar governing person or persons) of the entity conducts
14    the majority of its meetings;
15        (D) the state in which the executive or management
16    committee of the board of directors (or similar governing
17    person or persons) of the entity conducts the majority of
18    its meetings;
19        (E) the state from which the management of the overall
20    operations of the entity is directed; and
21        (F) in the case of a benefit plan sponsored by
22    affiliated companies comprising a consolidated
23    corporation, the state in which the holding company or
24    controlling affiliate has its principal place of business
25    as determined using the above factors.
26    However, in the case of a plan sponsor, if more than 50% of

 

 

HB0709- 24 -LRB100 06021 SMS 16051 b

1the participants in the benefit plan are employed in a single
2state, that state shall be deemed to be the principal place of
3business of the plan sponsor.
4    The principal place of business of a plan sponsor of a
5benefit plan described in paragraph (3) of the definition of
6"plan sponsor" this Section shall be deemed to be the principal
7place of business of the association, committee, joint board of
8trustees, or other similar group of representatives of the
9parties who establish or maintain the benefit plan that, in
10lieu of a specific or clear designation of a principal place of
11business, shall be deemed to be the principal place of business
12of the employer or employee organization that has the largest
13investment in the benefit plan in question.
14    "Receivership court" means the court in the insolvent or
15impaired insurer's state having jurisdiction over the
16conservation, rehabilitation, or liquidation of the insurer.
17    "Resident" means a person to whom a contractual obligation
18is owed and who resides in this State on the date of entry of a
19court order that determines a member insurer to be an impaired
20insurer or a court order that determines a member insurer to be
21an insolvent insurer. A person may be a resident of only one
22state, which in the case of a person other than a natural
23person shall be its principal place of business. Citizens of
24the United States that are either (i) residents of foreign
25countries or (ii) residents of United States possessions,
26territories, or protectorates that do not have an association

 

 

HB0709- 25 -LRB100 06021 SMS 16051 b

1similar to the Association created by this Article, shall be
2deemed residents of the state of domicile of the insurer that
3issued the policies or contracts.
4    "Structured settlement annuity" means an annuity purchased
5in order to fund periodic payments for a plaintiff or other
6claimant in payment for or with respect to personal injury
7suffered by the plaintiff or other claimant.
8    "State" means a state, the District of Columbia, Puerto
9Rico, and a United States possession, territory, or
10protectorate.
11    "Supplemental contract" means a written agreement entered
12into for the distribution of proceeds under a life, health, or
13annuity policy or a life, health, or annuity contract.
14    "Unallocated annuity contract" means any annuity contract
15or group annuity certificate which is not issued to and owned
16by an individual, except to the extent of any annuity benefits
17guaranteed to an individual by an insurer under such contract
18or certificate.
19(Source: P.A. 96-1450, eff. 8-20-10.)
 
20    (215 ILCS 5/531.07)  (from Ch. 73, par. 1065.80-7)
21    Sec. 531.07. Board of Directors.) The board of directors
22of the Association consists of not less than 7 nor more than 11
23members serving terms as established in the plan of operation.
24The insurer members insurers of the board are to be selected by
25member insurers subject to the approval of the Director. In

 

 

HB0709- 26 -LRB100 06021 SMS 16051 b

1addition, 2 persons who must be public representatives may be
2appointed by the Director to the board of directors. A public
3representative may not be an officer, director, or employee of
4an insurance company or any person engaged in the business of
5insurance. Vacancies on the board must be filled for the
6remaining period of the term in the manner described in the
7plan of operation.
8    In approving selections or in appointing members to the
9board, the Director must consider, whether all member insurers
10are fairly represented.
11    Members of the board may be reimbursed from the assets of
12the Association for expenses incurred by them as members of the
13board of directors but members of the board may not otherwise
14be compensated by the Association for their services.
15(Source: P.A. 96-1450, eff. 8-20-10.)
 
16    (215 ILCS 5/531.08)  (from Ch. 73, par. 1065.80-8)
17    Sec. 531.08. Powers and duties of the Association.
18    (a) In addition to the powers and duties enumerated in
19other Sections of this Article:
20        (1) If a member insurer is an impaired insurer, then
21    the Association may, in its discretion and subject to any
22    conditions imposed by the Association that do not impair
23    the contractual obligations of the impaired insurer and
24    that are approved by the Director:
25            (a) (A) guarantee, assume, or reinsure or cause to

 

 

HB0709- 27 -LRB100 06021 SMS 16051 b

1        be guaranteed, assumed, or reinsured, any or all of the
2        policies or contracts of the impaired insurer; or
3            (b) (B) provide such money, pledges, loans, notes,
4        guarantees, or other means as are proper to effectuate
5        paragraph (a) (A) and assure payment of the contractual
6        obligations of the impaired insurer pending action
7        under paragraph (a) (A).
8        (2) If a member insurer is an insolvent insurer, then
9    the Association shall, in its discretion, either:
10            (a) (A) guaranty, assume, or reinsure or cause to
11        be guaranteed, assumed, or reinsured the policies or
12        contracts of the insolvent insurer or assure payment of
13        the contractual obligations of the insolvent insurer
14        and provide money, pledges, loans, notes, guarantees,
15        or other means reasonably necessary to discharge the
16        Association's duties; or
17            (b) (B) provide benefits and coverages in
18        accordance with the following provisions:
19                (i) with respect to life and health insurance
20            policies and annuities, ensure payment of benefits
21            for premiums identical to the premiums and
22            benefits (except for terms of conversion and
23            renewability) that would have been payable under
24            the policies or contracts of the insolvent insurer
25            for claims incurred:
26                    (A) (a) with respect to group policies and

 

 

HB0709- 28 -LRB100 06021 SMS 16051 b

1                contracts, not later than the earlier of the
2                next renewal date under those policies or
3                contracts or 45 days, but in no event less than
4                30 days, after the date on which the
5                Association becomes obligated with respect to
6                the policies and contracts;
7                    (B) (b) with respect to nongroup policies,
8                contracts, and annuities not later than the
9                earlier of the next renewal date (if any) under
10                the policies or contracts or one year, but in
11                no event less than 30 days, from the date on
12                which the Association becomes obligated with
13                respect to the policies or contracts;
14                (ii) make diligent efforts to provide all
15            known insureds or annuitants (for nongroup
16            policies and contracts), or group policy owners
17            with respect to group policies and contracts, 30
18            days notice of the termination (pursuant to
19            subparagraph (i) of this paragraph (b) (B)) of the
20            benefits provided;
21                (iii) with respect to nongroup life and health
22            insurance policies and annuities covered by the
23            Association, make available to each known insured
24            or annuitant, or owner if other than the insured or
25            annuitant, and with respect to an individual
26            formerly insured or formerly an annuitant under a

 

 

HB0709- 29 -LRB100 06021 SMS 16051 b

1            group policy who is not eligible for replacement
2            group coverage, make available substitute coverage
3            on an individual basis in accordance with the
4            provisions of subparagraph (iv) paragraph (3), if
5            the insureds or annuitants had a right under law or
6            the terminated policy or annuity to convert
7            coverage to individual coverage or to continue an
8            individual policy or annuity in force until a
9            specified age or for a specified time, during which
10            the insurer had no right unilaterally to make
11            changes in any provision of the policy or annuity
12            or had a right only to make changes in premium by
13            class.
14                 (iv) (b) In providing the substitute coverage
15            required under subparagraph (iii) of this
16            subsection (2), of paragraph (B) of item (2) of
17            subsection (a) of this Section, the Association
18            may offer either to reissue the terminated
19            coverage or to issue an alternative policy.
20                 Alternative or reissued policies shall be
21            offered without requiring evidence of
22            insurability, and shall not provide for any
23            waiting period or exclusion that would not have
24            applied under the terminated policy.
25                 The Association may reinsure any alternative
26            or reissued policy.

 

 

HB0709- 30 -LRB100 06021 SMS 16051 b

1                 Alternative policies adopted by the
2            Association shall be subject to the approval of the
3            Director. The Association may adopt alternative
4            policies of various types for future insurance
5            without regard to any particular impairment or
6            insolvency.
7                 (v) Alternative policies shall contain at
8            least the minimum statutory provisions required in
9            this State and provide benefits that shall not be
10            unreasonable in relation to the premium charged.
11            The Association shall set the premium in
12            accordance with a table of rates which it shall
13            adopt. The premium shall reflect the amount of
14            insurance to be provided and the age and class of
15            risk of each insured, but shall not reflect any
16            changes in the health of the insured after the
17            original policy was last underwritten.
18                 Any alternative policy issued by the
19            Association shall provide coverage of a type
20            similar to that of the policy issued by the
21            impaired or insolvent insurer, as determined by
22            the Association.
23                 (vi) (c) If the Association elects to reissue
24            terminated coverage at a premium rate different
25            from that charged under the terminated policy, the
26            premium shall be set by the Association in

 

 

HB0709- 31 -LRB100 06021 SMS 16051 b

1            accordance with the amount of insurance provided
2            and the age and class of risk, subject to approval
3            of the Director or by a court of competent
4            jurisdiction.
5                 (vii) (d) The Association's obligations with
6            respect to coverage under any policy of the
7            impaired or insolvent insurer or under any
8            reissued or alternative policy shall cease on the
9            date such coverage or policy is replaced by another
10            similar policy by the policyholder, the insured,
11            or the Association.
12                 (viii) (e) When proceeding under this Section
13            with respect to any policy or contract carrying
14            guaranteed minimum interest rates, the Association
15            shall assure the payment or crediting of a rate of
16            interest consistent with subparagraph
17            (2)(b)(iii)(B) of Section 531.03.
18         (3) (f) Nonpayment of premiums thirty-one days after
19    the date required under the terms of any guaranteed,
20    assumed, alternative or reissued policy or contract or
21    substitute coverage shall terminate the Association's
22    obligations under such policy or coverage under this Act
23    with respect to such policy or coverage, except with
24    respect to any claims incurred or any net cash surrender
25    value which may be due in accordance with the provisions of
26    this Act.

 

 

HB0709- 32 -LRB100 06021 SMS 16051 b

1         (4) (g) Premiums due for coverage after entry of an
2    order of liquidation of an insolvent insurer shall belong
3    to and be payable at the direction of the Association, and
4    the Association shall be liable for unearned premiums due
5    to policy or contract owners arising after the entry of
6    such order.
7        (5) (h) In carrying out its duties under subsection
8    paragraph (2) of subsection (a) of this Section, the
9    Association may:
10            (a) (1) subject to approval by a court in this
11        State, impose permanent policy or contract liens in
12        connection with a guarantee, assumption, or
13        reinsurance agreement if the Association finds that
14        the amounts which can be assessed under this Article
15        are less than the amounts needed to assure full and
16        prompt performance of the Association's duties under
17        this Article or that the economic or financial
18        conditions as they affect member insurers are
19        sufficiently adverse to render the imposition of such
20        permanent policy or contract liens to be in the public
21        interest; or
22            (b) (2) subject to approval by a court in this
23        State, impose temporary moratoriums or liens on
24        payments of cash values and policy loans or any other
25        right to withdraw funds held in conjunction with
26        policies or contracts in addition to any contractual

 

 

HB0709- 33 -LRB100 06021 SMS 16051 b

1        provisions for deferral of cash or policy loan value.
2        In addition, in the event of a temporary moratorium or
3        moratorium charge imposed by the receivership court on
4        payment of cash values or policy loans or on any other
5        right to withdraw funds held in conjunction with
6        policies or contracts, out of the assets of the
7        impaired or insolvent insurer, the Association may
8        defer the payment of cash values, policy loans, or
9        other rights by the Association for the period of the
10        moratorium or moratorium charge imposed by the
11        receivership court, except for claims covered by the
12        Association to be paid in accordance with a hardship
13        procedure established by the liquidator or
14        rehabilitator and approved by the receivership court.
15         (6) (i) There shall be no liability on the part of and
16    no cause of action shall arise against the Association or
17    against any transferee from the Association in connection
18    with the transfer by reinsurance or otherwise of all or any
19    part of an impaired or insolvent insurer's business by
20    reason of any action taken or any failure to take any
21    action by the impaired or insolvent insurer at any time.
22         (7) (j) If the Association fails to act within a
23    reasonable period of time as provided in subsection (2) of
24    this Section with respect to an insolvent insurer, the
25    Director shall have the powers and duties of the
26    Association under this Act with regard to such insolvent

 

 

HB0709- 34 -LRB100 06021 SMS 16051 b

1    insurers.
2         (8) (k) The Association or its designated
3    representatives may render assistance and advice to the
4    Director, upon his request, concerning rehabilitation,
5    payment of claims, continuations of coverage, or the
6    performance of other contractual obligations of any
7    impaired or insolvent insurer.
8         (9) (l) The Association shall have standing to appear
9    or intervene before a court or agency in this State with
10    jurisdiction over an impaired or insolvent insurer
11    concerning which the Association is or may become obligated
12    under this Article or with jurisdiction over any person or
13    property against which the Association may have rights
14    through subrogation or otherwise. Standing shall extend to
15    all matters germane to the powers and duties of the
16    Association, including, but not limited to, proposals for
17    reinsuring, modifying, or guaranteeing the policies or
18    contracts of the impaired or insolvent insurer and the
19    determination of the policies or contracts and contractual
20    obligations. The Association shall also have the right to
21    appear or intervene before a court or agency in another
22    state with jurisdiction over an impaired or insolvent
23    insurer for which the Association is or may become
24    obligated or with jurisdiction over any person or property
25    against whom the Association may have rights through
26    subrogation or otherwise.

 

 

HB0709- 35 -LRB100 06021 SMS 16051 b

1         (10)(a) (m)(1) A person receiving benefits under this
2    Article shall be deemed to have assigned the rights under
3    and any causes of action against any person for losses
4    arising under, resulting from, or otherwise relating to the
5    covered policy or contract to the Association to the extent
6    of the benefits received because of this Article, whether
7    the benefits are payments of or on account of contractual
8    obligations, continuation of coverage, or provision of
9    substitute or alternative coverages. The Association may
10    require an assignment to it of such rights and cause of
11    action by any payee, policy, or contract owner,
12    beneficiary, insured, or annuitant as a condition
13    precedent to the receipt of any right or benefits conferred
14    by this Article upon the person.
15         (b) (2) The subrogation rights of the Association
16    under this subsection have the same priority against the
17    assets of the impaired or insolvent insurer as that
18    possessed by the person entitled to receive benefits under
19    this Article.
20        (c) (3) In addition to paragraphs (a) (1) and (b) (2),
21    the Association shall have all common law rights of
22    subrogation and any other equitable or legal remedy that
23    would have been available to the impaired or insolvent
24    insurer or owner, beneficiary, or payee of a policy or
25    contract with respect to the policy or contracts, including
26    without limitation, in the case of a structured settlement

 

 

HB0709- 36 -LRB100 06021 SMS 16051 b

1    annuity, any rights of the owner, beneficiary, or payee of
2    the annuity to the extent of benefits received pursuant to
3    this Article, against a person originally or by succession
4    responsible for the losses arising from the personal injury
5    relating to the annuity or payment therefor, excepting any
6    such person responsible solely by reason of serving as an
7    assignee in respect of a qualified assignment under
8    Internal Revenue Code Section 130.
9        (d) (4) If the preceding provisions of this subsection
10    (10) (l) are invalid or ineffective with respect to any
11    person or claim for any reason, then the amount payable by
12    the Association with respect to the related covered
13    obligations shall be reduced by the amount realized by any
14    other person with respect to the person or claim that is
15    attributable to the policies, or portion thereof, covered
16    by the Association.
17        (e) (5) If the Association has provided benefits with
18    respect to a covered obligation and a person recovers
19    amounts as to which the Association has rights as described
20    in the preceding paragraphs of this subsection (10), then
21    the person shall pay to the Association the portion of the
22    recovery attributable to the policies, or portion thereof,
23    covered by the Association.
24         (11) (n) The Association may:
25             (a) (1) Enter into such contracts as are necessary
26        or proper to carry out the provisions and purposes of

 

 

HB0709- 37 -LRB100 06021 SMS 16051 b

1        this Article.
2             (b) (2) Sue or be sued, including taking any legal
3        actions necessary or proper for recovery of any unpaid
4        assessments under Section 531.09. The Association
5        shall not be liable for punitive or exemplary damages.
6             (c) (3) Borrow money to effect the purposes of
7        this Article. Any notes or other evidence of
8        indebtedness of the Association not in default are
9        legal investments for domestic insurers and may be
10        carried as admitted assets.
11             (d) (4) Employ or retain such persons as are
12        necessary to handle the financial transactions of the
13        Association, and to perform such other functions as
14        become necessary or proper under this Article.
15             (e) (5) Negotiate and contract with any
16        liquidator, rehabilitator, conservator, or ancillary
17        receiver to carry out the powers and duties of the
18        Association.
19             (f) (6) Take such legal action as may be necessary
20        to avoid payment of improper claims.
21             (g) (7) Exercise, for the purposes of this Article
22        and to the extent approved by the Director, the powers
23        of a domestic life or health insurer, but in no case
24        may the Association issue insurance policies or
25        annuity contracts other than those issued to perform
26        the contractual obligations of the impaired or

 

 

HB0709- 38 -LRB100 06021 SMS 16051 b

1        insolvent insurer.
2             (h) (8) Exercise all the rights of the Director
3        under Section 193(4) of this Code with respect to
4        covered policies after the association becomes
5        obligated by statute.
6            (i) (9) Request information from a person seeking
7        coverage from the Association in order to aid the
8        Association in determining its obligations under this
9        Article with respect to the person, and the person
10        shall promptly comply with the request.
11            (j) (10) Take other necessary or appropriate
12        action to discharge its duties and obligations under
13        this Article or to exercise its powers under this
14        Article.
15         (12) (o) With respect to covered policies for which
16    the Association becomes obligated after an entry of an
17    order of liquidation or rehabilitation, the Association
18    may elect to succeed to the rights of the insolvent insurer
19    arising after the date of the order of liquidation or
20    rehabilitation under any contract of reinsurance to which
21    the insolvent insurer was a party, to the extent that such
22    contract provides coverage for losses occurring after the
23    date of the order of liquidation or rehabilitation. As a
24    condition to making this election, the Association must pay
25    all unpaid premiums due under the contract for coverage
26    relating to periods before and after the date of the order

 

 

HB0709- 39 -LRB100 06021 SMS 16051 b

1    of liquidation or rehabilitation.
2        (13) (p) A deposit in this State, held pursuant to law
3    or required by the Director for the benefit of creditors,
4    including policy owners, not turned over to the domiciliary
5    liquidator upon the entry of a final order of liquidation
6    or order approving a rehabilitation plan of an insurer
7    domiciled in this State or in a reciprocal state, pursuant
8    to Article XIII 1/2 of this Code, shall be promptly paid to
9    the Association. The Association shall be entitled to
10    retain a portion of any amount so paid to it equal to the
11    percentage determined by dividing the aggregate amount of
12    policy owners' claims related to that insolvency for which
13    the Association has provided statutory benefits by the
14    aggregate amount of all policy owners' claims in this State
15    related to that insolvency and shall remit to the
16    domiciliary receiver the amount so paid to the Association
17    less the amount retained pursuant to this subsection (13).
18    Any amount so paid to the Association and retained by it
19    shall be treated as a distribution of estate assets
20    pursuant to applicable State receivership law dealing with
21    early access disbursements.
22        (14) (q) The Board of Directors of the Association
23    shall have discretion and may exercise reasonable business
24    judgment to determine the means by which the Association is
25    to provide the benefits of this Article in an economical
26    and efficient manner.

 

 

HB0709- 40 -LRB100 06021 SMS 16051 b

1        (15) (r) Where the Association has arranged or offered
2    to provide the benefits of this Article to a covered person
3    under a plan or arrangement that fulfills the Association's
4    obligations under this Article, the person shall not be
5    entitled to benefits from the Association in addition to or
6    other than those provided under the plan or arrangement.
7        (16) (s) Venue in a suit against the Association
8    arising under the Article shall be in Cook County. The
9    Association shall not be required to give any appeal bond
10    in an appeal that relates to a cause of action arising
11    under this Article.
12        (17) (t) The Association may join an organization of
13    one or more other State associations of similar purposes to
14    further the purposes and administer the powers and duties
15    of the Association.
16        (18) (u) In carrying out its duties in connection with
17    guaranteeing, assuming, or reinsuring policies or
18    contracts under subsections (1) or (2), the Association
19    may, subject to approval of the receivership court, issue
20    substitute coverage for a policy or contract that provides
21    an interest rate, crediting rate, or similar factor
22    determined by use of an index or other external reference
23    stated in the policy or contract employed in calculating
24    returns or changes in value by issuing an alternative
25    policy or contract in accordance with the following
26    provisions:

 

 

HB0709- 41 -LRB100 06021 SMS 16051 b

1            (a) (1) in lieu of the index or other external
2        reference provided for in the original policy or
3        contract, the alternative policy or contract provides
4        for (i) a fixed interest rate, or (ii) payment of
5        dividends with minimum guarantees, or (iii) a
6        different method for calculating interest or changes
7        in value;
8            (b) (2) there is no requirement for evidence of
9        insurability, waiting period, or other exclusion that
10        would not have applied under the replaced policy or
11        contract; and
12            (c) (3) the alternative policy or contract is
13        substantially similar to the replaced policy or
14        contract in all other material terms.
15(Source: P.A. 96-1450, eff. 8-20-10; 97-333, eff. 8-12-11.)
 
16    (215 ILCS 5/531.09)  (from Ch. 73, par. 1065.80-9)
17    Sec. 531.09. Assessments.
18    (1) For the purpose of providing the funds necessary to
19carry out the powers and duties of the Association, the board
20of directors shall assess the member insurers, separately for
21each account, at such times and for such amounts as the board
22finds necessary. Assessments shall be due not less than 30 days
23after written notice to the member insurers and shall accrue
24interest from the due date at such adjusted rate as is
25established under Section 6621 of Chapter 26 of the United

 

 

HB0709- 42 -LRB100 06021 SMS 16051 b

1States Code and such interest shall be compounded daily.
2    (2) There shall be 2 classes of assessments, as follows:
3        (a) Class A assessments shall be made for the purpose
4    of meeting administrative costs and other general expenses
5    and examinations conducted under the authority of the
6    Director under subsection (5) of Section 531.12.
7        (b) Class B assessments shall be made to the extent
8    necessary to carry out the powers and duties of the
9    Association under Section 531.08 with regard to an impaired
10    or insolvent domestic insurer or insolvent foreign or alien
11    insurers.
12    (3)(a) The amount of any Class A assessment shall be
13determined at the discretion of the board of directors and such
14assessments shall be authorized and called on a non-pro rata
15basis. The amount of any Class B assessment shall be allocated
16for assessment purposes among the accounts and subaccounts
17pursuant to an allocation formula which may be based on the
18premiums or reserves of the impaired or insolvent insurer or
19any other standard deemed by the board in its sole discretion
20as being fair and reasonable under the circumstances.
21    (b) Class B assessments against member insurers for each
22account and subaccount shall be in the proportion that the
23premiums received on business in this State by each assessed
24member insurer on policies or contracts covered by each account
25or subaccount for the three most recent calendar years for
26which information is available preceding the year in which the

 

 

HB0709- 43 -LRB100 06021 SMS 16051 b

1insurer became impaired or insolvent, as the case may be, bears
2to such premiums received on business in this State for such
3calendar years by all assessed member insurers.
4    (c) Assessments for funds to meet the requirements of the
5Association with respect to an impaired or insolvent insurer
6shall not be made until necessary to implement the purposes of
7this Article. Classification of assessments under subsection
8(2) and computations of assessments under this subsection shall
9be made with a reasonable degree of accuracy, recognizing that
10exact determinations may not always be possible.
11    (4) The Association may abate or defer, in whole or in
12part, the assessment of a member insurer if, in the opinion of
13the board, payment of the assessment would endanger the ability
14of the member insurer to fulfill its contractual obligations.
15In the event an assessment against a member insurer is abated
16or deferred in whole or in part the amount by which the
17assessment is abated or deferred may be assessed against the
18other member insurers in a manner consistent with the basis for
19assessments set forth in this Section. Once the conditions that
20caused a deferral have been removed or rectified, the member
21insurer shall pay all assessments that were deferred pursuant
22to a repayment plan approved by the Association.
23    (5) (a) (i) Subject to the provisions of subparagraph (ii)
24of this paragraph, the total of all assessments authorized by
25the Association with respect to a member insurer for each
26subaccount of the life insurance and annuity account and for

 

 

HB0709- 44 -LRB100 06021 SMS 16051 b

1the health account shall not in one calendar year exceed 2% of
2that member insurer's average annual premiums received in this
3State on the policies and contracts covered by the subaccount
4or account during the 3 calendar years preceding the year in
5which the insurer became an impaired or insolvent insurer.
6    (ii) If 2 or more assessments are authorized in one
7calendar year with respect to insurers that become impaired or
8insolvent in different calendar years, the average annual
9premiums for purposes of the aggregate assessment percentage
10limitation referenced in subparagraph (a) of this paragraph
11shall be equal and limited to the higher of the 3-year average
12annual premiums for the applicable subaccount or account as
13calculated pursuant to this Section.
14    (iii) If the maximum assessment, together with the other
15assets of the Association in an account, does not provide in
16one year in either account an amount sufficient to carry out
17the responsibilities of the Association, the necessary
18additional funds shall be assessed as soon thereafter as
19permitted by this Article.
20    (b) The board may provide in the plan of operation a method
21of allocating funds among claims, whether relating to one or
22more impaired or insolvent insurers, when the maximum
23assessment will be insufficient to cover anticipated claims.
24    (c) If the maximum assessment for a subaccount of the life
25insurance and annuity account in one year does not provide an
26amount sufficient to carry out the responsibilities of the

 

 

HB0709- 45 -LRB100 06021 SMS 16051 b

1Association, then pursuant to paragraph (b) of subsection (3),
2the board shall assess the other subaccounts of the life and
3annuity account for the necessary additional amount, subject to
4the maximum stated in paragraph (a) of this subsection.
5    (6) The board may, by an equitable method as established in
6the plan of operation, refund to member insurers, in proportion
7to the contribution of each insurer to that account, the amount
8by which the assets of the account exceed the amount the board
9finds is necessary to carry out during the coming year the
10obligations of the Association with regard to that account,
11including assets accruing from net realized gains and income
12from investments. A reasonable amount may be retained in any
13account to provide funds for the continuing expenses of the
14Association and for future losses.
15    (7) An assessment is deemed to occur on the date upon which
16the board votes such assessment. The board may defer calling
17the payment of the assessment or may call for payment in one or
18more installments.
19    (8) It is proper for any member insurer, in determining its
20premium rates and policyowner dividends as to any kind of
21insurance within the scope of this Article, to consider the
22amount reasonably necessary to meet its assessment obligations
23under this Article.
24    (9) The Association must issue to each insurer paying a
25Class B assessment under this Article a certificate of
26contribution, in a form acceptable to the Director, for the

 

 

HB0709- 46 -LRB100 06021 SMS 16051 b

1amount of the assessment so paid. All outstanding certificates
2are of equal dignity and priority without reference to amounts
3or dates of issue. A certificate of contribution may be shown
4by the insurer in its financial statement as an asset in such
5form and for such amount, if any, and period of time as the
6Director may approve, provided the insurer shall in any event
7at its option have the right to show a certificate of
8contribution as an admitted asset at percentages of the
9original face amount for calendar years as follows:
10    100% for the calendar year after the year of issuance;
11    80% for the second calendar year after the year of
12issuance;
13    60% for the third calendar year after the year of issuance;
14    40% for the fourth calendar year after the year of
15issuance;
16    20% for the fifth calendar year after the year of issuance.
17    (10) The Association may request information of member
18insurers in order to aid in the exercise of its power under
19this Section and member insurers shall promptly comply with a
20request.
21(Source: P.A. 95-86, eff. 9-25-07 (changed from 1-1-08 by P.A.
2295-632); 96-1450, eff. 8-20-10.)
 
23    (215 ILCS 5/531.10)  (from Ch. 73, par. 1065.80-10)
24    Sec. 531.10. Plan of Operation.)
25    (1)(a) The Association must submit to the Director a plan

 

 

HB0709- 47 -LRB100 06021 SMS 16051 b

1of operation and any amendments thereto necessary or suitable
2to assure the fair, reasonable, and equitable administration of
3the Association. The plan of operation and any amendments
4thereto become effective upon approval in writing by the
5Director.
6    (b) If the Association fails to submit a suitable plan of
7operation within 180 days following the effective date of this
8Article or if at any time thereafter the Association fails to
9submit suitable amendments to the plan, the Director may, after
10notice and hearing, adopt and promulgate such reasonable rules
11as are necessary or advisable to effectuate the provisions of
12this Article. Such rules are in force until modified by the
13Director or superseded by a plan submitted by the Association
14and approved by the Director.
15    (2) All member insurers must comply with the plan of
16operation.
17    (3) The plan of operation must, in addition to requirements
18enumerated elsewhere in this Article:
19        (a) Establish procedures for handling the assets of the
20    Association;
21        (b) Establish the amount and method of reimbursing
22    members of the board of directors under Section 531.07;
23        (c) Establish regular places and times for meetings of
24    the board of directors;
25        (d) Establish procedures for records to be kept of all
26    financial transactions of the Association, its agents, and

 

 

HB0709- 48 -LRB100 06021 SMS 16051 b

1    the board of directors;
2        (e) Establish the procedures whereby selections for
3    the board of directors will be made and submitted to the
4    Director;
5        (f) Establish any additional procedures for
6    assessments under Section 531.09; and
7        (g) Contain additional provisions necessary or proper
8    for the execution of the powers and duties of the
9    Association.
10    (4) The plan of operation shall establish a procedure for
11protest by any member insurer of assessments made by the
12Association pursuant to Section 531.09. Such procedures shall
13require that:
14        (a) a member insurer that wishes to protest all or part
15    of an assessment shall pay when due the full amount of the
16    assessment as set forth in the notice provided by the
17    Association. The payment shall be available to meet
18    Association obligations during the pendency of the protest
19    or any subsequent appeal. Payment shall be accompanied by a
20    statement in writing that the payment is made under protest
21    and setting forth a brief statement of the grounds for the
22    protest;
23        (b) within 30 days following the payment of an
24    assessment under protest by any protesting member insurer,
25    the Association must notify the member insurer in writing
26    of its determination with respect to the protest unless the

 

 

HB0709- 49 -LRB100 06021 SMS 16051 b

1    Association notifies the member that additional time is
2    required to resolve the issues raised by the protest;
3        (c) in the event the Association determines that the
4    protesting member insurer is entitled to a refund, such
5    refund shall be made within 30 days following the date upon
6    which the Association makes its determination;
7        (d) the decision of the Association with respect to a
8    protest may be appealed to the Director pursuant to Section
9    531.11(3);
10        (e) in the alternative to rendering a decision with
11    respect to any protest based on a question regarding the
12    assessment base, the Association may refer such protests to
13    the Director for final decision, with or without a
14    recommendation from the Association; and
15        (f) interest on any refund due a protesting member
16    insurer shall be paid at the rate actually earned by the
17    Association.
18    (5) The plan of operation may provide that any or all
19powers and duties of the Association, except those under
20paragraph (c) of subsection (11) (10) of Section 531.08 and
21Section 531.09 are delegated to a corporation, association or
22other organization which performs or will perform functions
23similar to those of this Association, or its equivalent, in 2
24or more states. Such a corporation, association or organization
25shall be reimbursed for any payments made on behalf of the
26Association and shall be paid for its performance of any

 

 

HB0709- 50 -LRB100 06021 SMS 16051 b

1function of the Association. A delegation under this subsection
2shall take effect only with the approval of both the Board of
3Directors and the Director, and may be made only to a
4corporation, association or organization which extends
5protection not substantially less favorable and effective than
6that provided by this Act.
7(Source: P.A. 96-1450, eff. 8-20-10.)
 
8    (215 ILCS 5/531.14)  (from Ch. 73, par. 1065.80-14)
9    Sec. 531.14. Miscellaneous Provisions.
10    (1) Nothing in this Article may be construed to reduce the
11liability for unpaid assessments of the insured of an impaired
12or insolvent insurer operating under a plan with assessment
13liability.
14    (2) Records must be kept of all negotiations and meetings
15in which the Association or its representatives are involved to
16discuss the activities of the Association in carrying out its
17powers and duties under Section 531.08. Records of such
18negotiations or meetings may be made public only upon the
19termination of a liquidation, rehabilitation, or conservation
20proceeding involving the impaired or insolvent insurer, upon
21the termination of the impairment or insolvency of the insurer,
22or upon the order of a court of competent jurisdiction. Nothing
23in this paragraph (2) limits the duty of the Association to
24render a report of its activities under Section 531.15.
25    (3) For the purpose of carrying out its obligations under

 

 

HB0709- 51 -LRB100 06021 SMS 16051 b

1this Article, the Association is deemed to be a creditor of the
2impaired or insolvent insurer to the extent of assets
3attributable to covered policies reduced by any amounts to
4which the Association is entitled as subrogee (under subsection
5(10) paragraph (8) of Section 531.08). All assets of the
6impaired or insolvent insurer attributable to covered policies
7must be used to continue all covered policies and pay all
8contractual obligations of the impaired insurer as required by
9this Article. "Assets attributable to covered policies", as
10used in this paragraph (3), is that proportion of the assets
11which the reserves that should have been established for such
12policies bear to the reserve that should have been established
13for all policies of insurance written by the impaired or
14insolvent insurer.
15    (4) (a) Prior to the termination of any liquidation,
16rehabilitation, or conservation proceeding, the court may take
17into consideration the contributions of the respective
18parties, including the Association, the shareholders and
19policyowners of the impaired or insolvent insurer, and any
20other party with a bona fide interest, in making an equitable
21distribution of the ownership rights of such impaired or
22insolvent insurer. In such a determination, consideration must
23be given to the welfare of the policyholders of the continuing
24or successor insurer.
25    (b) No distribution to stockholders, if any, of an impaired
26or insolvent insurer may be made until and unless the total

 

 

HB0709- 52 -LRB100 06021 SMS 16051 b

1amount of valid claims of the Association for funds expended
2with interest in carrying out its powers and duties under
3Section 531.08, with respect to such insurer have been fully
4recovered by the Association.
5    (5) (a) If an order for liquidation or rehabilitation of an
6insurer domiciled in this State has been entered, the receiver
7appointed under such order has a right to recover on behalf of
8the insurer, from any affiliate that controlled it, the amount
9of distributions, other than stock dividends paid by the
10insurer on its capital stock, made at any time during the 5
11years preceding the petition for liquidation or rehabilitation
12subject to the limitations of paragraphs (b) to (d).
13    (b) No such dividend is recoverable if the insurer shows
14that when paid the distribution was lawful and reasonable, and
15that the insurer did not know and could not reasonably have
16known that the distribution might adversely affect the ability
17of the insurer to fulfill its contractual obligations.
18    (c) Any person who as an affiliate that controlled the
19insurer at the time the distributions were paid is liable up to
20the amount of distributions he received. Any person who was an
21affiliate that controlled the insurer at the time the
22distributions were declared, is liable up to the amount of
23distributions he would have received if they had been paid
24immediately. If 2 persons are liable with respect to the same
25distributions, they are jointly and severally liable.
26    (d) The maximum amount recoverable under subsection (5) of

 

 

HB0709- 53 -LRB100 06021 SMS 16051 b

1this Section is the amount needed in excess of all other
2available assets of the insolvent insurer to pay the
3contractual obligations of the insolvent insurer.
4    (e) If any person liable under paragraph (c) of subsection
5(5) of this Section is insolvent, all its affiliates that
6controlled it at the time the dividend was paid are jointly and
7severally liable for any resulting deficiency in the amount
8recovered from the insolvent affiliate.
9    (6) As a creditor of the impaired or insolvent insurer as
10established in subsection (3) of this Section and consistent
11with subsection (2) of Section 205 of this Code, the
12Association and other similar associations shall be entitled to
13receive a disbursement of assets out of the marshaled assets,
14from time to time as the assets become available to reimburse
15it, as a credit against contractual obligations under this
16Article. If the liquidator has not, within 120 days after a
17final determination of insolvency of an insurer by the
18receivership court, made an application to the court for the
19approval of a proposal to disburse assets out of marshaled
20assets to guaranty associations having obligations because of
21the insolvency, then the Association shall be entitled to make
22application to the receivership court for approval of its own
23proposal to disburse these assets.
24(Source: P.A. 96-1450, eff. 8-20-10.)
 
25    Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon
26becoming law.