The Council Covers It

Recorded live at ILHIC’s 60th Annual Meeting, this special episode of The Council Covers It brings the conversation from the Capitol to the conference stage.

Kate Morthland sits down with Senator Dave Syverson and Representative Jeff Keicher to talk about Illinois government, insurance policy, and the issues lawmakers and the industry should be watching in the years ahead.

The conversation covers the balance between consumer protections and affordability, emerging healthcare trends, insurance issues deserving greater legislative attention, and what inspired both guests to enter public service.

Plus, the episode wraps up with a rapid-fire round covering session life, Springfield favorites, and their takes on the 2026 spring legislative session.

Follow ILHIC on LinkedIn, Facebook, and X at @IL_LHIC, and subscribe to The Council Covers It for future episodes.

Health insurance can sometimes feel like assembling IKEA furniture with no instructions and three leftover screws. In this episode of The Council Covers It, host Kate Morthland sits down with Morgan Winters, Director of Get Covered Illinois, to help consumers better understand what happens after enrolling in a Marketplace health plan.

Whether you recently selected coverage through the Illinois Marketplace, switched plans during open enrollment, or are simply trying to decode terms like deductible, copay, and out-of-pocket maximum without your brain buffering, this episode walks through the practical basics of using your new health insurance with confidence.

Morgan shares helpful guidance on:

•  The first steps consumers should take once coverage begins 
•  Understanding common insurance terminology 
•  How to check what services your plan covers 
•  Making sure doctors, specialists, and pharmacies are in-network 
•  What to do if you receive an unexpected medical bill 
•  Where consumers can turn for help when they have questions about their coverage 

This episode is packed with practical tips designed to help Illinois consumers avoid common mistakes, save money, and make the most of their health insurance coverage.

Resources & Links

• Get Covered Illinois
• Get Covered Illinois Phone Number: 1-866-311-1119
  
  
• Illinois Life & Health Insurance Council (ILHIC)
  
  

Subscribe & Listen

Be sure to subscribe to The Council Covers It so you never miss an episode covering the latest conversations in life and health insurance across Illinois.

🎧 New episodes drop regularly with industry experts, policy discussions, and consumer-focused conversations that make insurance easier to understand.

We’ll catch you next time on another episode of The Council Covers It!

In this episode of The Council Covers It, we’re celebrating Life Insurance Awareness Month with a conversation designed to make life insurance simple, clear, and approachable. Host Kate Morthland sits down with Corbin McGhee from the Illinois Department of Insurance to break down what life insurance is, how to figure out how much coverage you need, and how to navigate your options as a consumer.

Whether you’re shopping for a policy for the first time or just want to better understand how life insurance works, this episode is packed with practical tips, myth-busting, and insights from the state regulator working to protect Illinois consumers.

Important Links:

Home - IDOI

Contact Us

In this episode of The Council Covers It, we’re honored to welcome Senator Julie Morrison, Chairwoman of the Illinois Senate Insurance Committee and a powerhouse voice in public policy. From championing issues to navigating the complexities of insurance legislation, Senator Morrison brings clarity, compassion, and commitment to her role.

Host Kate Morthland sits down with the Senator to explore:
✅ Her legislative priorities this session
✅ What it’s like to lead the Senate Insurance Committee
✅ How she balances consumer protections with insurance innovation
✅ The importance of bipartisanship and collaboration in policymaking
✅ Her favorite ways to decompress after a long day in the Capitol

Whether you're a policymaker, insurance professional, or simply curious about how real change happens in Springfield, this episode is full of insight, perspective, and a few personal gems (comfort food, anyone?).

Connect with Senator Morrison:
E-Mail the Senator

Senate Bill 2323 (SB 2323) is discussed in this episode. Be sure to check it out for more context on the policy topics covered.

Join host Kate Morthland for a powerful conversation with Joseph Matty, President of The HAP Foundation, as they spotlight Missing Pieces—a program providing grief support, education, and resources to families coping with the loss of a child.

We’ll explore how the HAP Foundation and Missing Pieces is helping communities and what’s ahead for the program across Illinois.

🔗 Connect with us:

• Visit www.ilhic.com for more info
• Visit the HAP Foundation for more info

Illinois is making a major shift in its health insurance marketplace by transitioning to a State-Based Exchange (SBE)—but what does that mean for you? In this episode of The Council Covers It, host Kate Morthland sits down with Director Morgan Winters, the expert leading this transition, to break down everything you need to know.

Morgan brings a wealth of experience in healthcare policy and exchange operations, having played a key role in Minnesota’s health insurance marketplace, MNsure. Together, we’ll explore the goals, timeline, and impact of this shift—and what it means for Illinois residents.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

✅ What a State-Based Exchange is and why Illinois is making the switch
✅ Key milestones in the transition and what to expect moving forward
✅ Insights from Illinois’ first Open Enrollment as a state-based exchange on the federal platform
✅ Lessons learned from other state-based exchanges and what’s crucial for success

Keep in Touch:

📲 Follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter (@IL_LHIC) for the latest updates on health and life insurance.
🎙️ Subscribe to The Council Covers It on your favorite podcast platform so you never miss an episode!
🌐 Visit www.ilhic.com for more resources and updates.

Learn More About GetCovered:

📌 Visit the Get Covered Illinois website for important information on health coverage.
📩 Sign up for State-Based Marketplace updates and meetings by clicking this link: HBEAC

In this episode, we explore the Katie School of Risk Management and Insurance's latest report on the economic impact of Illinois' insurance industry. Our expert guests break down some eye-opening insights:

💡 How does Illinois rank compared to other states in industry impact? 
💡 Did you know $1 in every $13 of U.S. health premiums is written by an Illinois-based insurer? 
💡 What contributes to the $10,190 annual healthcare expenditure in Illinois? 
💡 Self-insured vs. Fully Insured vs. Medicaid/Medicare – what’s the difference?

Join us as we unpack the latest data and discuss the future of insurance in Illinois. You won’t want to miss this!

Read the full report by clicking HERE. 

Join us as we explore Artificial Intelligence, its rapid growth, ethical and societal impacts, and future applications across various industries. Dr. Winter highlights the importance of familiarizing oneself with AI and staying updated on its swift advancements. Embracing AI is inevitable.  Resistance if futile. For more insights, contact Dr. Winter at [email protected] and watch his blog cast on AI at the University of Nebraska Omaha here.

 Live long and prosper.

🎙️ New Podcast Episode Alert! 🎙️ Join us in our latest episode as we tackle healthcare costs with Lou Sandoval, President and CEO of the Illinois Chamber. With expenses soaring, employers are navigating challenges in providing top-notch coverage while managing costs. Tune in as we delve deep into this critical issue with one of the industry's leading experts! 

Illinois Chamber of Commerce (ilchamber.org)

In this episode, join Cindy Goff from the American Council of Life Insurers (ACLI) as she provides listeners with a comprehensive overview of excepted benefits. Cindy and Kate delve into the intricacies of these products, exploring how they are offered and the advantages they offer to employees, employers, and unions alike.

Have questions? Email Cindy at [email protected]

Check our ACLI at www.acli.com