NEW HOLOCAUST CLAIMS DEADLINE -- Dec. 31, 2003 September 2003

The deadline for Illinois Holocaust survivors and heirs to file insurance claims with the International Holocaust Commission on Holocaust Era Insurance Claims (ICHEIC) has been extended to December 31, 2003 for people who want to recover money from unpaid Holocaust-era insurance claims. The ICHEIC has extended the deadline to provide sufficient time to publish additional policyholder names and allow more individuals to file possible claims. Illinois citizens who believe they are entitled to benefits from a Holocaust-era insurance policy are urged to submit their claims.

An agreement between the ICHEIC and the German Foundation has allocated approximately € 280 million (Euro dollars) for insurance claims and humanitarion purposes. Provisions are also in place to provide benefits for those with claims against companies no longer in existence or companies that were nationalized under communism.

Beginning April 30, 2003 German life insurance companies will be required to release the names of Holocaust victims as public information on the website address shown below. It is estimated approximately 363,000 victims' names which had previously been sealed will be publicized. Families have until the September deadline to file claims.

Claim forms and assistance may be obtained by calling the international commission toll-free at (800) 957-3203 in the United States or from the ICHEIC website at http://www.icheic.org/.

Illinois Division of Insurance Contact Information:

Dale Emerson
(217) 785-5044
TDD:(217) 524-4872