Illinois Collectors Association

Mission Statement

The mission of the Illinois Collectors Association is to assist our member agencies in meeting the high standards and financial responsibility set forth by the State of Illinois and the American Collector Association  International.  Our primary purpose and goal is to provide our members with education on all levels, from the FDCPA and collection skills to management and sales.


To accomplish this mission the Association through the Officers and Board of Directors will provide extensive educational programs for its members, publish a quarterly newsletter and provide information to the media through our Public Relations Committee.  Currently ICA has 124 members from across the state of Illinois.

The Association will keep members aware of pending state legislation that affect the collection industry in the State of Illinois through our Legislative Committee. The Legislative Committee Chair will work closely with the Lobbyist to introduce bills that are favorable to our members and oppose any adverse legislation.

The Association will hear and attempt to resolve grievances filed against our members through our Grievance Committee. We offer a network of assistance throughout our membership to inform and assist each other in all aspects of the collection industry.

ICA History

The idea of organizing a State Unit in Illinois was born when a group of collectors were invited to attend the Michigan State Unit Meeting in Detroit, Michigan. The members were so impressed with what they saw, that they at once made arrangements to hold an organization meeting in Evanston, Illinois.

Collectors met in Evanston, Illinois on January 24, 1945, and with the able assistance of Carl King, Ray Dennis, Warren Clark, Vic Campbell and Jack Price our Association was founded.

Twenty-nine collectors were present at this organization meeting. The first Board of Directors was composed of O.D. Atchason, (O.D. Atchason & Associates, Springfield) Bert W. Hocking, (Rockford Mercantile Agency, Rockford) Edward J. Heldebrandt, (Creditors Discount & Audit Co., Peoria) Verne E. Schultz, (Credit Bureau of McHenry County, Woodstock) N.D. Nesler, (N.D. Nesler Adj. Bureau, Harrisburg) Lester Rothschild, (All States Credit Adjustment Co., Chicago) and B.B. Splithoff, (Splithoff Mercantile Service, Elgin).

The first set of by-laws and constitution was prepared by M. Edward J. Hildebrandt, Bert W. Hocking and Lester Rothschild.

First Officers elected were: Mr. Edward J. Hildebrandt, President; Mr. O.D. Atchason, Vice-President & Lester Rothschild, Secretary-Treasurer .

Edward J. Hildebrandt, O.D. Atchason & Lester Rothschild filed the first articles of incorporation. The State Unit was notified of its acceptance by the American Collectors Association Inc. on April 24, 1945.

Its purposes, To elevate and maintain a high and ethical standard of collection service; to promote the honorable and fair dealings of collection agencies with each other, their clients, and the general public; to foster and promote respect for, and confidence in collection agencies, to regulate practices, prescribe ethics and enforce proper conduct among its members.

The first constitution and by-laws were adopted at the Semi-Annual meeting held November 18, 1945.

.This page was last modified on Friday, July 23, 2010