IDC President's Award

Kenneth F. Werts

2026
President's Award Recipient

Kenneth F. Werts, formerly of Craig & Craig LLC in Mt. Vernon, IL received the Illinois Defense Counsel’s President’s Award presented by the 2025-2026 IDC President R. Mark Cosimini at the Annual Meeting.

In presenting the award, Cosimini said, “Ken Werts, more than anyone else, changed the trajectory of my professional life. Not only has he been a mentor, but he also introduced me to Illinois Defense Counsel. I can't thank Ken enough for his influence on my career and for his friendship. I never thought of giving the President’s Award to anyone other than Ken.”

Werts responded, “My involvement with the IDC and the honor of serving as President were the pinnacle of my professional career. A sentiment shared by President Cosimini in his award presentation to me with his kind words as to the hand I played with his involvement in the association. Thank you.”

Kenneth F. Werts, now retired, devoted his distinguished legal career to the defense of employers and insurers in workers' compensation, occupational disease, black lung, and personal injury matters. A graduate of the University of Illinois and the Southern Illinois University School of Law, Ken was a longtime attorney with Craig & Craig, LLC in Mount Vernon and a respected leader within the defense bar. His many contributions to the Illinois Defense Counsel included serving as 2010-2011 President, as well as leadership roles within the Employment Law and Workers' Compensation Committees, and years of dedicated volunteer service to the organization and the profession.

Follow this link to view all Previous President's Award Recipients.