INVESTMENTS Debt and Short-term Investments (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($) item	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($) item	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)
Other invested assets
Other investments	$ 24,502		$ 24,502		$ 20,666
Total tax benefit on investments in housing tax credit partnership	400	$ 300	1,200	$ 800
Investment in FHLBC	1,600		1,600		1,600
Cash and Short-term Investments
Cash	13,970	$ 28,188	13,970	$ 28,188	11,081	$ 30,620
Short-term investments, at cost which approximates fair value	$ 8,392		$ 8,392		6,262
Investment In Low Income Housing Tax Credit Partnership Net Of Amortization
Other invested assets
Number of investments in low income housing tax credit partnerships | item	3		3
Other investments	$ 17,900		$ 17,900		14,000
Investment in Real Estate Fund
Other invested assets
Other investments	5,000		5,000		5,000
Other investments fair value	$ 5,100		$ 5,100		$ 5,000