No company issuing policies of automobile insurance, as defined in Section 143.13 of this Code, in this State, and no officer, director, agent, clerk, employee or broker of such company shall cancel or refuse to issue or renew a policy of automobile insurance to any applicant for such insurance solely on the grounds that an agent or broker for such company is not located in geographical proximity to the residence of the applicant.
215 ILCS 5/143.26