Fall is here – like it or not. Contractors are busy finishing up on the major construction season projects and making plans and provisions for the winter. Fall is a busy time for LCCA, too. The regular association meeting schedule kicks up again and LCCA focuses on finishing its work for 2009. At the same time, the planning process for NEXT YEAR begins to take shape.

This month LCCA will host another OSHA 10-Hour course and an educational seminar on bonding. With our partners at Contractor U, LCCA is encouraging residential contractor participation in a seminar on accessing federal spending on neighborhood stabilization projects. The September Membership meeting will focus on Green Construction.

Staff is busy mailing and processing ballots and information for the Members of the Year and APEX Project of the Year Awards. Please take time to participate in those efforts and save the date and make plans to attend the November 13^th Annual Awards Banquet. Even in a lean year, there are successes and much to celebrate about LCCA members and their projects.

All LCCA committees are similarly engaged – finishing 2009 efforts and planning for the future. The Nominating Committee will be meeting soon to prepare for biennial elections. Labor committees are gearing up for 2010 negotiations on most trade agreements. New, exciting educational seminars are in the works. A revamp of both the LCCA Safety Manual and safety information on the association website are underway. LCCA’s Finance Committee faces a difficult 2010 budget process. Build53Yes is not going away. The state government has to find a way out of its huge budget deficit, yet still find a way to spend authorized capital infrastructure and federal stimulus dollars. And we will learn within the next 30 days whether the 2016 Olympic Games will come to Chicago and help kick start Lake County construction.

Planning for the January 2010 Mini-Workshop to the Grand Caymans (held jointly with ASA Chicago) is complete. And the Winter Workshop Committee has finalized its plans for a March 2010 trip to Turkey. Both events are packed with activities, yet are priced and budgeted in the most economical manner possible. Registration for both events is now underway.

Whew! That’s a lot of stuff. Please keep LCCA in mind as your firm engages in its fall work and planning. Find time to attend our meetings and get involved. It’ll be worth it in the end.

LCCA’s 2009 Golf Outing at Midlane Golf Resort in Wadsworth on Thursday, August 6, 2009 was a rousing success! 214 golfers enjoyed a perfect sunny day on the links. More than 20 other members and guests joined in to participate in the lunch buffet and program. A handful more joined in the evening hors d’oeuvre reception. Golf Outing Chair, Scott Nelson, H.H. Holmes Testing, explained, “Our turnout nearly exceeded capacity. We had to add a morning shotgun of 72 golfers after our afternoon double shotgun of 144 sold out around July 4^th. The split program allowed both morning and afternoon golfers to share lunch and participate in our program and door prize drawings. I’m thrilled at the level of participation. It was a great event!”

Following the afternoon round, all golf prizes (low net, closest to the pin, etc.) and the PAC fundraising raffle winner were announced at the evening reception. More than $2,400 was raised for the LCCA PAC. Prize winners included:

Closest to the Pin #2 (sponsored by Northern Illinois Mack)
    Vince Carravetta, Car-Min Construction Co., Inc.
Closest to the Pin #17 (sponsored by US Cellular)
    TJ Hurckes, BHFX, Inc.
Longest Drive (sponsored by Best Sanitation Services)
    Jerry Glast
Putting Contest (sponsored by Q Inc.)
    Dave Schmoe, Curran Contracting Co.
    Pat McCormick, Berger Excavating
    Dave Glover
Lowest Score Foursome - 59 ($200)
    Bill Krumm, Oscar Rincon, Gabe Jacquez, Todd Baraniak
2nd Lowest Score Foursome - 61 ($160)
    Bob Pelli, Kevin Pelli, Kevin Carrier, John Kraucunas
3rd Lowest Score Foursome - 62 ($120)
    Rick, Nancy, Kristy & Bryan Grabowski
Needs Improvement Group - 91 ($80)
    Mike Lay & Lou Chappuie, Chicago Area LECET
LCCAPAC Raffle (52” HD Flat Screen TV)
    Skip McCann, Dam Snell & Taveirne

Thank you to the many volunteers who helped LCCA staff in hosting the event. A special thank you should also go to the many fine sponsors of the 2009 LCCA Golf Outing including:

Gold Beverage Cart Sponsor:
    Chicago Area LECET
    Hard Rock Concrete Cutters
    Stuckey Construction Co.

Silver Special Event Hole Sponsor:
    Best Sanitation Services
    Northern Illinois Mack
    U.S. Cellular

Bronze Hole/Evening Reception Sponsor:
    Aldridge Electric
    Allied North America
    Architectural & Ornamental Iron Workers Union
    Becker Electrical Group
    Blue Book, The
    Bornquist, Inc.
    Burris Equipment Co.
    Curran Contracting Company
    Lake County Building & Construction Trades
    NES Rentals, Inc.
    NorStates Bank
    Olson Service Co.
    Osco Oil
    Prairie Material Sales
    Riley Construction
    The VanderBloemen Group
    Vulcan Construction Materials Co.
    Waukegan Roofing

Thank you to all for making the 2009 LCCA Golf Outing such a fantastic, successful and enjoyable event.

LCCA members have already received their ballots to vote for the LCCA contractor, subcontractor, supplier and associate member of the year. If you have not already done so, please complete your ballot and return to LCCA prior to October 15, 2009. Please note: members cannot vote within their own classification, but are encouraged to submit a ballot for the other 3 classifications.

Now is also the time to start putting together the documentation for that special project you completed in the last 12 months. The LCCA APEX Awards Program will recognize a project in the Lake County area (Lake County or any county touching Lake County) built by LCCA members. Remember, ANY project completed in the last year in Lake County or a contiguous county is eligible -- be it a road, utility, excavation or building. NEW in 2009! Three Award Categories will be presented: Building; Road/Excavation; or, Utility. Entry forms will mail next week.

Eligibility - The Project of the Year Award will be presented to a Lake County area project completed within the last 12 months. Nominees may be submitted by any LCCA member associated with the project. Any type of construction project is eligible for the award – building, road, utility, etc. – large or small – new construction or rehab.

Judging Criteria - Entries will be judged on:

• Quality of construction
• Design/Engineering
• Impact on the community
• Spirit of cooperation among parties
• Safety record

Winners of the APEX Award and the Member of the Year will be announced at the 2009 Awards Extravaganza on Friday, November 13, 2009 at The Ivanhoe Club.

It’s September. Fall is here and the kids are back in school. Sadly, a season of winter snow and ice are not far away. Beat the winter blahs with LCCA’s Winter Conference. The 2010 event will again be held jointly with ASA of Chicago. Together, we will travel to the beautiful beaches and Caribbean waters of the Grand Cayman Islands. A registration form is enclosed.

Dates: January 13-17, 2010

Location: Westin Grand Casuarina
                Grand Cayman Islands 

Cost: LAND ONLY
            $1,475 per person (double occupancy)
            $1,995 per person (single)
            w/ $500 per person registration deposit

Air Travel/Upgrades: Air Travel, Hotel Upgrades & Travel Insurance will be made available through the LCCA/ASA travel agent.

Learn more about this Grand Cayman trip at the September 24^th LCCA Membership Meeting. Travel Agent Marcy Gelber will be on hand to discuss the trip and answer any questions. Register today or at the September 24^th meeting, but be sure to register soon because a $25 per person fee will be assessed after October 1, 2009.

The Winter Workshop Committee is proud to announce final details on the 2010 LCCA Winter Workshop in Turkey March 11-21, 2010. Committee Chairman Alan Pickus’ goal was to provide a well-rounded, activity-filled trip with costs below $4,000 per person. And working with Helen Varri of Lake Forest Travel Bureau, the committee hit its target with a projected trip price of just $3,740 per person (based on double occupancy).

Dates: March 11-21, 2010

Location: Turkey (including Istanbul, Kusadasi, Ephesus, Izmir, Pergamum, Antalya, Cappadoccia)

Cost: $3,740 per person (double occupancy)
        Single Supplement TBD
        w/ $500 per person registration deposit

Air Travel/Insurance: Air Travel & Travel Insurance will be made available through the LCCA travel agent.

All accommodations are in first class and deluxe hotels with group airfare through Turkish Air – which is affiliated with United Airlines. You can use miles for free tickets based on availability, but not for upgrades. Please note – air taxes, fuel surcharge and any other charges and taxes related to the airline ticket are not included and will be charged at the time of ticketing. These taxes & fees are currently running around $ 300. LCCA is not holding any seats at this time and prices are subject to change based on availability.

Trip Inclusions:
Round trip international and domestic air on Turkish Airlines
9 nights at hotels, based on double occupancy
9 breakfasts daily at hotel
5 lunches during full day sightseeing
All transfers & sightseeing in a/c deluxe midi van (with 27 seats)
All entrance fees to program museums and historical sites
Welcome dinner at fish restaurant on the Bosporus Sea
Farewell dinner & show in private room at Kervansaray Night Club
Whirling Dervishes Performance
Services of an English-speaking, officially licensed lecturer/guide
One piece of luggage, not exceeding 44 pounds
VAT
Gratuities to guide and driver

Not included:
Cost of Turkish Visa
Meals and beverages not included in the itinerary
Cancellation Protection Insurance – highly recommended
All items of personal nature

This Winter Workshop to Turkey promises to be a trip of a lifetime and also celebrates Alan Pickus’ final year as chairman of the committee. Learn more about this Turkey trip at the September 24^th LCCA Membership Meeting. Travel Agent Helen Varri will be on hand to discuss the trip and answer any questions. A registration form is enclosed. Register today or at the September 24^th meeting, but be sure to register soon because there is a preliminary deadline of October 1, 2009!

Contractor U, the joint labor management task force working to preserve union residential construction, is hosting a seminar at 9:30 am on September 18, 2009 entitled “Being Part of the Housing Crisis Solution.” This concise 90-minute free seminar is designed to educate contractors interested in bidding on Neighborhood Stabilization Plan projects.

Illinois was recently awarded over $172,000,000 by the US Department of Housing & Urban Development for rehabilitation and stabilization of neighborhoods. This rehabilitation program can provide new opportunities for union residential contractors in a down economy.

Your opinion counts and this meeting will serve as an open forum to learn how labor & management can be effective in placing bids for Neighborhood Stabilization Plan work. The seminar will be hosted/led by Stacey Hofert of Union Advantage at the IBEW Local 701 Building located at 28600 Bella Vista Parkway in Warrenville. Mark your calendars and plan to attend this Contractor U event at 9:30 am on Friday, September 18, 2009.

Construction Industry Service Corporation (CISCO) is hosting its annual “Last Swing” golf outing on Monday, September 15, 2009, at the Bloomingdale Golf Club. Registration begins at 7:00 am with a shotgun start at 8:00 am. Lunch will be served at 1:00 pm. The cost is just $75 per golfer. Limited spaces are still available. For more information, please call CISCO at (630)472-9411.

Teamsters Joint Council No. 25 (Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry & Will) – Negotiators for LCCA/MARBA & the Teamsters finally reached a three-year agreement. There were some language changes – the most significant being a provision that removed weather related Saturday make-up days. Saturday make-up days can now only occur if the employee calls off or voluntarily leaves work during the workweek. All other Saturday hours must now be paid time-and-a-half. Wage/fringe package increases are as follows:

$1.50 increase retroactive to June 1, 2009
(allocated to Health & Welfare Fund – NO WAGE INCREASE)
$2.00 increase on June 1, 2010
$2.25 increase on June 1, 2011

Last week Illinois Governor Pat Quinn Governor Quinn signed SB1357 into law amending the Illinois Underground Utility Facilities Damage Prevention Act or JULIE Law. The following is a brief description of the additions and changes which will take effect January 1, 2010:

• Removes all references to “CATS facilities.”
• Redefines “person” to clarify who can excavate on a locate request and removes “personal representative” and adds “employee or agent” to the definition of “person.”
• Defines “No show request,” “Incomplete request” and “Re-mark request” in the Act. Currently, the only definitions are included in the excavator handbook.
• Clarifies definition of “Underground utility facilities” and adds language to explain the types of entities that install facilities beneath of the surface of the ground.
• Clarifies definition of “Emergency locate request” to include action before the expiration of 48 hours.
• Clarifies required activities for every person who engages in non-emergency excavation or demolition.
• Modifies the Act to more clearly indicate the types of communication required by the owner or operator of an underground utility facility in response to an emergency locate request.
• Modifies language to include the necessary steps for excavators to take in the event of a damage to or dislocation of any underground utility facilities.
• Modifies language to allow a facility owner to respond in 48 hours or the requested date and time indicated on the notice, whichever is later.
• Clarifies penalty process and clearly distinguishes between the separate roles of the operator/owner and the person engaged in excavating.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has implemented a new, aggressive three-pronged immigration enforcement strategy. First, beginning on September 8, 2009, employers holding a federal construction contract with a period of performance longer than 120 days and a value over $100,000 will need to use DHS’ E-Verify system for all new hires and to verify the employment eligibility of all employees who work directly on federal contracts. Subcontractors holding contracts greater than $3,000 will also be required to comply with E-Verify.

Second, DHS has also proposed a new regulation to rescind the “so-called” no-match rule. However, shortly after DHS’s announcement to rescind the no-match rule, the Senate approved an amendment to the 2010 homeland security appropriations bill (H.R. 2892) that would effectively block DHS from rescinding the rule.

Third, the U.S. immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency (ICE) implemented an aggressive emphasis on the audit and investigation of employers suspected of knowingly employing illegal workers. Last week, ICE announced that 652 businesses around the country are to be audited for compliance with workplace immigration laws.

For the most part, LCCA contractors and the Union hiring halls should already be in compliance with these provisions. But here are some helpful compliance hints:

1. As a general rule, employers should not wait until they are contacted by ICE to verify that the I-9s for their employees are in proper order.

2. Employers should ensure that the I-9s for their employees have been properly executed by performing an internal audit.

3. If an employer has questions regarding how to execute an internal audit of their employment files or has a concern about the immigration status of a specific employee to comply with applicable laws, the employer should contact an attorney or other resource.

LCCA is providing another OSHA 10-Hour Course at its office on Tuesday, September 15, 2009. Fred Rodheim of Abbott will teach the course beginning at 7:00 am. The cost is just $25 per person for LCCA members. To register, please complete and return the enclosed registration form or contact Lisa in the LCCA office at (847)623-2345.