I’ve just finished reading the January newsletter and already it’s time to start writing the February “From The President” article. It’s early in the New Year but things seem to be off to a good start. Economists and other financial types seem to be mostly optimistic about the future. The holidays are in the rear view mirror and we’re off and running with the business of the New Year.

The LCCA committee structure is largely in place and has hit the ground running. Several committees have already met. Government Affairs is hard at work making preparations for the March primaries. Membership has already recruited new member companies. Safety is preparing for the February general membership meeting featuring safety awards. Approximately 70 people are attending the two trips organized by the Winter Workshop committee. Program has set up the speakers for much of the year and is already working on the “big” events for the year including the summer outing, golf outing, and the next Holiday party. Finance has the budget in place along with tools to track our progress throughout the year. Education has a supervision class underway with more valuable training to follow. Professional Services continues to provide quality reading with the monthly “Professional Practice Report” found in the newsletter. The Labor Policy Committee continues to work on maintaining and improving our relationships with our Union partners.

You’ve heard this said before but it bears repeating - the Committees are the lifeblood of this organization. The work accomplished at the Committee level is what makes this Association the valuable resource it is for all of us. I offer my thanks to all the people currently serving on Committees and extend an open invitation to all of the Membership to volunteer for service on the Committee of your choice. It truly is your chance to make a difference.

I’d like to make an editorial comment regarding some of the facts offered in the story in the January newsletter concerning my personal history in the construction industry. One important item seems to have been missed. My first exposure to the industry came during my employment with Leo J. Fox, Inc., a trucking and excavating contractor located in Antioch. It was there that I had the opportunity to experience some of the more glamorous aspects of the industry such as flagging traffic, installing septic systems, and repairing large split-ring truck tires using technologies known previously only to the Flintstones. I still have a check stub from them in my dresser drawer at home that helps to remind me how far I’ve come and how fortunate I am today. I have maintained a close friendship with the family and I am so thankful for the window of opportunity they opened for me when they hired me as a 19-year old who knew absolutely nothing about this business.
Top

Kevin was very active on LCCA’s Education Committee and we appreciate his past contributions and wish him well in his future endeavors.
Top

The rate is based on an annual study of the fixed and variable costs of operating an auto. Fuel price is the primary reason for the increase.
Top

• 2004 - $ 9,800
• 2005 - $ 10,500
• 2006 - $ 11,000
• 2007 - $ 11,500
• 2008 - $12,000

A detailed overview is available on the Illinois Chamber’s website at IL CHAMBER.
Top

• The law applies to all public and private employers with 4 or more employees.
• The law prohibits employers from discharging or taking any adverse actions against employees who discuss their wages or salary with others.
• The law requires you to post a notice regarding the provisions of the law.

If you have an employee handbook, make sure it does not contain language that prohibits the dissemination and/or discussion of compensation information by employees. A copy of the post can be found on the IDOL website at IDOL. Click on the Equal Pay Act article to get to the poster. A copy is also available from the LCCA Office. It is in PDF format and can be emailed if you wish.
Top

Lyle Ehlers, Boller Construction, Steve Dalbec, Jos. J. Henderson & Son, and Gary Dowty, LCCA, are scheduled to attend. If you would like to join us, you are welcome to attend. This is a great opportunity to meet with your legislative representatives and share your views on current legislative problems with them. If you are interested in attending all day, or just for the reception in the evening, call Gary at the LCCA Office.
Top

Unfortunately, we only have 180 tickets. So if you think you will be interested, act quickly when reservation forms become available. Complete details, including ticket price, are still being put together. But what better way to spend the July 4th Holiday than watching the Cubs play the Brewers with your friends from LCCA. And we understand there will be beer and hot dogs available – probably in Red, White and Blue!
Top

• Painters & Tapers – District Council 14
• Terrazzo & Tile Layers – Local 67

The committee meets monthly to resolve disputes between the union and contractors throughout the Chicago metropolitan area. Issues addressed during the last year include grievances on subcontractor clauses and stewards.
Top

All contractors who are signatory to the agreement through LCCA have received a questionnaire from MARBA regarding the current contract. This is your opportunity to provide your input on what changes you would like to see in the agreement. If you have not completed and returned the questionnaire, please do so as soon as possible. If you have lost your copy, contact Gary at the LCCA Office and we will get you a replacement.

LCCA members who serve on the MARBA Craft Committee include: Mr. Wolff, Pat Kirschhoffer, Kirschhoffer Truck Service and Suzanne Zupec, Campanella & Sons. Just who will actually sit on the committee to negotiate with the Teamsters has not been determined yet.
Top

Wages ranged from a high of $35.70 for a Class 1 Operating Engineer under the Building Agreement to $26.15 for Teamsters. The average for all contracts was $31.45 per hour.

For the first time ever, the total package for a union exceeded $50 per hour. Ironworkers Local 1’s total package reached $51.525 per hour after June 1. Automobile Mechanics, on the other hand, have the smallest total package of $34.39 per hour.

During 2003, 6 contracts were renegotiated and first year increases averaged $2.16 per hour. Increases ranged from a high of $2.55 for Ironworkers Local 1, to $1.45 for Roofer’s Local 11. In contrast, the final year increases for the 4 unions that renegotiate this year averaged $1.67. A pretty good indication of the trend.
Top

The IMCSR will be identical in substance to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations. There will be no additional intrastate exceptions in the IMCSR to the hours-of service requirements.

The following points summarize the NEW hours-of-service requirements found in 49 CFR 395:

1. Commercial motor vehicle (CMV) driver may drive 11 hours after 10 hours off-duty.
2. CMV driver may not drive beyond the 14th hour after coming on-duty, following 10 hours off-duty.
3. CMV driver may not drive after 60/70 hours on duty in 7/8 consecutive days. A driver may restart a 7/8 consecutive day period after taking 34 or more consecutive hours off duty.
4. Drivers may extend the 14-hour on-duty period by two additional hours if the following points apply: (Total hours driving may not exceed 11 hours)

• Are released from duty at the normal work reporting location for the previous 5 duty tours
• Return to the normal work reporting location and are released from duty within 16 hours, and
• Have not used this exception in the previous 7 days, except following a 34-hour restart of a 7/8 day period.

Passenger-carrying carriers/drivers are not subject to the new hours-of-service requirements. These operations must continue to comply with the "old" hours-of-service limitations specified in 49 CFR 395.5.

The following points summarize the OLD hours-of-service requirements that will no longer be in effect for carriers of property as of January 4, 2004:

• CMV driver may drive 10 hours after 8 hours off-duty.
• CMV driver may not drive after 15 hours on-duty, following 8 hours off-duty.
• CMV driver may not drive after 60/70 hours on-duty in 7/8 consecutive days.

If you have any questions regarding the Illinois Motor Carrier Safety Regulations, please contact the Illinois Department of Transportation, Division of Traffic Safety, Commercial Vehicle Safety Section, at (217) 785-1181 or (217) 524-4875 (TTY).
Top

The State's Prompt Payment Act provides that in any instance where a State official or agency is late in payment (60 days overdue) of a vendor's bill or invoice for goods or services furnished to the State, the official or agency shall pay interest on the payment due.

Agencies have been denying contractors' requests for interest payments, however, for the time period in question. These denials are based upon an administrative decision that the Prompt Payment Act is not applicable under these circumstances. ICIC disagrees with this determination.

At the request of ICIC, State Representative Angelo "Skip" Saviano formally requested a review of this determination from Attorney General Lisa Madigan. ICIC will keep the membership informed of all advancements regarding this issue.
Top

• Shawn Beaupre, F&V Construction
• Robert Brock, Pickus Construction & Equipment Co.
• Jerry Chan, F&V Construction
• Dennis Crawford, Pickus Construction & Equipment Co.
• Tim Day, DK Contractors
• Jeff Fogerty, Alliance Contractors, Inc.
• Stan Gorsuch, Pickus Construction & Equipment Co.
• Jason Graham, DK Contractors
• Harley Hoselton, Pickus Construction & Equipment Co.
• Bob Johnson, Pickus Construction & Equipment Co.
• Greg Johnson, Pickus Construction & Equipment Co.
• Steve Johnson, W.B. Olson, Inc.
• Mike Jurkovic, W.B. Olson, Inc.
• Brian Lambert, Pickus Construction & Equipment Co.
• Dean Lassiter, Pickus Construction & Equipment Co.
• John Loucas, Pickus Construction & Equipment Co.
• Jeff Kazumura, Lake County Grading
• Lee Nega, W.B. Olson, Inc.
• Duff Rossmann, DK Contractors
• Ron Rosenbergh, F&V Construction
• Todd Rosenbergh, F&V Construction
• John Styx, Pickus Construction & Equipment Co.
• Mike Tostrud, Pickus Construction & Equipment Co.
• Mark Warnecke, Greg Greenhill Construction Co.
• Dustin Weber, DK Contractors

While stopping short of a specific proposal, he said, "...if we ultimately choose to invest $550 million each year on school construction…" before going on to say he believed the program could be more effectively managed. He referenced a "normal six percent fee" for project management of school construction that he believes can be cut to one percent, presumably with assistance from the Capital Development Board. Money saved would provide funding for additional classrooms and projects.

The Governor also called for a local matching grant program to help schools pay for maintenance and building upkeep.
Top

According to the Association of State and Interstate Water Pollution Control Administrators, while helpful – the funding is a “modest amount.”

Other highway funding interests are concerned because the amendment provides yet another dedicated fund that limits where the states can spend their transportation dollars. Many feel the money should go where the greatest need is, and not be spent on projects just because they are required to.

But no matter how the debate ends up, I guess we can assume that a billion dollars really isn’t much today – to the politicians or their watchdogs.
Top