November, December, January, February, and March are in the rear view mirror. While an April blizzard is not unheard of, at least the snow melts pretty quickly. I find that as I get older I become less and less tolerant of winter weather. When I was a little younger and had a snowmobile, I used to look forward to the snow and cold weather. I guess I understand better now why people move to Arizona or Florida when they retire.

The good news is that spring is officially here. The time from now until late October is a great time to live in Northern Illinois. Spring, summer, and early fall provide us with wonderful weather and beautiful scenery while the area we live in provides us with a lot of recreational options.

This is also generally the busiest time of year in our industry. As the days get longer, so do our work hours. We all find ourselves trying to "make hay while the sun shines". I'm a big fan of long hours and hard work but I also believe in trying to have a little fun along the way.

Be sure to take some time this spring and summer to have some fun. Remember that there aren't many tombstones lettered, "I wish I'd spent more time in the office". Go ahead and sign up for that golf outing, accept the invitation to join a friend at a ball game, see what it's like to go on a coho charter boat. If you really feel guilty about it, take a customer with you.

You work in a difficult and demanding business. Even if you refuse to stop and smell the roses, you should at least slow down and look at them. You deserve it.

This year LCCA presented two of the ten AGC Supervisor Training Program (STP) units. Wayne Pratt, Oasis Business Group, once again was the lead instructor for both courses. He was assisted by John Reed, Jos. J. Henderson & Son, for the Leadership and Motivation course that was held in January. Rick Grabowski, Pickus Construction & Equipment, assisted Wayne for the Planning and Scheduling course offered in February. The classes met in the newly open Technology Building at the College of Lake County.
Congratulations to all the dedicated students who completed the 25 hour courses. They were recognized at the March Membership Meeting and include:

Leadership & Motivation - Unit 1
Shawn Beaupre - Tyler Lane Construction
Jerry Chan - Tyler Lane Construction
Kevin Garrison - DK Contractors, Inc.
Sandro Perez - Becker Electrical Group
Ron Rosenbergh - Tyler Lane Construction
Todd Rosenbergh - Tyler Lane Construction
Todd Stock - Stuckey Construction Company
Bill Vacala - Tyler Lane Construction

Planning & Scheduling - Unit 5
Bob Bailey - Tyler Lane Construction
Shawn Beaupre - Tyler Lane Construction
James Black - DK Contractors, Inc.
Chris Calkins - R J Underground
Jerry Chan - Tyler Lane Construction
Kevin Garrison - DK Contractors, Inc.
Eric Juopperi - Rasch Construction & Engineering, Inc.
Mike McCormick - R J Underground
Ron Rosenbergh - Tyler Lane Construction
Jeff Stauber - Rasch Construction & Engineering, Inc.
Todd Stock - Stuckey Construction Company
Bill Vacala - Tyler Lane Construction

The LCCA PAC Auction Committee, Chaired by Steve Dalbec, Jos. J. Henderson & Son, is still looking for auction items for the PAC Auction scheduled for the April Membership Meeting.

How can you help? Donate auction items and come and bid! If we are going to have an auction, we need auction items. Auction items donated to LCCPAC, like other political contributions, are not tax deductible. Please check with your tax consultant for your specific situation. Donated items must have a value in excess of $150. We would like to have donations ASAP to ensure that you get into the Auction Book and get the greatest exposure for your generosity. Cash contributions should be made to LCCPAC.

The Mini Workshop will be under going changes during the next few months. Since 1999, the Mini Workshop has traveled to Mexico for a 5-day, 4-night trip. After six years, it needs a new focus to attract more LCCA members. A new committee, under the leadership of Mike Ryan, Meyer Material, has been created to oversee the transformation. Serving on the committee will be:

Mike Ryan, Chairman
Julie Berger, Berger Excavating
Josh Boller, Boller Construction
Jamie Jackson, Circle Concrete
Joe Henderson, Jos. J. Henderson & Son
Scott Nelson, H.H. Holmes Testing
Jonathan Pease, Pease Construction

The Lake County High School Tech Building Trades Program and other area high schools are looking for summer jobs for high school juniors and seniors in construction to provide a practical application for what they are learning in school. Waukegan High School is looking for summer employment for 5 junior and senior students who have been learning drafting and construction computer applications.  If we are going to attract good students into the industry, we need to support them when they are making a choice of careers.  If you can help, call Gary at the LCCA Office.

The summer outing again this year will be to Miller Park in Milwaukee to see the Cubs play the Brewers. Micky Day, DK Contractors, will be heading up the event and helped secure tickets and reservations. The outing is scheduled for Thursday, June 23, and will include bus transportation from Lake County, food or drink certificates which can be used at the stadium's exclusive club level and infield box seat tickets along the first base line. All this for just $75 per ticket.

Unfortunately, we only have 180 tickets. So if you think you will be interested, act quickly. Tickets will be distributed first come, first served. Employees, family and friends are welcomed.

Carpenters Extensions Due - Contractor members were mailed Extension Agreements for Carpenters last month. If you wish to be signatory to the Carpenters extension that runs from June 1, 2005 to May 30, 2008, just sign the appropriate forms and return to the LCCA Office. If you employ Carpenters and do not sign the extension, expect a visit by your BA to get your signature on their agreement.

Still Waiting On Teamsters Agreement - If you are wondering about the Teamsters Agreement negotiated last year, the agreed contract may be near. According to MARBA, a contract has been finalized - except for a few minor points that will be resolved soon, and then the contract can be approved by MARBA and the Teamsters. Not bad! It only took 9 months to agree on what was agreed too last May!

It is not too late. A few days remain before the election - plenty of time to get a few more YES votes. "Voters need to find out how a 1/2% increase can improve their daily lives. This is not a property tax. Our website provides common sense information for supporting the sales tax referendum," said JoAnn Eckmann, Chairman of Lake County Residents for Traffic Relief, at the LCCA March Membership Meeting.

Eckmann referred to the group's website, FixOurRoadsNow.com. Lake County Residents for Traffic Relief designed the website in order to help spread the word about the April 5th Lake County transportation referendum. Voters have the ability to increase the sales tax in Lake County by a 1/2% on Election Day.  The roughly $450 million, 10 year program would be in addition to current funding and used solely for transportation congestion projects, such as added lanes, intersection improvements and traffic signal synchronization.
We need you (and all your employees, friends, and family) to vote YES on April 5.

The Illinois State legislature is hard at work and bills are being moved along daily. According to Kim Robinson, Illinois Construction Industry Committee (ICIC), bills of interest to contractors include:
SB 155 - Mechanics Lien - This bill would expand the coverage of the Mechanics Lien Act to include rental equipment. Has not moved, likely dead.

HB 915 - Project Labor Agreement Act - OPPOSE - Authorizes a state agency or authority to include a Project Labor Agreement on projects where the agreement "advances the State's interest of cost, efficiency, quality, safety, timeliness, skilled labor force, and labor stability." ICIC is seeking an amendment to include management in the negotiation of the PLA. On Second Reading in the House.

HB 704 - Construction Contract Indemnification Act - OPPOSE - This bill prohibits the purchase of insurance to indemnify or hold harmless another person for that person's own negligence. Experts say the bill is poorly drafted and will not help Held in Rules, probably dead.

SB 170 - Collectively Bargained Workers Comp. - SUPPORT -This bill would permit labor and management to negotiate binding procedures relating to workers compensation. Since discussions are going on between management and labor on Workers Compensation, this will probably not be considered outside of those negotiations.

HB 188 - Prevailing Wage Act - This bill would amend the Prevailing Wage Act to require contractors and subcontractors to submit weekly Certified Payrolls to the Public Body in charge of the project, have records available for inspection and make workers on the project available for interviews by the Public Body or Department of Labor. Approved by House, In the Senate Rules Committee.

HB 689 - Apprentice Requirements - OPPOSE - With regard to the new requirement that a construction contractor must participate in an apprenticeship program, this bill exempts bidders from the requirement if no approved apprenticeship program exists. Labor feels this will open markets to non-union contractors.  Being held on Second Reading in the House pending an agreed-upon amendment.

HB 1457 - Reverse Auction Bidding - Establishes reverse auction process for state procurement.  At ICIC's request, bill was amended to exclude construction.

HB 2396 - Prompt Pay - SUPPORT - Requires all small businesses that are vendors on state projects to be paid within 10 days.  Second Reading in House.

HB 2436 - Prompt Pay - SUPPORT - Proposed by IMSCA; creates the Fair Pay for Construction Act.  CDB is adamantly opposed.  ICIC is working with IMSCA and CDB to resolve their concerns.  Held in Rules Committee. Probably dead.

SB 518 - Construction Management - SUPPORT - ICIC's Construction Management Bill.  On 2nd Reading in the Senate.

SB 766 - Design-Build - SUPPORT - ICIC's Design/Build Bill.  On 2nd Reading in the Senate.

SB 2084 - Contractor Defaults - Proposed by Capital Development Board; provides that in the case where a contractor defaults, surety and CDB must jointly select new contractor within 15 days.  On 2nd Reading in the House.

ICIC reports that Governor Rod Blagojevich recently convened a team of business, labor and administration representatives in an effort to get all parties to agree to a workers compensation reform package that could potentially be approved by the General Assembly this spring.

Business is represented by the Joint Employers Group which traditionally has consisted of the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, the State Chamber, the Illinois Manufacturers Association, the Illinois Retail Merchants Association, the National Federation of Independent Business and the Construction Industry.  Greg Baise of the Illinois Manufacturers Association is the primary spokesperson for the Joint Employers Group.  He will be assisted in all negotiations by two technical representatives, one each from the State Chamber and the construction industry.

The construction industry has assembled its own coalition to work on this issue and insure that it speaks with a united voice before the Joint Employers Group.  ICIC, the BAGC, the IRTBA, the Mechanical and Specialty Contractors Association, the AHEAD coalition and AGC of Illinois have been working together to make sure that the unique interests of the construction industry are addressed in the negotiation process.

Dave Buckman of Core Construction and Guy Maras of Hennessey & Roach, PC have agreed to serve as the construction industry's technical representatives in the negotiations.  Both of them have already contributed a great deal of time to this effort and are committed to working with us throughoutthe process.  Their advice and insight has been invaluable as we have worked to organize our priorities.
The construction industry coalition has identified the following issues and priorities for a workers compensation reform package:

• The calculation of the average weekly wage must take into  account the non-continuous nature of construction employment.
• The current statute excludes overtime and bonus in the calculation of the average weekly wage, but current case law allows for inclusion of overtime when the work is regular and mandatory.  We would not support any expansion.
• Temporary Total Disability and Permanent Partial Disability rates should be capped at current levels.
• Consideration for a "Collectively Bargained" workers' compensation system should be given to streamline and reduce the cost of the adjudication process.
• Legislation should be enacted that would credit an employer for an award previously provided.  Combined awards should not exceed 100 percent of man-as-a-whole award.
• In the absence of conclusive proof to the contrary, injuries proximately caused by the use of alcohol or drugs should be presumed not to arise out of the course of employment.
• Wage loss differential claims should be limited to the length of an average career, not made on a lifetime basis.

Many Lake County taxing districts have referendums on the ballot. Most of the school referendums are for the operating budget. Two are for buildings and might provide future work for contractors. They include:
Wauconda School District #118 - $60,000,000 - Tax rate increase to build a Middle School and add on to the High School.
Gavin School District #37 - $2,000,000 - Bonding authority for Gavin Central School Building

The Construction Quality Management Course for Contractors was developed by the Corps of Engineers to help familiarize contractor personnel with the Corps quality management concepts and procedures. The instructor for the course will be Jim Baldwin, Transystems Corp.  Please note that this CQM course is necessary when working on any Navy project. The certificate presented upon successful completion of this course is good for five years on all Navy and COE projects. CQ Managers must have a current certificate. Students will be required to pass a written test at the end of the seminar to receive the certification.

WHEN:  Wednesday, May 25, 2005
WHERE:  Crown Plaza Chicago North Shore, 510 E. Rt. 83, Mundelein, IL  60060, (847) 949-5100
TIME:  7:30 a.m. - Registration (Continental Breakfast)
            8:00 a.m. - Seminar begins
            5:00 p.m. - Conclusion
COST: $250 per person - Price Includes a Continental Breakfast, Lunch, Breaks & Manual

We can only accommodate 25 students in the course so make your plans early. To register go to: www.lcca-il.org/events

The College of Lake County Architecture, Civil Technology and Construction Management Technology are planning a job fair at CLC on Tuesday, May 3 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. The purpose is to make connections between employers and students (both at CLC and in area high schools) who are looking for information about the careers, current job opportunities and educational requirements for jobs in the construction industry.

CLC is looking for contractors and others to participate in this fair and we would encourage you to consider the offer. Current students in the CLC program are more likely to be "change of career" individuals or those upgrading their skills to make the transition to management. You might be surprised and find a potential future employee!

If you are interested, call Rob Twardock, Engineering and Construction Technology Department, CLC at (847) 543-2903 or email him at rtwardock@clcillinois.edu.

Career Expo Scheduled
LCCA and CISCO will host the 4th annual Career Expo for 8th graders from many Lake County schools on May 3rd and 4th at the Lake County Fairgrounds. Almost 500 students are expected to attend this year's expo, which includes the opportunity to "experience" many building trades.
In the past, students have operated jackhammers, assembled toolboxes, hung wallpaper, laid bricks, bent pipe, wired lights and much more.