Where’s The Transportation Money? Last week, Lake County Partners (LCP) and Lake County Transportation Alliance (LCTA) held an “Investors Forum” to bring us up to date on the “priority projects” agreed to at the September 2006 Transportation Summit. Suzanne Zupec, Campanella & Sons and chair of LCTA detailed the steps taken to get to the consensus agenda. But in a word – NOTHING has happened. In fact, not only has nothing happened, due to the escalation of engineering and construction costs, the funding needed to complete the projects is rising every year. The only way these projects are going to move forward is if a Capital Bill is passed in Springfield.

So what is the problem in Springfield? Several key players shared their opinion on why the legislature cannot seem to agree on a bill. Julie Hamos (D-Evanston) suggested the problem was actually four problems:

1. Program Size – Generally, the program being suggested is between $25 - $35 billion. But that must be split between road & bridge, transit, education, environmental and other projects.

2. Revenue – Where does the money come from? There are currently six proposals from gambling expansion to income tax increases that are being proposed to provide the money for the program.

3. Accountability – Now we get to the real problems! The House Democrats in particular and many House-Senate members just do not trust Gov. Blagojevich to not usurp the program for his political gain. When he stripped several legislative programs in the budget to fund his health care program without legislative approval, he proved his contempt for the process. He is also responsible for as much as $300,000,000 in new diversions from the road fund which now is over $690,000,000 a year!

4. Leadership, or lack of it – Even if the first three problems are solved, until someone in Springfield steps up and provides real leadership to bring the parties together to negotiate a solution, the stalemate will continue. President Truman had a sign on his desk saying “The Buck Stops Here.” That sign is shrouded in black and residing in the basement of the capital where no one can find it!

Problems one and two can be worked out rather quickly. No one will get everything they want and most will be unhappy but projects and revenue sources are there. The legislative gridlock may need a citizens’ revolt to get something done. It was jokingly suggested that IDOT save money and quit fixing potholes to get the publics attention. Ben Franklin said “When the well’s dry, we know the worth of water.” Maybe when the roads are impassable, the public will take notice – and fire everyone in Springfield. As Thomas Jefferson said, “I hold, that a little rebellion, now and then, is a good thing, and as necessary in the political world as storms in the physical.” Let the rebellion begin!!

HNI Risk Services, Inc.

16805 W. Cleveland Ave.
P.O. Box 510187
New Berlin, WI 53151-0187
Phone: (262) 782-3940
Fax: (262) 782-4198
www.hni.com 
        ASSOCIATE
Brian Hollamon, Risk Advisor - Producer
Full-service commercial insurance agency with a niche focus on construction and total cost of risk reduction.
        Sponsor: Dan Sjong, Maxim Construction Corp.

Krause Electrical Contractors

43451 N. Hwy. 41, Suite 800
Zion, IL 60099
Phone: (847) 395-8774
Fax: (847) 395-8776
www.krauseelectric.com 
        CONTRACTOR
Christine Hucker, Owner
Electrical Contractor
        Sponsor: Karen Vignocchi, Keno & Sons

NES Rentals

1796 Sherwin
Des Plaines, IL 60018
Phone: (847) 299-0220
Fax: (602) 251-0741
www.NESRentals.com 
        SUPPLIER
Ali Zaimi, Territory Manager
Aerial work platforms & material lifts - Rentals
        Sponsor: Karen Johnson, Roughneck Concrete Drilling & Sawing

LCCA Executive Vice President Gary Dowty has announced that he will retire at the end of the year. After 12 years with LCCA and over 30 years managing contractor associations, he will hang up the poison pen and join wife Sandy who retired several years ago. There are no plans to leave the area but winters in Florida are.

“The years I have spent at LCCA have been some of the most rewarding of my career. Watching the association grow into the computer era and survive the worst that labor and politics could throw at them, and still be a vibrant association is a credit to the members and leadership of LCCA.”

Vice President Rick Grabowski, Pickus Construction & Equipment, has been appointed by President Ehlers to head up the Search Committee.

According to Grabowski, “The future is bright for LCCA and the next EVP will have a strong base to build on while taking the association to the next level. Hopefully, the next EVP will have the same knowledge, dedication and patience that Gary has displayed over the years. We look forward to a seamless transition and look forward to the next era in LCCA’s long history.”

Last month, Gary Dowty, Heidi Diederich, both of LCCA, and Gary Ellis, Carpenters Apprenticeship Program, interviewed 6 graduating seniors in the Lake County Tech Campus Building Trades Program looking for students who would be a good fit for the construction industry. Students were graded on math scores, experience, extracurricular activities and physical ability. We identified four who will make good carpenters.

If you are looking for a motivated apprentice Laborer or Carpenter, contact Gary at the LCCA Office. Last year we placed several students and in most cases they are working out very well for their employers.

Lake County Municipal League Elects 2008-2009 Board of Directors – The Municipal League has elected new leaders for the 2008-2009 year. The new officers and directors are:

President - Mayor Rich Hill, Round Lake Beach
Vice President - President Roger Byrne, Vernon Hills
Secretary - President Elliott Hartstein, Buffalo Grove
Treasurer - Mayor Ted Mueller, Hainesville

Directors 
        Mayor Dick Hyde, Waukegan
        Mayor Susan Lahr, Lindenhurst
        Chair Suzi Schmidt, Lake County Board
        Administrator Jim Hayner, Gurnee

Executive Director 
        Chris Gentes

CLC Civil/Construction Management Course Offerings Announced – The College of Lake County has published the list of courses available in the Construction Management Technology or Civil Technology curriculum during the summer and fall of 2008. A copy is enclosed for your information.

June 13, 2008
Summer Outing
Lake Geneva Boat Cruise

August 7, 2008
LCCA Annual Golf Outing
Midlane Golf Resort, Wadsworth, IL

September 25, 2008
Membership Meeting
TBD

November 7, 2008
LCCA Annual Awards Dinner
The Ivanhoe Club, Ivanhoe, IL

For May’s Membership Meeting on May 29^th at the Highland Park Country Club our Program Committee brings you Congressman Mark Kirk. Elected to the 107^th United States Congress representing the 10^th District of Illinois, Congressman Mark Kirk is now in his fourth term. Congressman Kirk serves on the House Appropriations Committee and two of its subcommittees, State, Foreign Operations & Related Programs and Financial Services.

A native of Illinois’ 10^th District, Kirk began his career in government in 1984 as an aide to Congressman Porter, eventually serving as his Chief of Staff from 1987 to 1990. Following his work for Congressman Porter, Kirk served as an officer of the World Bank’s International Finance Corporation. He joined the State Department and worked on the Central American peace process as a Special Assistant to the Assistant Secretary of State for Inter-American Affairs from 1992-1993. From 1993 to 1995, Kirk practiced law with the international law firm of Baker & McKenzie.

Kirk has been a leader in several environmental programs to protect Lake Michigan, the Des Plaines River Basin and cleanup Waukegan Harbor. Through his position on the Appropriations Committee, he has also worked to bring transportation money to Lake County to end traffic congestion and to improve the VA Hospital system.

May 7, 2008 Safety Committee LCCA Office, 12:00 p.m.                      May 13, 2008 Future Leaders Committee LCCA Office, 3:00 p.m. May 15, 2008 Labor Committee LCCA Office, noon

May 8, 2008 Governor's - Directors LCCA Office, 12:00 p.m. May 14, 2008 Membership Committee LCCA Office, 12:00 p.m. June 2, 2008 CQM Course LCCA Office, 7:00 a.m.

The individuals who are referred to contractors and suppliers are referred by several sources including Youth Build Lake County. Before they are referred to you, they are taught the basics of construction trades and carefully screened to meet union, physical, drug-free and other requirements.

Youth Build Lake County is a non-profit organization that helps low-income youth 16-25 years of age complete their education and learn necessary skills to become employed. Youth Build offers a 9-week program that includes Carpentry and HVAC programs for the students along with GED classes when needed and other computer and life skills training.

Steve Blinderman, Blinderman Construction, chairs the Construction Coalition Committee for Youth Build, and Tim Staples, Camosy, Inc. and Gary Dowty, LCCA, serve on the committee. For more information, contact Laurel Tustison, Executive Director at (847) 473-3483.

Source: NCCI

• 30 percent of all workers compensation premiums in Illinois are paid by the construction industry.
• 23 percent are paid by the goods and services industry.
• 21 percent are paid by manufacturers.
• 15 percent are paid by miscellaneous industries.
• 10 percent are paid by office/clerical employers.

Child Labor Laws – With summer here, many members want to put family and friends’ kids to work. But you should be careful to not find yourself in violation of Federal Child Labor Laws that are included in the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The law separates children into several groups for purposes of employment:

Age 15 and under: Children in this age group are barred from working on construction and in many other occupations.

Age 15 to 16 - Parents are permitted to employ their own children in “non-hazardous occupations.”

Age 16 through 18: Children in this age group are not specifically banned from construction, but may not drive motor vehicles or heavy equipment, operate power wood working machines, circular saws, or be involved in wrecking, demolition, roofing or excavation operations, and many other similar occupations.

There are, however, several exceptions to the FLSA’s ban on child employment.

Apprentices – Any child 16 and older enrolled in an apprenticeship program is permitted to work in any occupation except excavating.

Career Exploration – Children 14 through 16 are permitted to work in a “work experience” or “career exploration” program supervised and administered by a local school. Work is limited to occupations permitted in the “Age 16 through 18” above which still excludes some construction work.

Working Hours – Working hours for children between 14 and 16 are confined to:

• non-school hours except when in a work experience or career exploration program,
• not more than 8 hours in a day or 40 hours in a week,
• not more than 3 hours in any day school is in session,
• work hours must be between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. except during the summer (June1 through Labor Day) when evening hour is 9:00 p.m.

We Have Another Contract – MARBA and the Operating Engineers have finally published the Building contract negotiated last year. Copies will be sent this week to all members who assigned bargaining rights for the negotiations. If you did not get a copy but would like to see the contract, just notify the LCCA Office.

Carpenters Training Center Open House June 7 – The Carpenters Training Center located at 1256 Estes Avenue in Elk Grove Village, is sponsoring an Open House on Saturday, June 7 from 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. This is a great opportunity to tour the facility to see how Apprentices are trained. In addition, there will be major tool manufacturer displays and a health fair that will provide Cholesterol Screening, Blood Pressure Testing and information about the Carpenters Benefits Programs. For more information call the center at (847) 640-7373.

The clock ticks in Springfield, but little is happening to solve the most pressing problems. Benjamin Franklin said, “Here comes the orator! With his flood of words, and drop of reason.” For many that summarized the current political gridlock. Since no new road funding has been approved, and the hard winter used more than expected critical maintenance funds, IDOT has notified contractors that they will be forced to shut down projects if a supplemental appropriations bill requested by IDOT is not approved.

Structural Work Act – The Trial Lawyers have offered to exempt architects and engineers from their Structural Work Act Bill. The effect will be to reduce the opposition to the bill and help get the votes needed to pass. Calls and letters are still needed to House Democrat members. The Republicans seem to be solidly against the bill and we need to find some Democrats that can see beyond the “Construction Safety Act” title. If this bill passes, the only thing that will be “safe” is the revenue stream for the trial lawyers!

The 2008 Supervisor Training Program graduated 9 students in the recently completed “Improving Productivity” course. Once again, Wayne Pratt was the instructor and the College of Lake County hosted the seminar and opened the class to other interested students. Completing the course were:

Jon Stewart, Becker Electrical Group
Sandro Perez, Becker Electrical Group
Joe Rygiel, Boller Construction Co.
Sean West, Aldridge Electric
Tiffany White, Berger Excavating
Erin Meridian, Industrial Service Corp.
Stacy Gilhart, Meridian Industrial Service Group
Joe Day, Elmwood Sewer & Water

Graduates will be presented with certificates at the May Membership Meeting to recognize their accomplishment.

How would you like a $250,000 credit from the Illinois Tollway for your next bid? If you are a subcontractor or material supplier for Tollway projects, how would YOU like credit from the general contractor to reduce your bid? If so, look into the Tollway Earned Credit Program (ECP).

This program provides up to $250,000 credit for a contractor bidding a Tollway project and credits earned by subcontractors and material suppliers can be added to the prime contractors bid. For smaller projects, a maximum 2% credit may be used.

Credits are earned for Disenfranchised Individuals who are employed by the contractor and sponsored into a union. Disenfranchised Individuals include:

African American
Latinos
Females
Ex-Offenders
Veterans

When you sign up for the program, you earn a $5,000 bonus for an ECP employee that is retained for 30 days or more. In addition, you earn credits based on the number of hours worked for you anywhere in Illinois on any job by ECP employees. Hourly credits are based on trade as follows:

$.50 per dollar for Operating Engineers and Structural Steel Workers

$.40 per dollar for Carpenters, Ornamental Iron Workers, Electricians, Truckers and Cement Masons

$.30 per dollar for Laborers

You continue to receive credits for an ECP employee for up to 5-years as long as they are employed for some period of time each year.

Union rules differ for getting an employee accepted into the union. The Laborers is the easiest. If you sponsor an employee into the union, they will accept them provided they pass minimum standards. Other unions vary in difficulty of placing an employee into the union, but the effort can sure pay off when bidding!

All ECP prospects must be referred by the Tollway’s ECP Program Manager, Ruth Porter who can be reached at (630) 241-6800 x3210 or rporter@getipass.com. If you have questions, call Gary at the LCCA Office or Ruth at the Tollway. They do have some very motivated people and you only select those you want to hire from the ones that are referred. This is a great opportunity to help a deserving future construction worker and get ahead of the competition – at any level of the bidding process – when new projects are let.