Both Christmas and New Year's Day fall on Sundays this year, so these holidays will be observed on the following Mondays for these trades: Bricklayers, Carpenters, Cement Masons, Laborers, Operators, Teamsters, and Technical Engineers. If work is performed on those following Mondays (December 26 and January 2), it shall be at the double time rate of pay.

The Will County Carpenters agreement has several unique holiday provisions, which can be found in the attached memorandum.

Illinois building road contractors, business associations and trades unions are celebrating a constitutional change approved by voters Nov. 8 that prohibits lawmakers from using transportation tax revenue to fund other governmental priorities.

Voters overwhelmingly approved the Illinois Transportation Taxes and Fees Lockbox constitutional amendment, also referred to as the "Safe Roads Amendment." The state Board of Elections reported the amendment received support from nearly 3.7 million voters, 78.9 percent of the electorate.

Dues statements will hit the mail on December 1. We are excited to continue our partnership through 2017! Visit us at www.bldrs.org/page/membership for a refresh on the many benefits of membership with the BA.

Builders Association is pleased to announce that the 2016 edition of Building Chicago magazine is now available in print and online. Highlights of this year's issue include attracting and retaining top talent, how to make the most of your drone, building erection stability, and Builders Association updates. Hard copies were sent to all member companies in mid-November.

Contact Abby Koppers at akoppers@bldrs.org or 773-444-0465 to receive a hard copy of the magazine or access the digital edition.

BA Executive Director Dan McLaughlin recently spoke in New York at LRANY (Lawsuit Reform Alliance of New York). McLaughlin was asked to join a panel with New York State Senator George Amedore, State Assemblyman John McDonald III and LRANY Executive Director Tom Stebbins to discuss the Scaffold Act and share the history of Illinois repealing the Illinois Structural Work Act in 1995.

Builders Association thanks Stacey Kelly for her decade of service to the BA. Her innovative perspective has continually brought relevant and exciting programs to the Association, and her commitment to serving the membership has remained steadfast over the years. Thank you Stacey and congratulations on 10 years at the Builders Association!

The Builders Association CLC will host its final event for 2016 at The Scout (1301 S. Wabash Ave.) on December 1st at 5:30PM. Join us in fulfilling one of the four purposes of the CLC, community service, by bringing a gently used or new coat to donate to Button & Zipper at the door, and then enjoy celebrating a successful year of networking, education, and professional development with fellow CLC members.

The Builders Education & Training Foundation looks forward to hosting the second session of the Project Management Series instructed by Brad Benhart of Purdue University. "Top 10 ‘Risky’ Items Every PM or Superintendent Should Know" will be held from 8AM to 11AM at 8430 W. Bryn Mawr Ave., First Floor Conference Center, Chicago on December 2.

The PM Seminar Series has received rave reviews over the years. One participant from the most recent series described the program as a "concise presentation that keyed in on very important concepts that make everyone more efficient." Another attendee reported that it "hit the important concepts with usable items to effectively implement immediately which will have the greatest impact on improving both professional and personal life."

Construction is the one of the highest rated industries affected by suicide. CFMA has established the Construction Industry Alliance for Suicide Prevention with the goal of providing and disseminating information and resources for suicide prevention and mental health promotion in construction. Through the information and resources CFMA has compiled, the Alliance looks to help those in the construction industry create awareness of the problem, cultivate a culture of caring, and start the conversation in the workplace.

Members of CFMA Chicago Chapter in partnership with the Builders Association have organized the Suicide Prevention Summit. This half-day collaboration between construction and mental health professionals, will explore suicide prevention for the construction industry. By targeting construction industry CEOs, CFOs, Human Resource professionals, and Safety and Risk managers, this event will provide a wealth of knowledge to professionals in the industry.

What are the true costs of performing work? During this seminar, MCA will investigate direct and indirect costs associated with an estimate or project. Some of those costs are fixed and others variable. These costs must be identified and calculated in the bid. MCA will examine the need for a company to constantly monitor and control all costs. What are the affects of a cost control program for some areas of the company, and how does it affect your company’s ability to be competitive in the job market? It is extremely important for an Estimator to understand all costs associated with a project and how their company’s performance affects bidding practices.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) published a revised version of Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification. Employers may continue using Form I-9 with a revision date of 03/08/2013 N. through Jan. 21, 2017. By Jan. 22, 2017, employers must use the revised form.

Have you ever spent weeks or months recruiting a great candidate, only to have everything "blow up" at the offer stage? DK Cole has a few tips to help manage this fragile part of the hiring process and increase chances of acceptance.

Do you know a construction student deserving of a scholarship? Help them by sharing this information about the AIC's Francis R. Dugan Scholarship, presented by the AIC Educational Foundation. The Francis Dugan Scholarship was created by the American Institute of Constructors (AIC) Education Foundation to award financial scholarships to students in Accredited Construction Management related Associate and Baccalaureate Degree Programs.

The Dugan Scholarship is named for longtime AIC Member and AIC Education Foundation Founder Francis R. Dugan, CPC, FAIC. Fran passed away on December 26, 2014. Mr. Dugan was a member of the AIC for over 45 years, a Past National President, and CPC #93. Each year one $2,000 scholarship will be awarded.

Better Business Bureau's mission is to be the leader in advancing marketplace trust. BBB does this by; setting standards, encouraging and supporting best practices, celebrating marketplace role models, addressing substandard behavior and creating a community of trustworthy businesses. Welcome to the Builders Association!

The Builders Association welcomes Chubb Surety to its membership ranks. Chubb is the world’s largest publicly traded property and casualty insurer. With operations in 54 countries, Chubb provides commercial and personal property and casualty insurance, personal accident and supplemental health insurance, reinsurance and life insurance to a diverse group of clients.

Builders Association welcomes O'Rourke, Hogan, Fowler, & Dwyer, LLC as its newest member. O’Rourke, Hogan, Fowler & Dwyer is a full service commercial law firm concentrating its practice in providing legal services to business concerns of all kinds, with special expertise in representing institutional owners of and investors in real property, property developers, tenants, general contractors, construction companies and engineering firms, and with an emphasis on general corporate law, commercial law and litigation, and real estate law. The Firm also provides professional services for individuals, including financial and business planning. Welcome to the Builders Association!

Chuck Kakos will be retiring from his long-time position as General Superintendent at The Levy Company at the end of 2016. Builders Association commends him on a long and successful career and wishes him a happy retirement.

Steve Brill of The Levy Company has been promoted to the role of General Superintendent. Congratulations, Steve!

The Hill Group is honored to be in business for 80 years and will continue to symbolize "best in class" in service, quality, safety and integrity. The Hill Group realizes that without its business partners and employees, it would not be recognized as an industry leader.  
 
In late November of 1936, Mr. Louis C. Kohlman opened a small business that would eventually become the firm that it is today.  The Hill Group has grown, matured, and been an innovator in the mechanical construction industry ever since.

The Hill Group appreciate the continued support of all its industry friends.