We're gathering a focus group of young professionals (age 22-28) in the construction industry. The focus group will take place downtown on December 16 at 5:30 PM. There is a $75 honorarium and the focus group will last under two hours. If you or a colleague are interested, email us at info@bldrs.org.

The Builders Association has a new LinkedIn company page. Start following it for the latest in construction-related professional news and discussions!

Dues statements hit the mail on November 30, so they should be arriving any day now. We are excited to continue our partnership through 2016! Visit us at www.bldrs.org/membership for a refresh on the many benefits of membership with the BA, or click on the ad below.

Wishing you a happy holiday season and a prosperous 2016!

The AGC will host a free webinar on December 16 from 1:00-2:00PM CST.

There are many education opportunities coming up through MCA this December and January. In-seat fees are just $100 for members of the Builders Association!

OSHA's traditional practice of counting inspections and assigning each inspection the same degree of importance when measuring enforcement activities, has been changed. The new inspection method will rank inspections according to the time and resources needed to conduct evaluations. This means that complicated inspections will receive more points than those requiring no assistance from additional OSHA staff.

Chicago's Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise Construction Program (M/WBE) is set to expire at the end of 2015, but Mayor Emanuel is pushing the city council to extend the program by five years.

"Equal opportunity in contracting for minority and women-owned businesses has been a key focus of my administration," Emanuel said in a statement. "A robust M/WBE program is necessary to ensure a level playing field for these small local businesses."

Emanuel introduced an ordinance to amend Chicago Municipal Code Section 2-92-650 to maintain the program. The city council is expected to approve the ordinance in December.

The AGC has participated in discussions with both Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Jeb Bush (R-FL). A discussion with Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) is scheduled for December.

DLZ's Chicago Office has moved to 8430 West Bryn Mawr Avenue, Suite 100, Chicago, Illinois 60631. Their new contact information is 773.283.2600 (office) and 773.283.2602 (fax).

McShane Construction Company teamed up with Ware Malcomb for Canstruction Chicago. Aside from collecting an astonishing 6,135 cans for the Greater Chicago Food Depository, they also built a large can-structure called "Shut The Front Door on Hunger." The can-structure won the People's Choice Award by public vote. Congratulations, McShane Construction!

Randy Ruff of Ogletree Deakins was named 2016 Chicago Construction Law's "Lawyer of the Year."

Ogletree Deakins was also named a Tier 1 National "Best Law Firm" for Construction Law Practice by U.S. News - Best Lawyers in 2016. Congratulations from the Builders Association!

Special thanks to Chicago Area LECET and Union Carpenters & Contractors - our Event Sponsors!