Deadline has been extended till May 3 at 12:00 p.m.

We still need your help!

Through recently introduced state legislation (SB 1379) and other policies, Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi has been making concerted attempts to drive up the assessments of commercial property, which will create uncertainty in the market and could further shift the property tax burden from residential to commercial taxpayers. Recently reassessed commercial properties in northern townships are reporting assessments that have doubled and even tripled.

 As you well know, businesses are really the ones who pay for property taxes as these costs are passed down to tenants by commercial buildings. We are reaching out to our Members who do business in Cook County - the businesses that will ultimately have to pay for these increased property taxes - to urge you to voice your concerns to our elected officials.

Letter Writing Campaign to Oppose the Assessor's Legislation

We are asking that you write a single letter expressing opposition to the Assessor's proposed legislation. The letters will be directed to the Revenue Committee of the Illinois House of Representatives, along with Illinois House Legislative Leaders, urging the Representatives to vote against the legislation in Committee.

For your convenience, you can use one of these six sample letters. 

Tips for Engaging Tenants and Writing Effective Letters

Here are some letter-writing campaign suggestions: 

• Keep letters short - no more than one page
• Letters should be printed on business letterhead
• Include brief description of your business
• Personalize the letter as much as possible
• Emphasize concerns that the Assessor's legislation will drive up costs, and how it will impact your business (loss of jobs, jeopardize your company's ability to remain in Cook County, etc.)

The Impact

If each of our Members sent letters, we could deliver hundreds of letters to each legislator. That would have a huge impact on the deliberations of the Revenue Committee.

Time is of the Essence

Our goal is to get these letters into the legislators' hands before the House Revenue Committee votes on the measure, expected within three weeks. The bill has already been approved by the Senate and was just today assigned to the House Revenue Committee. If the Committee approves the proposed legislation and sends to the House for a full vote, our chances of defeating it are reduced.

* *Note:  Extended Deadline. We ask that you have your letters completed and returned to BOMA/Suburban Chicago by Friday, May 3. 

The Logistics

Once your letter is completed, please notify Michael Mulcrone with BOMA/Suburban Chicago at MichaelM@BomaSuburbanChicago.com or (847) 995-0970 so we can collect the letters. BOMA/Suburban Chicago, in cooperation with BOMA/Chicago, will make copies and ensure the letters are presented directly to Illinois House Revenue Committee members and the House Legislative Leaders.

For More Information

If you have any questions, please reach out to BOMA/Suburban Chicago or BOMA/Chicagostaff below. It's an important fight with a great deal at stake. These letters make a difference - thank you in advance for your help.

Michael Mulcrone Executive Director BOMA/Suburban Chicago MichaelM@BomaSuburbanChicago.com (847) 995-0970

Ron Tabaczynski Director of Government Affairs BOMA/Chicago rtabaczynski@bomachicago.org (312) 870-9611

Other Organizations Who Oppose SB1379

BOMA/Chicago, BOMA/Suburban Chicago Chemical Industry Council of Illinois Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce Grain and Feed Association of Illinois Illinois Chamber of Commerce Illinois CPA Society Illinois Farm Bureau Illinois Fertilizer and Chemical Association Illinois Manufacturer's Association

Illinois REALTORS Illinois Retail Merchants Association Inland Real Estate Group International Council of Shopping Centers Millbrook Real Estate Company National Federation of Independent Business Southland Chamber of Commerce Taxpayers' Federation of Illinois

Here are some locations where you can enjoy the outdoors in the Greater Chicago Area.

Send us pictures of your Earth Day events and perhaps they will be posted on our website and social media feeds.

      

Justify Your Attendance

If you're like many people who attend this important conference every year, you rely on your company to cover the expenses of attending and you need a stamp of approval before funding is released to enable you to attend.

Use this Sample Budget Worksheet to illustrate the value of attending.  Combine this with the resources tailored for your area of expertise, whether you are a Property Manager, Asset Manager, Facility Manager or Building Engineer, to help you make the case to attend the one event that will give you the advanced strategies and specific tactics to benefit your building.

What's the best strategy for acquiring funding approval? The tips and ideas provided here are designed to help you make a strong and effective case for attending the 2019 BOMA International Annual Conference & Expo in Salt Lake City. Use any or all of them to suit your unique situation.

1. EMPHASIZE THE BENEFITS OF ATTENDING.

Talk to your supervisor about how your organization can profit from the new ideas, information, connections and innovations you'll acquire as a result of attending. Here are some key points:

• "I can find new ways to save the company money." The new strategies, best practices and innovative solutions available here will help increase operational performance, reduce costs and boost NOI—potentially offsetting the costs of attending.
• "This is the best way to compare and evaluate vendors." If you're in the market for a specific product or service, the Expo is an unbeatable one-stop resource that enables you to source new suppliers, talk directly to top manufacturers, work all your options and make the smartest buying decisions—all in one place.
• "The educational opportunities are the best in the business." The insights you'll gain, information you acquire and expert advice you get can be put to use in your own buildings to help heighten asset-performance, maximize efficiencies and increase profitability.
• "I can learn all about the latest innovations we need to stay competitive and profitable." As the commercial real estate industry's premier event, the BOMA Conference & Expo is a showcase of all the newest technology solutions, leading-edge products and innovative service offerings. No need to look elsewhere for the energy-saving, cost-cutting ideas that will keep your company on top of its game.
• "We can solidify our relationship with the companies who are already doing business with us." By getting to know your suppliers better, you can build collaborative partnerships that result in enhanced service, more responsive solutions—and bigger savings.
• "What I gain from three days here would take months to acquire any other way." Piecing together an experience that's equivalent to the BOMA Conference & Expo would be almost impossible—and would keep you out of the office much longer and cost much more than this one quick trip to Salt Lake.
• "Our entire team will benefit." Is your expertise different from your colleagues? Are there overlapping sessions and events that you can tag-team? BOMA education and networking opportunities benefit professionals at all levels, and can provide an excellent opportunity to advance your company's performance across the board.
• "I need to learn the ropes." If you're new to the industry, this event is the best way for you to make connections that can help you be more effective in your position.
• "Our competitors will be there." By joining them, you'll stay abreast of the industry, learn more from your peers and maintain a level playing field.

2. DEMONSTRATE HOW YOU INTEND TO SPEND YOUR TIME.

Put your plan on paper to show your supervisor that your trip to the BOMA International Conference & Expo will be productive:

• Use the Schedule of Events to build an agenda that includes seminars, networking functions and the Expo.
• Study the Education Sessions and choose the ones that apply to your position, as well as your company's specific objectives.  
• If you purchase products and services for your company, check our the Exhibitor List for suppliers that offer what you need. Include the vendors you'd like to visit in the written plan that you show your supervisor.

3. CRUNCH THE NUMBERS TO ILLUSTRATE THE VALUE.

Your boss will want to know, not just what it costs to send you to the Conference, but what it's worth. Use the sample budget worksheet to break it down, and be sure to emphasize the $100 early-bird registration discount if you register by March 1 and $50 discount if you register between March 2 and May 15.

Other important considerations:

• Is money the make-or-break issue? If so, see if you can quantify the value of certain aspects of attending. For instance, can you attach a dollar estimate to the savings you negotiate in the Expo? How about the cost-cutting techniques you learn in the education sessions?

4. FOLLOW UP AFTER THE CONFERENCE

Assure your supervisor that you will give a full report on your conference activities upon your return. Your report should include:

• The sessions you attended, along with your evaluation of each.
• The vendors you visited.
• The products and services you learned about.
• The savings you realized by taking advantage of Expo discounts.
• News and information that you collected through networking, plus specific ideas and strategies you learned at the conference that will help your company save money and run a better, more profitable business.

We hope these ideas will be effective for you in getting your boss to say "yes" to the 2019 BOMA International Annual Conference & Expo. See you in Salt Lake in June!

We all know that predicting the weather is impossible. Even if we can't anticipate every weather related occurrence, we can still be prepared for a weather related situation, here's how:

Prepare for a natural disaster

• Sign up for severe weather alerts in your area.
• Program emergency numbers into your phone.
• Decide on a meeting place for your family to gather.
• Plan escape routes from your home and neighborhood. Remember, roads could be blocked in large-scale disasters – so have at least one alternate route.
• Be sure all adult and teenage family members know how to shut off gas, electric and water lines if there's a leak or electrical short. Keep the tools close by.
• Consider cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and first aid training.
• Remember your pets. Bring dogs and cats inside during a catastrophe, and make sure they have ID tags.

Create an emergency kit

Having an emergency kit on hand may help you keep your family safe during a disaster. Keep emergency supplies in a large waterproof container near a door or in your garage, so you can grab it and find shelter quickly.

Good items for a disaster kit:

• A three-day supply of drinking water (one gallon per person, per day)
• Nonperishable food, such as canned fruit and protein bars
• Manual can opener
• Flashlights or portable lanterns, and extra batteries
• Dry clothing and blankets
• First aid kit, with waterproof matches
• A crank- or battery-powered radio
• Sanitation supplies: toilet paper, moist towelettes, soap, trash bags and disinfectant

Depending on your situation, a kit could also include:

• Baby food, bottles and diapers
• Pet food
• Prescription medications
• Extra eyeglasses or contact lens solution
• Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities

Thanks to our Emergency Preparedness Committee for suggesting these announcements. 

GlenStar Asset Management, LLC is currently looking for someone to fulfill the roll of Assistant Property Manager at their Rolling Meadows facility.  The Assistant Property Manager will assist with the day-to-day bookkeeping, accounting, and finance of property operations. The ideal candidate should be skilled with accounting and bookkeeping functions, with a strong background in Excel, MRI and Kardin, have strong attention to detail and be able to juggle multiple tasks.

For further information, see the full job description or contact Cathi Carlson. 

A Day in the Life of a CRE Hero Video with our own Carlie Stogis; General Manager at JLL

To view the video in its entirety click here: 

This month we are conducting a beta test  of the CMCP - Certified manager of Commercial Properties . We are seeking the first 100 people to take the beta test and if they pass the exam they will receive a CMCP certification. To apply to take the test candidates will need to have:

• Four years of property management experience, or
• A two-year degree, plus two years of property management experience, or
• A four-year degree plus one year of property management experience
• 30 hours of education in commercial property management

There is no fee to take the beta test, but candidates are required to apply and submit documentation. Here are the required steps to apply for the CMCP beta-test exam:

1. To access the online application and other information, https://www2.bomi.org/CRECI or contact Commercial Real Estate Certification Institute (CRECI) Manager Michael Coleman, mcoleman@bomi.org.
2. Candidates are asked to indicate when and from where they received their degree (if applicable) and will need to request that a college transcript be sent to CRECI.
3. Candidates will also be asked to list industry work experience and employers, as well as list sources for at least 30 hours of continuing education. For the latter, certificates of completion or other proof of completion are required.
4. Once the application is approved, the candidate will need to schedule their exam at any Pearson Vue test center (CRECI site has more information on locations) and take the exam sometime between April 1 and April 20, 2019 (candidates will have two hours to complete the exam).

Exam candidates will receive information in advance to help them prepare for the exam. This will include details on various job competencies and skills that will be tested and the “works cited” list used to develop the exam questions. Candidates who pass the exam will receive the CMCP certification. Passing scores will not be known until after the beta test evaluation is complete, so candidates may not hear from CRECI until June or July.

 

 

As mentioned in previous issues of Weekly Connections, the Emerging Leaders Shared Interest Group has partnered with our 2019 charity, The Harbour, to bring our members a BOMA-exclusive, hands-on volunteer project! On Friday, May 3 our Emerging Leaders invite you to join them in their efforts to help renovate and refurnish one of The Harbour’s shelter sites, located in Des Plaines.

The project involves painting the site’s “Resource Room,” which is used for the young ladies to do their homework and apply to jobs. The project also includes the painting of additional bedrooms so the Emerging Leaders will need all hands on deck. Please take some time out of your busy schedules to give back for a great cause! Come for the whole day, half a day, or as much time as you can afford!  

Perhaps you can’t attend the Emerging Leaders Volunteer Project but would still like to contribute. That’s great! Here are some other ways to help.

These are photos of the Resource room and bedroom that need painting.

The Emerging Leaders have requested the following items:

• Paint
• Ladders/Step stools
• Paint brushes
• Paint rollers
• Painters tape
• Paint tray
• Drop cloths/plastic tarps
• Buckets
• Rags
• Paper Towels
• Garbage bags

By purchasing items on The Harbour’s Amazon Wish List, you can contribute to this project as well. Items marked as “Shelter Resource Room” will be used to furnish the room.

Please help BOMA/Suburban Chicago and the Emerging Leaders make this a successful volunteer effort!

Sign up to volunteer today!

Earth Day is a day where we show our love for the planet. This year the theme is "Protect our Species." Visit the website Earth Day to find out about how you can get involved and help Protect our Species.