A special thank you to our generous 2019 Day at the Races Sponsors! 

Event Sponsors:

ABM

Clarion Construction, Inc.

Ground Pros Inc. 

Hard Surface Solutions, Inc.

M&J Asphalt Paving Co., Inc. 

Mac's Property Management Services

RAPCO Asphalt Maintenance

Security Partners International, Inc.

ServiceMaster Restoration by Zaba

SOS Security

Stried Painting, Inc. 

Titan Security Group/Titan Electronics, Inc.

Victor Construction Co., Inc.

Voucher Sponsor:

American Family Insurance Anthony Chiarito & Associates Inc. 

Feature Prize Sponsor:

Professional Paving & Concrete Co. Inc.

Centerpieces: 

Mimosa Interior Landscape

Sponsorship Opportunities Still Available!

Contact Linda Hallberg with any questions about sponsorships. 

Don't hesitate, you can still get your building entered into the TOBY Awards Program by following the 16-week TOBY Roadmap to Success. 

The Day at The Races is set for Friday, August 16.  If you are interested in sponsoring this event, contact Linda Hallberg at lindah@bomasuburbanchicago.com. 

SAVE THE DATE:  Invitations for the event will be sent out in July.

Advocacy Update:
COOK COUNTY PARKING LOT  
AND GARAGE OPERATIONS TAX
From the Government Affairs Committee

As you are aware, the Cook County Department of Revenue has stepped up its enforcement of the Parking Lot and Garage Operations Tax. Additionally, it appears the Department has expanded its interpretation of the Ordinance and is imposing the tax beyond the Ordinance's original intent. The Department has begun auditing suburban commercial office buildings and imposing large penalties and interest on taxes they claim should have been paid on parking spaces maintained by buildings. 

Building A Legal Defense

The BOMA/Suburban Chicago Board of Directors and its Government Affairs Committee have retained legal counsel in order to thoroughly research this issue, and to have a clear understanding of the law, the County's position, and our options. 

Our legal counsel has already begun its research and will present a legal opinion to the Board of Directors within 30-45 days. 

Attention From BOMA International

BOMA/Suburban Chicago has also been in contact with BOMA International. International is outraged by the County's conduct and has suggested its Industry Defense Fund might be able to offset some of our legal fees. The Industry Defense Fund "...is instrumental in giving a voice to the commercial real estate industry helping achieve critical advocacy successes. Its purpose is to ensure that adequate funds are available at the federal, state and local levels for wide-ranging advocacy issues that may impact BOMA members."

Our Commitment to Members 

In addition to hiring legal counsel, coordinating with BOMA International, and working with our Lobbyist, BOMA/Suburban Chicago has actively engaged with Cook County officials, including a County Commissioner, in order to be as strategic as possible.

BOMA/Suburban Chicago is committed to helping you protect your rights and your assets! We will continue to address our concerns with Cook County officials. We will build a coalition with other organizations who share our concerns. Finally, we will work with our members and be their voice in this critical matter. 

The Board of Directors and the Government Affairs Committee continues to monitor this issue and looks forward to sharing with you what it learns. Please feel free to contact Michael Mulcrone or a member of the Government Affairs Committee with any questions you may have.

Sincerely, 

BOMA/Suburban Chicago's Government Affairs Committee

John Lambrecht, RPA, Chair, Triton College

Deb Pyznarski, RPA, Vice Chair, Lincoln Property Company

Eric Hartmann, Board Liaison, Tovar Snow Professionals

Matt Roberts, CPM, Board Liaison, Duke Realty Corporation

Larry Dykstra, PE, LEED, AP, Environmental Systems Designs

Kristopher Entler, RPA, LEED AP, Lincoln Property Company

Debbie King, RPA, David King & Associates, Inc.

Ben Kulczewski, GlenStar Asset Management, LLC 

Melissa Lyons, RPA, CBRE

John Smart, RPA, Arthur J. Rogers & Co.

Michael Mulcrone, BOMA/Suburban Chicago

Barb Turbett, BOMA/Suburban Chicago

The Harbour, our 2019 Charity, is in need of furniture for their office and Transitional Housing locations. 

The staff has asked for donations of:

• A small round table with 4 chairs 
• Computer Desks for their Resource Room 
• Office chairs for the computer desks

If you have any of these items, please contact the BOMA/Surburban Chicago Office.  Thank you!

Murphy & Miller, Inc.  is currently looking to hire an HVAC Mechanical Engineer.

• ·         Must be able to perform HVAC load calculations.
• ·         Custom design a complete commercial HVAC system.
• ·         Able to identify and correct inefficiencies on existing systems.
• ·         Create engineered drawings for bidding and installation purposes.
• ·         Project manage jobs once awarded.
• ·         Must be able to establish and maintain customer relationships.

If interested, please contact Arturo Hurtado 312-520 5384

Ahurtado@murphymiller.com

Murphy & Miller is a family-owned, Chicago-based HVAC contractor for commercial buildings. Since 1936, we’ve been a leader in quality HVACR, service, maintenance, and design/build installation.

Just Launched! The New 16-WEEK TOBY Road Map to Success 

Developed by the Awards & Recognition Committee, the 16-Week TOBY Road Map to Success will guide you through the TOBY application process by breaking down the category requirements into more manageable steps. 

For further information about the 2020 TOBY Awards Program visit the BOMA/Suburban Chicago Awards page. 

When you follow the TOBY Road Map to Success plan, you'll receive weekly email reminders motivating you to stay on track and work toward your goals. This guided plan provides the framework you need for completing your TOBY application. 

In addition, you'll receive tips to help you put your best foot forward and stay organized throughout the process! 

The 16-week plan runs from Monday, June 3 through Friday, September 20. 

Complete and return the Entry Intent Form to the BOMA Office by Friday, May 31 to enroll in the 16-Week TOBY Road Map to Success and receive weekly emails reminders.

All submissions are due on Friday, September 20.

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!