NEWS RELEASE

Schaumburg, October 10, 2017.  In the fall of 2014, Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Rauner announced his fiscal plan which included a proposal to eliminate the Illinois sales tax exemption for up to 32 professional and business services. Since his announced plans, the idea to expand the sales tax base floated around the State Capitol as an option to help close the looming budget deficient that was to occur after the 2011 temporary income tax increase expired at the end of 2014.

Fast forward to the Spring of 2017, after a nearly two-year long budget stalemate, the idea received renewed attention after Governor Rauner reaffirmed his interest in expanding the sales tax base in his 2017 budget address. Shortly after the budget address, the Senate began working behind the scenes on a comprehensive budget and revenue package that included, among many items, a fairly comprehensive expansion of the sales tax base.

In mid-March, as discussions continued, a list of eight service categories emerged that would have imposed a 6.25% excise tax under the Senate’s proposal: use of storage space, including parking garages and boat docks; repairs and maintenance of personal property, such as cars; landscaping services such as sprinkler installation and snow removal; dry-cleaning; cable TV, satellite and digital streaming services; pest control; use of a private detective or installation of a home security system; and personal care, ranging from tanning to tattooing but not including hairstyling.

Once the list of services became public, BOMA/Suburban Chicago, through its legislative team in Springfield, began communicating to lawmakers about the impact the proposed sales tax expansion would have on BOMA/Suburban Chicago members. The team also worked behind the scenes to remove services the BOMA/Suburban Chicago Government Affairs Committee deemed most impactful to its members from the proposal, including landscaping services, private security, and snow removal services.

After months of successful lobbying, and in partnership with other industry-related organizations, the services BOMA/Suburban Chicago were most concerned with were removed, ultimately, resulting in the House budgeteers scrapping the entire sales tax expansion provision and saving potential increase costs of 3-5 cents per square foot on commercial buildings.

BOMA/Suburban Chicago’s Government Affairs Committee is committed to promoting and advocating for legislative and building code issues impacting the ownership and management of our member's buildings and being the premier forum for action on emerging industry issues.

Do you want to do your part to help victims of Hurricane Harvey, but aren't quite sure how? Well, Tovar Snow Professionals is making it super easy for you and your buildings to get involved. They have graciously offered up their fleet to collect items from buildings who participate in organizing a collection drive. 

All items will be donated to World Vision, a global Christian humanitarian organization, who will provide the much-needed supplies to families in Houston who are still struggling due to the devastation caused by Hurricane Harvey. 

Recommended items to collect include: 

• Disposable Diapers
• Flashlights
• Soap
• Batteries
• Lanterns
• Canned Goods
• Formula
• Children's socks and underwear
• Infant toys (must be smaller than a shoebox)

All items will be collected in the third week of October. Please contact Heather Woods if interested in participating in the collection drive. Due to limited resources, participation may be limited.  

BOMA/Suburban Chicago in conjunction with BOMA/Chicago is considering holding a joint BOMI International instructor training workshop - FREE OF CHARGE in early 2018.

Share your talents and develop a working relationship with BOMA/Suburban Chicago by becoming one of our instructors. We are seeking to increase the size of our instructor's pool in anticipation of more frequent education programs and training. We are proud to have a full professional development schedule for 2018! However, this schedule presents a "good" problem to have - we are in need of instructors for the following: Budgeting and Accounting, Law & Risk Management, The Design, Operation, and Maintenance of Building Systems, Part II and Foundations of Real Estate Management.

Please reach out to Barb Turbett if interested in teaching - we would appreciate your involvement! 

Do you know someone who deserves extra recognition for going above and beyond within BOMA? 

 We are now accepting nominations for our annual Individual Awards to recognize outstanding BOMA members for their support and participation. 

 Categories include: 

• Regular Member of the Year
• Associate Member of the Year
• Developing Leader of the Year
• Engineer of the Year
• Lifetime Achievement Award - NEW!

Our newest award, developed by the Awards Committee, was created to celebrate and honor an individual's long lasting contributions to BOMA, their leadership/mentoring abilities, and their consistent effort to make BOMA/Suburban Chicago a better association. 

 If you know anyone who is deserving of these prestigious awards, please consider nominating them this year to recognize their accomplishments and dedication. 

 2017 Individual Awards Nomination Form
Lifetime Achievement Recommendation Form

Submit completed forms to Heather Woods by Friday, October 27. Feel free to attach additional pages to your submission if more space is needed.

2016 Award Recipients 

Regular Member of the Year Kim Place, RPA, LEED AP, JLL Pictured with 2015 winner Suzanne Boryscka, RPA  Associate Member of the Year  Andy Murray, Wild Goose Chase, Inc. - Canine Detection & Inspection Services, LLC Pictured with 2015 winner Max Andrews  Engineer of the Year  James Petry, Accesso Services Pictured with 2015 winner Tony Soltys Developing Leader of the Year  Dan Flores, LEED AP, Atomatic Mechanical Services, Inc.  Pictured with 2014 winner Jonelle Dzikowicz, RPA, LEED GA

Dear BOMA/Suburban Chicago Members:

As you are all aware, catastrophic and life threatening flooding is expected to continue across South Texas until Wednesday. The needs are great and there are several ways that BOMA members can assist. Currently, we have two priority requests for 10,000 sq. ft. in San Antonio and Austin to support shelters and another 50,000 to 100,000 sq. ft. in Houston for the Red Cross. The American Logistics Aid Network has a needs map on their website and they are currently seeking pro bono/donated/volunteer offers only at this time. All offers - both donated and for fee should be submitted via the webform located at http://alanaid.org/how-to-help/offerinkind/.

Both BOMA International and I have been participating in conference calls with the Sector Outreach and Programs Division of the US Department of Homeland Security. We are very pleased to report that the Department of Homeland Security, local, county, and state authorities understand the urgent need to address reentry once it is safe to begin the damage assessment. We will share any information we receive regarding this with our members. As the Chairperson of BOMA International's Emergency Preparedness Committee and the President of the North Central Region, please be assured that BOMA is fully engaged and we will keep our members informed of any new developments. BOMA International will be sending additional information when it is available.

We certainly understand the desire to want to assist and we encourage all to donate and volunteer in ways which will not overload Houston with items that are not needed. Cash donations to a reputable non-profit will allow for items that are needed to be purchased. Hospitals and shelters will need to restock with essential items and cash donations will assist. 

If you are able to help, please consider the following organizations:

• American Red Cross
• Central Food Bank of Texas
• Texas Diaper Bank
• SPCA of Texas
• Heart to Heart International

In addition, FEMA needs to find housing space in the affected areas around Houston for incoming staff and responders. They’re looking for accessible buildings of at least 10,000 sq. ft., with room to park vehicles, in each of the areas of: Houston, Wharton, Brazoria County, and Nueces County. The buildings can be bare-bones as FEMA will provide cots, blankets, sanitary facilities, and whatever else is needed.  Also, the FEMA logistics team is looking for a large, accessible warehouse space, approx. 100,000 sq. ft. in any of the above locations. Any interest and questions should be directed to FEMA through Nicholas Wainwright Peake, FEMA Logistics Management Division, 202-230-9360 (cell).

Our thoughts are with all impacted by the events of Hurricane Harvey.

Sincerely,
Deborah (Debby) Pyznarski, RPA
President, North Central Region
Chair, BOMA International Emergency Preparedness Committee 

The 2018 TOBY Awards Are Currently Underway...

Applications are currently being accepted for the 2018 TOBY Awards. Don't delay - start the process today!

How to Get Started: 

1. Take a look at the 2018 TOBY Requirements to determine your eligibility and what category to best enter your property or properties. 
    
2. Complete the Entry Intent Form and return to Heather Woods with payment. 
    
3. Begin your application via the online TOBY portal. 
    
4. Submit your application by Friday, September 22 to enter in the Local TOBY Awards competition. 

Additional Materials:

• 2018 TOBY Timeline - Mark your calendar with these important dates regarding the 2018 TOBY Awards
• TOBY Awards At-a-Glance Planning Outline - Provides an overview of the 2018 TOBY Requirements
• 2018 Building Inspection Form - Indicates exactly what the TOBY judges will be looking for when they inspect your building(s)

Contact Heather Woods with any questions about the TOBY Awards Program. 

Flood Preparedness and Cleanup Resources  

Given the recent devastation caused by severe storms and flash flooding in our area, especially in the northern suburbs, the BOMA/Suburban Chicago Emergency Preparedness Committee would like to ensure that all members are aware of the following agencies that can provide resources and assistance in times of flooding emergencies such as those that our state has been experiencing. 

American Red Cross

• Be Red Cross Ready: Flood Safety Checklist

BOMA International

• Floods
• Flood Checklist
• Flood Insurance
• White Paper Study: 2011 Flood at 8501 W. Higgins

Environmental Protection Agency

• Flooding
• Mold Cleanup

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

• After the Flood: The First Steps
• Fact Sheet: After the Flood
• Flood Insurance
• Prepare Your Organization for a Flood Playbook

Illinois Department of Public Health

• After the Flood
• Flood Safety Guidance

Trusted BOMA Members You Can Contact  

If you are faced with a flooding emergency, know that there are trusted BOMA members who specialize in the clean-up and restoration of your items and property. Reach out sooner rather than later to seek out their reliable, professional assistance. 

Alliance Disaster Kleenup
Represented by: Jason Risdon
Phone: 847.205.2100
Email:  jrisdon@alliancedk.com 

J.C. Restoration, Inc. 
Represented by: Michael Collins
Phone: 800.956.8844
Email: mcollins@jcrestoration.com

Paul Davis Restoration of DuPage County
Represented by: Richard Kramer
Phone: 630.778.7285
Email: rkramer@pdr-usa.net

Perfection Cleaning & Restoration, Inc.
Represented by Sean Hamilton
Phone: 847.428.0179
Email: seanhamilton@callperfection.com

The U.S. House and Senate Appropriations Committees will begin mark-ups to an appropriations bill that includes funding for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's ENERGY STAR program. While ENERGY STAR enjoys widespread bipartisan support, President Trump has proposed eliminating the program in the FY18 budget.

We urge you to write your members of Congress today as they prepare to discuss the proposed 2018 budget. Tell them to support the appropriations bill that includes continued funding of ENERGY STAR.

ENERGY STAR provides a wide range of resources to the commercial real estate industry, including the popular Portfolio Manager benchmarking tool. Benchmarking building energy performance with Portfolio Manager is embedded in industry-wide operational best practices and business models. In fact, more than 500,000 commercial buildings, representing more than 40 billion square feet of commercial space, use Portfolio Manager to track and improve energy, water usage, and waste generation.

Please contact your members of Congress today! BOMA's Grassroots Action Center  has made it easy for you to do so. A pre-written letter will be sent to your lawmakers on your behalf - you just have to sign it, so act now! 

START PREPARING YOUR 2018 TOBY SUBMISSION

 You are ready to apply for TOBY if you...

• have an Emergency Preparedness Manual
  
• have Energy Star® certification
  
• offer tenant events in your building
  
• hold blood drives or other charitable drives on your property
  
• have a building automation system in place
  

Many people think applying for the TOBY is too tedious, but the reality is, you're already doing what is required to win. If you start compiling your documentation early, you will already be ahead of the competition. So, get started today!

Documents to help you prepare for your submission:

• 2018 TOBY Requirements
• 2018 TOBY Timeline
  
• TOBY Awards At-a-Glance Planning Outline
• 2018 Entry Intent Form
• 2018 Building Inspection Form

The annual Day at the Races event will be held on Friday, August 11 at Arlington International Racecourse. Attend this networking event for live horse racing, food, prizes, contests, and more. This is BOMA's hottest summer event - you don't want to miss it! 

In order to keep this well-attended event fun and exciting for all attendees, we are asking for your support with two items during the event:

1. Ticket Auction: We are in need of sporting event tickets, theater tickets, $100 gift cards, gift items, or monetary donations (which will be used to purchase items for the auction). One hundred percent of the proceeds of the Ticket Auction will go to our 2017 charity: CASA of DuPage County.  
    
2. Second Chance Sweepstakes: The Second Chance Sweepstakes allows attendees to submit their non-winning betting vouchers into a drawing for a chance to win a prize. Prizes with a value of $25 are needed. These can be gift cards, logo items, or anything you can think of! Remember to attach your business card to each one so the recipient knows who donated them.

To donate, contact Linda Hallberg with the quantity and the description of the item(s). 

Please act now! The deadline to submit Ticket Auction or Second Chance Sweepstakes items is Wednesday, August 2. Your donations will be gratefully acknowledged both the day of the event and in our publications.