Meeting East Bank Club, Chicago IL – April 10, 2024​

Below at the left is Becky Bailey, Senior Bid Credit Program Manager speaking at the meeting.  Below at the right is Norman Ruano, Deputy Director of the Office of Illinois Works speaking at the meeting.

Chicago Women in Trades, Chicago, IL – July 30, 2024 

Rosa Boccardi, Bid Credit Program Monitor attended the CWIT Mock Interviews on July 30th at the CWIT training facility.  This event allows for the ILW Pre-apprenticeship graduating cohort to practice their interview skills and receive tips and advice from community leaders, government employees and union representatives. 

Pictured below at the left are the CWIT ILW Pre-apprenticeship program administrators with Rosa. 

Pictured below to the right are CWIT graduates Samantha Thomas (left), Rosa (center) and Alicia Martinez (right).  Both Samantha and Alicia graduated from the 3rd ILW pre-apprenticeship program cohort completed by CWIT.

Becky Bailey, Senior Bid Credit Program Monitor and Rosa Boccardi, Bid Credit monitor worked the DCEO table inside the Governor’s tent from noon to 6pm on Tuesday, August 13th.  The weather was perfect, and attendance was high.  The opportunity allowed us to speak to many constituents from around the state.  We also handed out some BCP literature and premiums as well as information on other DCEO departments and programs. 

Below left are Rosa and Becky at the DCEO table and to the right with Mr. Lincoln who was true to his actual height at 6 foot, 4 inches.

Becky Bailey, Senior Bid Credit Program Manager traveled to Seattle for the Smartsheet User Convention.  The conference was a weeklong event hosted at the Seattle Convention Center.  Also attending the convention from DCEO was Grace Furlong, Administrative Assistant for Human Resources and Megan Buskirk, Interim Director for the Office of Accountability. 

The convention hosted 4,000 users from across the states and internationally.  In addition to training sessions, the convention also featured an Exhibitor Hub for attendees to network with other professionals using the program and get personalized demonstrations on the product features and updates from Smartsheet staff members. 

The ILW programs all use the Smartsheet platform to manage their activities. Below are some photos from the conference including the attendees Grace Furlong, Rebecca Bailey and Megan Buskirk at the keynote and the exhibitor's hub.​

The staff members did have a few hours for sightseeing while in Seattle, below are some photos from the trip.  Bottom left is a photo from the Chihuly Glass Garden, the middle is the Seattle Great Wheel at night and right is the Seattle Space Needle which was built for the 1962 World’s Fair and stands 605 feet tall.

Becky Bailey, Senior Bid Credit Program Manager, Rosa Boccardi, and Kathryn MacDonna both Bid Credit Program Monitors attended the Chicago Build Expo at McCormick Place in Chicago on both Tuesday, October 22nd and Wednesday, October 23rd. 

This year the BCP team took to the floor with a “mobile booth” in leu of an exhibitor’s space.  We are thankful that Katy’s daughters, Piper, and Sophia allowed us to borrow their wagon for the event!  Loaded with BCP premiums and brochures the team roamed the aisles discussing the BCP with attendees and exhibitors.   The team walked 10 miles during the two-day event making the rounds of the exhibit floor.  Pictured at the left from left to right are Becky, Rosa, and Katy at Chicago Build. 

The event is the Midwest’s Leading & Largest Construction Show with over 300 exhibitors and over 400 speakers on 5 stages discussing over 13 conference tracks covering the Future of ​Construction, Sustainability, Architecture, Digital Construction, Real Estate and more. 

Our own, Norman Ruano, Deputy Director of Illinois Works participated Wednesday afternoon in The Importance of Building a Diverse and Inclusive Workforce panel.  He is shown at the left onstage ​answering questions during the panel. 

Chicago Build is a Festival of Construction which boasts a fun and flamboyant atmosphere filled with strolling entertainers, networking parties and Chicago’s favorite foods.  To the right a butterfly on stilts welcoming the attendees.  Below, our own Katy with a roaming entertainer who serenaded us with a song.

Guinness Open Gate Brewery, Chicago IL– October 30, 2024​

Rosa Boccardi, Bid Credit Program Monitor, attended the Federation of Women Contractors 35th Anniversary Event at the Guinness Brewery in Chicago on Wednesday, October 30.  It was a perfect evening for the open-gate venue at Guinness Open Gate Brewery for FWC to host their “Cheers to 35” event.  There were nearly 100 FWC members, Board of Directors, contractors, and affiliates who came out to celebrate this milestone and network with those close to the organization. 

FWC has been advocating for women-owned businesses and women executives in the construction industry for 35 years.  They are a powerful legislative voice for women throughout all levels of go​vernment.  Not only are they a leading support for women-owned businesses, but FWC also works to connect contractors with qualified M/W/DBEs. 

Pictured, from left to right, is Rosa Boccardi (ILW BCP Monitor), Hedy Ratner (FWC Co-founder), and Jill Kerrigan (JAK Founder & CEO). 

In honor of this achievement, the Illinois Works Bid Credit Program was proud to be a “Friends of FWC Sponsor” for this celebration.  Pictured, Hedy Ratner (FWC Co-founder).

This annual event serves as a fundraiser for the USMCA STEM scholarship fund and during the evening they announce their STEM Education Foundation Scholarship Award winners for the year.  The evening started with drinks and finger food followed by Mr. Roger Plummer II, WBBM News Radio Anchor welcoming everyone.  Reverend Patrick Parks, Senior Pastor of the historic Second Baptist Church of Elgin led the invocation which included the singing of the “Star Spangled Banner” and “Lift Every Voice and Sing” by all attendees.  Ms. Vivian McGrew, 33rd USMCA Awards Chairperson welcomed all attendees and introduced Reverend Larry Bullock, President/Chief Executive Officer of the USMCA for the President’s Remarks and USMCA Highlights of the year.  Reverend Marvin Hunter, Senior Pastor of Grace Memorial Baptist Church led the dinner prayer.  The Eaglewood Resort presented a wonderful dinner of salmon and chicken.  The Keynote Speaker and USMCA 2024 Honorable Justice Thurgood Marshall Legacy Award recipient, Dr. Harry Williams, President & CEO of Thurgood Marshall College Fund spoke during dinner.  The award ceremony continued as the evening progressed.  The USMCA gave out numerous other awards including the Philanthropist of the Year, Mr. Matt Gambs of Wintrust Financial Corp; General Contractor of the Year, Mr. Jake Pepper of Pepper Construction; Minority Contractor of the Year, Mr. Lawrence Whitaker II of WD3 Associates; Diversity, Inclusion, and Compliance Award, Mr. Jesse Martinez from State of Illinois Capital Development Board; Excellence in Public Administration, Ms. Marlene Vick the Chief Diversity and Strategic Development at Illinois Tollway; Excellence in Technology Award, Mr.​ Dustin Barlow of Nerds Xpress, LLC; Real Estate Developer of the Year, Mr. Malcom Wilson, President of Urban Commercial Real Estate, LLC; Chapter of the Year, Indiana/Kentucky Chapter and some special acknowledgements. 

The photos below represent Reverend Larry Bullock welcoming the attendees, the wonderful dinner served and the event room the Eaglewood Resort filled with attendees.  Finally, Rebecca Bailey, Senior Bid Credit Program Manager with Natasha Jones of Fox Valley Windows LLC, and the other guests at Table 12.

Quad City Conservation Alliance (QCCA) Expo Center

Rock Island, IL - November 19, 2024

The ILW Bid Credit Program once again teamed up with the American Job Center in Rock Island to attend the Quad Cities Inaugural Building Futures Career Expo (2024).  This was another event we learned about through Scott Terry with the American Job Center, who is in partnership with our ILW Pre-apprenticeship Grantee, Rock Island and Black Hawk College.  Thanks for the invite, Scott! 

This event has typically been hosted in Iowa with huge success, so it has expanded to the Illinois side for the first time in an effort to promote the next generation to consider a future career in the construction trades.  It was put together by the Inaugural Building Futures Career Expo Committee, including members Amy Pearson, Future Builders of Iowa and P.J. Foley, President & CEO of The Associated General Contractors of the Quad Cities. 

There was a good turnout of 1,000+ people, including contractors, unions, students, and teachers, as well as the Rock Island Police and Fire departments (Let’s give a special shout out for their daily heroic service!!).  Many local volunteers and public figures were in attendance as well.

As you can see, there were a LOT of students!  I’m told 1,098 students from 39 local schools were signed up to attend this event!  Wow! 

The BCP Plinko (aka The Price is Right Plinko) was such a great hit! Students lined up for a chance to win a cool BCP stuff (everyone was winner 😉). 

Vendors had an awesome array of interactive building and construction trades booths, which included brick laying/masonry work, welding, drilling, various machinery, lineman/lift simulation, and much more!​

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Sangamon County Building Trades Fair

BOS Convention Center, Springfield IL - November 19, 2024

​The BOS Convention Center was filled with labor unions from across Central Illinois.  Each union had a designated space to presenting their individual trade skills and allow for the attendees to get some hands-on experience.  During the day hundreds of local high school students visited the center to learn more about the construction and building trades.  The pictures include the layout of the event, most labor unions had a FULL demonstration area as seen in the photos which allowed the students to try their hands at welding, pipe bending, plastering, wiring, and more.  The Iron Workers had an agility course for students to test their balance skills when jumping from iron support beam to iron support beam.  The Operating Engineers had equipment on hand for students to sit inside of and get the feel of the controls.  Many unions gave out premiums to promote their individual trade.  They also educated the attendees on the entrance requirements, pay scale and health and welfare benefits their members receive.  Many of the unions also had their “WOMEN” representatives available to discuss these opportunities to young women seeking a career in the trades.  The event photos show different labor unions allowing students to “try” their hand at different building trade skills.

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This event was hosted by the Chicagoland Associated General Contractors (AGC) association and included 200+ attendees.  The evening started with a social hour followed by a Keynote Presentation by Howard Tullman.  The AGC then presented a short presentation to present Ernest Brown of Brown & Momen the Outstanding Committee Member Award and some additional awards which included the 2024 Project of the Year Award Recipients:  New Construction to Esperanza health Centers’ Brighton Park Clinic by Mortenson; Renovation Project to Maine Township High School District 207 Master Facility Plan by Pepper Construction; Environmental Excellence in Design Build to Illinois Beach State Park Shoreline Stabilization Project by Michels, Inc; Specialty Construction Excellence to Pui Tak Center, Chinatown by Bulley & Andres Masonry Restoration.  These projects were awarded based on the follow criteria:   Excellence in Project Management & Field Supervision; Excellence in Client Service; Meeting the Challenge of a Difficult Job; Innovative Construction Techniques & Materials; and Craftmanship.  Project Eligibility requirements included the project must be located in the Chicagoland Area, completed between October 1, 2023, through September 30, 2024, and entered by a CAGC Member in Good Standing.  Once the presentations were completed an assortment of bite-sized snacks and desserts were passed around.  The event photos are of the 167 Events space which is located at Fulton Market on the 17th floor which led for a beautiful view of the Chicago skyline and the President of the Board of Directors, Colette Rozanski of R.C. Wegman Construction addressing the attendees.​

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