Another successful lobby day has come and gone.  Many thanks to all who attended and helped represent all Illinois architects at the capitol. 

Below are testimonials from first-time Prairie Grassroots attendees. 

February 10, 2012

AIA

Re:          1^st Time to Prairie Grassroots

To all AIA Members,

Wednesday was quite a day for me – both rewarding from a professional standpoint (reaffirming that being a member of AIA we can make a difference) and also socially (meeting old and making new friends). I have been a member of the AIA Eastern Chapter for 22 years and have heard about Prairie Grassroots for the past 6 years but never really knew what it was about. I decided I wanted to learn more about the purpose of the daytrip and did a little checking. As it turned out we are paired up with the legislators in the districts that we live. In essence we are responsible for putting and keeping them in office.                This was a very attractive notion for myself because my State Senator is Christine Radogno who used to live in LaGrange (where I live) and was previously on the Village Board and I knew her. I traveled on the bus with a long time colleague and friend Steve Reardon (a seasoned veteran to Prairie Grassroots) and we met several new friends on the bus as well. The morning concluded with our arrival in Springfield and we were ushered into the AIA Illinois offices and treated to a very nice box lunch and presentation of the topics of the day. There were three Bills that we were to discuss with our legislators.

The staff at AIA Illinois had prepared talking points for each Bill and helped us rehearse so that we could engage the Legislators effectively. There was a lot of discussion within the room and by hearing some of the comments I was able to put my support of these Bills into very succinct language that would be much more conversational. All three Bills end result would create jobs and stimulate the economy (the perfect “sound bite” for a Politician to be able to take credit).

After lunch we went across the street to the Stratton Building to meet up with our State Representative and State Senators. I was paired up with Steve Reardon and Dorthea Martin to try and track down Representative Jim Durkin and Senator Radogno. As it turned out we had quite a large group and getting thru the building security was taking forever and I had a 2:00 pm appointment with Senator Radogno that I wasn’t going to miss. So we decided to divide and conquer and Dorthea proceeding to meet with Rep. Durkin and Steve and I headed back to the State Capital Building. We did in fact make our meeting and we went thru the presentation of the three Bills (hitting our talking points and answering questions) and finished with the “Job Creation” and “Revenue Neutral” sound bites and it was very well received. Christine commented that in less than ten minutes we were able to bring her up to speed on three bills and give her the talking points and commentary that will be necessary to have these well received for passage. I can only attribute our success to the excellent preparation we received earlier in the day from the staff of the AIA Illinois.

There was a very elegant reception at the top of the Hilton Hotel in which we were able to share stories of our respective day and also meet several more Legislators before we boarded our bus  ride back home. All in all I am very pleased that I went and I will be coming back next year.

Timothy J. Trompeter, A.I.A.     

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Blog post on UrbDezine about Prairie Grassroots: http://chicago.urbdezine.com/2012/02/14/baselab-goes-to-springfield/

After lunch, you’ll most likely be paired with a colleague and head to the Capitol building to track down your legislators.  It’s chaotic, but fun!

In the late afternoon, there will be a reception where you’ll have time to relax and review the day’s events and network with colleagues and state officials before heading home.

To make the most of your experience, here are a few pointers or tips on what to expect and how to prepare.

TO DO BEFORE WEDNESDAY

• Contact the offices of your state representative and state senator in advance.  You can find their contact information in the previous email from AIA Illinois or at the Illinois General Assembly website at:

www.ilga.gov/house

www.ilga.gov/senate

• Make a quick call to their Springfield office to briefly introduce yourself and let them know you’ll be visiting between 2 and 4 pm on February 8^th and hope to discuss some legislative issues with your senator/representative.
• Review the issue briefs provided by AIA Illinois.

TO DO ON WEDNESDAY

• Dress to represent yourself and your profession.  Business attire or business casual is appropriate.
• Bring some business cards.  AIA Illinois will provide you with other materials to leave with your senator and representative.
• In addition to asking for your legislator’s support on key issues, offer yourself as a PARTNER for collaboration.  Legislators always have people asking for help.  You’d be amazed how often presenting yourself as a resource will be enthusiastically received and set your visit apart.
• Relax and be yourself.  Remember – your senator and representative work for YOU.  They care what you think, and they want to know about you and your profession.

SCHEDULE – FEBRUARY 8, 2012

7:45 a.m.                 Bus Departs Chicago Pick up Location

9:00 a.m.                 Bus Departs Joliet Pick up Location

11:30 a.m.               Registration: AIA Illinois - 3Springfield

12: - 2:00 p.m.         Legislative & Issues Briefing Luncheon

2-4:00 p.m.             Capitol Visits

4 – 6:00 p.m.           Reception: Pinnacle Room – Hilton Hotel

                                   30^th Floor – 700 East Adams Street

6:00 p.m.                 Return bus will depart Springfield

We look forward to seeing you in Springfield!

The course is eligible for 6 HSW lus.

Illinois Schedule:

Click the poster link for all of the competition details.

HollandPoster2012

Click here to read the full article.

REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED. 

CLICK HERE FOR A PDF OF THE AGENDA.

WANT TO DONATE TO IAPAC? CLICK HERE.

 CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE MAP AND INSTRUCTIONS BELOW.

Upon arrival in Springfield, you will attend a working lunch, where AIA Illinois staff with provide you with issue briefs and drop-off materials.  You’ll have a chance to discuss the issues and talking points with staff and colleagues.

After lunch, you’ll most likely be paired with a colleague and head to the Capitol building to track down your legislators.  It’s chaotic, but fun.

In the late afternoon, there will be a reception where you’ll have time to relax and review the day’s events with colleagues and staff before heading home.

To make the most of your experience, here are a few pointers or tips on what to expect and how to prepare.

TO DO BEFORE WEDNESDAY

-Contact the offices of your state representative and state senator in advance.  You can find their contact information in the previous email from AIA Illinois or at the Illinois General Assembly website at: www.ilga.gov/senate

-Make a quick call to their Springfield office to briefly introduce yourself and let them know you’ll be visiting between 2 and 4 pm on February 8th and hope to discuss some legislative issues with your senator/representative.

-Review the issue briefs provided in advance by AIA Illinois.

TO DO ON WEDNESDAY

-Dress to represent yourself and your profession.  Business attire or business casual is appropriate.

-Bring some business cards.  AIA Illinois will provide you with other materials to leave with your senator and representative.

-In addition to asking for your legislator’s support on key issues, offer yourself as a PARTNER for collaboration.

-Legislators always have people asking for help.  You’d be amazed how often presenting yourself as a resource will be enthusiastically received and set your visit apart.

-Relax and be yourself.  Remember – your senator and representative work for YOU.  They care what you think, and they want to know about you and your profession.

 We look forward to seeing you in Springfield!

With the support of the AIA Trust, AIA San Francisco recently completed a “How to Start Your Own Firm” resource guide.  We share this guide with you now, in hopes of expanding this resource to help architects throughout the country.

While the guide is written with a distinctly San Francisco focus, it could be easily adaptable for architects everywhere.

Click here for the guide. ]]> http://aiail.org/2012/01/06/how-to-start-your-own-firm-guide/feed/ 0 http://aiail.org/2012/01/04/iecc-2012-code-changes-training/ http://aiail.org/2012/01/04/iecc-2012-code-changes-training/#comments Wed, 04 Jan 2012 18:48:15 +0000 Mary http://aiail.org/?p=648 Read More]]> ARE YOU UP TO DATE ON THE NEWEST ENERGY CONSTRUCTION CODES for ILLINOIS?

The Illinois Energy Office today announced its schedule for a training series directed at the Illinois construction industry. Homebuilders, designers, code officials and home performance professionals will be able to learn about the newest energy conservation codes for new construction, additions and renovation projects in Illinois. * Sessions offered to Illinois Investor Owned Utility customers at no cost.

Seminars will provide the basis for the correct use of the 2012 IECC and Standard 90.1-2010 in the design, plan review, field-inspection, and analysis of construction in Illinois.

Topics Include:

 IECC 2012

 Blower Door Testing

 Duct Leakage Testing

 ASHRAE 90.1-2010

 IGCC 2012

HTTP://WWW.ILDCEO.NET/ENERGYCODE

Illinois Energy Office – Energy Efficiency Education & Codes

500 E. Monroe, Springfield, IL 62701 Tel 217.785.2023 Fax 217.785.2618

Don’t Miss Out!

Register Now!

Events have been approved for 6.0 GBCI CE, 6.0 AIA HSW/SD hours, 0.6 CEUs toward ICC certification renewal, and pending approval for 3.0 BPI CEUs.

Click here for the flyer.

All award winners exemplify positive impacts on regions great and small and help create more livable communities in Illinois.

The Honor Awards will be presented Friday, April 13th at 6:00 p.m. in Springfield, Illinois in the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum atrium.

The 2012 AIA Illinois Honor Awards seek to recognize the people and projects representing the best of the architecture profession, the power of design, and the dedication of individuals to service and excellence.

Click the 2012 Honor Awards Call for Entries to download the brochure.

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