Illinois Vol.1, Issue 4 Fall 2012 The Voice of Trucking Trucking News in Illinois for more than 80 years! Nick Urso Focuses on Safety, Communication, and a Family-Atmosphere at Bear Cartage In This Issue: See article on page 8. • Annual Meeting Highlights • Handling Drivers that Admit Alcohol Abuse • State Legislative Report • Regulatory Update -New Ag Exemptions MMM EEE MMMBBBEEERRR LET CASSIDY LOWER AAA OOO FFF YOUR TIRE BUDGET WITH THE LATEST TECHNOLOGY Call Bryan Ahern for details. Whether you have a 24-HR. single truck or an EMERGENCY entire fleet, we carry ROAD SERVICE tires for every application. Jim & Bryan Ahern at Illinois Trucking Day in Springfield It is our goal to help lower your overall ti re budget. CASSIDY PERKS PROGRAM is an Exclusive Employee Purchase Program designed just for you. Save hundreds on tires and vehicle maintenance. The savings are unadvertised offers exclusively for CASSIDY PERKS PROGRAM participants. AT CASSIDY, • Air Filters • Coolant Flush • Tire Repair • Wheel Balancing WE DO • Alignments • Nitrogen Fill • Truck Tires • Wheel Repair/Refurbish MORE THAN • Batteries • Oil Changes • Commercial Tires • Wiper Blades JUST TIRES • Brakes • Semi-truck Alignments • Transmission Flush CALL US ON HOW TO GET STARTED Owned and Operated by THE AHERN FAMILY for Four Generations 15 CONVENIENT CHICAGOLAND LOCATIONS Ask for BRYAN AHERN [email protected] CASSIDYTIRE.COM 630-620-2300 FaceboTowkitter Table of Contents I Feature Articles llInoIs TruckIng news Cover Story: Business of Family at Bear Cartage ...........................................................8-9 2012 Annual Meeting Highlights ..................................................................................10-12 A publication of the Illinois Trucking Association 2012 Golf Outing .................................................................................................................14-15 October – December, 2012 Handling Drivers that Admit Alcohol Abuse ...................................................................18 Vol. 1, Issue 4 Trucking’s Energy Future ...................................................................................................20-21 Illinois Trucking News is owned by the Illinois Trucking Association, Inc. and is published quarterly. For additional copies, to order Standard Articles reprints of individual articles, Message from the Chair ............................................................................................................5 or to become a subscriber to ITN, call the Illinois Trucking Letter from Executive Director .................................................................................................7 Association offices. Regulatory Update ....................................................................................................................16 The Illinois Trucking State Legislative Report ..........................................................................................................22 Association is a non-profit, full-service trade association News from Around the State .................................................................................................27 led by trucking companies to promote and protect the ITA Calendar of Events .............................................................................................................32 interests of the trucking industry in Illinois. Truck Driver Training Spotlight .............................................................................................34 Illinois Trucking Association Our Mission: is an affiliate of the American ITA is a trade organization dedicated to enhancing the effectiveness of its member companies by advocating Trucking Associations. sound public policies, providing excellence in education, training and information while promoting a safe, dependable and cost effective transportation system. ITA is committed to articulating the concerns of the trucking industry to government, regulatory bodies Illinois Trucking Association and the general public. 7000 S. Adams, Suite 130 ITA further pledges to assist member companies in managing the impact of change in the trucking Willowbrook, IL 60527 (630) 654-0884 - Office profession and to enhance the professional and economic growth of our members. (630) 654-0899 - Fax 932 S. Spring Street Springfield, IL 62704 (217) 789-6017 - Office The content of articles contained in The IllInoIs TruckIng news solely reflects the personal opinions of the authors or contributors and does not (217) 544-4206 - Fax necessarily represent the official opinion or position of the ITA, its officers, directors, members or staff. The IllInoIs TruckIng news is intended and designed to provide accurate and authoritative information regarding the subject matter covered. These services are provided with the understanding that the Illinois Trucking Association is not engaging or rendering in any specific legal or professional services. www.iltrucking.org The products and services advertised in The IllInoIs TruckIng news are not to be construed as being endorsed by ITA, its officers, directors, ©2012 Illinois Trucking Association members or staff. 4th Quarter 2012 Page 3 Message from the Chair Thank you! John “J” Staggs Executive Board Super Cartage Chairman of the Board John “J” Staggs – Super Cartage I want to thank all of the members, sponsors, and presenters that participated President in our recent Annual Meeting in Springfield, Illinois. Our speakers were Kevin Lhotak – Reliable Transportation outstanding as were our panel discussion groups. The support of our members 1st Vice President and sponsors is a key factor to our continued growth and effectiveness. Tony Schmidt – Mr. Bults Thanks to all who attended and participated. 2nd Vice President Nick Urso – Bear Cartage As I prepare to leave as chairman, I reflect on the last two years. The 3rd Vice President participation grew in the TDC, we now have two boxing nights, two courses Rocky Caylor – The Custom Companies for the golf outing, our second and third Annual Meetings, continued growth Secretary / Treasurer in membership, expansion of our educational programs / seminars, and Melanie Burnham – Hercules Freight sponsorship involvement, all made possible because of your commitment to Legal Council the Illinois Trucking Association, THE voice of the trucking industry in the State Jerry Cooper – Scopelitis of Illinois. Executive Director Matt Hart – ITA A year ago at the second Annual Meeting in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, a Executive Committee major concern was voiced in the area of driver retention and providing Alan Detmers – Double D retention tools for 1099 contractors. Your concerns were heard and your Ray Drake – UPS Association developed a medical indemnity program for both W-2 as well Mike Burton – C&K Trucking as 1099 contractors. The program is the first of its kind in the nation and the Brian Wasowicz – Triple G Enterprises Association holds the plan in its name. The Scopelitis law firm spent countless David Moss – Joe Dieter & Sons Randy Vaughn – Superior Carriers hours with Affordable Health Plans to make your concerns into fully vetted, David Burk – Con-Way compliant program for the members of the Illinois Trucking Association and their contract operators. General Board Members Jan Hamblin – JJ Keller I want to thank all of the members, sponsors, and the staff of ITA for a great John McGovern – Osco Oil two years as Chairman. Your tireless efforts on the behalf of the Association Bryan Ahern – Cassidy Tire made my job pleasurable, Thank You. Jim Rys – House of Trucks Fred Grane – Central States Rob Rimmele – Joe Morton & Sons J. Staggs Bill Prester – HNI Truck Group Duke Tomei – USI Midwest Blaine Allred – Chicago Truck Sales Find us on facebook, follow us on twitter and watch us on YouTube! Emeritus Committee Perry Mandera – The Custom Companies www.facebook.com/iltrucking Bob Stranczek – Cresco Lines www.twitter.com/iltrucking Bill McGeean – Bil-Mac Jack Riley – Cardinal Transport www.youtube.com/iltrucking 4th Quarter 2012 Page 5 Better. Every ™Truck. With Cummins engines, better fuel economy is just the start. Our Heavy-Duty ISX15 gets up to 6% better mpg than the previous model. It also delivers stronger throttle response with more pulling power, so drivers can pull steep hills with fewer downshifts. We’ve got a better support network – if you need a repair, call 1-800-DIESELS™, and a Cummins Care representative can help you find the best available authorized distributor or dealer location. For more information visit cumminsnpower.com. St. Paul, MN 800-642-0085 Eau Claire, WI 800-236-0092 Fargo, ND 800-373-2466 Green Bay, WI 800-236-1191 Grand Forks, ND 888-417-2790 Milwaukee, WI 800-472-8283 Minot, ND 800-735-5879 Wausau, WI 800-236-3744 Duluth, MN 888-417-2788 Chicago, IL 800-589-2644 Letter from the Executive Director Million, Billion, Trillion: What’s the Difference? Matt Hart ITA Executive Director First of all, I’d like to thank everyone You run a trucking company. You Does your perception of the national that helped to make the 2012 ITA know your business and you know the debt change if you think it in terms of Annual Meeting such a great success. financial health of your company. And 16 “hot air balloons” while the federal Trucking leaders from across the State while the financial basics of running a government only takes in a little more of Illinois came together for two days in business and running a government than 2 “hot air balloons” each year? Do Springfield, building relationships and can be similar (revenues vs. expenses), you see the State of Illinois’ unfunded garnering new information from our the details can differ greatly. pension liability differently if you think industry speakers and presenters. Legislators and Congressmen make of it as 83 “beach balls” compared to financial decisions with other people’s state tax revenue of 35 “beach balls” The trucking industry is headed for an money. Elected officials also have the each year? interesting few months. The national ability to make financial promises to election is on November 6. The people today; promises that may not Any way you look at it, the state Illinois House and Senate will convene need to be paid for until much later and the federal government both the veto-session in November and in the future…long after the elected have financial problems that need December. A new state legislative official has left office. to be fixed. Will our elected officials session and a new Congressional be willing to fix the problem in the session will begin in January. In Illinois, Elected officials can also throw out coming months? And will they make trucking leaders must also be mindful a barrage of terms that can make it cuts to spending, will they seek more of a lame duck session in January. Two hard to understand the real financial tax revenue, or both? Those are the years ago, with around 40 lame-duck situation in Springfield and in questions that will be answered in the state lawmakers, the Illinois House and Washington, DC: “baseline budgeting,” coming months. Illinois Senate passed a 67-percent “unfunded liabilities,” “financial cliff,” income tax increase hours before a “diversions,” the list goes on and on. Whatever is proposed, the Illinois newly elected legislature took office. Trucking Association will be actively This January, there could be closer to An economist recently told me that one engaged in Springfield and in 50 lame-duck legislators. of the problems with our debt today Washington, DC representing the is that the words “Million,” “Billion,” trucking industry as lawmakers Business leaders will be watching to and “Trillion” all sound the same. He consider these options. ITA is the voice see if the people we elect to represent suggested that instead of just rattling of trucking in Illinois and with your us will actually begin to make difficult off the words “million, billion, and support we will continue to promote decisions when it comes to our state trillion,” perhaps we should use a the interests of this great industry. We and federal government’s financial graphic representation. encourage all trucking companies health. The federal government took to talk to their legislators, both state in $2.3 trillion in tax revenue in FY 2011 - When you hear the term “million”, and federal. And as you talk with while the national debt has risen to think of a marble; your elected officials, perhaps you’ll $16-trillion. The State of Illinois took in - When you hear the term “billion”, have a better understanding of the $35 billion in FY 2012 while unfunded think of a beach ball; magnitude of proposed solutions if pension liabilities have increased to - And when you hear the term “trillion”, you think of them in terms of marbles $83 billion. think of a hot air balloon. (million), beach balls (billion), and hot air balloons (trillion). 4th Quarter 2012 Page 7 Cover Story Focusing on the Business of Family Nick Urso President Bear Cartage & Intermodal, Inc., McCook, IL Nick Urso is the President and co- sporting events, coaching son-Joey’s owner of Bear Cartage & Intermodal, football team, and working on the Inc, an intermodal and truckload Thomas C. Urso Memorial Golf Outing carrier based in McCook, IL. At only for Bear Necessities. 35-years old, Urso has helped to But his passion for the build the trucking company started trucking industry and by his father, into a family-oriented the people behind the organization with safety and work trucks are what drives ethic atop the company’s priorities. him today as the leader Urso has never been shy about of the intermodal learning all facets of the business. trucking company. Growing up in the trucking industry, Bear Cartage & Nick began sweeping floors and filing Intermodal, Inc. was paperwork while in high school. started by Nick’s father, In college, Urso began riding Thomas Urso. The along with the company’s drivers, elder Urso had spent who eventually taught Nick how to his entire life in the drive the semis. In the summer, Urso trucking industry. would ride along with his Uncle Bob, Thomas Urso began as a dock who introduced Nick not only the ins worker in 1963 and he would and outs of the trucking business, go on to positions of driver, but also to the people that make dispatcher, terminal manager, and up so many different parts of the operations manager. In 1994, transportation industry. with the help of his wife Marie, Urso grew up in Chicago and Thomas used those experiences graduated from St. Laurence High to start Bear Cartage with 5 leased School in 1995. After a short stay vehicles, three employees, and a at Western Michigan University to 1,000 square foot office. During play football, Urso returned closer to the late 1990’s, the company grew home to attend St. Xavier University. rapidly. In 1997, Bear Cartage was As a football player for St. Xavier, Nick featured in Entrepreneur Magazine as was named Captain and he earned all one of the Fastest Growing New Small conference honors as at linebacker. Businesses in America. The company Upon college graduation, Urso went was also featured in the Winter 1996 straight to work at Bear Cartage. issue of Illinois Truck News (an early He continues to live in the Western predecessor to this publication). Suburbs of Chicago with his wife, Thomas Urso selected the Kelly, and their three young children, name Bear Cartage because Urso is Gabby, Joey, and Morgan. When derived from a Latin form of the word he’s not busy running a trucking “Bear.” The choice of a teddy bear company, Urso enjoys playing golf, for the company logo was intended and attending Chicago Blackhawks, to promote the family-atmosphere Chicago White Sox, and Northwestern of the company and the image of games with his family. In addition, trucking as a kind and comfortable Nick enjoys watching his kids’ business to those that see the Page 8 Illinois Trucking News Cover Story Continued from page 8 trucks on the highway. In addition, company. Uncle Bob, hundreds of actual teddy bears Thomas Urso’s brother, can also be found throughout the serves as General company headquarters. Manager and Director In 2000, Nick Urso hit the ground of Safety. running when he joined the family The company has business full time (he had already 25 employees and more worked nearly every position in the than 100 trucks in their company during high school and fleet of company drivers college). The company continued to and owner operators. grow by building relationships with While much of the operation is their customers and with their owner dedicated to local intermodal operators. In his spare time, Urso movements, the company’s regional coached college football from 2000- intermodal and truckload business 2003, spending 2 years at Concordia has the company operating in 10 University and 2 years at St. Xavier states throughout the Midwest. when he coached younger brother The company also owns and Tony who played for the Cougars. operates Cub Terminal a few Tragedy struck Bear Cartage blocks away at 5300 Joliet Road. in 2001 when Thomas Urso was Cub Terminal was added to meet diagnosed with cancer. Despite the customer demand. The terminal setback, Urso continued to work and serves as a location for storing, never complained. After battling inspecting, and repairing intermodal the disease for several years, Thomas containers. In addition, the facility Urso passed away in March of 2004. has a maintenance shop, owner- In memory of Thomas Urso, operator parking, and it also serves the company started the Thomas as a location for stacking intermodal Urso Memorial Golf Outing in 2007. chassis and containers. All proceeds from the golf outing Looking forward, the top priority go to Bear Necessities, a Chicago- at Bear Cartage is safety. Urso states, is not an easy job, and sometimes based charity that benefits pediatric “Safety is #1 on our list now and in truck drivers do not get the credit cancer patients. In 2011, the golf the future. We are always looking for they deserve.” The soft-spoken leader outing helped raise $30,000 for Bear new ways to educate our drivers on also cites toll increases and rising Necessities, and Bear Cartage was how to prepare themselves for CSA,” insurance premiums as causes for recently awarded the charity’s William says Urso. “We also want to continue concern. J. Casey Hope Award. investing in a new fleet of company “Overall, we pretty much run the Nick feels very fortunate that trucks. This was essential in securing business the same way we did under his father taught him the trucking our business and increasing our sales. my dad’s leadership. We are a family industry from the bottom up. Nick It is very motivating for us to build business, and we all work together,” notes that “Nothing was given to us. on our father’s legacy and expanding says the 35-year old trucking We had to work our way up. I hope the business. We have great support executive. my kids will learn the value of hard from our uncle who gives us years of “This is a great industry. I always work in the same way.” knowledge and loyalty that is rare in remind my kids not to complain Today, Bear Cartage sits along today’s society.” about freight trains. The services Old Route 66 at 8600 Joliet Road The young executive is also and supplies that go into that train in McCook, where they have been concerned about ever-increasing feed thousands of families, including since 2001. Nick Urso leads a family- government regulations on the ours. Some days, you’re almost like oriented management team at Bear industry. He is also concerned for Santa Claus, delivering the goods Cartage that includes Tony Urso and the industry’s ability to continue to that people enjoy. People are always Uncle Bob Urso. Tony, Nick’s younger attract qualified drivers. “We need to amazed once you explain all that brother, is Vice President of Sales determine how to make this a more for the intermodal and truckload attractive industry. Driving a truck Continued on page 30 4th Quarter 2012 Page 9 2012 Illinois Trucking Association Annual Meeting & Expo HIGHLIGHTS September 13-15, 2012 Crowne Plaza Hotel - Springfield, IL The 2012 Annual Meeting of the Bob Costello, Chief Economist for evening with nearly perfect weather Illinois Trucking Association was held the American Trucking Associations, conditions. September 13-15 at the Crowne Plaza addressed the trucking industry Saturday morning, ITA members in Springfield, IL. Trucking leaders leaders in attendance and outlined had the opportunity to learn some from across the state came together what trucking companies could of the tools they can use in fighting with speakers from across the expect in the coming months. Illinois workers compensation claims country for the three day event in the State Treasurer, Dan Rutherford, then from Ben Anstett of Georgantas Capital City. spoke to ITA members about the Claims. Ted Perryman, from Roberts Annual Meeting events kicked financial status of the State of Illinois Perryman Attorneys, then presented off Thursday afternoon under sunny and he also offered up his analysis of a case study and video of jurors skies of the Rail Golf Course, former the pending November elections. deliberating the facts of a trial that home to the LPGA. Thursday evening, Following Rutherford, attendees involved a car-truck crash. Saturday everyone gathered on the top floor of were addressed by leaders from four morning concluded with a panel the Crowne Plaza Hotel for a welcome of the most important regulatory discussion on Driver Recruitment reception and for the Bears-Packers agencies for the trucking industry. A and Retention that included: Rocky game (thanks to the help of some panel discussion was held with Steve Caylor, The Custom Companies; technological geniuses). Mattioli, FMCSA; Tom Wise, IL DOT; M/ Bob Stock, Stock Transport; Aaron Friday morning, ITA-Chairman, J Sgt. Todd Armstrong, IL State Police; Tennant, Tennant Truck Lines; as well Staggs, welcomed everyone to the and Terry Montalbano, IL Secretary of as Captains Dan Casey and Jason Annual Meeting. Attendees voted State. Wengel from Marine for Life. on board members for 2013-2014. After Friday’s lunch, more Saturday afternoon, Annual ITA members voted unanimously to high quality speakers followed. Meeting attendees had the chance elect Kevin Lhotak as Chairman of the Rebecca Brewster, President of the to play golf at Piper Glen Golf Board and Tony Schmidt as President. American Transportation Research Club or tour the Abraham Lincoln Two new members were also elected Institute, spoke about the top Presidential Museum. Saturday to the Executive Board: Bob Stock issues for trucking companies evening, trucking leaders gathered from Stock Transport (Lebanon, IL) both nationally and in Illinois. Jerry for the Annual Awards Banquet with and Aaron Tennant from Tennant Cooper, from Scopelitis, Garvin, rising political star and national Truck Lines (Colona, IL). Light, Hanson, & Feary, informed speaker, Aaron Schock, the youngest ITA Executive Director, Matt everyone of the realities of the 2011 current member of Congress. ITA Hart, gave attendees a State of the workers compensation “reforms”. Board Members were recognized at Association address, during which The afternoon closed out with a the Banquet, and ITA also announced he highlighted the Association’s presentation from Kendis Paris, its Motor Carrier Member of the Year: rapid growth and the expansion of National Director for Truckers Bear Cartage and Allied Member of services to the membership. Hart Against Trafficking, as she described the Year: Chicago Mack. also highlighted the Illinois Trucking the growing epidemic of human The Illinois Trucking Association Association’s new Health Plans. The trafficking and how the trucking would like to thank each and every new program makes medical benefits industry can help fight this crime. sponsor, exhibitor, speaker, and available to ITA member companies Friday evening the Annual attendee that made the 2012 Annual and owner-operators that are Meeting was transported to nearby Meeting such a great success. The members of ITA. The new Affordable Lake Springfield and the Island event was truly a great event with so Health Plans are available only to ITA Bay Yacht Club for a Lakeside BBQ. many great people. members and was only approved Attendees were treated to excellent after extensive examination by ITA food and boat rides during an legal counsel. Page 10 Illinois Trucking News
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