In this issue
Archives
May 2026, Volume 42, Issue 7
President's Memo
As we move into the heart of construction season, I want to reflect on what has already been an exciting and successful spring for ACI-IL.
At our April dinner meeting, we were fortunate to welcome Thomas Leslie for an outstanding presentation, Concrete City: Chicago’s Role in the Modern Concrete Skyscraper. His discussion highlighted Chicago’s remarkable influence on the evolution of concrete high-rise construction and reminded us of the innovation and engineering legacy that continues to shape our industry today. Thank you to everyone who attended and helped make the evening another great chapter event.
I would also like to take a moment to celebrate the tremendous success of the ACI Convention in Rosemont this past March. What an incredible week for our chapter, our sponsors and volunteers, and our industry community. The amount of time, coordination, and dedication put forth by the convention committee over the past year plus truly paid off. From technical sessions and networking events to the overall energy throughout the week, the feedback was overwhelmingly positive.
One of the most rewarding parts of the convention was hearing comments throughout the week such as, “This is the one to beat,” and “This is how a convention should be done.” Those words are a direct reflection of the hard work and commitment of so many individuals who gave their time and effort to create a memorable experience for attendees from around the world.
A BIG thank you to our volunteers, committee members, sponsors, speakers, and attendees. Your support and enthusiasm showcased the strength of ACI-IL and the incredible community we have built together.
Looking ahead, we will take a short pause from our dinner meetings over the busy summer before reconvening in September for our Certification Facility. We will then return with our next dinner meeting in October, followed by our annual Toys for Tots event in November (one of our favorite opportunities each year to give back to the community while celebrating the holiday season together).
As summer projects ramp up across the region, I want to wish everyone a safe, productive, and successful construction season. Thank you for your continued involvement and support of ACI-IL. I look forward to seeing many of you again this fall.
Best regards,
Jaclyn Ferraro
President, ACI-IL Chapter
Dinner Meeting Recap
For our final dinner meeting of the Spring, the ACI IL chapter was treated to bit of a different topic than usual: Dr. Thomas Leslie, FAIA, from The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign presented his research on “Chicago’s Role in the Modern Concrete Skyscraper.” An architect by training, Dr. Leslie has spent many years in search of insights into why Chicago became such a unique location in the development of reinforced concrete highrises. He is the author of 5 books, including “Chicago Skyscrapers, 1934-1986: How Technology, Politics, Finance, and Race Reshaped the City” and has been featured as an expert on building technology and history in the New York Times, on the BBC, the Discovery channel, and WBEZ-Chicago, among others.
During his presentation at Pazzo’s Chicago, Dr. Leslie led us through the lives of many of concrete’s seldom-recognized trailblaizers: Ransome and his first reinforced concrete building, C.A.P. Turner and his initial flat slab patents, Dr. Talbot and his research at the University of Illinois, and Duff Abrams with his seminal work on the influence of the water-to-cement ratio on concrete. All of this with the backdrop of post-Great Fire Chicago and its early embrace of codes and standards in 1911. He even showed how Mies van der Rohe, recognized for his steel designs, made extensive use of reinforced concrete for residential structures around the City.
More personally tangible to the audience was the work on high strength concrete in the City, pioneered by Material Service Corporation and their unique Quality Control department. Beginning with the construction of Marina City in 1964, the producer spearheaded a rapid acceleration in high strength concrete technology, peaking with the construction of the very building where the meeting was held, 311 S Wacker, at the time of its completion, the World’s tallest reinforced concrete highrise. Some of the audience members had participated in those projects and could recall the excitement and innovation of that time. He welcomed the group to contribute information towards his ongoing research, as so much of what happened remains undocumented.
Dr. Leslie also welcomed the audience to join him in getting Material Service’s old Yard 1 at Halsted and Chicago (currently Prairie 32) recognized as a Chicago landmark for its influence on global concrete development; perhaps that is something with which ACI IL can lend a hand!
Dr. Leslie’s interesting presentation was a great finale to this portion of ACI IL’s year, and gave all of us perspective on our collective past as we take on the challenges of a new building season in Chicago.
Calendar of Events
ACI Meetings
2026
ACI 2026 Fall Convention - Atlanta, GA
October 11 - 14, 2026
Industry Events
ICRI - For more information https://icrichicago.org/
IRMCA - For more information www.irmca.org or (309) 862-214
Upcoming Certification Sessions
Locations:
MDG Millennia Professional Services - 2600 Warrenville Rd., #203, Downers Grove, IL 60515
LAKE Lake Land College - 5100 Lake Land Blvd, Mattoon, IL 61938
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2026 ACI-IL Certification Schedule |
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MAY |
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12 - 13 |
ACI Grade 1 Field Technician |
ACI-IL |
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20 - 21 |
ACI Grade 1 Field Technician |
ACI-IL |
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JUNE |
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3 - 4 |
ACI Grade 1 Field Technician |
ACI-IL |
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Note: Dates are subject to change. Sessions are only conducted once minimum class Rosters are achieved. |
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Please check the ACI-IL website periodically www.aciillinois.com or call (773) 775-7558 |
ACI Illinois Certification Facility Tour
Save the Date!
ACI ILLINOIS Certification Facility Tour
September 2026
ACI-IL Summer Golf Outing
Join ACI Illinois for one of the most anticipated networking events of the year—the Annual Golf Outing, benefiting the Chapter’s scholarship fund. This year’s outing will take place on Monday, June 1, 2026, at Ruffled Feathers Golf Club.
THANK YOU TO OUR Sponsors!
Breakfast Sponsors
Master Builders Solutions
Lunch Sponsors
Chryso, Inc
Closest to the Pin Sponsors
EXACT Technology
Hole Sponsors
Chicago Testing Laboratory
Chryso, Inc
Master Builders Solutions
CTLGroup
NRS / Pullman
Sponsorship Opportunities
$200.00 Hole Sponsorship
$400.00 Longest Drive Sponsorship
$400.00 Closest to the Pin Sponsorship SOLD OUT
$500.00 Breakfast Sponsorship
$500.00 Lunch Sponsorship
Register & Get Involved
Whether you’re planning to golf, attend the dinner, or showcase your company as a sponsor, this event is a great opportunity to be part of a strong and growing professional community.
Secure your spot or sponsorship today:
Register for the 2026 ACI Illinois Golf Outing
Proctors Needed!
If you meet the current supplemental examiner criterion outlined below, we need your help!
Contact: Pete Stamatopoulos, [email protected], 630-804-9577
to become a proctor for one of our many performance examinations in April.
Supplemental examiners shall satisfy the following requirements:
A) Have had experience in concrete testing;
B) Be selected and adjudged qualified by the examiner;
C) Be considered trustworthy and conscientious;
D) Be certified as an ACI Concrete Field Testing Technician - Grade I or be an ACI-approved examiner.
E) Be thoroughly familiar with current applicable ASTM Standards as appropriate
IDOT QMTP Director of Certification and Recertification Job Posting
Below is the link to the job posting for the position at Lake Land College to replace Lori (Walk) Long when she retires next June. They are hoping to get someone hired this fall so that they can shadow for the next training season.
Please pass along to anyone who may be interested!
