President's Memo

In this industry, we all know one of the first true signs of spring is not flowers…but fresh pours on either side of the typical “farmer’s frost” that rolls through. The hum of prime concrete season gets louder each day!

We rolled into spring with our March Dinner Meeting, featuring Jeff Wytaniec, Assistant Commissioner of Design & Construction with the Chicago Department of Aviation. Jeff’s presentation on CDA Project Highlights provided valuable information about major aviation infrastructure projects in Chicago, covering upcoming developments and the scale of investment in our region’s airports. Jeff’s presentation was both informative and created eager anticipation. Thank you, Jeff, for sharing your knowledge and giving our members a deeper look into such impactful work!

This past month has been an exciting one for ACI Illinois. Our momentum is “gaining strength”, especially as we look ahead to our upcoming Rosemont Convention, March 29 through April 1 at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare.
From the energy already surrounding the event, it’s clear this convention will be something special. The previews highlight not only the strength of the technical programming, but also the unique experiences that make ACI events so memorable. From the engaging sessions to standout networking opportunities, and even fun events like the Richard Stehly Memorial Hockey Throwdown (donations still being accepted!), the vibration of excitement is climbing. We are proud to be hosting such a dynamic and well-rounded convention. Don’t forget to stop by for goodies and a friendly hello at the ACI-IL booth in the Grand Ballroom Foyer! Annnddddd it’s not too late to be a volunteer.. just let us know!

I would like to extend a very special thank you to our Convention Committee: My fellow co-chair, Walt Flood, along with all our subcommittee chairs Susanne Hufnagel, Jose Perez, Pete Stamatopoulos, Andres Matos, Gary Hall, Kim Wilson, and Greg Rohlf. This team has shown a level of dedication, coordination, and countless hours of effort behind the scenes to make this event memorable, down to the tiny details. Also thank you to our Board Members who are right along side the committee making these efforts too! 
Finally, I think I can speak for the whole committee and board when I say, we want to sincerely thank our Convention Sponsors, whose support in this convention has made everything possible:

Gold Sponsors:
International Union of Operating Engineers Local 150
Prairie Materials

Silver Sponsors:
Atlas
Braun Intertec
Flood Testing Laboratories, Inc.
Millennia Professional Services
Ozinga
Proxxima

Bronze Sponsors:
HOH
Illinois Cement Company
Concrete Consulting Engineers, LLC 
Chryso Saint-Gobain
Elmhurst Chicago Stone Company
CN Composites Co., Ltd.
GatorBar
GFT
Henry Frerk Sons
HR Green
Jushi Canada
Master Builders Solutions
Mateenbar
MST Bar
Sika
SFTec
Strongwell
V-ROD Fiberglass Rebar

As we move forward, keep a lookout to join our events like the April Dinner meeting and the June Golf Outing at Ruffled Feathers, or participate in our certification programs.

Thank you for being part of ACI Illinois—I look forward to seeing each of you in Rosemont!

Jaclyn Ferraro
President, ACI Illinois Chapter

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Dinner Meeting Recap

The ACI IL Chapter was delighted to welcome Jeff Wytaniec, Assistant Commissioner of Design and Construction with the Chicago Department of Aviation – our first ever speaker from the Chicago Department of Aviation!
Our dinner, at Pazzo’s in downtown Chicago, was attended by over 40 members and guests to learn about what the CDA has to offer the concrete industry.  It turns out – quite a lot!

Jeff shared key updates, major milestones, and insights into ongoing and upcoming aviation infrastructure projects shaping the future of air travel in Chicago.  Jeff offered his perspective on the innovations and investments driving one of the nation's busiest airport systems forward.  The airport has completed an extensive runway reconfiguration and is now focusing on improving and expanding terminal services.  Following his presentation, our President, Jaclyn Ferraro, presented Jeff with a small token of our Chapter’s appreciation.
    
Prior to the dinner, the ACI-IL Executive Board met to discuss Chapter business.  All are welcome to attend our Board meetings prior to each dinner meeting.

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ACI-IL Excellence in Concrete Construction Awards

Are you involved in an outstanding concrete project? The ACI Excellence in Concrete Construction Awards celebrate innovation and inspire excellence in the global concrete design and construction community. Now, more than ever, we need creative techniques and technologies to meet economic, environmental, and aesthetic demands. To waive the $995 self-nomination fee, contact and submit your entry to [email protected] and our committee will review your application and submit it on your behalf. 

DOWNLOAD THE APPLICATION

Categories for Submission:

Key Dates:

Don’t miss this opportunity! DOWNLOAD THE APPLICATION TODAY!

If you have questions, please contact [email protected] or the Awards Committee Chair, Joni Jones at [email protected]

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Calendar of Events

ACI Meetings

2026

ACI 2026 Spring Convention!! Rosemont, IL       
March 29 – April 1, 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

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Call for Convention Planning

Join us at the ACI Concrete Convention in Rosemont
March 29 - April 1, 2026!

Support Our Convention!

Your help will be needed as a volunteer at the convention and at the convention. Volunteers contact Jaclyn Ferraro at [email protected] for more information.

Please reach out at [email protected] or [email protected] and we will be in touch soon with more general planning information.

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Upcoming Certification Sessions

Locations:
ACI-IL Certification Facility - 650 W. Grand Ave. Suite 106, Elmhurst, IL 60126
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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ACI-IL Summer Golf Outing

We hope you’ll join us for the Annual ACI Illinois Golf Outing benefitting our Scholarship fund. The golf outing will take place on Monday, June 1, 2026 at Ruffled Feathers Golf Club!

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Proctors Needed!

If you meet the current supplemental examiner criterion outlined below, we need your help!  Contact

George Seegebrecht [email protected] 708-903-7803

or

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 

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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.

 https://www.schooljobs.com/careers/lakelandcollege/fulltime/jobs/4952976/director-of-idot-qmtp-certification-and-recertification

Please pass along to anyone who may be interested!

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Find us on LinkedIn and Facebook

We hope you’ll join us on LinkedIn: ACI Illinois Chapter LinkedIn
and Facebook: ACI Illinois Chapter Facebook

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