Illinois - Bear Cartage & Intermodal, Inc.

36 Pages·2012·6.97 MB·English

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
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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
[phone] - Office profession and to enhance the professional and economic growth of our members.
[phone] - Fax
932 S. Spring Street
Springfield, IL 62704
[phone] - Office The content of articles contained in The IllInoIs TruckIng news solely reflects the personal opinions of the authors or contributors and does not
[phone] - 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
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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