Employees JULIE APublication for
A Message from Mark
I
News
t is hard to believe that our 50th anniversary year is drawing to a close. There have been so many exciting and challenging things that have happened throughout this historic year. Our early success down in Springfield in passing an overhaul piece of legislation to amend the JULIE Law set the tone for the rest of the year. By year's end, we will have enjoyed three unique and great employee events to celebrate our half-century of existence. And we are ending the year with the retirement of one of our longest-serving managers, Vicki Denewellis. Thank you, Vicki for your decades of faithful service to JULIE and our Call Center!
For those of you that have been following my monthly gratitude series on JULIE CONNECT, you will notice a lot of those themes (although I assure you not planned ) throughout this newsletter. Stories that support work/life balance, the diversity and talents of our workforce, and the focus on our notfor-profit mission can all be found in this edition of our employee newsletter.
The JULIE Board and I expect big things from all employees next year as we assist our members and excavation customers with understanding and adjusting to the many changes to the damage prevention process in Illinois. I remain very confident that all of you are up to the challenge!
I look forward to seeing many of you on Friday, December 13th, at the beautiful and historic Rialto Square Theatre for our annual employee dinner. Enjoy the holiday season, no matter how you celebrate it!
Photo Caption: The photo above is from the JULIE Wellness program Chinese New Year parade. As part of the program, JULIE Wellness participants walked over 7,000 miles which is the distance to China.
EMPLOYEE FEATURE Erin Erin Glenn Glenn Call Center Agent
A little bit about Erin Glenn
Where did you grow up? Any favorite childhood memory?
I grew up in Morris. My favorite childhood memories are from going to Tanners Orchard every year in Speer, IL. They have the best apple cider donuts.
Do you have siblings?
I have an identical twin sister and a baby brother (he’s about to be 23 ).
What do you love about working at JULIE?
Something I love about working at JULIE so far is all of the activities we can be involved in because it helps build a sense of community and that we're all on the same team.
If you didn't work at JULIE what would be the job you would dream of having and why?
If I didn't work at JULIE I would probably go back to school to get my masters degree to become a speech language pathologist.
What do you like to do in your spare time? Hobbies? In my spare time I enjoy reading and going for walks with my son.
What are some fun vacations you have been on?
My favorite vacation from when I was a kid would be going to Cabo San Lucas My favorite adult "mini" vacation would have to be going to Galena to celebrate my sister’s engagement.
Tell us about some of your latest adventures.
I don't know if this counts as an "adventure" but my sister and I try to go to as many local farmers markets as we can during the summer/early fall just to look around to see what they have and try new little treats. Our favorite one is the Frankfort farmers market.
What are your favorite Tv shows, movie, book and why?
I am obsessed with Sister Wives. I'm not really sure why because literally nothing happens in every single episode. My favorite movie is The Spectacular Now because of Miles Teller. I really enjoyed The Shepard King series by Rachel Gillig, and I also recommend the Heartless Hunter series by Kristen Ciccarelli.
What are some interesting facts about you that people may not know? I hate this question lol. I feel like I have no interesting facts to share about myself.
Do you have any pets? Tell us about them if you do.
I don't have any pets myself, but I do have a dog niece named Juniper Beatrice or Junie B. for short. She's an Australian Shepherd and is the sweetest girl with the sassiest little wiggle butt.
WORK/LIFE BALANCE
Make a salad for a busy work day!
The foundation of any good salad is a generous portion of greens. Leafy greens pack essential nutrients that contribute to overall health. Start with a Base of Greens
Anatomy of the perfect salad
Sustenance
To make your salad truly filling, incorporate a good source of protein. Proteins take longer to break down and digest compared to carbohydrates. Consider grilled chicken, lean steak or salmon. Add Protein for
Include Whole Grains
Don’t Forget Healthy Fats
Adding whole grains to your salad can increase its satiety factor and provide a source of complex carbohydrates and dietary fiber which are essential for sustained energy. Good options are farro, brown rice or quinoa.
Healthy fats are crucial for a filling salad because they are more energy-dense than carbohydrates and proteins, providing 9 calories per gram compared to 4 calories per gram for the other macronutrients (carbs and proteins).
Nuts: Almonds, cashews, pistachios, pecans, walnuts, macadamia
Seeds: Pumpkin, sunflower, sesame, hemp, flax, chia seeds
Avocados or olives, olive oil or avocado oil
Load Up on Vegetables
Vegetables add volume, nutrients, color, and crunch to your salad. Aim for a variety of colors to ensure a range of vitamins and antioxidants. Add green vegetables (cucumbers, peas or peppers), red-purple vegetables (beets, tomatoes or radishes), and orange-yellow vegetables (carrots, sweet potatoes or corn).
Top It Off
Finally, give your salad a finishing touch with toppings that add extra texture and flavor, such as:
Fresh herbs: Basil, cilantro, parsley, mint
Cheese: Feta, goat cheese, Parmesan, or nutritional yeast for a dairy-free alternative.
Fruits: Dried cranberries, blueberries, apples, pomegranate seeds, mango, mandarin oranges
SEASONAL TIPS
How To Make Your Own How To Make Your Own Holiday Greeting
Cards Holiday Greeting Cards
Organize Your List Of Mailing Recipients
Pick
Your Holiday Card Theme
Use A High-Quality Photo
Choose
Be
Your Greeting and Message
Careful With Colors And Fonts
Save
Time With Addresses
You definitely know who you need gift ideas for, but do you know exactly how many holiday greeting cards you’ll need to make? Make a list of all your recipients and their addresses, just to be sure you’ve included everyone.
Crafting the perfect sentiment for your cards doesn’t have to be difficult. It helps if you choose personalized Christmas card wording that goes along with the theme you’ve picked. Use cards you’ve received in the past for inspiration.
Whether your taste is traditional or off-the-wall, it’s important to pick a theme for your holiday cards. Then, design your own cards with that theme in mind, from the sentiment to your color choices. If you choose to include a family photo on your holiday cards, be sure to choose one (or more) that’s high quality—with crisp focus and great lighting.
When it comes to card design, you’ll have the option to choose your own colors and fonts. While it’s tempting to use every option available, it’s better to keep it simple.
If your Christmas card list is longer than just a few cards, you’ll tire quickly of writing your return address on every envelope! Save yourself a lot of time (and an aching wrist) by creating Christmas address labels, ordering a rubber stamp, or utilizing address printing during design.
OUTREACH NEWS
Paradigm Paradigm
Dates & Locations
Mon, Jan 6 - Marion
Tues, Jan 7 - Harrisburg
Wed, Jan 8 - Olney
Thurs, Jan 9 - Mt. Vernon
Mon, Jan 13 - Effingham
Tues, Jan 14 - Fairview Heights
Wed, Jan 15 - Godfrey
Thurs, Jan 16 - Carlinville
Tues, Jan 21 - Charleston
Wed, Jan 22 - Champaign
Thurs, Jan 23 - Bloomington
Mon, Jan 27 - Decatur
Tues, Jan 28 - Springfield
Wed, Jan 29 - Quincy
Thurs, Jan 30 - Macomb
Mon, Feb 3 - East Peoria
Tues, Feb 4 - Galesburg
Wed, Feb 5 - Moline
Thurs, Feb 6 - Geneseo
Tues, Feb 11 - LaSalle
Wed, Feb 12 - DeKalb
Thurs, Feb 13 - Sterling
Tues, Feb 18 - Rockford
Wed, Feb 19 - Crystal Lake
January
February
Thurs, Feb 20 - Rolling Meadows
Mon, Feb 24 - Glen Ellyn
Tues, Feb 25 - Alsip
Wed, Feb 26 - Joliet
Thurs, Feb 27 - Kankakee
JULIE, in conjunction with Illinois pipeline and gas distribution operators and Paradigm, is hosting excavator damage prevention and pipeline safety training in January and February. A link with this information will be on our website soon.
OJULIE OPERATIONS
ne of the areas in the new law language relates to high locate volume areas that may become beyond the reasonable control (BRC) of one of the member utility locators. BRC will only potentially impact JULIE members, when they or their excavation contractors/subcontractors are excavating in an area designated as such. The JULIE Board’s Operations Committee recommended a policy to address the administration of BRC within Positive Response and expectations of JULIE members.
Beyond Beyond Reasonable Reasonable Control Control
Based on the policy that was approved at the November Board meeting, JULIE member excavators should honor the requests from fellow JULIE members’ locating staffs for extra time (up to two additional days) to complete their response in BRC designated areas the vast majority of the time. When they are not able to, the member that is excavating must provide a clear and compelling reason why they require locates to be done earlier. The policy also established deadlines for members or their locators and member excavators and their contractors/subcontractors to make and/or respond to BRC requests in the Positive Response System. The deadlines and procedures are outlined here in the scenarios graphic.
HUMAN RESOURCES
By Dwight Klein | Director of Human Resources
t’s that time of the year again. No, I’m not referring to the holidays but that uninvited visitor that seems to show up every winter: I’m talking about the cold and flu virus. One or both seem to appear like frigid temperatures, piles of snow or icy roads we unexpectedly find ourselves driving on. There is no getting away from them because when you reside in Illinois, sooner or later they will find you. At some point, we have all wondered if there is anything good that comes from getting the flu or a cold? Well, something tells me that you already know the answer to that question.
Let’s take a look at what happens when you or a loved one has contracted a cold or the flu. First, you’re miserable. All of the symptoms that come with these illnesses can make someone fatigued, give them body aches, a sore throat, and maybe the person will even end up with a fever. None of that is going to put someone in a happy, go-lucky type of mood. Next, your world tends to slow or even shut down for a few days while the cold and flu are hanging around. People will spend time in bed, miss school or work, and may have to skip out on fun events. We know how this makes us feel but our loved ones are not exactly fans of this either. Third, we are looking for anything that the pharmacy or doctor can prescribe for us to feel better as soon as possible. How many times have we told ourselves that we just don’t have time for this! Medications can provide some temporary relief but a wonder drug is just not out there.
So, what can you do to stop both of these pesky viruses from interrupting your world? Then answer lies in prevention. The Center for Disease Control (CDC), which is really the best resource for information on how best to prevent contracting a cold or the flu, has a number of recommendations. For example, simple actions such as washing your hands on
Welcome to Welcome to the Cold the Cold & Flu & Flu Season Season
a regular basis, covering your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze, and avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. You have heard all of these before. How about this one: wear a mask. If you’re going to be in a crowded place, it’s perfectly fine to put one on. It’s easy to find people that take this step every day.
Other preventative measures require additional effort and have been proven to ward off contracting these viruses, or at least keep them to a minimum. For example, wiping down door knobs and work areas where germs are easily spread. Also, keeping up with regular fitness activity, getting proper sleep and maintaining a healthy diet. The one that the CDC, and likely your physician, recommends is getting an annual flu shot. Does any of this sound familiar? These are techniques that actually do work, but you need to put the effort into them. Like we hear in the #811 industry: prevention on the front end is much easier to deal with than on the back.
One last point: if you do come down with a cold or the flu, your body will recover quicker if you take time to rest. If you choose to just keep on working through life with a virus, it will hang on for a longer period of time. Does any of this sound familiar? I know your world may not slow down but remember, you are better off staying home and getting the rest your body needs. Besides, germs will spread to others and as much as we like to share, we just don’t want to share these. Take care everyone, take care of you.
...simple actions such as washing your hands on a regular basis, covering your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze, and avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
EMPLOYEE HAPPENINGS
Our very own Call Center Back Up Chief Operator Frank Lopez will be performing and directing The Soundtrack of Our Lives: a song and dance showcase from movie soundtracks over the last 40 years on November 22-24 at CD&ME in Frankfort and performing in the Lincoln-Way Area Chorale A Joyful Celebration - Winter Concert. A concert of seasonal songs and carols on December 6 in New Lenox.
Last, but not least, Frank and his partner Ruben bought a home together in Frankfort. They closed on November 5 (just in time for the holidays).
Louise Jean Szabo daughter of Sebastian and Tessa Szabo, granddaughter of Damage Prevention Manager Brian MacKenzie and his wife Lynie was born Monday, October 21st. A healthy baby girl weighing 8 pounds and measuring 20.5 inches long.
Cruising Corner
Call Center Agent Liz Gron and her family just came back from a Disney cruise to the Bahamas and it was amazing. It was their first Disney cruise. They have already booked their next adventure.
The JULIE Board recognized Call Center Manager Vicki Denewellis for her years of service and her upcoming retirement.
Director of Finance Ryan Horne, just got back from a cruise with his wife Mindy. He took some photos with a sloth and monkey in his JULIE hat to share!
HellsGate recently made it onto Forbes Top 7 Scariest Haunted House in the World as of 2024. It was also #3 in the nation, #1 in Chicago as of 2022 & #1 in Illinois as of 2023.
Call Center Chief Operator David Johnson worked his 4th season as a scare actor at HellsGate Haunted House in Lockport. He was (mostly) the “Creature in the Sewer” in the brand new Sewer Room. He was also in the queue line entertainment for a few nights.
