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CONTACT INFORMATION
Physical and Mailing Address
SEAOI
134 North LaSalle Street, Suite 1910
Chicago, IL 60602
P 312.726.4165
F 312.726.4166
E office@seaoi.org
Executive Director
Elizabeth O'Connor
E eoconnor@seaoi.org
312.726.4165 ext 301
Executive Assistant
Donna Childs
E office@seaoi.org
312.726.4165 ext 200
 
For website related questions, contact:
info@seaoi.org or
Augusto Collot at acollot@cannondesign.com
For event related questions, contact:
Elizabeth O'Connor at eoconnor@seaoi.org
To become a member, contact:
Elizabeth O'Connor at eoconnor@seaoi.org
For Job Posting questions, contact:
Elizabeth O'Connor at eoconnor@seaoi.org or send in an application
To place an ad in our monthly Bulletin, contact:
Elizabeth O'Connor at eoconnor@seaoi.org or send in an application
To get involved, contact:
Elizabeth O'Connor at eoconnor@seaoi.org
Our Committees
read more here
SEAOI HISTORY
The Structural Engineers Association of Illinois (SEAOI) was founded in 1965 by several practicing Structural Engineers including the following founders of the organization: Frank Cooper, George Ellis, Nissim Eskenazi, Henry Miller, Ken Naslund, John Parmer, Frank Wells, the first President.
Those founders and others envisioned an organization that exchanged information specifically of interest to Structural Engineers practicing in the state of Illinois. They also wanted to reinforce their rights as defined in the Structural Engineering Act. Early activities included expressing their opinions to local, county and state building authorities that Structural Engineers were permitted to practice structural engineering and design, prepare and sign and seal drawings for construction of virtually any type of building, structure or facility as long as it was within their established professional training, knowledge and competence. They also saw the need to present lectures and conferences that provided useful information to practicing structural engineers that was different from or supplemented the typical education that civil engineering course work provided at universities. That information was provided in dinner meetings, and partial and day long conferences.
By-laws were prepared and voted on by the membership and passed. The Board of Directors of the Structural Engineers Association of Illinois (Board), all directors voted in by the membership, had monthly meetings to promote the mission, purposes and ideals (see the By-laws) of the organization and help support the Structural Engineering Practice Act which was originally enacted in 1924 (not sure, needs to be verified), modified over years and most recently re-enacted in 1989. It is scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2010.
Consistent with its longstanding commitment to continuing education after college to enhance the practice of structural engineering, SEAOI also saw the specific need to help practicing structural engineers improve their knowledge and also prepare for the Structural Engineering Examination. To that end, SEAOI began running the Structural Engineering Refresher Course which is presented annually over several months.
Other opportunities for improving professional skills while also socializing with colleagues include SEAOI’s monthly dinner meetings and the SEAOI Trade Show. Dinner meetings include presentations on topics of interest to practicing structural engineers. The SEAOI Trade Show, usually held at a January breakfast meeting, offers engineers the opportunity to meet with trade organizations and material manufacturers and representatives.
To foster and acknowledge excellence in Structural Engineering, SEAOI instituted an annual competition in where firms are encouraged to submit as entries projects they believe are exemplary of the finest of structural engineering practice. The Board selects a judging panel, representative of a diverse range of professionals interested in construction. The jury selects winners in several categories. Winners are announced at the SEAOI Awards Banquet in June each year.
On a legislative level, SEAOI saw the need to have an awareness of local, regional, and State of Illinois legislation related to the practice of structural engineering. In 1993, the Board recommended the establishment of an independent organization to keep track of and support appropriate legislation that would advance the practice of structural engineering and promote the safety of the public in Illinois. Since that time, the Structural Engineers Political Action Committee (SEPAC) has monitored legislative developments, addressed issues of interest to the design profession, and partnered with affiliated organizations to support legislation that advances the design profession and addresses public safety.
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE - To advance and advocate excellence in structural engineering and to aid in safeguarding the public.
In order to accomplish its mission, SEAOI endeavors:
1. To uphold and preserve the Illinois Structural Engineering Act and carry out its prime purpose of safeguarding the lives and property of the public.
2. To promote legislation conducive to the good practice of engineering.
3. To encourage engineering education and advance the art and science of structural engineering.
4. To maintain the honor and dignity of the profession.
5. To familiarize the public with the role and abilities of the membership and inspire confidence in the profession as a whole.
6. To cooperate with other professions when the goals and aspiration coincide with SEAOI and are in the interests of public safety.
7. To uphold and preserve the Illinois Structural Engineering Act and carry out its prime purpose of safeguarding the lives and property of the public.
8. To do all of the above in the spirit of the SEAOI purpose as stated in the SEAOI By-Laws
BOARD OFFICERS (2011-2012)
President Shane J. Farr
President - Elect Ken Nizamuddin
Secretary Terry R. McDonnell
Treasurer John F. Duntemann
BOARD DIRECTORS
Todd Alwood David R. Horos
Jan I. Blok Dipak S. Shah
Brian M. Dekker Tony F. Shkurti
Salvatore DiBernardo Craig R. Vespa
Lauren DiPalma  
 
Laurence Dietrick- past President
Steven Elver- past President
David R. Fanella - past President

THE SAGA OF THE KHAN SCULPTURE
by Robert B. Johnson, S.E., P.E.

Considering Dr. Khan's contribution to the structural engineering profession, the Structural Engineers Association of Illinois (SEAOI) believed a lasting tribute to his achievements was warranted. In the mid 1980's SEAOI began a fund-raising effort to subsidize the creation of a sculpture to honor Dr. Khan. Simultaneously, efforts were begun to locate a site for exhibiting the sculpture. By 1987 over $20,000 had been raised; and SEAOI member Jaime Moreno was able to obtain the services of renowned Spanish artist Carlos Marinas to design and fabricate a large bas-relief made of stainless steel and bronze. The sculpture featured a bust of Dr. Khan set alongside a representation of Chicago's skyline, which includes many of the buildings designed by him. A section of the skyline was cut-a-way, expressing the artist's interpretation of structural systems for the buildings.

SCULPTURE ARRIVES

In the early part of May, 1988 the sculpture was completed and shipped to Chicago from Spain. On May 20, 1988 SEAOI held a reception in the lobby of an office building at 222 North LaSalle, Chicago, to announce the arrival of the sculpture in Chicago. Artist Carlos Marinas was present at the unveiling. A public relations blitz preceded this event. Illinois Congressmen, Henry J. Hyde and John Edward Porter, read statements into the Congressional Record (May, 17, 1988 and May 10, 1988 respectively) announcing the reception and the achievements of Dr. Khan. Acting Mayor of Chicago, Eugene Sawyer, proclaimed Friday, May 20th, 1988 as "Dr. Fazlur Rahman Khan Day in Chicago". Illinois State Senator Bob Kustra and former Lieutenant Governor of Illinois offered Senate Resolution No. 991 honoring the feats of Dr. Khan. As public relations chairman for SEAOI, I personally invited key representatives from Chicago's media and expected a contingent of Chicago's press, including television reporters. At the reception SEAOI president Jon Boyd remarked, "This is not a memorial,... but a celebration. Fazlur's Memorial is all around us today. It is in the skylines of our cities, in the legacy of his work and teaching, but most importantly, it is in the minds and hearts of those who knew him." Unfortunately, those words went unreported by the Chicago press, because, on that same day, a deranged woman (Laurie Dann) invaded a suburban Chicago grade school brandishing a gun and shooting children. At least one child was killed and several were wounded.

SCULPTURE PLACED IN STORAGE

The sculpture remained on display in the lobby of the 222 North LaSalle office building for several weeks. SEAOI attempted to locate a site for permanent display. In September 1988 the sculpture went on display in the lobby of City Hall. At this time one of the political writers for the Chicago SUN-TIMES saw the sculpture and wrote a story, "Skyscraper 'Dad' Homeless". In the story, the author mentioned that SEAOI was still looking for a site. Still a place could not be located and, after display at City Hall, the sculpture had to be put into temporary storage. Considering Dr. Khan's contribution to Chicago, this was depressing. None of the Chicago's museums, nor the building management for some of the buildings which Khan designed, wanted the sculpture. Chicago is sometimes referred to as the architectural capital of the United States if not the world. Architectural tours are big business in Chicago but the engineers contribution in creating Chicago's famous skyline remained obscure.

A SITE FOR THE SCULPTURE

Finally, in the spring of 1989, a site was located. The management of the Brunswick Building (now renamed the Cook County Adminstration Building) , 69 West Washington, Chicago, agreed to have the sculpture placed on an outside wall in their plaza. The sculpture was located right behind a famous Chicago outdoor sculpture by Joan Miro. Finally the public would be able to view the piece in a prominent location. (Coincidentally, the Brunswick Building was one of Dr. Khan's first achievements in tubular framing.)

On May 8, 1989 the sculpture was formally dedicated in the plaza. Chicago Mayor, Richard M. Daley, cut the ceremonial ribbon. Once again the media was invited. Paul Gapp, Chicago Tribune architectural critic, was a speaker at the dedication. "Chicago owes thanks to the Structural Engineers Association of Illinois for commissioning this memorial. This is a city where the names of Sullivan and Wright and Mies come easily to the tongue. Now, perhaps the name Fazlur Khan will be more clearly remembered as another giant of architecture and engineering," said Gapp. Bill Lavicka, an SEAOI past president, stated, "This is our structural engineers gift to all Chicagoans. We hope that this sculpture will generate public awareness of this great man and his profession, structural engineering." Nonetheless, there was little mention of the sculpture in the Chicago press, other than the commentary by Gapp, a champion for the accomplishments of Khan.

For several years the sculpture remained on display in its outdoor setting. In early 1990 the sculpture was hidden from view as the plaza underwent restoration. When the plaza reopened in August, 1990, a public ceremony was held. Press stories announced the new plaza and dressed-up surroundings for Miro's "Miss Chicago" sculpture, but none of the stories mentioned the Khan Sculpture. Minor deterioration in some of the welded connections began to show soon afterward, in 1991. An indoor setting was needed if the sculpture was to last. Once again SEAOI looked for an appropriate site for the sculpture. Realizing bold measurers were needed and realizing the media's penchant for negative news, I took a chance and announced the deterioration of the sculpture to the press. Shortly thereafter, on the front page of the Chicago SUN-TIMES, a story appeared, "Loop Sculpture Rusting On Its Laurels." The story criticized the structural engineers for being so stupid as to have located the sculpture outdoors, while failing to mention prior difficulties in obtaining an indoor site.

About that time, the Sears Tower was undergoing a change in management. Sears had abandoned its building to move to the suburbs, and the new management had plans to update the building. A new skydeck entrance and architectural exhibit were under consideration. SEAOI approached the building management to find out if they would display the sculpture.

A NEW HOME

In early 1993 an agreement was reached between SEAOI and the building managers for the Sears Tower. The sculpture was refurbished and moved to the tower that spring. That summer, the sculpture was moved to its current position. Since then, it has been adjacent to the elevators where visitors to the Sears Tower  ( Now Willis Tower)  enter or exit the skydeck ticket purchase area. Millions of people now have the opportunity to view the sculpture.

For information on Dr. Fazlur Khan check out the following:

http://www.fazlurrkhan.com/

sculpture Click photo for full size version.