ECA Industry Update
ECA Welcomes New Member:
UISI: Utilities Instrumentation Service of Illinois
Utilities Instrumentation Service, Inc., is a NETA accredited testing firm delivering electrical acceptance testing and preventative maintenance services. Check them out at teamuis.com, and join us in welcoming them to ECA!
Early Bird available with Promo Code EA4LYR until Monday April 5!
Starting April 6th, the New Rate is $500 per person.
NECA NOW - Virtual Conference
-April 13 - 14, 2021

PLEASE NOTE!
Until Monday, April 5, 2021 -- You can get the early registration pricing with code:
EA4LYR
The NECA NOW Conference registration is now open! Please click on the link below for more information / registration. As a reminder, the Early Bird Rate ended on March 30, 2021. The current rate is $500 per person.

STIPEND AVAILABLE
As a reminder, The ECA Executive Committee approved the educational stipends of the Registration fees for up to two representatives of participating ECA member firms for the NECA NOW Conference on April 13 – 14, 2021. All stipends / reimbursements are made after each conference with registration confirmation(s) forwarded to ECA.
In Case you Missed It...
On March 31st ECA Chicago hosted a webinar to inform members of President Biden's New Energy Plan and the Certification you may need in order to work on EV Charging Infrastructure Projects. If you missed the webinar and would like a recording of the program and associated documents, please contact Carrie Spaeth at ECA today! The push to get ECA members EVITP Certified, and listed on the Federally Identified Website of Approved Contractors is backed by NECA CEO David Long and IBEW International President, Lonnie Stephenson. Read their letter to the Industry here.
ELECTRI Council Room Session - April 21, 2021
"What is Digital Electricity? How Does it Impact EC?"
If you are not a current ELECTRI member and you would like to learn more about what ELECTRI has to offer, the Council Room sessions will showcase what ELECTRI is all about—sharing ideas and resources to keep electrical construction strong, productive, and profitable.
 
The third ELECTRI Council Room Session is scheduled for Wednesday, April 21, 2021 at 4:00 pm (Eastern Time). The presentation and discussion will focus on "What is Digital Electricity" How Does it Impact EC?" featuring Stephen Eaves, Founder and CEO of VoltServer, Inc.

To receive the meeting link, please contact [email protected].
“Solar & Energy Storage Design & Estimating Course"
May 6th & 7th, 2021
Sponsored by
Powering Chicago - the Labor Management Cooperation Committee of Chicago (LMCC of Chicago) is a proud sponsor of an Illinois IBEW Renewable Energy Fund (IBEW REF) coordinated program called, “Solar & Energy Storage Design & Estimating Course” being presented by Pro Union Consulting.  

POWERING CHICAGO is paying for One representative from each Local 134 Signatory Contractor to attend ($500 value). 
Thursday, May 6, 2021 - Friday, May 7, 2021 sessions are to include the following:
 
·        Give the electrical contractor the confidence to begin designing and estimating photovoltaic and energy storage jobs.
·        Contractors will spend the two days discussing a range of topics that will answer many of the questions an electrical contractor needs to consider to be competitive, and profitable. 
NECA Safety Professionals Conference - Now, VIRTUAL!
-May 25 - 26, 2021
The NECA NOW Conference registration is now open! Please click on the link below for more information / registration.

STIPEND AVAILABLE
As a reminder, The ECA Executive Committee approved the educational stipends of the Registration fees for up to two representatives of participating ECA member firms for the NECA Safety Professionals Conference on May 25 - 26, 2021. All stipends / reimbursements are made after each conference with registration confirmation(s) forwarded to ECA.
NECA Safety Meeting App Available Complimentary for all ECA member firms.
As a reminder, the Chicago & Cook County Chapter, NECA has partnered with Safety Meeting App to provide you with a free subscription to Safety Meeting App as a benefit of membership. A number of Association members have not initiated the app. The ECA will cover one registration per company up to a maximum of ten users.
 
Safety Meeting App is the premier provider of OSHA required safety meetings and checklists. With Safety Meeting App you can easily store current & past meetings in the event they are needed. All records are stored electronically and ready at your fingertips whenever you need them.

 
Please contact the Safety Meeting App representative, Jenny Hernandez at: (971) 287-9729 or [email protected] to answer any questions regarding the app, as well as securing the app for your use.
Mayor Lightfoot Announced Transformative Business Initiatives To Support Small, Minority- And Women-Owned Contractors
Three separate initiatives have been designed to offer capital access, improve payment speed, and increase transparency around the utilization of diverse vendors doing business with the City of Chicago. In an effort to further support diverse businesses in Chicago, Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot recently announced a series of initiatives to create a more level playing field for potential and current suppliers of goods and services to the City.

These initiatives include the first-of-its-kind City of Chicago Vendor Impact Fund, which aims to offer capital access to diverse contractors and vendors; the Prompt Payment Working Group, which will ensure that City vendors are paid in an efficient and timely manner for their services; and an Executive Order issued by Mayor Lightfoot, requiring enhanced reporting on spending with local certified firms and on business diversity programs.

Please click on the links to Learn More regarding these initiatives.
IMSCA’s 2021 -- Legislative Initiatives Introduced
The Illinois Mechanical & Specialty Contractors Association (IMSCA) introduced two bills this year on behalf of the Illinois sub-contracting industry.

SB 178 is sponsored by Assistant Majority Leader Linda HolmesSB 178 seeks to amend the Public Construction Bond Act to provide that a local government entity may not require retainage when a contractor has furnished a surety bond or its equivalent. 

SB 2494 is sponsored by Senator Ram VillivalamSB 2494 seeks to extend a sunset provision in current law that allows the time a commercial construction project may last and still permit the filing of a mechanics lien from 3 to 5 years.  

Please click on the links for further information.
COVID-19 RESOURCES FOR ECA MEMBERS:
Stay up to date on the latest changes for our Industry including news releases, legislation and Government mandates, workplace safety and preparation guidelines, OSHA alerts, and more that affect electrical contractors in Chicago and Cook County.
 
SAVE THE DATES


April 7, 2021
Virtual Event

April 13 - 14, 2021
Virtual Event

April 15, 2021
Maggiano's Banquets - Chicago

April 22, 2021
Virtual Event

Solar & Energy Storage Design & Estimating Course
May 6 - 7, 2021
Location: INTECH, Alsip

May 10 - 12, 2021
Drake Oak Brook Hotel

May 19, 2021
Drake Oak Brook Hotel

May 27, 2021
Drake Oak Brook Hotel

June 9 - 10, 2021
The American Club - Kohler, WI