ECA News & Events Update
NECA Virtual Programming
-- July 2020 -- 
Across the country there will be a lot of variation on the availability of in-person training in the weeks and months ahead, and to combat this NECA is bringing some of their most popular in-person classes, that they hold with NECA Chapters across the country, online! In July, there are several classes NECA members can take advantage of. Please click on the link below for information regarding registration for these sessions.

Please contact  education@necanet.org  with any questions.
City of Chicago Disparity Study
-- Assistance Requested -- 
The City of Chicago is conducting a disparity study to examine whether minorities and women have equal access to City construction contracting opportunities. If your firm currently works with or has tried to bid on construction contracts for the City of Chicago as a prime contractor, subcontractor or supplier, Colette Holt & Associates (“CHA”) would like to hear from you.
 
Small group business owner interviews are planned for August 2020. These focus groups will gather information to understand your experiences with the City’s Minority- and Women-Owned Business Enterprise construction contracting program and operations, including perceived race or gender-based discrimination when seeking City construction contracts or in the overall Chicago area construction industry.
 
Your participation in these sessions is important to the disparity study . CHA is partnering with Sandi Llano & Associates Inc., a recognized and respected leader in the Chicago area on supplier diversity programs. For more information about the study and opportunities to participate, please visit the study website: Chicago.disparity-study.com . Questions? Email chicago-study@mwbelaw.com
NECA 2020 LIVE! Check out the live broadcasts on Facebook and LinkedIn each Sunday to learn more about NECA's first ever virtual convention.
You can view yesterday's event and all future events each Sunday at 1pm, by searching @NECANET on Facebook or LinkedIn.

ECA Golf Outing
August 4, 2020
The Electrical Contractors’ Association of City of Chicago (ECA) is pleased to present a special event in lieu of the ECA Annual Spring Conference. The event is the “ECA Golf Outing.” This is an opportunity for Chapter members to not only participate in a complimentary golf outing scheduled for August 4, 2020 at Kemper Lakes Golf Club, 24000 N. Old McHenry Road in Kildeer, Illinois, which includes use of a driving range, lunch, food and beverages on the course, cocktails and dinner, networking and a raffle; but, an opportunity to contribute to the NECAPAC.
"Managing Field Productivity" August 27, 2020
The Electrical Contractors' Association of City of Chicago (ECA) Research and Education Committee seminar called, "Managing Field Productivity" has been scheduled for Thursday, August 27, 2020 to be held at the Drake Oak Brook Hotel.

If you're interested in attending the "Managing Field Productivity" seminar, please click the link below.
ECA Membership Meeting September 9, 2020
Please join us for our September evening Membership Meeting! The program will feature industry updates, and guest presentation / keynote address from Kelly Richmond Pope, Ph.D., CPA on "White Collar" Crime, Fraud & Internal Control Issues .

The event is scheduled as follows:
Wednesday, September 9, 2020
Mastro's Steakhouse
520 N. Dearborn Street
Chicago, IL 60654

5:30 pm - Registration / Networking
6:00 pm - Dinner
7:00 pm - Business Session / Keynote Address
8:30 pm - Event Concludes
"Advanced Estimating of Electrical Construction"
September 16 & 17, 2020
The Electrical Contractors' Association of City of Chicago (ECA) Research and Education Committee workshop called, "Advanced Estimating of Electrical Construction" has been scheduled for Wednesday, September 16 & Thursday, September 17, 2020. The program is to be held at the Drake Oak Brook Hotel.

If you're interested in attending the "Advanced Estimating" workshop, please click the link below.
NECA Convention & Trade Show - VIRTUAL Event - October 5 -7, 2020
The National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) announced the 2020 Convention and Trade Show will take place entirely online October 5–7, featuring brand-new virtual experiences. McCormick Place in Chicago, the planned site for the 2020 Convention, informed NECA that it does not have approval at this time to hold the event, and the association is adjusting accordingly.
 
This virtual event will maintain its traditional dynamic speakers and educational opportunities, but has been adjusted to meet the evolving requirements demanded by the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
“The NECA Convention and Trade Show is the industry’s hallmark event. It is important we continue to provide the best education, the latest offerings in innovation, and continue cultivating the sense of community within the industry that our organization has always provided,” said NECA CEO David Long. “For that reason, NECA 2020 Live will utilize the latest technology to bring the convention and show to contractors across America.”
 
NECA 2020 Live will feature inspiring keynote addresses from NECA 2020 host and emcee David Meade and Paralympic gold medalist Victoria Arlen, as well as a fireside chat with industry leaders and dozens of educational sessions. NECA is excited about working with their industry-leading exhibitors to bring the latest electrical and telecommunications products to the industry. All events will be streamed online for attendees. The inaugural NECA Apprentice Challenge is postponed while the NECA Safety Professionals Conference will now be hosted as a virtual event later in 2020.
 
Please note, the NECA Board of Governors Meeting will also be delivered on a virtual platform. More details will follow.  

Registration for the NECA 2020 Live opens early July, 2020. 

Visit  www.necaconvention.org  or www.necanet.org to stay in the know on all NECA 2020 Live updates!  
ECA Membership Meeting
October 14, 2020
Please join us for our October luncheon Membership Meeting! The program will feature industry updates, and guest presentation from Shannon Andrews, City of Chicago Chief Procurement Officer.

The event is scheduled as follows:
Wednesday, October 14, 2020
Maggiano's Banquets
240 Oakbrook Center
Oak Brook, IL 60523
(630) 368-0300

12:00 pm - Registration / Networking
12:30 pm - Lunch
1:15 pm - Business Session / Guest Presentation
2:00 pm - Event Concludes
"Succession Planning"
October 21, 2020
The Electrical Contractors' Association of City of Chicago (ECA) Research and Education Committee workshop called, "Succession Planning" has been scheduled for Wednesday, October 21, 2020. The program is to be held at the Drake Oak Brook Hotel.

If you're interested in attending the "Succession Planning" workshop,  please click the link below.
ECA Membership Meeting
November 11, 2020
Please join us for our November luncheon Membership Meeting!   The program will feature industry updates, and guest presentation from Jamie Rhee, Commissioner, City of Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA).

The event is scheduled as follows:
Wednesday, November 11, 2020
Gibsons Steakhouse
2105 Spring Road
Oak Brook, IL 60523
(630) 954-0000

12:00 pm - Registration / Networking
12:30 pm - Lunch
1:15 pm - Business Session / Guest Presentation
2:00 pm - Event Concludes
"Top Habits of High Performing Foremen"
November 18, 2020
The Electrical Contractors' Association of City of Chicago (ECA) Research and Education Committee workshop called, "Top Habits of High Performing Foremen" has been scheduled for Wednesday, November 18, 2020. The program is to be held at the Drake Oak Brook Hotel.

If you're interested in attending the "Top Habits of High Performing Foremen" workshop, please  click the link below.
IMSCA Legislative Update -
End of Illinois General Assembly Session
Please click on the link below for a copy of the Illinois Mechanical & Specialty Contractors Association's (IMSCA’s) End of Session report. This report includes a synopsis of last week’s special legislative session and an overview of the state’s FY21 spending plan.

Issues addressed during the session include:
  • State Spending Plan
  • Workers' Compensation
  • Unemployment Insurance
  • Mechanics' Lien
  • CDB Singe Prime Delivery Method

This report has also been added to IMSCA’s website, www.imsca.org.
IMSCA PAC Raffle -
Tickets Available!
IMSCA is excited to announce the IMSCA-PAC 2020 fundraiser has resumed!  The winning tickets will now be drawn at IMSCA’s Board and Membership meeting on September 11, 2020. Please click on the link below for a copy of the Raffle Ticket Order Form. SEVEN RAFFLE WINNERS will be drawn this year! Tickets are $50 each. Each ticket purchased buys you a chance to win the prize of your choice. The winners do not need to be present to win. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact Jessica Newbold Hoselton, Executive Director, Illinois Mechanical & Specialty Contractors Association (IMSCA) at: (217) 523-4361.
Reopening safely - Guidelines for relying on EPA and state polices providing relief from environmental compliance during COVID-19
Please click on the link below for a copy of the Baker McKenzie report, "The Reopening Playbook" focusing o n Reopening safely - Guidelines for relying on EPA and state polices providing relief from environmental compliance during COVID-19.
U.S. Department of Treasury Issues Additional Guidance Regarding PPP Program / NECA Phase IV Coronavirus Legislative Webinar / PPP Loan Forgiveness Application Update / Borrower & Lender Responsibilities
Here is additional information regarding PPP guidance. Also, please review information regarding NECA's recent Phase IV Webinar and PPP Loan Forgiveness Application.
U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) temporary regulations - Stay-at-Home Order(s) and FFCRA impact.
Please click on the link below for the DOL's temporary regulations applicable to the Family First Coronavirus Response Act clarifying how local, state, or federal “shelter in place”/“stay at home” orders affect entitlements to FFCRA leave. 
EJAB NDERA Referral Follow-up
In regard to compliance with the NDERA, the Electrical Joint Arbitration Board (EJAB) has submitted a clarification regarding the Recall scenario concerning lay-off of employee(s).  Please click on the link below for the EJAB notice.

Also, please click on the link below for a copy of the “National Disease Emergency Response Agreement (NDERA),” as well as the jointly created NDERA Question and Answers. Please review the Q & A sheet. This will assist firms in complying with the agreement!

Construction Impact letter, Contract Rights, and FFCRA FAQ
Please see this template letter from NECA that you may find useful in dealing with your customers concerning construction impacts resulting from COVID-19.




Save the Dates

MEP Young Professionals Trivia Night via Zoom Meeting.
July 30, 2020
Registration information to follow soon.



ECA SUMMER SOCIAL EVENT
August 14, 2020 - CANCELED
Air and Water Show Rehearsal
Lakeside Theater , Chicago, IL
RE-SCHEDULED for August 13, 2021!



Additional "MANAGING FIELD PRODUCTIVITY" Session
Arranged For August 27, 2020
(Registration is now Open!)
Drake Oak Brook Hotel
Oak Brook, IL

"ADVANCED ESTIMATING OF ELECTRICAL CONSTRUCTION" -
RE-SCHEDULED!
September 16 & 17, 2020
(A few spots are open!)
Drake Oak Brook Hotel
Oak Brook, IL


"SUCCESSION PLANNING" SEMINAR
October 21, 2020
Drake Oak Brook Hotel
Oak Brook, IL


"THE TOP HABITS OF HIGH-PERFORMING FOREMEN" SEMINAR
November 18, 2020
Drake Oak Brook Hotel
Oak Brook, IL