While it remains to be seen what the ultimate impact of COVID-19 will be on Chicagoland’s commercial real estate market, it is undeniable that the pandemic has brought about rapid changes in the way we work.

With remote work far more prevalent than it was at the beginning of the year, encouraging a return to offices in urban centers like Chicago and bolstering the construction and real estate industries in the process depends on creating safe built environments for people to congregate and collaborate in person.

Technology can play a vital role in this process, helping mitigate risk and allay concerns about the spread of COVID-19.

 

Powering Chicago's expert panel will explain how technology can be deployed to power a safe return to the workplace in the weeks and months ahead. 

 

LEARN MORE

The Department of Buildings is pleased to announce an opportunity for you to learn more about the transition to the 2019 Chicago Construction Codes in a full-day virtual training program, scheduled for Friday, July 24, 2020. Though all are welcome to register, the program will be targeted to architects and other design professionals, with a special focus on small- and mid-sized projects eligible to use the Self-Certification Permit Program. The program is being offered in association with the International Code Council (ICC) and will be taught by DOB Deputy Commissioner, Grant Ullrich. As part of the class fee, registrants will receive a print copy of the three-volume Chicago Plan Review Manual.

 

For more information, including registration details, visit alert on the DOB website . Please be sure to take note of the Course ID.

JOIN THE YOUNG PROFESSIONALS OF ECA FOR A SUMMER TRIVIA NIGHT!

JULY 30TH - 7:00-8:00p.m.

 

Join MEP+ emerging leaders for our very first virtual trivia night! Log on solo or with the whole family as our MC asks the questions live from Zoom. Don’t miss your chance to engage with an exciting group of emerging industry leaders and network with your peers across the MEP+ trades.

The City of Chicago is conducting a Disparity Study of its construction program for Minority-and Women-­owned Business Enterprises ("M/WBEs"). The City is conducting this research to ensure that M/WBEs have equal access to construction contracting opportunities and that the City's current construction program remains legally defensible and administratively successful. We invite you to participate in the study through an online small group interview of business owners. These important sessions will provide an opportunity to relate your experiences with doing business with the City as a prime or subcontractor on City construction projects, or your attempts to do so, and any barriers that you have encountered. Your insights and experiences will help identify potential improvements in our M/WBE construction program and encourage increased collaboration while promoting economic growth for all segments of our community. 

Meetings will be held:  August 6 through August 12, 2020. Please  click here to register  for an online meeting. You will be taken to a three-question survey to allow us to direct you to the appropriate meeting. All persons requiring special accommodations, including language assistance, should directly contact Colette Holt & Associates, the firm facilitating the sessions, no later than one week prior to the selected session.

For questions and general information about the Disparity Study, visit the study website chicago.disparity-study.com  or contact Colette Holt & Associates at [email protected]  or (855) 692-3529, or the Department of Procurement Services at (312) 744-9757.

Please click on the link below for various updates from NECA regarding the National Electrical Code (NEC) and National Electrical Industry Standards (NEIS) publications, among other areas.

Topic sections include the following:

You can view the events each Sunday at 1pm, by searching @NECANET on Facebook or LinkedIn.

If you miss them, you can find the link's to the videos on Linkedin here on our website.

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  [email protected]  with any questions.

Due to the uncertainty of the COVID-19, the Electrical Contractors’ Association of City of Chicago (ECA) has canceled the “ECA Golf Outing” that was to be held on August 4, 2020 at Kemper Lakes Golf Club.

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.

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

Complimentary Valet Parking

5:30 pm - Registration / Networking

6:00 pm - Dinner

7:00 pm - Business Session / Keynote Address

8:30 pm - Event Concludes

The event is limited to 50 attendees. Please register ahead of time due to space availability. Mastro's will be in keeping with current safety measures. All guests will be required to wear a face mask upon entering the restaurant.  

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.

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.

The Electrical Contractors’ Association of City of Chicago (ECA) / Chicago & Cook County Chapter, NECA and the Northeastern Illinois Chapter, NECA are proud to present the next  Safety Forum featuring the seminar, "Excavation Hazards in Construction."

 

"Excavation Hazards in Construction" is a FREE 4-hour safety training program designed to educate workers about the risks and liabilities associated with trench-related work. Participants will learn to identify potential hazards and avoid unsafe conditions when operating in and near an excavation site. The session is to be conducted by Construction Safety Council instructor(s).

 

Training topics include:

·      OSHA trenching and excavation safety standards (29 CFR 1926 Subpart P)

·      Definition and responsibilities of a Competent Person

·      Material and equipment inspections

·      Installation and removal of shoring systems

·      Soil testing in the field

 

The program is scheduled as follows:

 

DATE:

Thursday, September 24, 2020

 

TIME:

7:30 am - 11:30 am

 

LOCATION:

IBEW Local 701 Hall

Main Auditorium

28600 Bella Vista Parkway - Suite 1000

Warrenville, IL 60555

 

COST:

The program is complimentary for Chicago & Cook County Chapter, NECA members and Northeastern Illinois Chapter, NECA members. 

To register, you need to use the Comp Code: NECA MEMBER  (NECA MEMBER is all uppercase).

 

We do hope that you will be able to attend the Safety Forum!

 

You can register on-line at the ECA website at: www.ecachicago.com .

 

PLEASE CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

The National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) announced the 2020 Convention and Trade Show will take place entirely online October 6–8, featuring brand-new virtual experiences. 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.

Convention Stipend

Details regarding an ECA Executive Committee approved stipend for the virtual Convention (includes Registration through the ECA website) will soon follow! We hope that you take advantage of this educational opportunity.

 

PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR UPDATED CONVENTION INFORMATION.

Visit  www.necaconvention.org  or www.necanet.org to stay in the know on all NECA 2020 Live updates!   Registration opens on August 3rd!

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

The event is limited to 50 attendees. Please register ahead of time due to space availability. Maggiano's will be in keeping with current safety measures. All guests will be required to wear a face mask upon entering the restaurant.  

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.

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

The event is limited to 50 attendees. Please register ahead of time due to space availability. Gibsons will be in keeping with current safety measures. All guests will be required to wear a face mask upon entering the restaurant.  

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.

Check out the new look to the Electric Association website : http://eachicago.org/

 

NECA Legal Alert

As the country and our NECA contractors get back to work in stops and starts (or continue along as essential), there are a number of novel issues that need to be addressed by employers. A few areas of concern are the sick leave and testing issues associated with the pandemic.

Do the requirements and benefits provided for in the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) apply to you? This tool will quickly walk you through a handful of options to determine your eligibility as an employee for paid sick leave or paid expanded family and medical leave, or your obligations as an employer to provide paid sick leave or paid expanded family and medical leave.

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.

Here is additional information regarding PPP guidance. Also, please review information regarding NECA's recent Phase IV Webinar and PPP Loan Forgiveness Application.

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. 

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!

Please see this template letter from NECA that you may find useful in dealing with your customers concerning construction impacts resulting from COVID-19.

NECA -  Understanding Contract Rights Related to Construction Impacts from the COVID-19 Pandemic

NECA FACT SHEET:  Families First Coronavirus Response Act FAQ