ECA News & Events Update

Wage Rates & Allocations:

Principal, "B" Maintenance,

Communication, Residential Agreements,

and Trainee Information

Start Date: Monday, June 5, 2023

Please click on the links below for the Wage Rates & Allocations for the Principal, "B" Maintenance, Communication, Residential Agreements, as well the Trainee information starting Monday, June 5, 2023 through Sunday, June 2, 2024.

PRINCIPAL AGREEMENT INFORMATION

"B" MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT INFORMATION

COMMUNICATION AGREEMENT INFORMATION

RESIDENTIAL AGREEMENT INFORMATION

TRAINEE INFORMATION

Please contact the ECA at: (708) 531-0022 with any questions.

Young Professionals of ECA Chicago - 2023 Summer Event

The Young Professionals of ECA cordially invite you to our 2023 Summer Event! We have an exciting day planned for June 15, 2023, at Impact Field (5:00 PM - 9:00 PM)!

We have reserved the Rivers Stadium Club, Chicago Dog's premium semi-private area. Enjoy the game in the climate-controlled area with restaurant-style seating, a bar, restrooms, and TVs. Or enjoy the sunshine with the outdoor wide padding seats.

The Stadium Club provides ample space for folks to network and discuss in a relaxed setting with industry peers; this will be an event you don’t want to miss!

Only 9 Spots Available!

"Empower Your Electrical Contracting Business in 2023" - Program 5 of Six Sessions - May 31, 2023

Please join us for this ECA Research and Education Committee program!

"Empower Your Electrical Contracting Business in 2023"

Presented by Sean Samson Training, Ltd.

8:00 AM - 4:00 PM (All six days)

Breakfast & Lunch provided.

LOCATION:

HYATT LODGE OAK BROOK CONFERENCE CENTER

2815 Jorie Blvd, Oak Brook, IL 60523

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

EQUIFAX Users Update

As you are aware, the Electrical Contractors’ Association of City of Chicago (ECA) works with TALX-UC Express aka Equifax Workforce Solutions (EWS) for representation of unemployment claims, assist your firm to contest claim(s) and the identification and credits of inaccurate charge credits to your state account(s). For employers, Unemployment Case Management (UCM) can become complicated. The Electrical Contractors’ Association of Chicago (ECA) is committed with UC Express, Equifax Workforce Solutions (EWS) to assist in the control and reduction of your unemployment costs.

Please review a message form Equifax regarding upcoming webinar(s):

Change the game in case management by automating workforce and housing assistance processes with the help of Instant Client Insights Case Monitor™ solution. Hear from the Product Management team at Equifax on how to conduct verifications and get program–specific alerts on individuals’ life changes – such as address, income, employment, deceased status, and incarceration tip-and lead data – and enable efficient decisions across the program lifecycle.

Join us for a complimentary webinar to learn about how Equifax can automate case management processes and provide clients with instant updates on their cases. https://carahevents.carahsoft.com/Event/Details/329308-eqfx-demo

Specifically, we will cover:

Challenges agencies are facing in fulfilling their mission in an environment of increasing caseloads, with fewer experienced caseworkers and often complex or unaligned rules.
Approaches for automating processes with data-driven insights, real-time delivery of data, and monitoring for individuals’ life changes including income and employment, address and phone history, email addresses, deceased status, and incarceration status.
Benefits from automation and real-time delivery of data that can help take the burden off of manual processes from clients and staff while cost-effectively administering programs.

Don't miss this opportunity to learn how Equifax can improve client insights and manage client cases in real-time - register now!

If any questions, please contact:

Raquel Anderson

Account Representative | Equifax

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

carahsoft®

Carahsoft Technology Corp.

11493 Sunset Hills Road | Suite 100 | Reston, VA 20190

T: 571.591.6061 | 888.66.CARAH | F: 703.871.8505

raquel.anderson@carahsoft.com | www.carahsoft.com | carahsoft.zoom.us/my/raquelanderson

HB 2878 - Retainage Bill Approved

HB 2878 as amended was approved by the Illinois House on May 25, 2023. This bill includes IMSCA’s legislative initiative amending the Public Construction Bond Act to provide that retainage may be withheld at a rate of 10% for the first half of a public construction project but reduced to 5% upon 50% completion. This provision will apply to every county, township, municipality, municipal corporation, school district, school board, forest preserve district, park district, fire protection district, sanitary district and all other local governmental units. Thank you to everyone who assisted IMSCA on this legislative success! The next step for HB 2878 is receiving approval by Governor Pritzker. The legislation will become effective on January 1, 2024. HB 2878 Senate Amendment 2, also includes various other changes to the Illinois Procurement Code.

The Illinois Senate approved the state’s FY 24 spending budget on May 25, 2023 and adjourned for the summer months just after 1:00 a.m. on May 26, 2023. The budget approved by the Senate spends an estimated $50.6 billion in FY 24; which begins July 1^st. As of this writing, the budget awaits approval by the House. A comprehensive End of Session report, including an outline of the state budget and an overview of HB 2878 as amended, will be provided to IMSCA members upon adjournment of the spring 2023 legislative session.

If you have any questions, please contact Jessica Newbold Hoselton, Executive Director, Illinois Mechanical & Specialty Contractors Association (IMSCA) at: (217) 891-3675.

Blue Collar Jobs Act Tax Credit Program

implementation has begun of the Blue Collar Jobs Act Tax Credit program administered by the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.

Yesterday (May 17), Governor Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) announced that the application process for the Blue Collar Jobs Act (BCJA) Tax Credit for eligible companies is now open. The BCJA is a bipartisan legislative package designed to promote economic expansion and growth by incentivizing construction projects. The program makes $20 million in tax credits available per year for eligible companies. The program was approved in 2019 in conjunction with the Rebuild Illinois program. The effective date of the enabling legislation was 2021, however, implementation of the program was delayed and the application process was finally announced yesterday. As such, companies that completed construction projects in 2021 (the effective date of the enabling legislation) or later are eligible to apply for credits.

The BCJA program supports large-scale economic development activities by providing corporate income tax credits to companies that make substantial capital investments in Illinois. The tax credits are based on the wages paid to construction workers employed on eligible projects. To be eligible, a company must be located in an Enterprise Zone or a River Edge Redevelopment Zone, designated a High Impact Business or have an agreement under the Economic Development for a Growing Economy Program. Eligible companies can receive up to 75 percent of the income tax withholding credits attributable to construction workers on eligible projects located in an underserved area, or 50 percent for projects located in other areas. Additional eligibility information can be found by visiting DCEO’s website by clicking here: Blue Collar Jobs Act Tax Credit Program. In addition, eligibility information can also be found by clicking the link for the Blue Collar Jobs Act Application (also available on DCEO’s website).

For those who are interested, DCEO will host a technical assistance webinar to share details regarding the BCJA program application and processes on Monday, June 26, 2023 from 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Click here to sign up and RSVP for the webinar. If you need additional information or have questions regarding the program, you are encouraged to email: ceo.bcja@illinois.gov.

If you have additional questions, please contact Jessica Newbold Hoselton, Executive Director, Illinois Mechanical & Specialty Contractors Association (IMSCA) at: (217) 891-3675.

Blue Collar Jobs Act Application

IMSCA Legislative Update

May 12, 2023

Please click the link for IMSCA’s May 12^th Legislative Update. This report includes a summary of legislative items important to the Illinois construction industry. A list of issues to watch as the Spring 2023 Legislative Session inches closer to adjournment is also included. Both chambers will return to Springfield on Monday, May 15^th. If you have any questions, please contact Jessica Newbold Hoselton, Executive Director, Illinois Mechanical & Specialty Contractors Association (IMSCA) at (217) 891-3675.

CLICK HERE FOR MAY 12, 2023 UPDATE

ECA is excited to provide Document Crunch as a service to our members!

Contractors who sign up for the service will have exclusive access to an ELECTRI-specific solution through Document Crunch’s innovative platform. This platform helps simplify construction contracts and identify critical risk provisions quickly. Furthermore, as a result of the ELECTRI/Document Crunch partnership established last year, contractors can also take advantage of the platform’s enhanced benchmarking service.

Simplifying contracts for the construction industry

Document Crunch’s AI-assisted software platform is your Contract CoPilot™ for quickly identifying critical risk provisions in your construction contracts and provides teams with guidance to make great decisions throughout the entire project lifecycle.

Quickly identify contract risk
Save time and lower cost
Standardize contract review
Give your team a playbook

Construction is already risky enough, but contracts don’t have to be. Establish a system for reviewing contracts that is repeatable, measurable, and consistent.

Webinars will be held weekly for the next 3 weeks on Wednesdays at 4 pm EDT. There will also be a recording made available for those not able to attend.

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Satyam Verma at sverma@documentcrunch.com.

ECA 2023 Membership Meetings - Educational & Special Events Programming

Please click on the link for a listing of upcoming programs sponsored by the Electrical Contractors' Association of City of Chicago (ECA) Research & Education Committee, as well as National NECA events, Chapter programs. Registration links provided in pdf.

CLICK HERE FOR REGISTRATION INFO FOR 2023 PROGRAMS

Various Event Stipends

The Electrical Contractors' Association of City of Chicago (ECA) Executive Committee recently approved a number of educational stipends for various events throughout 2023. Please click on the link for the current listing. The registrations will be reimbursed to the applicable companies after the applicable Conference.

After you have registered for the applicable event, please e-mail a copy of your completed registration transaction to the Association office at registration@ecachicago.com. This will allow us to have a record of your registration information should you need any assistance after registering.

CLICK HERE FOR 2023 STIPEND LISTING

Member Education & Webinar Recordings

2023 NECA Now Presentation Slides

Illinois Economic Outlook Presentation Slides

Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Webinars & Member News

EAP solutions are available via on demand telephonic support and through video counseling, mobile app, work/life web portal and chat functionality.

ECA Members may log-in to the interactive work/life web portal for information on a variety of topics. Webinars are available at any time of day and our mobile app allows employees to access services such as counseling and work life resources right from the palm of their hand.

View the Upcoming Webinars, and Free Services for Members, and Log-In instructions here.

Below you will find materials and resources to share across your organization.

Mental Health Awareness Month Resources (May 2023)

AllOne Health Mental Health Awareness Month Announcement
New Mental Health Awareness Month Digital Toolkit
New 2023 Mental Health Awareness Month Video with a handout: New Mental Health: By the Numbers Flyer

Another location to find ERS service information is at our promotional toolkit webpage: https://myassistanceprogram.com/ers-folder/ . Our commitment to accessibility and inclusivity has led us to make significant improvements, including the addition of Spanish versions and digital flyers that are accessible to people with disabilities.

Check out the “AllOne Health Blog” link that can be found on that same webpage, for the latest resources in response to the latest news/events. Forward on the resources to your employees!

"Exposing the Myth & Lies About Mental Health" - webinar (5/25/23)