ECA Industry Update
National Disease Emergency Response Agreement (NDERA) Enacted
As a result of ongoing discussions and to address the recently declared National Emergency concerning the Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19), NECA and the IBEW have reached agreement for a national agreement to address the COVID-19 pandemic (or similar diseases) and potential emergency situations created by it. This has been reviewed and approved unanimously by the NECA Executive Committee and is now available for use, as it was immediately effective March 16, 2020. The COVID-19 threat is ongoing and must be continually monitored by the Parties who agree to discuss any new legislation or regulation related to the coronavirus or similar disease that may impact this Agreement. Please click on the link below for a copy of the “National Disease Emergency Response Agreement (NDERA).”  

Midwestern NECA Update –
Subcontractor form templates
(coronavirus – related: potential delays, suspensions on projects)
The Midwestern NECA office has submitted a package of Subcontractor forms / letters regarding potential coronavirus delays and suspensions on construction projects. The letters were provided by Roy S. Cohen, Partner of the law firm of Cohen, Seglias, Pallas, Greenhall & Furman PC. (Associate Members of the Penn-Del-Jersey Chapter). Please be aware that that your firm might have a slightly different factual pattern which might need to be addressed before sending. Mr. Cohen’s contact information is listed on the first page of the compilation if you would like to reach out to him and discuss further. 

INTECH temporarily closed
The IBEW-NECA Technical Institute (INTECH) has informed the ECA that given the evolving concerns around the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) and to help support the community health management efforts, INTECH will be closed to all education and training effective March 18, 2020 through at least April 6, 2020.
 
The INTECH office will be operational with a staggered or minimal office staff. If you have education or training questions or concerns, please contact INTECH at: (708) 389-1340.

CORONAVIRUS UPDATES PAGE AT WWW.ECACHICAGO.COM
Stay up to date on the latest changes for our Industry including news releases, workplace safety and preparation guidelines, OSHA alerts, and more that affect electrical contractors in Chicago and Cook County.


NECA OFFERING FREE WEBINARS & ONLINE TRAINING
With temporary adjustments to our work schedule and working conditions, this is the perfect time for everyone to undergo personal development with online training. For a limited time NECA is offering more than 100 online training courses to all employees of NECA members for FREE!

CISCO Update from AGC -
Construction Site Precautions
The Construction Industry Service Corporation (CISCO) has forwarded an update from the Chicagoland AGC, as there have been recent discussions among Management and Labor leaders regarding construction site precautions. 

Click here to download and print the Construction Site Precautions Notice.

NECA WINFL Conference
-CANCELED-
Due to the uncertainty of the COVID-19, the Women in NECA and Future Leaders (WINFL) Leadership Conference that was to be held March 17-19, 2020 at The Grand Hyatt Tampa in Tampa, Fla. has been postponed.
IMSCA Lobby Day
-CANCELED-
Cue to the uncertainty of the COVID-19, IMSCA has cancelled its Lobby Day in Springfeild, Illinois that was scheduled for March 24, 2020.
CISCO Annual Luncheon
- POSTPONED
The Construction Industry Service Corporation (CISCO) recently announced that their Annual Luncheon with the guest speaker to be City of Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot has been postponed. The program was to be held at the Local 134 IBEW Hall in Chicago on April 24, 2020.
"Electrical Management Essentials: Finance, Insurance & Legal"
--ON HOLD--
"Electrical Management Essentials: Finance, Insurance & Legal"

This one-day class, designed specifically for NECA’s small and medium-sized contractors, will bring in three experts to discuss the essential elements of finance, insurance and risk, and legal issues that all contractors need to know. On the financial side, the experts will examine topics such as indirect costs, work in process, financial statements, and profit fade. They will cover key protections for managing your risk and the essential insurance policies you must have. And finally, they will discuss important changes to overtime laws, guidance for drafting and interpreting product and services contracts, and provide you with best practices for workplace investigations. 

The program is now ON HOLD.
Rebuilding Together Chicago Annual Build Day: April 25, 2020
The LMCC Chicago, a joint labor management committee working together to promote a stronger union electrical construction industry, is extending an invitation to you to partner with them in the annual Rebuild Together event.
2020 Project Excellence Awards
NECA began accepting submissions for the 2020 Project Excellence Awards Program on January 1, 2020. These prestigious awards recognize NECA member companies for their outstanding commitment, professionalism and ingenuity in delivering an electrical project across 12 different market sectors.

Submissions for projects completed in 2019 will be accepted until April 30, 2020. 
NECA Legislative Conference
-CANCELLED-
Mandarin Oriental Hotel
Washington, D.C.
The NECA 2020 National Legislative Conference  is the premiere legislative event for electrical contractors to hear about top issues affecting our industry and meet the leaders who are working to provide real solutions.  Due to the uncertainty of the COVID-19 outbreak, the NECA Legislative Conference which was to be held April 27 - April 30, 2020 in Washington, D.C. has been cancelled.
NECA Safety Professionals Conference
May 18 - 20, 2020 
Join NECA and the electrical industry's leading safety experts at the premier safety event,  NECA Safety Professionals Conference , presented by  NECA Premier Partner Westex by Milliken .
The conference is scheduled May 18 - 20, 2020 in Scottsdale, AZ.  Registration is now open.  Visit NECASafetyConference.com for additional details.

Emerald Awards
May 21, 2020 
The Illinois Green Alliance is proud to announce that submissions are now open for their 15 th Annual Awards program . The Emerald Awards recognize outstanding individuals, organizations, corporations, projects, and technologies implemented in Illinois which advance both buildings and communities to become more sustainable, prosperous and healthy.   The Emerald Awards Ceremony is to be held this year on May 21 st  at Convene in Chicago and will be an opportunity to celebrate and highlight the exemplary commitments and achievements taking place in Illinois in transforming the built environment by engaging, educating and empowering sustainable communities.   Emerald Awardees can include, but are not limited to, architects, engineers, contractors, developers, design teams, community organizers, schools, governmental entities, non-profit organizations, and beyond.   Nominations are open through tomorrow, March 20, 2020.

ECA Golf Outing -
June 1, 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 on June 1, 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.
 
IMSCA-PAC Raffle 2020 -
Tickets Now Available
The Illinois Mechanical and Specialty Contractors Association (IMSCA) is the lobbying entity that the Electrical Contractors’ Association of City of Chicago (ECA) utilizes in regard to issues concerning the Illinois General Assembly. The IMSCA Political Action Committee (IMSCA-PAC) has begun their 2020 fundraising effort. THANKS to the generosity of IMSCA members for prize donations, SEVEN RAFFLE WINNERS will be drawn this year! Tickets are $50 each.  
 
NECA 2020 Midwestern Region Conference
June 14 - 17, 2020  
     
The NECA 2020 Midwestern Region Conference is scheduled for June 14 - 17, 2020 at the Broadmoor Resort, Colorado Springs, CO. There is a special stipend for this event. Please register, soon!

ECA Educational / Special Program Stipends for 2020  
     
The Electrical Contractors' Association of City of Chicago (ECA) Executive Committee has extended a number of educational / special program stipends for many programs / conferences throughout 2020. All stipends / reimbursements are made after each conference with registration confirmation(s) forwarded to ECA.

Illinois Department of Human Rights Releases Compliance Guidelines for Sexual Harassment Prevention Training
       
The Illinois Department of Human Rights (IDHR) launched an information-based webpage concerning Public Act 101-0221 (commonly referred to as the Workplace Transparency Act), a law that requires all Illinois employers to provide sexual harassment prevention training to their employees on an annual basis.

Here is a link to the full article in regard to the guidelines:
Save the Dates
ECA PRESIDENT'S PARTY
May 22, 2020
Crystal Gardens - Navy Pier

ECA SUMMER SOCIAL EVENT
August 14, 2020
Air and Water Show Rehearsal
Lakeside Theater
Chicago, IL