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PPE Supply Order
(KN95 & FFP2 Face Masks)
--ECA Members Only
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Due to the critical shortage of PPE for our workforce, ECA has coordinated a supplier to place a large order of face masks for all of our members.
Members must order and pay directly through the ECA website. Then our Chapter will place one large order for everyone.
ORDER DEADLINE IS MONDAY, APRIL 27 @ NOON.
Shipment lead time is 10 – 14 days once order is placed.
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Complimentary ECA Webinar:
"How to Help & Serve Your Customers in a Virtual World NOW & Seamlessly Transition Back to Business as Usual LATER."
Presented by Kelly McDonald
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The Electrical Contractors' Association of City of Chicago (ECA) Research and Education Committee is proud to present an upcoming live webinar called, "How to Help & Serve Your Customers in a Virtual World NOW & Seamlessly Transition Back to Business as Usual LATER." The session is to be presented by Kelly McDonald. Please join us
THURSDAY, APRIL 30, 2020 - 3:00 PM (CST)
. The program will include a 40 minute presentation and additional time for Q & A.
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Complimentary Webinar for Young Professionals of ECA: "How to Step Up and Lead in a Crisis: 3 Critical Do's and Don'ts"
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APRIL 28, 2020 @ 4:00P.M.
You don’t have to be the boss to be a leader. In fact, now, more than ever, the way you approach your work, the business landscape and the very real challenges we all face define you as a leader – or someone who needs to be led. It’s time to step up and show your team, your customers and suppliers how you solve problems and keep the business moving forward.
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- IMSCA Update -
Illinois Workers Compensation Emergency Rule
(COVID-19 related)
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As you are aware, the Illinois Workers Compensation Commission recently adopted an amended Emergency Rule on April 15, 2020. The rule essentially states any employee of an “essential business” as defined in Governor Pritzker’s Executive Order (including construction) is entitled to workers’ compensation benefits if they are diagnosed with the COVID-19 virus. This change will make it difficult for employers to defend claims and prove exactly where a worker was infected with the virus.
Please be aware that the Illinois Department of Insurance is not including COVID-19 claims in the employers experience modification (EMR) rating. The NCCI updated their FAQ document on their website which reflects this as well. This information is included in item 16 on the NCCI FAQ which can be read by clicking on the following link:
https://www.ncci.com/Articles/Pages/Insights-Coronavirus-FAQs.aspx
. While this is a positive development, the IWCC’s emergency rule still has the potential to negatively impact contractors in Illinois. The EMR is just one factor used to calculate insurance premiums; contractor’s will not be shielded from thousands of dollars of workers’ compensation costs. IMSCA will continue to keep everyone updated and will inform you of ways you can participate in this issue.
Again, IMSCA will offer updated information as it becomes available. If you have any specific questions, you can contact Jessica Newbold Hoselton, Executive Director, Illinois Mechanical & Specialty Contractors Association (IMSCA) at: (217) 523-4361.
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WORKERS COMPENSATION AMENDMENT (COVID-19) --
A CISCO Update
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This is an update from CISCO regarding a Workers Compensation change in Illinois. Governor Pritzker made some significant changes to the Illinois Workers Compensation Commission rules regarding arbitration.
To read the Emergency Workers Compensation Amendment,
click here
.
To download and print the CISCO News Update,
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NECA Safety Stand Down
(COVID-19 related)
April 29, 2020
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NECA is sponsoring a safety stand down on April 29, 2020 to recognize the many electricians and utility workers that have been deemed essential workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, and continue to go to work each day and make sacrifices to better our country. Take part and share a note or photo with #NECASafety, and on NECA’s
LinkedIn
and
Facebook
accounts. Please share the number of workers who participated with
safety@necanet.org
so NECA can feature this in the future. Material for your safety stand down can be found by clicking on the links below.
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ECA OFFICE AVAILABILITY /
DUES REPORTING /
NEBF SUBMITTAL PROCESS
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We would like to remind everyone, that our staff is here to serve you, even while a portion of the staff may be working remotely. Our main switchboard may be forwarded to a staff member at any given time, so if you should have difficulty getting through on our main number 708-531-0022, please reach out to us via the following contact information.
Staff contact information is as follows:
Tim Taylor – Assistant Manager
Carrie Spaeth – Assistant Manager
NEBF PAYMENTS: Please reach out to Jessica Waterous if you do not currently report and pay your NEBF electronically and you would like to do so.
ECA DUES: If you would prefer an electronic dues reporting/payment option, please reach out to Gina Floro.
Meanwhile, staggered staff are still available to accept mail and packages at our office in Westchester.
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ELECTRIC ASSOCIATION INDUSTRY SURVEY RESULTS (COVID-19)
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157 industry organizations responded to a survey conducted by the Electric Association (EA). The survey concerned business operations working under the uncertainty of COVID-19. Please click on the link below for the survey results.
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EVENT CHANGES AND CANCELLATIONS
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You can find all ECA, NECA and Industry Event date changes or cancellations due to COVID-19 on
ECA's website here.
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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.
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On-Demand Webinar Available:
“COVID-19: 3 Key Areas for U.S. Employers to Master Now”
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The ECA utilizes the law firm of Baker & McKenzie. The law firm of Baker & McKenzie is offering an on-demand webinar to the ECA membership.
In this webinar, several of Baker & McKenzie’s US based Labor & Employment partners, who are deep in the trenches on these issues, discuss issues evolving in three key areas:
- Prevention & Mitigation
- Shelter-in-Place / Stay-at-Home Orders
- The New Normal
- Managing incidents of exposure at work
- Remote Working
- Understanding and Managing Leaves
- Cost-Cutting Strategies
- Layoffs, furloughs and other options
In addition to the webinar, Baker & McKenzie has many blog posts, alerts and articles covering COVID-19 related issues. Their team has been busy preparing practical advice to employers in an effort to ease the burden of these trying times.
For more insight, please visit...
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Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) Updates / IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR CONTRACTORS WITH FEWER THAN 50 EMPLOYEES
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Please click on the links below updates regarding the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA): The first link is for a copy of a letter to all signatory contractors regarding interim guidance as to how the paid leave requirements in the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) for employers with 500 or fewer employees will be handled. The second link is an updated NECA FFCRA FAQ. The third link is a link to an article concerning the Department of Labor's direction regarding how employers with fewer than 50 employees are handled in the FFCRA..
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Every three years, the National Electrical Code (NEC) is updated to reflect the newest installation practices utilized by the electrical industry, bringing about hundreds of revisions and new rules to the code. This training program provides attendees with a review of over 200 of the most significant changes in the 2020 NEC. Learn about new articles and revisions to existing requirements that directly impact the electrical construction business. This high-energy program promises to deliver authoritative overviews of many of the NEC changes that must be understood by contractors, installers, and inspectors alike. This program includes a textbook titled "Significant Changes to the 2020 NEC" authored by Michael Johnston (NECA) and Jim Dollard (Philadelphia Electrical JATC). The program is presented using PowerPoint slides that align with the information in the textbook.
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NECA Webinar Registrations FAQ
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As more and more of our members sign up for online training and register for NECA's twice-weekly webinars, NECA has compiled a few frequently asked questions (see link below) that they've received to help assist you when registering for their webinars.
You are encouraged to register early for these events and to login to participate at least 10 minutes before the event begins. All programs are available at
www.NECALearningCenter.org
. On the “
Course Catalog” page of the website, NECA always provides buttons directly to upcoming webinars as well as the past webinar recordings.
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National Disease Emergency Response Agreement (NDERA) Q & A Update
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Please click on the links below for the National Disease Emergency Response Agreement (NDERA), and the original and updated NDERA Q&As. The updated questions have been developed in response to questions received by the NECA National office, and takes into effect the changing nature of the current situation.
Please visit the ECA website at:
www.ecachicago.com
(Latest News) and also the NECA website at:
www.necanet.org
under the COVID-19 Resource Center, for much more information. Please contact the ECA with any questions at: (708) 531-0022.
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NECA has compiled several helpful documents to better understand your business options as a result of this new law:
Please visit the ECA website at www.ecachicago.com Latest News) and also the NECA website at:
www.necanet.org
under the COVID-19 Resource Center, for much more information. Please contact the ECA with any questions at: (708) 531-0022.
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US Department of Labor issues Guidance on Respiratory Protection during shortage
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The U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued interim enforcement guidance to help combat supply shortages of disposable N95 facepiece respirators (N95 FFRs). This marks the department's latest step to help ensure the availability of respirators. Read the full press release here
https://hubs.ly/H0ph7Nc0
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Additional resources on the CARES Act, Payroll Protection Provisions, Checklist from SBA
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Information on the Paycheck Protection Program
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The Chicago Building Congress shared this information regarding the new Paycheck Protection Program. You can
access the files here.
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U.S. Chamber of Commerce Guidelines Concerning CARES Act
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Please click on the link below regarding an update from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce concerning the recently enacted CARES Act. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has now published, the “Coronavius Emergency Loans Small Business Guide & Checklist.” Stay tuned for much more information on the CARES Act.
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NECA SAFETY Offers Two New Documents In Regard to Safety & COVID-19.
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Please review two new documents from NECA Safety: “Risk Assessment Process and Checklist for Work Impacted by COVID-19” and “NECA Example Exposure Control Plan (ECP).”
Links to these documents are below and can also be found on the ECA website at www.ecachicago.com and also on the NECA website at:
www.necanet.org
under the COVID-19 Resource Center, along with much more information.
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US Department of Labor Publishes Guidance on Families First Coronavirus Response Act
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Additional Resources from ECA Legal Team:
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Filing of Certified Payrolls online with Illinois Department of Labor
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Contractors who work on public works projects will soon be moving to filing their certified payrolls directly to the Illinois Department of Labor rather than through local governments where the work is performed.
Please click the link below for a copy of a notice from the Illinois Department of Labor. The letter provides an update on the status of the system for filing certified payrolls with DOL.
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Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) - Summary & FAQ
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The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) was signed into law on March 18, 2020 and
went into effect on April 1, 2020
.
A number of the questions are not completely answered as the Department of Labor (DOL) has stated that they will be issuing further guidance. We will keep you informed as additional guidance is issued.
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EIT Update -
Temporary Benefit Changes Due to Impact of Coronavirus
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Please click on the link below for an EIT notice on the
Temporary Benefit Changes
due to the impact of the coronavirus. Please contact the ECA with any questions at: (708) 531-0022
.
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Midwestern NECA Update –
Subcontractor form templates
(coronavirus – related: potential delays, suspensions on projects)
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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.
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NECA SAFETY TALKS: COVID-19 WORKSITE RECOMMENDATIONS
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NECA OFFERING FREE WEBINARS & ONLINE TRAINING
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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!
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CISCO Update from AGC -
Construction Site Precautions
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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.
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Construction Safety Council COVID-19 Statement
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In response to Executive Order 2020-10 issued by the Governor of the State of Illinois, the Construction Safety Council announces suspension of delivery of all in-person training programs through Sunday, April 12, 2020.
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2020 Project Excellence Awards
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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.
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NECA Safety Professionals Conference - POSTPONED!
No longer for May 18 - 20, 2020...
(Switched to October 5- 7, 2020 in Chicago).
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The conference is now scheduled in conjunction with the NECA Convention October 5 - 7, 2020 in Chicago. Visit
NECASafetyConference.com
for additional details.
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ECA Annual President's Party
Friday, May 22, 2020 - RESCHEDULED
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The Annual President's Party will now be held in conjunction with the ECA Holiday Party on Friday, December 4th, 2020 at the Crystal Gardens of Navy Pier. More information to come later this year.
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ECA Golf Outing -
August 4, 2020 (NEW DATE!)
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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 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.
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IMSCA-PAC Raffle 2020 -
POSTPONED
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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 postponed the raffle until later in the year. The raffle information included in the link will still apply except for the drawing date.
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NECA 2020 Midwestern Region Conference - CANCELED!
June 14 - 17, 2020
The NECA 2020 Midwestern Region Conference that was scheduled for June 14 - 17, 2020 at the Broadmoor Resort, Colorado Springs, CO. has been canceled.
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ECA Educational / Special Program Stipends for Remainder of 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. If the previously postponed applicable NECA events are re-scheduled, the list will be adjusted.
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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:
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ECA SUMMER SOCIAL EVENT
August 14, 2020
Air and Water Show Rehearsal
Lakeside Theater
Chicago, IL
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