ECA Industry Update
Trainee Referral Procedure Adjustment!
Due to the continuing Coronavirus / COVID-19 situation, the EJAB has adjusted the Trainee Referral Procedure.

Please click on the link below for a copy of the notice from EJAB. Please contact the ECA with any questions at: (708) 531-0022.


US Department of Labor Publishes Guidance on Families First Coronavirus Response Act
ECA TO HOST LIVE WEBINAR:
MONDAY, MARCH 30, 2020: 1:30p.m.

FFCRA DISCUSSION with ECA Legal Representative Douglas Darch, Baker McKenzie

FREE and OPEN To ECA Members.
Filing of Certified Payrolls online with Illinois Department of Labor
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.

Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) - Summary & FAQ
The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) was signed into law on March 18, 2020 and is scheduled to go into effect on April 2, 2020

Please use these links for a summary and FAQ concerning the FFCRA from NECA National. These documents are also available on our website, ECA's COVID-19 page here.

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.
EIT Update -
Temporary Benefit Changes Due to Impact of Coronavirus
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 .

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. 

NECA SAFETY TALKS: COVID-19 WORKSITE RECOMMENDATIONS
Stay safe from Coronavirus on the worksite - review these guidlines about jobsite cleaniness and precautions.


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.

Construction Safety Council COVID-19 Statement
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.  
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 -
POSTPONED!
The LMCC Chicago, a joint labor management committee working together to promote a stronger union electrical construction industry, is reminding you that the annual Rebuild Together event has been POSTPONED.
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
-CANCELED-
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, April 3, 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