ECA Industry Update
POWERING CHICAGO featured in July 23rd Chicago Building Congress webinar - The Future of Work: Leveraging Technology for Safer Built Environments in the COVID-19 Era

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. 

2019 Chicago Construction Codes DOB Virtual Training
7/24/2020
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.
Young Professionals of ECA:
--TRIVIA NIGHT -- Join all the construction trades for an online trivia night - 7/30/2020
JOIN THE YOUNG PROFESSIONALS OF ECA FOR A SUMMER TRIVIA NIGHT!
JULY 30TH - 7:00-8:00p.m.

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.

All ECA members and young professionals welcome. Free registration online here:  https://www.mca.org/event/el-trivia/

City of Chicago Disparity Study
-- Assistance Requested -- 
The City of Chicago is conducting a disparity study to examine whether minorities and women have equal access to City construction contracting opportunities. If your firm currently works with or has tried to bid on construction contracts for the City of Chicago as a prime contractor, subcontractor or supplier, Colette Holt & Associates (“CHA”) would like to hear from you.

Small group business owner interviews are planned for August 2020. These focus groups will gather information to understand your experiences with the City’s Minority- and Women-Owned Business Enterprise construction contracting program and operations, including perceived race or gender-based discrimination when seeking City construction contracts or in the overall Chicago area construction industry.
 
Your participation in these sessions is important to the disparity study . CHA is partnering with Sandi Llano & Associates Inc., a recognized and respected leader in the Chicago area on supplier diversity programs. For more information about the study and opportunities to participate, please visit the study website: Chicago.disparity-study.com . Questions? Email [email protected]
ECA Golf Outing - CANCELED!
August 4, 2020
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.
Joint Safety Forum - "Excavation Hazards in Construction" - 9/24/2020 
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 .

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.
2023 NEC Edition Open for Input /
NEIS Updates Available
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:
 
-Revolutionizing Testing One Classification at a
Time
Where is the National Electrical Code in Effect?
·- Strategies for Protecting Electrical Equipment
-2023 Edition of National Electrical Code Open for
Input
-It’s all About Workmanship
-NECA Publishes Two NEIS Standards Revisions
-Join Our Canvass Group!
-NEIS Subscription Service
Electrical Codes & Standards Resources
Safety Update
-- COVID-19 Resources-- 
OSHA provided an update to their COVID-19 resources as of July 6, 2020. The link below is for a PDF file that digest s the information that has been shared over the last several weeks about the resources on OSHA’s webpage, and those of several other agencies and organizations. It is a list of general COVID-19 resources grouped by agency, a section with resources on reopening workplaces, and additional industry-specific COVID-19 resources grouped by industry. To help navigate the growing list a table of contents is included. It is intended as a resource and is not comprehensive.  
IMSCA's Summer 2020 Issue of SubStance Magazine
Below is a link to the Summer 2020 Issue of SubStance Magazine brought to you by the Illinois Mechanical & Specialty Contractors Association (IMSCA).  
In this issue you will find a message from Giuseppe Muzzupappa, IMSCA President, and a global history lesson on pandemics provided by IMSCA's General Counsel, Jim Rohlfing. Also included in this issue is an article on the responsibilities and duties of a Pension Fund Trustee. We hope you find this issue useful and informative.  
Two Chapter Members Inducted into the 2020 Academy of Electrical Contracting!
NECA has announced the inductees for the 2020 Academy of Electrical Contracting. Fellowship in the Academy of Electrical Contracting is one of the highest honors bestowed upon an individual in our industry.

The Academy of Electrical Contracting was established in Philadelphia on October 11, 1968. On that date, the Board of Governors of the National Electrical Contractors Association authorized the addition of Article XI to the NECA Bylaws, thus establishing the Academy to recognize exceptional and outstanding service to the electrical contracting industry. The Academy of Electrical Contracting honors outstanding leaders in the electrical contracting industry, and it preserves and utilizes their wealth of experience and knowledge for the benefit of the industry. Fellows of the Academy have rendered exceptional service to the industry and the National Electrical Contractors Association and that service is continued and enhanced through their fellowship in the Academy. This is accomplished through the Academy's Working Group, special papers presented by Fellows, participation in the Annual Meeting and the general camaraderie among Fellows.

The following inductees from the Chicago & Cook County Chapter will be installed during the virtual NECA Convention & Trade Show - NECA Live 2020:Eric Nixon, Maron Electric Company and David Witz, Continental Electrical Construction Company.  

The Association congratulates Eric and David for achieving this very special industry milestone!
NECA's Legal Webinar 2 Update -
PPP Loan Forgiveness
Please click on the link below for an update to a NECA Coronavirus Legal Webinar Q&A update, effective 6/8/20. Question # 40, pertaining to the SBA Interim Final Rule regarding the rehire exception in the PPP loan forgiveness process has been updated.
"Resilience, Recovery & Renewal" Podcasts Available /
US 50 State Reopening Tracker 
Baker McKenzie has launched a podcast series called, 'Resilience, Recovery & Renewal,' which aims to offer you key insights as you continue to navigate the business and legal impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The series features Baker McKenzie's legal experts and other thought leaders discussing the topics at the top of mind for businesses right now, ranging from immediate crisis management to the stabilization of operations and business model transformation. Please click on the link below for the podcast information.
We are pleased to make available the Baker McKenzie  US 50 State Shelter-in-Place / Reopening Tracker , which identifies the relevant state-wide shelter-in-place orders and their related expiration dates as well as the state-wide reopening plans, and whether local (county/municipal) orders also apply, in each of the 50 United States. Please click on the link below for the State Re-opening Tracker.
NDERA Update / Recall Letter
In accordance with the National Disease Emergency Response Agreement ( NDERA ), enacted by the national organizations of IBEW and NECA dated March 16, 2020, an employer who has a job halted/delayed due to the COVID-19 has the right to Lay-Off or Furlough his IBEW employees, and recall them back upon the restart of the project in which the member was laid off/furloughed from.

A number of contractors have exercised that right and are now starting to recall employees per the NDERA. When recalling employees and returning them to work it is critical that it is done properly. The contractor must notify the #134 referral office that employees are being recalled and returning to work, prior to the individual returning to work.

Please click the link below for a sample letter that could be used to inform the #134 referral office of the recall / return to work. This letter or a similar letter should be emailed to the #134 referral office at [email protected] , prior to returning the recalled employees to work.

CORONAVIRUS UPDATES PAGE AT WWW.ECACHICAGO.COM
Stay up to date on the latest changes for our Industry including news releases, legislation and Government mandates, workplace safety and preparation guidelines, OSHA alerts, and more that affect electrical contractors in Chicago and Cook County.
EVENT CHANGES AND CANCELLATIONS
You can find all ECA, NECA and Industry Event date changes or cancellations due to COVID-19 on ECA's website here.


ECA Educational Programming Available Through Remainder of 2020
Please click on the link below for a listing of ECA educational programs that are available through the remainder of 2020. Registration is available from the ECA website at: www.ecachicago.com. (Please visit the Event Calendar section.)
IMSCA PAC Raffle Drawing -
September 11, 2020
Tickets Now Available!
     
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. THANKS to the generosity of our IMSCA members for prize donations, SEVEN RAFFLE WINNERS will be drawn this year! Tickets are $50 each. 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.
NECA 2020 LIVE! Check out the live broadcasts on Facebook and LinkedIn each Sunday to learn more about NECA's first ever virtual convention.
     
You can view previous and all future events each Sunday at 1pm, by searching @NECANET on Facebook or LinkedIn.
NECA Convention & Trade Show -
VIRTUAL Event
October 5 - 7, 2020

The National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) announced the 2020 Convention and Trade Show will take place entirely online October 5–7, featuring brand-new virtual experiences. McCormick Place in Chicago, the planned site for the 2020 Convention, informed NECA that it does not have approval at this time to hold the event, and the association is adjusting accordingly.
 
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.
 
“The NECA Convention and Trade Show is the industry’s hallmark event. It is important we continue to provide the best education, the latest offerings in innovation, and continue cultivating the sense of community within the industry that our organization has always provided,” said NECA CEO David Long. “For that reason, NECA 2020 Live will utilize the latest technology to bring the convention and show to contractors across America.”
 
NECA 2020 Live will feature inspiring keynote addresses from NECA 2020 host and emcee David Meade and Paralympic gold medalist Victoria Arlen, as well as a fireside chat with industry leaders and dozens of educational sessions. NECA is excited about working with their industry-leading exhibitors to bring the latest electrical and telecommunications products to the industry. All events will be streamed online for attendees. The inaugural NECA Apprentice Challenge is postponed while the NECA Safety Professionals Conference will now be hosted as a virtual event later in 2020.
 
Please note, the NECA Board of Governors Meeting will also be delivered on a virtual platform. More details will follow.  

Registration for the NECA 2020 Live opens early July, 2020. 

Visit  www.necaconvention.org  or www.necanet.org to stay in the know on all NECA 2020 Live updates!  
Save the Dates
MEP Young Professionals Trivia Night via Zoom Meeting.
July 30, 2020 - 7-8pm


ECA SUMMER SOCIAL EVENT
August 14, 2020
Air and Water Show Rehearsal
Lakeside Theater 
Chicago, IL
RE-SCHEDULED for August 13, 2021!


Additional "MANAGING FIELD PRODUCTIVITY" Session
Arranged For August 27, 2020
(Registration is now Open!)
Drake Oak Brook Hotel
Oak Brook, IL


"ADVANCED ESTIMATING OF ELECTRICAL CONSTRUCTION" -
RE-SCHEDULED!
September 16 & 17, 2020
(A few spots are open!)
Drake Oak Brook Hotel
Oak Brook, IL


"SUCCESSION PLANNING" SEMINAR
October 21, 2020
Drake Oak Brook Hotel
Oak Brook, IL


"THE TOP HABITS OF HIGH-PERFORMING FOREMEN" SEMINAR
November 18, 2020
Drake Oak Brook Hotel
Oak Brook, IL