Virtual Overview of Assistance Program Services

This complimentary, informative session introduces the Assistance Program, highlights the services and resources available, and provides a demonstration of our new member portal/app. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet their dedicated account manager and learn how to make the most out of Assistance Program support for themselves and their families.


CLICK HERE for the promotional flyer and meeting links -  so members can register for a session that works best for them.


The first session will take place on Wednesday, May 6th at 11 am CST. This is a perfect way to kick-off Mental Health Awareness Month!


This informational session is being offered on a monthly basis. Please see the schedule and meeting links below:

Wednesday, May 6th - 11:00 am CST

Wednesday, June 3rd - 11:00 am CST

Wednesday, July 1st - 11:00 am CST


Kaitlin DeBlasio is available if you have any questions. If you are interested in coordinating a custom Assistance Program overview specifically for your organization, please reach out to her directly a:t Kaitlin DeBlasio, LCPC, Client Relations Manager  - direct: 847-273-3273,

kaitlin.deblasio@allonehealth.com.


Check out the new AOH App!

The ECA Welcomes Taylor Kershaw

Director of Member Services

The Electrical Contractors’ Association of City of Chicago (ECA) welcomes Taylor Kershaw as its new Director of Member Services. Her experience in event management as a recent Director at the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) will serve the Association well. As Director of Member Services, Taylor will focus on creating impactful meetings, events, and conferences that deliver value to the membership. Taylor will be at her first Membership Meeting on May 13, 2026 at the East Bank Club. Please welcome her to the ECA team!

"Basic Estimating of Electrical Construction"
April 27 - 29, 2026

The Electrical Contractors’ Association of City of Chicago (ECA) Research and Education Committee was proud to have sponsored the "Basic Estimating of Electrical Construction" seminar that was held on Monday, April 27, 2026 - Wednesday, April 29, 2026 from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm (each day) at the IBEW-NECA Technical Institute (INTECH) at 6201 W. 115th Street, Alsip, IL. The session was facilitated by Michael Bill, NECA Education.

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE.

Reasonable Suspicion / Sexual Harassment 
Prevention Training 
April 23, 2026

The Electrical Contractors’ Association of City of Chicago (ECA) Research and Education Committee was proud to have sponsored the Reasonable Suspicion / Sexual Harassment Prevention Training Seminar that was held on Thursday, April 23, 2026 at Maggiano's Banquets in Oak Brook, IL. The session was facilitated by Bill Heffernan, Screensafe, Inc. / Mosaic Training & Consulting. We thank all that were able to participate with this informative program!

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE.

"AI in Electrical Construction" 
April 16, 2026

The Electrical Contractors’ Association of City of Chicago (ECA) Research and Education Committee was proud to have sponsored the second "AI in Electrical Construction" seminar that was held on Thursday, April 16, 2026 from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm at the Hilton Chicago - Oak Brook Hills Resort in Oak Brook, IL The session was facilitated by Carl Britton, Iron Thread Consulting. 26 registered for this dynamic program.

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE.

NECA EMERGE Conference
April 13 - 15, 2026

The NECA EMERGE Conference was held April 13–15, 2026 in Atlanta, GA. This marked the second time this groundbreaking conference took place. Designed to happen every other year, EMERGE was created to address the evolving ways NECA contractors do business. Nearly a dozen Chicago Chapter members were able to attend the Conference, as well as participate with a special Chapter Dinner event. We thank Rick Jamerson, President Emeritus, Jamerson & Bauwens Electrical Contractors, Inc. and Tim Moylan, Gurtz Electric Co. for their assistance with the Business Development Breakout Session, "Recognition That Works: Leveraging Project Excellence Awards for PR & Growth."

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION.

ECA Membership Meeting

Wednesday, April 8, 2026

The Electrical Contractors’ Association of City of Chicago (ECA) held its April Membership meeting on Wednesday, April 8, 2026 at Maggiano’s Little Italy in Chicago. The session featured industry updates and a guest presentation by Marlene Hopkins, Commissioner, City of Chicago Department of Buildings (DOB). The ECA also welcomed new member, LiveWire Construction Inc. Angela Drexel, LiveWire Construction Inc. was also on hand at the session to say a few introductory remarks on behalf of LiveWire.

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE.

CISCO (Construction Industry Service Corp.) is seeking qualified applicants for the position of Executive Director, due to the pending retirement of Dan Allen.

The search committee has prepared the attached job description. Please send application materials including a cover letter, resume and salary expectations along with the completed contact form to: info@roofersLocal11.org only. This high profile and multi-dimensional position reports directly to the CISCO Officers and Board of Directors, and is accompanied by a competitive salary, attractive benefits, and a stimulating work environment with top-notch support staff.

CISCO members are encouraged to forward this information only to suitable candidates who are interested, available, experienced and who meet or exceed the criteria listed in the job description for this full-time position based at the organization’s Burr Ridge, IL office. Please do not contact the CISCO office or staff with inquiries regarding the position. Association management firms or consultants will not be considered. The hiring decision for the next Executive Director will be made solely by the CISCO Board.

The first round of interviews for the CISCO Executive Director position will be held virtually (via Zoom), followed by in-person interviews for the finalists.

Again – application materials are to be submitted to this email address only; info@roofersLocal11.org

Executive Director Job Description


CISCO Director Applicant

MISSION STATEMENT: CISCO’s core mission is to fortify the Unionized Construction sector within the expansive Chicago Metropolitan area. As a collaborative labor-management entity, CISCO will prioritize cooperative endeavors aimed at mitigating issues and tensions while enhancing the competitive edge of Union construction. Through its initiatives, CISCO aims to cultivate trust between stakeholders and nurture a unified commitment from local Contractors and Union labor to deliver projects of exceptional quality, on schedule, and within budget constraints. For more information, visit www.cisco.org

IMSCA Update
Need Your Assistance!

2026 Spring Session

IMSCA is continuing to review and forward legislation that has been identified as being of particular interest. This legislation will now proceed through internal review processes, and IMSCA will monitor committee assignments, forwarding any pertinent information as it is received.

LEGISLATION OF PARTICULAR INTEREST

IMSCA maintains a fairly robust bill tracking list. As of today, the list has over 250 bills which IMSCA is actively monitoring. While some are being tracked for general awareness, others are of significant importance to IMSCA members. If you have questions about any particular bill, please let us know.

Prevailing Wage Matter (HB 4751 - Hoffman)

As you likely know, IMSCA has initiated and continues to advocate for the passage of HB 4751 (Hoffman), in order to address the issues stemming from the passage of HB 2488 at the close of the 2025 Spring Session.

As a reminder, IMSCA and other stakeholders successfully pushed through legislation during the 2025 Fall Veto Session to postpone HB 2488's effective date until July 1, 2026. IMSCA is presently engaged in discussions with stakeholders, staff, and other relevant parties to assess potential support, neutrality, or opposition to the proposed legislation. As these discussions have just started, IMSCA strongly recommends that everyone immediately contact their elected officials and other supportive individuals to express their backing for this legislation. By clicking [HERE], you will be directed to a landing page where you can input your contact information and corresponding address. Based on the address provided, the system will automatically identify your State Representative and State Senator, and a pre-drafted email message will be generated for your submission.

REMINDER

Membership Discount in the Illinois Solar Energy and 
Storage Association (ISEA)

As a reminder, the Electrical Contractors' Association of City of Chicago (ECA) is offering a discount to member firms that are interested in joining the Illinois Solar Energy and Storage Association (ISEA) as an ISEA Charter Business Member.   


We hope that you will take advantage of this membership benefit opportunity. 


ILLINOIS SOLAR ENERGY AND STORAGE ASSOCIATION DISCOUNT MEMBERSHIP OPPORTUNITY


Illinois Solar Energy and Storage Association (ISEA) Discount Opportunity for ISEA Charter Membership category.


ISEA business members receive benefits meant to expand understanding and opportunity in renewable energy development in the state. These benefits include: a public profile on the ISEA website, invitations to webinars on topics related to renewable energy development in Illinois, RFP announcements, as well as the opportunity to participate in membership calls.

The ECA has maintained its ISEA Sponsor Organization membership which now confers a membership discount of $200 off of the $1,000 ISEA Charter Membership category to all interested ECA member firms. All ECA members are invited to join the Illinois Solar Energy Association at a discount. Again, ECA member firms can take $200 off of the $1,000 ISEA Individual Charter membership category.


Please email ISEA Executive Director, Lesley McCain at lesley.mccain@illinoissolar.org for help facilitating this member discount.


ISEA Charter Membership Benefits:

• Voting rights in ISEA Board of Directors elections
• A public profile on the ISEA Find a Professional page
• ISEA industry-focused newsletter and timely information on policy updates, funding opportunities, and other information relevant to the industry delivered to your email
• Access to business-only content, such as policy webinars, RFP notifications, and more.
• Opportunities to sponsor ISEA events
• Opportunities to promote your business through a profile in ISEA's community-focused newsletter and social media
• Member discounts to events and training
• Discounts for partner organizations' classes and events
• ISEA logo available for your website and communications

Please contact the ECA at: (708) 531-0022, if you have any questions regarding the ECA promotion with the ISEA.

ISEA Special Raffle

The Illinois Solar Education Association is currently running an electric vehicle raffle as its major fundraiser. This year, they are raffling off a Rivian. You do not need to be an ISEA member to participate in the raffle.

CLICK HERE FOR RAFFLE OPPORTUNITY!

NECA Premier Partner Update - 3M

3M 35 kV Deadbreak Kit Availability and 2026 Pricing

3M has updated the lead time for its 35kV Separable Connectors, with deadbreak kit availability now set at 2–3 weeks. In addition, 3M has confirmed that there will be no pricing increases for these products in 2026. This update is intended to support improved planning and project scheduling for NECA members nationwide.

DOCUMENT CRUNCH

ECA Has Renewed for 2026

The Electrical Contractors' Association of City of Chicago (ECA) has renewed the Document Crunch service for the membership for 2026. Please review the information below and register for this unique service!

Document Crunch’s mission is to empower construction teams to confidently make informed decisions that reduce risk and deliver better project outcomes. Their AI Risk Reduction Platform is built specifically for construction and gives teams the power to review documents in seconds, guide decisions with best practices, and assist with on-the-job questions and tasks. Document Crunch and NECA/ELECTRI have partnered to offer an exclusive solution that enables those better project outcomes for your business.

Faster Reviews

CrunchAI greatly reduces contract review times, typically done in just a few minutes!


Unmatched Insight

Deep and thorough AI-driven analysis of your contract gives a holistic view, benchmarked against 12 common areas of risk for electrical contractors.

Top 12 Contract Issues for Trade Contractors:

1.          Pay if Paid

2.          Right to Stop Work

3.          Consequential Damages

4.          Liquidated Damages

5.          Liability Caps

6.          Indemnity

7.          Delays

8.          Subsurface Conditions

9.          Hazardous Materials

10.       Design Responsibility

11.       Payment Terms

12.       Material Price Escalation


Understand Major Issues

Generative AI summaries provide easy consumption and understanding. Quickly learn if the contract language meets NECA best practices.


Suggested Redlines

For issues that fall short of best practice, CrunchAI creates and suggests language alternatives to bring the contract up to standard.

ECA members, who sign up for the service have exclusive access to an ELECTRI-specific solution of Document Crunch that will assess your contracts and quickly identify these top 12 critical risk provisions within your contracts. As part of the ELECTRI Document Crunch partnership, the platform’s enhanced benchmarking service is available to you to understand your levels of risk related to your peers.

Document Crunch

Click Here for Demo Video 



Sign Up for Access

Click Here for recent Update.

If any questions, please contact Miah Veselinovic, Document Crunch at: mveselinovic@documentcrunch.com.

FREE Safety Training - 2026

CSC is offering a series of complimentary programs!

The Construction Safety Council (CSC) been awarded an OSHA grant to support local delivery of five high-demand training topics:


• Workzone Hazards
• Excavation Dangers
• Harmful Silica
• Fall Protection
• Electrical Safety

Each session includes four hours of in-person instruction, which requires a 4.5 timeline for delivery (e.g., 7:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.). This Awareness-Level training is available to employers and employees, locally or nationwide. Their trainers are subject matter experts, who will engage participants in interactive lectures, demonstrations, and discussions about construction workplace hazards and risk-prevention strategies.

The ECA is proud to join the CSC in sponsoring these training opportunities. Due to the availability of federal grant funding, all materials and instruction are available AT NO COST. The training is FREE OF CHARGE for all ECA members.


• OPEN ENROLLMENT courses hosted by CSC in Hillside, Illinois – 2026 training dates will be available at www.buildsafe.org after December 15.
• PRIVATE courses hosted by ECA members – at any time, on any day, at any location.

If any questions, please contact the CSC at: (708) 449-8604.


We hope that you will take advantage of the opportunity to participate with these sessions!

Don't Miss Your "Power of Better" Opportunity 
- A message from Powering Chicago -

Powering Chicago was built on partnership, and that includes you. As a signatory contractor, you’re part of a network that’s setting the standard for better construction across Chicago and Cook County. We’re continuing to spotlight the people and companies behind that standard through blogs, videos, social media, and the "The Power of Better" video series.

This is your opportunity to take full advantage of being part of Powering Chicago by promoting your work, your team, and the projects that make you stand out.


Here’s how it benefits you:

• Professional Credibility
• Reach future clients online
• Marketing content you can share
• Build trust with real examples

Your story has the power to inspire trust, attract new opportunities, and strengthen the entire Powering Chicago network.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION.


Learn more about showcasing your work.

EVENTS

Electric Golf Club Outing

Thursday, May 7, 2026

Welcome to the 2026 season of the Electric Golf Club of Chicago!

2026 EGC Board Officers:

PRESIDENT Derek Wall

1ST VICE PRESIDENT Matt Mallizzio

2ND VICE PRESIDENT Dipal Pater

3RD VICE PRESIDENT Rick McDonald

TREASURER Madelyn Ryder

The Electric Golf Club revolves around great camaraderie of the members, customers, and friends invited. This is a great time to join or confirm your membership and continue the tradition.

Join us to kick off the season with a 9:00 am shotgun at Pine Meadow Golf Club in Mundelein!

Registration includes golf, cart, range, lunch and raffle prize entry. Lunch Options: Burger, Hot Dog, Brat, Turkey Sandwich, Ham Sandwich, Tunafish sandwich, Chicken Salad Sandwich, and all options are served with a Soft Drink and Bag of Chips.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION / REGISTRATION

Chicago Building Congress (CBC)
2026 CBC Merit Awards

May 7, 2026

Powering Chicago is a sponsor of this event...

Chicago Building Congress (CBC) - 2026 CBC Merit Awards

Morgan Manufacturing

401 N. Morgan Street

Chicago, IL

5:30 pm - 9:00 pm

Join Powering Chicago at the CBC Merit Awards!

As a valued industry partner, Chicago Building Congress is pleased to extend a $50 discount for members of ECA to attend the 70th Anniversary Merit Awards on May 7.


Code is: ecamerit2026

• Code is valid through April 29
• Event page [HERE]
• Click the "Register Now" button
• Select either the CBC Member ticket or Non-Member ticket
• Enter information, including billing information
• Enter the code (ecamerit2026) in the Discount code field at the very bottom of the registration
• Important: Click the "Apply" button
• (If you do not click the Apply button after entering the code, the discount will not be applied)


CATEGORIES FOR 2026:

This is the 70th year for the CBC Merit Awards! Check out these categories which acknowledge the construction industry’s ever-changing landscape.

• Education – Pre K through 12
• Education – Higher Education
• Healthcare
• Residential
• Hospitality
• Commercial Construction UNDER $50 Million
• Commercial Construction OVER $50 Million
• Renovation & Adaptive Reuse UNDER $20 Million
• Renovation & Adaptive Reuse OVER $20 Million
• Infrastructure or Industrial Construction
• Interior Build-Out

CBC Equity Champion

• The CBC Equity Champion Award recognizes project teams that have demonstrated exceptional commitment to promoting inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility. This award will recognize those project teams that implement programs that foster diversity and inclusion within the workplace, execute creative and effective strategies that help address and overcome barriers to equity, and incorporate community outreach and partnerships that promote inclusivity and support underrepresented groups. By celebrating these champions, the award not only acknowledges their achievements but also motivates the entire industry to strive for a more inclusive future.

CBC Community Impact

• The CBC Community Impact Award recognizes outstanding projects that have significantly improved the quality of life in economically disadvantaged areas. This award will recognize those project teams that create job opportunities, support local businesses, stimulate growth in underserved areas, engage with local community planning and implementation processes; and reflect the diversity of the community served. This award highlights teams that support the transformative power of enriching developments in underserved Chicagoland communities.
  

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION.

ECA Membership Meeting

Wednesday, May 13, 2026

Please join us for the ECA Regular Membership Meeting.

This luncheon event is scheduled as follows:

ECA Membership Meeting

Wednesday, May 13, 2026

East Bank Club

500 N. Kingsbury Street

Chicago, IL 60654

(312) 527-5800

South Riverview Room

Parking Validation Available.

12:00 pm: Registration / Networking

12:30 pm: Lunch  

1:15 pm:  Business Session / Guest Speaker

2:30 pm: Concludes

This program will feature industry updates and a guest presentation by Kaitlin DeBlasio, LCPC

Client Relations Manager, AllOne Health.

Click below for Registration:

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR MEMBERSHIP MEETING!

Please join us for the “Navigating OCIP / CCIP on Projects” --

Pre-Membership Meeting Complimentary Seminar - 10:30 am - 11:30 am
East Bank Club - Northview Room.

If you're going to both, you need to register for both events:

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR SEMINAR!

ECA Young Professionals Spring Leadership Event

Thursday, May 14, 2026

Please join us for our second YP event of 2026 entitled "Work without Stress: Leading Through Change without Losing your Edge". This event will feature a brief presentation by Alex Willis from Leadership Surge followed by free food, drinks, and Axe Throwing!

This event is scheduled as follows:

ECA Young Professionals Spring Leadership Event

Thursday, May 14, 2026

4:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Axeclusive Axe Throwing

4938 River Rd

Schiller Park, IL 60176

(847) 916-2346

4:00 pm: Guest Speaker

5:00 pm: Networking / Axe Throwing

7:00 pm: Concludes

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER!

NECA Safety Professionals Conference

May 18 - 20, 2026

In a rapidly evolving regulatory and risk landscape, safety leaders need more than updates, they need strategy. The 2026 NECA Safety Professionals Conference (NSPC) is designed exclusively for safety experts who are committed to strengthening their company’s safety culture, improving compliance, and driving measurable results in the field. If you’re ready to enhance your company’s safety standards and lead with confidence, NSPC is where you need to be on May 18-20 in Atlanta, GA!



CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS / REGISTRATION INFORMATION!

Special Retirement Reception for Gina Floro

Wednesday, May 27, 2026

Please join us for a Special Retirement Reception for Gina Floro!

The event will be held as follows:

Wednesday, May 27, 2026

Gibsons Steakhouse

2105 Spring Road

Oak Brook, IL

4:00 pm - 7:00 pm

(Open House format)

The Association is proud to announce a Special Retirement Reception (Open House format) on Wednesday, May 27, 2026 from 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm at Gibsons Steakhouse in Oak Brook, IL. We hope that you will join us in celebrating Gina's many years at ECA, as she is retiring in late May, 2026.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER!

NECA 2026 Future Leaders is Open for Registration!
June 15 - 17, 2026

The 2026 NECA Future Leaders Conference will be taking place on Monday, June 15, 2026 to Wednesday, June 17, 2026 at the Omni William Penn Hotel in Pittsburgh, PA. This is your opportunity to sharpen your leadership edge, expand your influence, and bring real value back to your company. 


Registration is officially open for the NECA Future Leaders Conference — NECA Future Leaders is committed to enhancing leadership skill through education, innovation, and collaboration. With access to Premier Partners and industry-leading companies you can learn from the best!


Stipend Availability

The Executive Committee approved the educational stipends of the Registration fees for up to two representatives and their guest and/or spouse, if applicable, of participating ECA member firms for the NECA Future Leaders (FL) Conference on June 15 – 17, 2026 in Pittsburgh, PA.


Benefits of attending:

• Networking with similarly positioned peers within the electrical industry for a broader network across the country.
• Professional and technical skill development opportunities.
• Unrivaled access to tours of Premier Partners and contractor member shops.
• Emotional intelligence development for a stronger skillset during career advancement.
• Collaboration beyond traditional networking to navigate industry evolutions and becoming champions of change.
• The ability to take key education and ideas back to your company for immediate implementation leading to personal and company growth. 
  

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION / REGISTRATION

Electric Association Centennial Celebration
August 13, 2026

Join the Electric Association (EA) on Thursday, August 13, 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm on the Spirit of Chicago at Navy Pier! Celebrate a century of power, progress, and partnership.

The Electrical Association’s Centennial Celebration will honor 100 years of innovation and impact in Chicago’s electrical industry. This is more than just a milestone—it’s a chance to celebrate the accomplishments, relationships, and people who have shaped our industry and will continue to drive it forward for the next 100 years. Reconnect with colleagues, make new connections, and share the experience—spouses and guests are encouraged to attend! Dress attire is festive and formal. Don’t miss this once-in-a-generation event—get your tickets today! Exclusive event includes dinner, premium bar and two hours of touring Lake Michigan with the fellow leaders of the electrical industry to celebrate 100 years of the Electric Association.

Early Discount for EA Members $275 per person (Available through June 15, 2026)

EA Members $300

Non-members $325 per person

Please RSVP by July 31, 2026.

Changes and refunds for cancellations are not guaranteed after July 31. This is event is expected to sell out!

REGISTER NOW

EDUCATION

ECA Educational and Conference Stipends for 2026

The Electrical Contractors' Association of City of Chicago (ECA) Executive Committee has approved a number of educational stipends for many special programs / conferences throughout 2026. All stipends / reimbursements are made after each conference with registration confirmation(s) and applicable receipts forwarded to ECA.  

CLICK HERE FOR LISTING

ECA Educational Programming for 2026

The 2026 Education Programming Schedule is confirmed for 2026. Please click the link below for a full listing with links for registration!

CLICK HERE FOR LISTING

“Navigating the Electrical Safety Compliance Triangle"
Monday, May 11, 2026 (8:00 am - 10:00 am)

Joint Safety Forum

"Navigating the Electrical Safety Compliance Triangle"

Monday, May 11, 2026

8:00AM until 10:00AM

IBEW Local 701 Training Facility

28600 Bella Vista Parkway

Warrenville, IL 60555

On behalf of the NECA/IBEW 701 Safety Committee, PowerForward DuPage invites its Local 701 members and all signatory contractors to attend a complimentary Navigating the Electrical Safety Compliance Triangle Joint Safety Forum at the IBEW Local 701 Training Facility on Monday, May 11th from 8:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m.

At the intersection of NFPA 70, NFPA 70E, and NFPA 70B is a series of rules and regulations that impacts electrical installation, safety, and maintenance on every construction site. When used collectively, these codes complete the electrical safety compliance triangle. The burden of understanding it all rests on those who are most at risk.

Construction Safety Council instructor, Tom King will deliver an informative 2-hour presentation addressing the codes and communications necessary to keep workers free from harm.

There is no cost to attend this event, but advance registration is required.


You need to use the COMP CODE: ECA MEMBER when registering (ECA MEMBER is all uppercase).

Click the link below for Registration:

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER!

If any questions, please contact the PowerForward DuPage office at Info@PowerForwardDupage.com or call (630) 393-1701 Extension 5. 
Registration closed on Monday, May 4th.

DOCUMENT CRUNCH INFORMATIONAL WEBINAR 
May 12, 2026

NECA Chicago members have complimentary access to Document Crunch through the NECA/ELECTRI member benefit. This session will show you how to take advantage of this no-cost resource and put it to work for your team. Join Miah Veselinovic, Partnership Manager at Document Crunch supporting NECA and ELECTRI chapters, for a practical walkthrough of the platform and how contractors are using it in their daily workflow.

During this session, you will:

• See the platform in action through a live demonstration

• Learn how to quickly identify risks, key clauses, and critical requirements

• Understand how contractors use it to protect margins and avoid surprises

• Get step-by-step guidance on signing up and getting started

• Ask questions and connect with the Document Crunch support team

Whether you’re exploring the benefit for the first time or looking to use it more effectively, this session will help you get started with confidence — at no cost and no risk to your business.

We hope to see you there!

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER!

“Navigating OCIP / CCIP on Projects” 
Pre-Membership Meeting Seminar 
East Bank Club

Wednesday, May 13, 2026

Please join us for the “Navigating OCIP / CCIP on Projects” --

Pre-Membership Meeting Complimentary Seminar

This event is scheduled as follows:

Wednesday, May 13, 2026

East Bank Club

500 N. Kingsbury Street

Chicago, IL 60654

(312) 527-5800

North Riverview Room

Parking Validation Available.

10:30 am - 11:30 am

The Electrical Contractors’ Association of City of Chicago (ECA) Research and Education Committee are proud to sponsor the complimentary Pre-Membership Meeting seminar, “Navigating OCIP and CCIP and Project Impact.” The guest presenters discussion of the Owner Controlled Insurance Program (OCIP) and the Contractor Controlled Insurance Program (CCIP) are Patrick Johnson, MarshMcLennan Agency and Marcus Chapman & Kirk Chamberlain, Hub International.

Seminar Background:

• OCIP (Owner Controlled Insurance Program): The property owner or developer purchases insurance to cover all contractors and subcontractors. This provides the owner with maximum control over coverage limits and safety, often used for large, high-risk projects.
• CCIP (Contractor Controlled Insurance Program): The general contractor (GC) purchases the insurance policy, which covers themselves and all subcontractors. These are often preferred when the contractor has better safety records or lower insurance rates than the owner, allowing the contractor to manage risk directly.

Attendees will learn:

·        The importance on tracking OCIP / CCIP during a project

·        Understanding the proper paperwork / documentation needed for each

·        Understanding credits, proper negotiations, track progress at end of cycle

·        Impact on Mod rate, claims that affect Mod rate

·        Overall audit process

If you wish to register for the, “Navigating OCIP / CCIP on Projects,” please click the link below or visit the ECA website Calendar. 

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR SEMINAR!

If you wish to attend the ECA Membership Meeting following the seminar, you need to register for both events:

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR THE MEMBERSHIP MEETING.

May 13, 2026

12:00 pm - 2:30 pm

East Bank Club
Southview Room

"Crew Level Production Planning and Execution: 
Set Goals and Win" 
May 28, 2026

The Electrical Contractors’ Association of City of Chicago (ECA) Research and Education Committee is proud to sponsor the "Crew level Production Planning and Execution: Set Goals and Win" seminar on Thursday, May 28, 2026 from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm at the IBEW-NECA Technical Institute (INTECH) at 6201 W. 115th Street, Alsip, IL 60803 - (708) 389-1340. Breakfast & Lunch to be served. (A Continental Breakfast to be available at 7:45 am). The session is to be facilitated by Walead Atiyeh, Associate Director, Maxim Consulting Group.


THE FEE FOR THIS PROGRAM IS $100.00 FOR ECA MEMBERS.


Crew Level Production Planning and Execution: Set Goals and Win

Case studies dispel common myths and pitfalls of typical field productivity approaches. Case studies illustrate effective Crew Level Production Planning techniques, including: visual batching of work, input worksheets, resource (manpower) loaded scheduling, and labor cost analysis, simple daily productivity tracking and forecasting, and effective, measurable improvement strategies.

Following this course, participants will be able to:

·        Define and measure productivity.

·        Discuss case studies and real examples of planning tools designed to set targets and manage labor productivity for superior results. 


THIS PROGRAM IS ONLY FOR ECA MEMBERS!

If you're interested in attending the "Crew level Production Planning and Execution: Set Goals and Win" seminar, please click on the link below to register or go on-line at the ECA website at: www.ecachicago.com (Event Calendar portion).


Registration is open for:
"Crew Level Production Planning and Execution: Set Goals and Win"

Thursday, May 28, 2026.

8:00 am - 4:00 pm - Large Multi-purpose Room

IBEW-NECA Technical Institute (INTECH)

6201 W. 115th Street in Alsip, IL 60803


CLICK HERE TO REGISTER!

Special Olympics Construction Team Picnic

July 25, 2026

ECA member, McWilliams Electric Company, Inc. has been in charge of coordinating all of the activities for the Special Olympics Construction Team picnic each year since 2007.


McWilliams not only works on getting monetary donations from our industry partners and friends (which is generally in excess of $20,000 each year) but they also coordinate volunteers to help. They need volunteers the day of the picnic to set up, to run games for the attendees, to cook and serve lunch and to help with clean up. 


Please click the link below for the information for this year’s Special Olympics Construction Team Picnic which is being held on Saturday, July 25^th starting at 10:00 am at the IBEW NECA Technical Institute (INTECH) in Alsip, IL.


Please let McWilliams know If you are able to volunteer at this year’s picnic!


Thank you!

CLICK HERE TO VOLUNTEER / DONATE / CONTRIBUTE!


YouTube Videos from past events:

2025 Special Olympics and the Construction Team Picnic


Special Olympics Illinois Construction Team Picnic 2022


Special Olympics Illinois Construction Team Picnic with Powering Chicago and McWilliams Electric

Culture of Collaboration Workshop

Transforming Our Industry Together: Introducing the DEI Program for ECA of Chicago

The ECA is continuing its exciting journey to shape our future with diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) at its core. We've partnered with Leadership Surge to bring a specially designed DEI program to the Electrical Contractors' Association (ECA) of Chicago, and you’re invited to be a part of this transformative experience.

Please use the scheduling form below to secure a date and register your companies for the live 2-hr DEI Training session:

Scheduling Form

The goal is to have each company choose their preferred training and capture their contact information and preferred training location.

Here’s what's in store for us:

• Tailored Training Sessions: From senior leadership to our valued front-line employees, there’s something for everyone. Get ready to dive into interactive sessions that will empower us to lead and participate in a more inclusive workplace.

• Engaging Learning Formats: Whether it's live workshops or on-the-go learning through a mobile app, this program offers flexible ways to engage with DEI principles. Plus, Toolbox Talks will bring DEI conversations right into our daily routines.

• A United Effort: This isn't just training; it's a movement towards building a workplace where every voice is heard and every contribution valued. We're not just aiming for compliance; we're striving for commitment and change.

Program Intro

IMSCA PAC Funding Drive

Your voice matters in Illinois! 

By contributing to the IMSCA Political Action Committee (PAC), you help support candidates and initiatives that align with the values and goals of IMSCA. Any contribution, no matter the level of support, is incredibly helpful. We hope that you will consider a contribution.


Click Here for further information.

IMSCA / Illinois Legislative Updates

Click Here for Legislative Update (5/1/2026) IL Update (Chris Nybo State Lobbyist (5/1/26)

Click Here for Legislative Update (4/24/26) IL Update (Chris Nybo, State Lobbyist)4/24/26

Click Here for Legislative Update (4/17/26)


Click Here for Legislative Update (4/10/26) IL Update (Chris Nybo, State Lobbyist)4/10/26

IL Prevailing Wage Survey

IMSCA has forwarded information recently provided by the Illinois Department of Labor concerning upcoming webinars. We are sharing this for your general awareness and information:

---------Begin Information from Illinois Department of Labor-------

Beginning on June 1, 2026, your organization will have the opportunity to provide information to the Illinois Department of Labor (IDOL) prevailing wage survey portal regarding collectively bargained wage and fringe benefit rates paid to your members for work they perform in Illinois. The information you submit to the portal during the month of June will assist IDOL in its efforts to ascertain and review proper prevailing wage rates. The Department is required by Section 9 of the Prevailing Wage Act (copied below) to ascertain and determine prevailing wage rates by July 15 of each year. It is crucial that you submit your wage information and collective bargaining agreements in order to have any wage increases reflected in the prevailing rate publication that we must do no later than July 15th.  Even if your organization has updated your rates since July 15^th, 2025, IDOL needs you to enter your information again in June 2026 so your organization and IDOL can be in compliance with the Prevailing Wage Act.

In order to facilitate the filing of your rates with the department, we would like to offer two training sessions on the survey process and answer any questions. You only need to attend one training session, we are simply offering two trainings to accommodate varying schedules. The training session is intended for those individuals in your organization who will file your wage certifications in the month of June. These training sessions are intended for labor unions and contractor associations only. There will be updated information that we need to communicate to you about entry of information in the portal, so it is critical that you have someone attend one training.  The training sessions will be held via a webinar on May 6^th at 9:30am and May 21^st at 3pm. You may click the links below to join the webinar at the appropriate time.  I will also send a calendar invite for both dates to everyone receiving this email. You only need to attend one.

Illinois Prevailing Wage Act

(820 ILCS 130/9) (from Ch. 48, par. 39s-9)

  Sec. 9. To effectuate the purpose and policy of this Act, the Department of Labor shall during the month of June of each calendar year, investigate and ascertain the prevailing rate of wages for each county in the State and shall publish the prevailing wage schedule ascertained on its official website no later than July 15 of each year. If the prevailing rate of wages is based on a collective bargaining agreement, any increases directly ascertainable from such collective bargaining agreement shall also be published on the website. Further, if the prevailing rate of wages is based on a collective bargaining agreement, the explanation of classes on the prevailing wage schedule shall be consistent with the classifications established under the collective bargaining agreement.

Links to join: 

Date and time:

Wednesday, May 6, 2026 9:30 AM | (UTC-05:00) Central Time (US & Canada)

Join link:

https://illinois.webex.com/illinois/j.php?MTID=maf6b57175b4dfd737149d0847f0a7d61

Date and time:

Thursday, May 21, 2026 3:00 PM | (UTC-05:00) Central Time (US & Canada)

Join link:

https://illinois.webex.com/illinois/j.php?MTID=madfad2295871a9c8e1958d92da3c594f

With Mental Health Awareness Month coming up in May, I wanted to personally share some resources to help you raise awareness, drive engagement, and ensure your team knows about the support available through AllOne Health. We’re here to partner with you every step of the way to make this month meaningful for your organization.

To make it easy, we’ve put together a Mental Health Awareness Month Toolkit you can use right away. It includes:

• A kick-off announcement message + video
• Weekly outreach communications (copy/paste ready)
• Links to resource guides and upcoming webinars
• Clear instructions for use

All materials are on an easy-to-access, easy-to-share landing page, designed to help you highlight mental health support across your organization.

EP 20: Contractor Upgrades Communication in Lakeview Community

MZI Group, Inc. upgrades telecommunications infrastructure in a Chicago high-rise, improving connectivity and supporting public safety systems.

Upgrading telecommunications in an existing building requires coordination, precision, and the right expertise. In this episode of The Power of Better, Powering Chicago highlights how Chicago electrical contractors delivered a complex retrofit at a residential high-rise in East Lakeview.

Watch Now

Construction Industry Alliance for Suicide Prevention

It is an unfortunate fact that construction has the highest rate of suicide of any industry in America. We lose about 53 out of every 100,000 members of our industry EVERY YEAR to suicide. We are four times the average of other industries. We have a crisis in construction and we need to do something about it. You can visit the Construction Industry Alliance for Suicide Prevention website and learn more. We urge all to take the pledge to STAND UP for suicide prevention and address it as a health and safety priority.