ECA Welcomes Newest Staff Member - Neil Parish!

The ECA welcomes Neil Parish to the office staff as the Director of Operations. He brings years of Association Management experience, as he was affiliated with the Michigan Chapter, NECA from January 2018 – December 2020 as an Assistant Manager and then Executive Director from January 2020 to August 2025. Neil also has an extensive legislative background, as he was a Legislative Aide, then Legislative Director for a number of Michigan legislators from May 2011 through January 2018. Neil received his Juris Doctor in 2016 from Michigan State University College of Law and a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science from Central Michigan University. Neil and his wife Melanie have two boys, Jack and Everett, and recently settled in Lisle.   Please welcome Neil to the ECA team!

NECA-IIT Student Chapter Update

The NECA-IIT Student Chapter did not advance in this year’s Electrical Contacting Innovation Challenge (ECIC). However, the ECA Student Committee is pleased to announce that the NECA-IIT Student Chapter is now a finalist for the NECA Student Chapter of the Year Award. The Award will be presented at the 2025 NECA Convention during the Opening General Session on Saturday, September 13^th. This year’s finalists are: Illinois Institute of Technology, Arizona State University, University of Wisconsin-Madison and Wayne State University. We wish the IIT students the best of luck!

City of Chicago's EV Charging Station Pilot Program

The Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) invites you to a virtual workshop to discuss the City’s upcoming Electric Vehicle Public Charging Station Pilot program RFP.   

• CDOT has released its first EV & E-Mobility Infrastructure Framework, which aims to advance equitable EV and e-mobility infrastructure citywide.   
• The new City-funded EV Public Charging Station Pilot program is a key next step. 

As a registered DBE/MBE/WBE vendor, your feedback is important as the City works to develop its RFP.  

Virtual Event Details:  

• Date: Wednesday, August 13, 11:00 am – 1:00 pm CST  
• Registration Link: CDOT Electric Vehicle Charging RFP M/W/DBE Workshop Tickets, Wed, Aug 13, 2025 at 11:00 AM | Eventbrite 
• Virtual event link provided after registration 
• Duration: 90 minutes  
• Agenda: Overview of Pilot Program RFP and interactive discussion on maximizing DBE/MBE/WBE participation in the Pilot Program.  

If you have any questions, please contact Samantha Bingham, Clean Transportation Program Director, Chicago Department of Transportation, 2 N. LaSalle Street, Suite 950, Chicago, IL 60602, (312) 744-8096.

Chicago Department of Procurement Services Update

August 8, 2025

Please CLICK HERE for recent Chicago Department of Procurement Services updates.

ECA Regular Membership Meeting

Shaw's Crab House - Schaumburg, IL 

September 3, 2025

12:00 pm – 2:30 pm

Please join us for the ECA Regular Membership Meeting.

This luncheon event is scheduled as follows:

NEW DATE!!!!

ECA Membership Meeting

Wednesday, September 3, 2025

Shaw's Crab House

1900 East Higgins Road

Schaumburg, IL 60173

(847) 517-2722

12:00 pm: Registration / Networking

12:30 am: Lunch  

1:15 pm:  Business Session / Guest Speakers

2:30 pm: Concludes

This program will feature industry updates and guest presentations by Chris Nybo, ECA State Lobbyist & Michael Alvarez, ECA Chicago Lobbyist.

You can register on the ECA website/link below or give the office a call at: (708) 531-0022.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER!

Joint Safety Forum - September 25, 2025

"Mental Health / Suicide Prevention" Seminar

Registration is now open for a joint seminar sponsored by the Electrical Contractors’ Association of City of Chicago (ECA) Safety Committee along with the Northeastern Illinois Chapter, NECA Safety Committee. The Committees are proud to present this special program offered for NECA members, only.

The "Mental Health / Suicide Prevention" seminar is scheduled as follows:

DATE: Thursday, September 25, 2025

TIME: 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Registration / check-in: 7:30 am (Continental Breakfast)

LOCATION: IBEW-NECA Technical Institute 6201 W. 115th Street Alsip, IL 60803

Matt Blair, CEO & Co-Founder of The Well Resource Center, NFP is the guest presenter.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER!

NECA Convention Registration is Open!

The NECA Convention & Trade Show will soon be in Chicago! -- September 12 - 15, 2025

Early-Bird pricing ended on July 25th! This means that early registration and housing for the NECA Convention closed two weeks earlier than previous years. Since that deadline has passed, room availability and pricing cannot be guaranteed.

Among the many other NECA Convention events, education, general sessions, a special NECA activity is highlighted below:

Jerry McGlynn, McWilliams Electric Company, Inc. is to be acknowledged as an Academy of Electrical Contracting Inductee during the September 13 General Session.

Chicago Chapter Events                  

For those Chapter members that attend the NECA Convention, the Chicago and Cook County Chapter functions are listed below. For each event, transportation is on own.

Saturday, September 13, 2025

This is an open night – 7:00 pm

However, the Chapter has a number of reservations available for dinner at a number of area restaurants.  

Sunday, September 14, 2025 (Joint Chapter Reception / Dinner with Northeastern IL NECA)

7:00 pm: Reception

8:00 pm: Dinner

The Planetarium

1300 S DuSable Lake Shore Drive - Chicago, IL 60605

Monday, September 15, 2025 (Pre-Closing Event Reception)

5:30 pm – 7:00 pm  

Reception (cocktails and heavy hors d'oeuvres) Navy Pier (TBD) - 1000 E. Grand Avenue - Chicago, IL

CLICK HERE FOR REGISTRATION INFORMATION.

TRADE SHOW ONLY PASSES AVAILABLE!

The Chicago & Cook County Chapter, NECA has available for distribution "Trade Show Only" passes for the NECA Convention Trade Show. This complimentary Trade Show Only coupon is a $150 value. Please contact the ECA office at: (708) 531-0022 to order your passes for your employees and customers. What's available on the Trade Show floor from Education, new products, among other areas are highlighted on the coupon. The special Invitation Code, "25EXH" must be used when registering. Call soon to have the coupons/Trade Show Passes mailed to your office!

NECA Convention - Apprentice Appreciation Day

The Apprentice Appreciation Day is Sunday, September 14, 2025 at the NECA Convention. Please click the link below for Apprentice Registration information, as well as highlights of the special event: guest speakers, special activities, as well as the new High-Voltage Village!

For apprentices to register, have them visit: https://corereg.cmrus.com/necaannual/attendee/authenticate. Enter code, "JATCHI" in the Invitation Code" field prior to starting the registration.

CLICK HERE FOR THE APPRENTICE APPRECIATION DAY INFORMATION.

IMSCA Update / Webinar

Illinois Sales Tax Changes on Leased Tangible Personal Property Became Effective January 1, 2025

Effective January 1, 2025, Illinois law (Public Act 103-0592) shifted the point of sales taxation for most leased tangible personal property. The Public Act is extensive; however, Article 75, which begins on page 287, addresses the Use Tax Act (35 ILCS 105). For your convenience, the Illinois Department of Revenue’s guidance document on this matter can be accessed HERE.

Leases of tangible personal property are now generally treated as retail sales subject to the Illinois Retailers' Occupation Tax.

• Previous System: Sales tax was typically imposed upfront on the lessor (the business owning the property) when they purchased the property intended for leasing.

• Current System (Effective Jan 1, 2025): Sales tax is now imposed on the gross receipts from the lease payments. Lessors are responsible for collecting the applicable state and local Retailers' Occupation Tax from the lessee on each lease payment and remitting it to the State of Illinois.

Impact

• Businesses leasing tangible personal property (lessors) are now considered retailers. They generally do not pay sales tax when purchasing inventory intended for lease, but must collect and remit tax on lease payments received on or after January 1, 2025.

• Customers (lessees) will now see sales tax applied to their periodic lease payments for qualifying tangible personal property.

• This change applies to lease payments received on or after January 1, 2025, even if the lease agreement was signed before that date.

Opportunity to Speak with the Illinois Department of Revenue

IMSCA has reached out to the Legislative Liaison for the Illinois Department of Revenue and inquired about this recent change in the law. He indicated that his office has received a lot of inquiries on this new law since January 1, 2025. During their discussion, he offered an opportunity to schedule a virtual meeting with IMSCA whereby we could engage in a Q&A of sorts. 

A webinar with the Illinois Department of Revenue has now been arranged as follows:

Tuesday, August 19, 2025, from 11:00 AM to 11:45 AM.

This session will provide an opportunity to learn more and ask questions about the Illinois Sales Tax Changes on Leased Tangible Personal Property, effective January 1, 2025. If you would like to attend, you must contact IMSCA via e-mail with "RE: Illinois Department of Revenue Webinar Registration Information Request" in the subject line for a calendar invitation with video conference details at: dflynn@neilflynnlaw.com. You can also contact Daniel Flynn, Neil F. Flynn & Associates at Cell Phone: (217) 725-3091.

Communication Technologies Forum

Scholarship Applications

Who is eligible?

In order to receive a scholarship from the Communication Technologies Forum the following requirements must be met:

a) The candidate must be a CTF member or any employee of a CTF Corporate member or any lineal descendant of any CTF member or lineal descendant of an employee of a CTF member.

b) The CTF member must be a member in good standing as of the most recent year, and

b) The candidate must attend or plan to attend an accredited college, university or vocational-technical school.

 Candidates who have previously received a scholarship are eligible to reapply in subsequent years, provided they continue to meet the eligibility requirements.

 What is awarded?

A $1000 scholarship will be awarded to a student enrolled in an undergraduate, master’s program at an accredited two-year or four-year college, university, or vocational school. The scholarships will be made payable directly to the institution of learning upon receipt of a tuition statement. 

 How to apply?

An eligible candidate must complete an CTF Scholarship application form below and submit documents requested. The application must contain the following:

a) Complete all answers in the application form

c) A copy of a current and official transcript mailed to CTF, P.O. Box 31, Wheaton, IL 60187; and

d) One letter of recommendation from a non-relative

 The application must be received online or via mail to Electric Association office, P.O. Box 31, Wheaton, IL 60187, Attention: Ali Novinger, Executive Director, on or before September 1, 2025.

If you have any questions, please contact Ali Novinger at anovinger@eachicago.org.



APPLY TODAY

Communication Technologies Forum| Division of the Electric Association

630-305-3050| 

Office Internship Training: Contractor Night

2025 Summer Night Class Training Program

Date:

Tuesday, September 2^nd, 2025

Time:

5:00 pm – 8:00 pm (contractors arrive at 4:30 pm)

Location:

IL IBEW Renewable Energy Fund Classroom @ HIRE360

2540 S. State Street

Chicago, IL 60616

The last evening of the 2025 Summer Night Class culminates with the final portion of the internship training. IBEW Signatory Contractors are invited to participate and meet potential office interns who have completed the training program. Contractors are invited to participate by discussing their company, projects, and meeting potential interns. This internship program has been growing and has already proven successful with intern placement with contractors on a small scale in past years. This year, the IL IBEW Renewable Energy Fund (REF) is piloting an internship portion during the Summer Night Class to expand the opportunity. The REF will work to place interns with Contractors based on several factors. This internship is a paid program, by contractor, at $19.00/hr and is strictly for office operations only, no field work is permitted. The REF may provide an initial stipend to assist the contractor (dollar amount to be determined). The REF will have tables and signs set up for the participating contractors. Please reach out with any questions.

To secure their place, Contractors must RSVP to Joseph Kilcoyne at jkilcoyne@Local134.org by: 8:00 am Tuesday August 5^th2025.  Please include the name and contact information for your representative along with the number of interns you are seeking.

EVENTS

EGC Stack Your Team Day on

August 19 at the Preserve at Oak Meadows!

Starting at 12:00 pm

Stack Your Team! Who’s taking the trophy home?

You compete in the field every day—now it’s time to take that energy to the fairway.

Join us for the Electric Golf Club of Chicago’s August Outing at the stunning Preserve at Oak Meadows — where friendly competition meets serious fun. This isn’t your average round of golf. We’re squaring off by industry roles in an epic match-up.

Two formats mean twice the chances to win, one for the pros and one for the duffers. More details to follow.

📅 Date: August 19, 2025,

📍 Location: The Preserve at Oak Meadows

⏰ Tee Time: Starting at 12:00 pm

💼 Format: 4-person teams – build your squad wisely!

Start assembling your team now — space will be limited and competition will be fierce. Whether you're a scratch golfer or a sandbagging legend, this is your chance to represent your crew and take home bragging rights.

Let’s see who the real pros are when the polos are on and the phones are off.

Register for the August 19 outing at the Preserve at Oak Meadows. This outing will have tee times starting at 12:00 pm. Registration includes green fees, cart, range balls, and entry for prizes. There is no formal dinner with this event. Join your fellow golfers in the bar after the round to see who wins! As a reminder, you must be an EGC member in good standing to register a foursome for an EGC outing.

Contact anovinger@eachicago.org with any questions.

Fifth Annual

Electric Association Golf Outing

12:00 pm Shotgun Start, Scramble

Monday, September 22, 2025

Royal Fox Country Club

The Electric Association is a forum to support and strengthen the relationships that grow the electrical industry of Chicagoland. Don't miss the opportunity to build relationships with professionals and decision makers in all segments of the industry.

Royal Fox Country Club

4405 Royal and Ancient Dr.

St. Charles, IL 60174

10:30 am Registration Opens

11:00 am Lunch Buffet and Networking

12:00 pm Shotgun Start, Scramble Format

Dinner and prizes immediately following golf.

• Lunch, Golf, Prizes, Dinner and Networking
• Attendee List shared with attendees before the event to support your relationship building
• Join us to support your Electric Association as we prepare for the Centennial Year in 2026!

Registration fee includes lunch, golf, and dinner with prizes.

• $285 per person for EA member attendees
• $310 for non-member attendees.

Register on your own or as a foursome.

REGISTER FOR The Electric Association Golf Outing at Royal Fox Country Club

ECA 53rd Annual Spring Conference Video Highlights

CLICK HERE for a brief video highlighting the recent ECA 53rd Annual Spring Conference. CLICK HERE for the recent article recapping the event.

EDUCATION

2025 ECA Research and Education Committee Update

The 2025 Education Programming Schedule is confirmed for 2025. Please click the link below for a full listing with links for registration!

CLICK HERE FOR LISTING

ECA Educational and Conference Stipends for 2025

The Electrical Contractors' Association of City of Chicago (ECA) Executive Committee has approved a number of educational stipends for many special programs / conferences throughout 2025. All stipends / reimbursements are made after each conference with registration confirmation(s) and applicable receipts forwarded to ECA.  

CLICK HERE FOR LISTING

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

Document Crunch

Contractors who sign up for the service will have exclusive access to an ELECTRI-specific solution through Document Crunch’s innovative platform.

Watch Demo Video



If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Nancy Sheehy at nsheehy@documentcrunch.com.

Sign Up for Access

Upcoming Office Hours Session: We will be hosting your next office hours session on Thursday, August 7^th, 2025, at 12:00 PM CT. Kindly encourage your members to attend—especially those who have not yet begun utilizing Document Crunch.

👉 Register for the August 7^th Office Hours

AllOne Health - 12 Principles of Highly Successful Leaders

As a valued AllOne Health EAP partner, you already have access to essential mental health and employee assistance services. But did you know your relationship with us also provides access to Whole Health Solutions that support both employee well-being and leadership success? 

Through AllOne Consulting, our 12 Principles of Highly Successful Leaders program equips organizations with proven leadership strategies that drive engagement, retention, and business success. Participants gain hands-on experience applying these principles to strengthen accountability, trust, and vision within their teams. 

Key Benefits: 

• Develop leaders who inspire and align teams 

• Enhance productivity and profitability 

• Create a thriving organizational culture 

Schedule a No-Obligation Consultation to explore how leadership transformation can elevate your workforce. 

P.S. A healthy leader fosters a healthy workplace. Pair leadership development with Wellness Coaching or any of our Stress Management Programs to support holistic well-being. 

Schedule a Meeting

AllOne Health Organizational Consulting and Wellness solutions has numerous programs available, including these 5 most popular and impactful programs right now: 

Organizational Consulting--

Communication Boundaries—Staying Unified in Polarizing Times

Help your team navigate tense conversations and stay connected. 

Designing Teamwork—How We Work, Together

A multi-part framework to align purpose, values, and roles, to improve collaboration and effectiveness.

Cultures of Belonging—Leading Through Tough Times

A 4-part series that helps leaders build authentic connections and inclusive environments, even during tough times. 

Wellness--

Shift Happens

A 1-hour session on navigating change and building resilience.  

Zone In—Developing Body and Mind Awareness

A 1-hour session to help your teams understand stress and respond with intention. 

These specialized services are available at an additional investment beyond your EAP — and are designed to help teams reset, realign, and rebuild when it matters most. 

Ready to learn more? 

REQUEST A CONSULTATION

EP 16: Powering and Iconic Marina

In Episode 16 of The Power of Better, Powering Chicago takes you behind the scenes of one of the city’s most complex waterfront projects, Navy Pier Marina.

From underwater cable pulls to public safety systems, this episode showcases what happens when trusted expertise, union labor, and collaboration come together on one of Chicago’s most visible construction projects.

Watch Now

Please click the link above for the Summer 2025 Issue of SubStance Magazine, presented by the Illinois Mechanical & Specialty Contractors Association (IMSCA).

This issue features a recap by IMSCA President, Karsten Pawlik, of IMSCA's successful Lobby Day event held in May. Additionally, IMSCA Special Counsel Jim Rohlfing provides detailed information on recently approved legislation that restricts the amount of retainage permissible on public construction projects. Furthermore, IMSCA Special Counsel Jim Rohlfing and his colleague, Attorney Matthew Bryant, have co-authored an article discussing the current administration’s tariff actions and the significant uncertainty this has introduced into the economy generally and the construction industry specifically.

If you have any questions or wish to contribute to a future issue, please contact IMSCA at:

Neil F. Flynn & Associates - Cell Phone: (217) 494-1968.

Suicide Rate Among Construction Workers Hits Crisis Levels

Kevin O’Shea, president of Shamrock Electric Co., Inc., has one vital message to construction workers who are struggling with their mental health: call him.

It's a message he shares as much as possible, given the growing number of suicides among workers in the industry. 

Click Here to Read the Full Article

Participate in Safe + Sound Week 2025: August 11-17, 2025

Safe + Sound Week is a nationwide event held each August that recognizes the successes of workplace safety and health programs and offers information and ideas on how to keep America’s workers safe. This year Safe + Sound Week will provide resources and activities for businesses on emergency preparedness and response that can be done at work or at home.

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE / PARTICIPATE.

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.

CLICK HERE FOR A "Stand Up for Suicide Prevention" Information Sheet.