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ECA Chicago is pleased to announce the 2024 Presidents Party & Holiday Celebration will be held on Saturday, December 7, 2024, at the Art Institute of Chicago. We welcome all ECA member companies and their employees to attend this highly-anticipated event.

ECA Chicago’s 2024 President’s Party & Holiday Celebration:



Saturday, December 7, 2024

6:00 pm – 10:00 pm

Art Institute of Chicago 

111 S Michigan Ave Chicago, IL 60603

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City of Chicago Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony

November 22, 2024

The City of Chicago held its 111th Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on Friday, November 22, 2024. Powering Chicago was again proud to sponsor the event.  Electrical Contractors’ Association of City of Chicago (ECA) member, Taylor Electric Company was the coordinating electrical contractor for this year’s event. Thank you, Kendra Dinkins and all the Taylor Electric Company crew for doing a spectacular job in illuminating the tree!  

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Joint Safety Directors' Forum

(For Safety Directors, Only)

Tuesday, December 10, 2024

11:30 am - 4:00 pm

Rich Harvest Farms (7S771 Dugan Road Sugar Grove, Illinois 60554)

The Electrical Contractors’ Association of City of Chicago (ECA) Safety Committee along with the Northeastern Illinois Chapter, NECA is proud to sponsor this special Joint Safety Directors' Forum, scheduled as follows:

Schedule:

11:30 am - 12 pm

Arrival & Check-in

12 pm - 1 pm

Lunch & Car Museum Tour

1 pm - 2 pm

Meeting

2 pm - 4 pm

Indoor Area

This program is complimentary to ECA/NECA Safety members (invitation only).

PLEASE CLICK HERE TO REGISTER!

ECA Regular Membership Meeting - January 16, 2025 (THURSDAY!)

The event is being held in conjunction with the Electric Association's Annual Conference.

Please join us for the ECA Regular Membership Meeting.

This luncheon event is scheduled as follows:

Wednesday, January 16, 2025

Drury Lane Conference Center

100 Drury Lane

Oakbrook Terrace, IL

(630) 530-8300

Registration / Networking: 11:30 am

Lunch begins: 11:45 am

Business Session: 12:00 pm

Event Concludes: 1:00 pm

The luncheon program will feature industry updates and guest presentation by Ryan James Boyle, VP and Senior Economist - Global Risk Management Division - Northern Trust regarding a Midwest Economic Forecast.

We do hope that you'll join us for this opportunity to meet and network with your peers in the industry!

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

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER!

IBEW-NECA Technical Institute (INTECH)

Showcase & Open House

(November 15 -16, 2024)

The IBEW-NECA Technical Institute (INTECH) coordinated a special Open House on November 15 – 16, 2024. The Showcase & Open House featured industry vendors, tours of the school, and numerous informational sessions that featured new tools, new technology discussions, solar news, safety and code updates. The event brought many contractors, potential apprentices, high school students, the community, in regard to learning more about the union electrical construction industry and the many opportunities offered.

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ECA Membership Meeting (November 13, 2024)

The Electrical Contractors’ Association of City of Chicago (ECA) held its November Membership meeting as a Breakfast session. The program was held on Wednesday, November 13, 2024 at Maggiano’s Banquets in Oak Brook, IL. Over 50 attendees were on hand for the Committee reports, Industry updates, and a special presentation by Nic Bittle, Work Force Pro called, “The Power of Empathy.”  We thank Nic for his thoughtful presentation.

Reports were given regarding the following Trusts / Committees: EJAB, EJATT, LMCC, Legislative, Safety, Research and Education, DEI (Culture of Collaboration), Young Professionals and the Student Committee. 

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"Foundational Components for Equity/LGBTQ+ Inclusion/Allyship in the Workplace."

(November 13, 2024)

The ECA Research and Education Committee was proud to have sponsored the seminar, "Foundational Components for Equity / LGBTQ+ Inclusion / Allyship in the Workplace." The session was held as a post-Membership meeting program on Wednesday, November 13, 2024 at Maggiano’s Banquets in Oak Brook, IL. The presentation was facilitated by Aster Gilbert, Manager of Training and Public Education, Center on Halsted.

We thank Aster Gilbert and the Center on Halsted for assisting with the program!

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NECA Premier Partners Program (November 12, 2024)

The Electrical Contractors’ Association of City of Chicago (ECA) Research and Education Committee was pleased to present a unique complimentary program. The "NECA Premier Partners Program" featured four (4) seminars and a special networking session. The sessions were facilitated by area / national representatives of four (4) NECA Premier Partners. The "NECA Premier Partners Program" was held 8:00 am - 3:30 pm on Tuesday, November 12, 2024 at the Hyatt Lodge Hotel in Oak Brook, IL.

We thank all of the speakers for their participation!

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EVENTS

The Chicago Electrical Industry

Annual Children’s Christmas Party

December 7, 2024

IBEW 134 Hall

2722 S. Martin Luther King Drive

Chicago, IL 60616

Join your industry colleagues to support this day of joy for Chicago area children in need.

The Chicagoland Electric Association Education Foundation (CEAEF) is sponsoring their 32nd Annual Christmas luncheon for Chicago area children in need.

On Saturday, December 7, 2024 children from seven area shelters will enjoy a full turkey dinner with all the trimmings. As the children walk into the decorated IBEW 134 Hall they are greeted by lively music played by a DJ and a performance from the Jesse White Tumblers! After lunch has been served, Santa arrives with a special gift just for them.

This event could not take place without the company toy drives and volunteers, but we still have direct expenses that require financial contributions to pay for the bus transportation for the children, supplies, entertainment (excluding the DJ) and a large gift for each shelter. Together we do make a difference!

DONATE ONLINE

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CISCO is excited to announce that nominations are officially open for its Project of the Year Awards.

This prestigious program, now in its 19th year, celebrates the outstanding achievements of Union contractors, skilled Tradespeople, and their teams who are shaping the future of Union construction. Whether it's groundbreaking infrastructure, sustainable development, or a showcase of craftsmanship, CISCO wants to hear about YOUR project!

CISCO’s Award Program gives general contractors, owners, engineers, and architects a chance to submit projects in six (6) different categories for recognition as those categories’ Project of the Year. (See 2023 winners here).

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2025 Merit Awards Project Submissions NOW OPEN

ENTRY DEADLINE: December 31, 2024

The Chicago Building Congress Merit Awards Committee invites CBC members and non-members to submit entries for CBC's 2025 Merit Awards competition. This program recognizes the most outstanding construction projects from the past three years in the Chicagoland area and surrounding counties.

Learn More



EDUCATION

Reasonable Suspicion/Sexual Harassment

Prevention Training Seminar

Wednesday, January 29, 2025

8:00 am - 12:00 pm

Maggiano's Banquets (240 Oakbrook Ctr. Oak Brook, IL 60523)

Presentation facilitated by Bill Heffernan, Screensafe, Inc.

Participants will learn signs and symptoms of drug and alcohol misuse and abuse, the importance of objective and factual documentation, strategies and approaches to successful interventions and procedures and protocols regarding reasonable suspicion testing. The presentations are to include discussion of the Illinois Workplace Transparency Act concerning employer obligations for Sexual Harassment Prevention Training and Reasonable Suspicion implementation.

This program is complimentary for ECA members!

REGISTER NOW

Culture of Collaboration Workshop

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

We're embarking on an 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



EP 12: Essential Tech Maintaining Illinois' Wastewater Treatment Facilities

Step into Algonquin's state-of-the-art wastewater treatment facility, where science and technology combine to process 3-4 million gallons of wastewater daily, ensuring clean water returns to the nearby Fox River. 

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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 

Get ready for the annual Construction Expo & Safety Conference on March 3-4, 2025 at the Drury Lane Conference Center in Oakbrook Terrace. Registration is now open, with a $100 DISCOUNT available on purchases of the All-Access Pass until January 31. 

This two-day event features 24 safety training sessions, a business-to-business tradeshow on March 4, a Keynote Speaker, and unparalleled opportunities to connect with fellow industry professionals. 

REGISTER HERE

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.