ECA News & Events Update

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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



Register Now

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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NECA-IIT Student Chapter Session

(November 14, 2024)

As you are aware, the NECA - IIT Student Chapter is excited to participate in the upcoming Electrical Contracting Innovation Challenge sponsored by NECA and ELECTRI International. The challenge will begin in earnest in January 2025. Prior to that time, the students have had guest presenters throughout this semester to aid in familiarizing them with various aspects of the electrical construction industry.  Milwaukee Tool is the latest industry-related entity to visit the students via an on-line presentation highlighting their particular specialties. 


The students would like to thank Patrick Hill, Territory Manager - JSS Electrical, Milwaukee Tool, for his special presentation regarding Milwaukee Tool.


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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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EVENTS

Women's Division: Holiday Party at Venuti's 


Enjoy a fun sit-down dinner with fellow women of the electrical industry of Chicago! This holiday event will include three hours of hosted bar, dinner, and raffle tickets. Registration is $130.00 per person for Women's Division Members and $140 for Women's Division Non-members. Contact the Electric Association for registration availability at (630) 305-3050; www.eachicago.org.



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).


Learn More



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

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

Industry Partners

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



Employee Assistance Program (EAP)


Beginning January 1, 2025, Employees Resource Systems, Inc. (ERS) will be doing business under the name, “AllOne Health.” While it is simply a name change, it also represents the commitment to improve the customer experience and innovate services to best meet your needs. Further updates will soon be available.  In the meantime, please click here to review an updated promotional flyer that features the new logo.      


Updated ERS

Promotional Toolkit: https://allonehealth.com/toolkit-ers/ for easier access to flyers, Insights Newsletters and much more.


How to Register for a Drug Screening


2024 Core Service Flyer

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 

IMSCA Update

 

The Illinois Mechanical & Special Contractors Association (IMSCA) has selected the firm of Neil F. Flynn & Associates to take over their management role effective November 15, 2024.


CLICK HERE for background information regarding search and Neil F. Flynn & Associates.


The next IMSCA meeting is scheduled for Friday, December 6, at 10:00 a.m. at the Plumbing Contractors Association (PCA) 's new office, 900 Jorie Blvd., in Oak Brook, Illinois.


NECA 2025 Innovator of the Year


The NECA Innovator of the Year is awarded to an industry pioneer from a NECA member contractor who champions innovation and continuous improvement across their company and the entire NECA community. Winners are recognized at the annual MEP Innovation Conference hosted by NECA, MCAA, and SMACNA. The deadline was November 15, 2024. Contact NECA for consideration after this date.


Nominate Now

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. 


Watch Now

CSC Safety Update


The Construction Safety Council offers it Quarterly update called "Real Hot is Really Dangerous" by

Robert Lahey, Chicagoland Construction Safety Council.


CLICK HERE for the New Report.


This FREE half-day training program informs workers about hazards associated with trenching and excavation operations. www.buildsafe.org. CLICK HERE for the flyer. Contact the CSC at: (708) 449-8604 for details.

NECA Safety


Throughout this monthly series, the NECA Risk Management Executive Directors of Safety will discuss specific topics within electrical construction safety


OH&S Webinar: The State of Electrical Safety


NECA SAFETY ROUNDUP!

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.

SAVE THE DATES

December


December 7, 2024

ECA President's Holiday Party

Art Institute of Chicago Chicago, IL


December 10, 2024

Joint Safety Directors' Forum (Safety Directors, Only)

Rich Harvest Farms

Sugar Grove, IL

January


January 16, 2025

ECA Regular Membership Meeting

Drury Lane Conference Center

Oakbrook Terrace, IL


January 29, 2025

Reasonable Suspicion/Sexual Harassment Prevention Training Seminar

Maggiano's Banquets

Oak Brook, IL

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