ECA Student Committee Update

ECA Member Special Presentation (ECIC) (4/3/25)

The Electrical Contractors’ Association of City of Chicago (ECA) / the Chicago & Cook County Chapter, NECA wishes to thank Lenny Weber, Senior Project Manager, Continental Energy Solutions (CES) & Mike Meyer, Director of Construction Operations from Continental Electrical Construction Company, for their special presentation concerning solar / renewable energy electrical projects that they gave to the NECA-IIT Student Chapter on Thursday, April 3, 2025.  

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EIT Wage and Fringe Bond Notification (letter excerpt - 3/17/25)

Per the notice from ECA sent on May 24, 2023, all Local #134 signatory contractors were notified of the new Wage and Fringe Bond requirements and forms effective June 5, 2023, for the above Agreements as adopted by the Joint Arbitration Board. Many contractors have already provided Local #134 and the Electrical Insurance Trustees with the required bonds on the new forms. However, there are still a significant number of wage and fringe bonds that need to be updated. All Local #134 signatory contractors are required to be compliant with the new bond forms for all agreements to which they are signatory. Continuation certificates will not be accepted because a new bond form is required.  A contractor can use their existing agent or if assistance is needed, we are including a list of some agents that are familiar with the EIT/134 bond language. This is for informational purposes only and not meant to be an endorsement of any agent.   If you have not updated the bonds, please address this immediately to avoid the bonds being non-compliant. (the latest acceptable time will be your next renewal date).  The new Bond Forms are available within the Employer Portal on the "Bond Forms" tab via the EIT website (https://fundoffice.org), or at Wage and Fringe Bond Form.

CLICK HERE FOR FULL LETTER FROM EIT

ECA 53rd Annual Spring Conference

The Grand Geneva Resort & Spa

Wednesday, June 4, 2025 - Thursday, June 5, 2025

The Electrical Contractors’ Association of City of Chicago’s (ECA’s) 53rd Annual Spring Conference will be held on June 4 - 5, 2025 at the Grand Geneva Resort & Spa in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. Please plan to attend the 2025 Electrical Contractors’ Association 53rd Annual Spring Conference.  If / When registering for the golf outing, be sure to list your golf foursome request. (Just added: Special reception immediately following the golf outing!)

Please register on/or before April 25, 2025.  

CLICK HERE FOR REGISTRATION INFORMATION.

SAVE THE DATES!

ECA Young Professionals

7th Annual Leadership Conference

Thursday, August 14, 2025 - Friday, August 15, 2025

Hilton Chicago / Oak Brook Hills Resort -- Oak Brook, IL

EVENTS

ECA Regular Membership Meeting

Wednesday, April 16, 2025

Truluck's Steakhouse 9860 Berwyn Avenue Rosemont, IL 60018 (847) 233-9404

12:00 pm: Registration / Networking

12:30 am: Lunch  

1:15 pm:  Business Session / Guest Speaker

2:30 pm: Concludes

This program will feature industry updates and a guest presentation from Matt Blair, CEO & Co-Founder of the Well Resource Center, NFP.

Presentation to highlight the following:

--Mental and behavioral health concerns in the workplace and out in the field.

--Knowing how to step-in to offer support and referrals to fellow co-workers in need. 

CLICK HERE FOR REGISTRATION

ECA Young Professionals Spring Leadership Event

April 24, 2025

The Electrical Contractors’ Association of City of Chicago (ECA) Young Professionals Committee is proud to sponsor an upcoming Young Professionals session. Lt. General Ronald Bailey, NECA Senior Vice President Industry Development, is the guest presenter.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER!

Rebuild Together Metro Chicago

"Christmas in April"

April 26, 2025

Christmas in April is a day of service which provides minor to moderate electrical repairs in communities that would otherwise go neglected. Powering Chicago is asking signatory contractors to assist this year by providing service vans, trucks and tools to help assist in making the 2025 campaign a successful Rebuilding Together. Christmas in April will be take place on April 26th 2025! There are two west side communities where help is needed; the Austin community in Chicago and the Maywood community in the suburbs. 

CLICK HERE FOR SERVICE VEHICLE(S) SIGN-UP.

Local Union #134 IBEW Helping Hand Fund - Fundraiser

May 10, 2025

2 pm - 7 pm

115 Bourbon Street

3359 West 115th Street

Merrionette Park, IL 60803

The fund was created to aid members of Local Union #134 IBEW who are in need of assistance. Through all of the generous donations that the Helping Hands Fund has received, over 500 Local Union #134 IBEW members have received various forms of assistance.  Join the Helping Hands Fund by assisting with this upcoming Fundraiser. 

There will be food, beer, wine & pop, as well as a 50/50 "Split-the-Pot" raffle and a $1,000 Door Prize! Tickets are $40 in advance. For updates & ticket information, please contact (312) 474-4151 or visit the website at:  www.helpinghand134.org.

Register today for this dynamic in-person event

Title: Our Evolution of Infrastructure in Mission Critical Facilities

Date:  Thursday, May 1, 2025

Time: 7:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Location:

The Carlisle

435 E. Butterfield Road

Lombard, IL 60148

Attendee Registration Fees:

$85.00 Per CTF-Member Attendee

$110.00 Per CTF-Member Attendee

Limited Tabletop Exhibitor Opportunity! Exhibitors will receive an attendee list, be acknowledged in newsletters, emails, and social media. Don't miss this IN-PERSON opportunity to network and promote your company.

$450 Exhibitor Fee for Table Including One Attendee

$550 Exhibitor Fee for Table Including One Attendee

For assistance related to this event, please contact Ali Novinger at anovinger@eachicago.org.

REGISTER TODAYLearn More about CTF Membership

Communication Technologies Forum| Division of the Electric Association

630-305-3050| E-mail | Website

Please contact Ali Novinger at anovinger@eachicago.org with any questions.

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



In preparation for Mental Health Awareness Month this May, AllOne Health created a collection of new Mental Health Awareness Resource Guides you can build into your outreach and communication efforts:

• How to Support a Loved One: Supporting a loved one through mental health challenges can feel overwhelming, and this guide offers practical steps to help you navigate the process.
• Mental Health for Everyone: To build mental health awareness, this resource provides an overview of why mental health matters and when to seek support.
• Mental Health in the Workplace: This guide provides actionable steps for organizational leaders to promote mental health, communicate effectively, and foster a supportive work environment.
• Mental Health Signs and Symptoms: Every diagnosis has its own symptoms, but this guide features the most common signs and symptoms to be aware of.
• What is Resiliency?: In mental health resiliency, there are strategic ways to improve your ability to bounce back from challenges. This guide offers a closer look at the four primary areas of defense and specific steps to improve resilience.

Seeking Support

Remember, if you or any of your team members are working through mental health challenges, our team is here to support. Our confidential counseling services and resources are available to provide guidance, support, and encouragement whenever it’s needed.

Thank you for partnering with AllOne Health in promoting mental health awareness and well-being. In addition to these new resources, your monthly Insights newsletter & Hub, Resource Library, monthly webinars, the AllOne Health Blog, and your member portal offer a full collection of topical articles and shareable content that can be accessed anytime. If you are looking for specific information or want to discuss other opportunities to align the EAP support services with your internal initiatives, please reach out and I’d be happy to discuss.

P.S. Follow on LinkedIn to stay updated on mental health insights throughout the year.

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

EP 14: Powering Progress: Mentor Program Elevating Minority Electrical Contractors

Two rising firms, Rocha Electric and Simply E&C, are proving just how powerful mentorship can be. Under the guidance of established contractor Maron Electric, they are leading electrical work on transformative projects like the Goodman Theatre’s lighting retrofit and the Sankofa Wellness Center — a long-awaited development in West Garfield Park, marking the area’s first new construction in 40 years.

Watch Now

IMSCA Lobby Day

May 6, 2025

The Illinois Mechanical Specialty Contractors Association (IMSCA) will be hosting its 2025 Lobby Day on May 6, 2025. Registration closes on April 25, 2025.  

The session will feature the following:

12:00 pm to 1:00 pm -- Lunch (IRTA Office) – Illinois Retired Teachers’ Association

1:00 pm to 2:00 pm -- Lobby Day Presentation (IRTA Office)

2:00 pm to 3:00 pm -- Board Meeting (IRTA Office)

3:00 pm to 5:00 pm -- Legislator Appointments (State Capitol and Stratton Building)

5:00 pm to 7:00 pm -- Legislative Reception (Vinegar Hill Mall)

You can submit your registration in one of two ways:

Option 1: Please feel free to complete this form; or

Option 2: Please feel free to complete this fillable PDF and email it to sarah@ccepil.com.

If you have any questions regarding 2025 Lobby Day, please do not hesitate to contact IMSCA at: (217) 523-4361. 

We hope that you will be able to participate.

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

NECA Safety Professionals Conference

The NECA Safety Professionals Conference (NSPC) is the premier event for safety leaders in the electrical industry!

Join NECA on May 19-21 at the IOWA Events Center in Des Moines, IA, for three dynamic days filled with powerful keynotes, expert-led breakout sessions, and cutting-edge safety solutions tailored for electrical professionals.

CLICK HERE FOR REGISTRATION INFORMATION.

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.