Electric Golf Club Dinner Dance

February 22, 2025

The Electric Golf Club Dinner Dance was held on Saturday, February 22, 2025 at the Westin Chicago Northwest in Itasca, IL. The event was highlighted by a special Awards Ceremony for Scholarship winners from the Electric Association (EA) and affiliated scholarship programs, as well as the awarding of the JP Simons Award to Steven Witz, Four Gen Holdings, Inc. and Continental Electrical Construction Company. 

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE. 

The NECA Future Leaders Conference

February 19 - 21, 2025

Renaissance Hotel & Conference Center

Nashville, TN

The NECA Future Leaders Conference was held on February 19 – 21, 2025 at the Renaissance Hotel and Convention Center in Nashville, TN. The program was moderated by Aaron Kelley, Director of Government Affairs, Penn-Del-Jersey Chapter, NECA and introduced by Lt. General Ronald Bailey. 15 members were able to participate with the program.

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE.

EVENTS

ECA Regular Membership Meeting

Wednesday, March 19, 2025

ECA Membership Meeting

Wednesday, March 19, 2025

Mastro's Steakhouse

520 N .Dearborn Street

Chicago, IL 60654 (312) 521-5100

12:00 pm: Registration / Networking

12:30 am: Lunch  

1:15 pm:  Business Session / Guest Speaker

2:30 pm: Concludes

Complimentary Valet Parking

This program will feature industry updates and a guest presentation by Marlene Hopkins, Commissioner, City of Chicago Department of Buildings.

CLICK HERE FOR REGISTRATION

69th Annual Paddy's Day Luncheon

Friday, March 14, 2025

Chicago Hilton and Towers

THE INTERNATIONAL BALLROOM

720 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago IL

Don't Miss:

Big Shillelagh 2025 David Witz

Shannon Rovers

Door Prize Drawing

Francis P. Cummins Award Presentation

2026 Big Shillelagh Announcement

The Paddy's Day Lunch is THE opportunity to celebrate St. Patrick's Day with hundreds of colleagues in the electrical industry of Chicago.

CLICK HERE FOR REGISTRATION INFORMATION.

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

EDUCATION

NECA Online Basic Estimating /

Online Advanced Estimating Strategies

Below are the registration links from NECA Education:

Basic Estimating of Electrical Construction

·       Monday, March 3 - Thursday, March 13, 2025 | 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM ET

·       Monday, April 21- Thursday, May 1, 2025 | 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM ET

Advanced Estimating Strategies

·       Monday, March 3 - Thursday, March 6, 2025 | 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM ET

·       Monday, April 21 - Thursday, April 24, 2025 | 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM ET

Registration for these programs is on a first come, first served basis. In the event a program sells out and you wish to be added to the wait list for that instance, please email education@necanet.org

"Labor Cost - Convert Your Biggest Risk To Your Biggest Advantage."

Thursday, March 13, 2025

8:00 am - 12:00 pm 

Presented by Shaabini Alford, Maxim Consulting Group

IBEW-NECA Technical Institute (INTECH)

6201 W. 115th Street, Alsip, IL.

Case studies demonstrate common myths of field productivity due to a fundamental misunderstanding of what productivity really is. Case studies provide step by step illustration for participants to simply and clearly define productivity and production. Case studies illustrate methodologies for measuring and managing jobsite productivity for sustainable, breakthrough performance gains.

Following this course, participants will be able to:

• Define and appropriately measure productivity
• Define and understand the mechanics of production
• Understand blind spots existing project management approaches have to productivity improvement and what to do about it
• Gain an introductory understanding, based on case studies, of how to measure cost of lost production and how to implement effective improvement routines

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

CISCO Scholarship Application Deadline Has Been Extended to February 25, 2025!

CISCO has extended its scholarship deadline until Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2025 for its long-standing Annual Scholarship Awards Program. Applications are available by clicking on one of the three types of scholarship awards below.

Our three (3) scholarship program categories are:

– Three (3) four-year scholarships ($2,000/year). DOWNLOAD APPLICATION HERE

– Two (2) two-year awards ($1,000/year) for seniors planning on attending a community college. DOWNLOAD APPLICATION HERE

– Two (2) two-year continuing education awards ($1,000/year) to Union members or contractor employees. DOWNLOAD APPLICATION HERE

Click Here to Download All CISCO Scholarship Applications

Don't forget - deadline is extended until Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2025!

The Independent Alliance for the Electrical Industry (IAEI) is excited to invite you to an exclusive, free, in-person electrical educational seminar designed to equip professionals like you with essential updates and insights for 2025. Organized by the IBEW Local 134 Codes and Standards Committee and Powering Chicago, this event also serves as the IAEI Illinois Chapter Winter Meeting.

Event Details

• Date: February 28th, 2025
• Duration: 8-hour comprehensive training session
• CEUs: Continuing Education Units will be awarded to all attendees

CLICK HERE FOR BACKGROUND INFORMATION

CLICK HERE FOR REGISTRATION / EVENT DETAILS

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



Have you wondered how Document Crunch works and how it can benefit your company? Join us on Thursday, March 6th, at 12:00 PM CT for Document Crunch Office Hours, where we’ll answer these questions and more!

Register Here!

EP 13: An Icon Reinvented: Inside Abt Electronics’ Renewable Revolution

Since opening its doors in 1933, the iconic, family-owned Abt Electronics campus has evolved into a one-million-square-foot testament to innovation in Glenview, Illinois. Today, this historic retailer has transformed its storied grounds into a beacon of clean energy — one that will continue to harness renewable resources, deliver cleaner power, and generate thousands of megawatt-hours of electricity for generations to come.

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

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

OSHA New Arch Flash Information (December 2024)

Click the link below to the ECA website for member's only content - "Safety News and Resources" / "NECA / ECA Safety Resources" for a brief introduction regarding the new OSHA Arc Flash information, as well as new OSHA publications concerning Arc Flash.

CLICK HERE FOR LINK FOR NEW OSHA ARC FLASH INFORMATION / NEW OSHA ARC FLASH PUBLICATIONS.

You can also access this member only content directly through the ECA website by visiting the Industry Resources section - then NECA Safety Resources. Either way, you will need your username and password to visit the area(s).

Applications Open + New Criteria for 2025

Join NECA’s elite Recognition of Safety Achievement Program and showcase your excellence in safety and health. Apply by March 7, 2025. 

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION.

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.