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LiveWire - February 2026
| | ECA Regular Membership Meeting - January 22, 2026
(in conjunction with the EA Annual Conference) | | |
The Electrical Contractors' Association of City of Chicago's (ECA's) first Regular Membership Meeting of the year was held on Wednesday, January 22, 2026 at the Drury Lane Conference Center. It was held in conjunction with the Electric Association's Annual Conference. Nearly 70 registered for the Membership luncheon.
CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE.
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ELECTRI Winter Council Meeting
January 21 - 23, 2026
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The ELECTRI Winter Council meeting was held January 21 – 23, 2026 at the Omni La Mansión del Rio in San Antonio, TX. Besides research updates and voting on new research proposals, ELECTRI Council Member Alterman, Inc. offered attendees a visit to their new headquarters. The Council Meeting featured Contractor Panels / Roundtables / Updates, Special Sessions.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION.
| | NECA Premier Partner Update - 3M | | |
3M 35 kV Deadbreak Kit Availability and 2026 Pricing
3M has updated the lead time for its 35kV Separable Connectors, with deadbreak kit availability now set at 2–3 weeks. In addition, 3M has confirmed that there will be no pricing increases for these products in 2026. This update is intended to support improved planning and project scheduling for NECA members nationwide.
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CISCO Annual Meeting
Friday, February 6, 2026
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We hope that you are able to attend the CISCO Annual Meeting (featuring the 2025 Pride in Construction Awards) scheduled as follows:
Friday, February 6, 2026
Harry Caray's at the Westin
70 Yorktown Shopping Center
Lombard, IL
Registration/ Breakfast: 8:00 am
Program at 9:00 am
Registration is Free to CISCO members, RSVP early! Seating is limited. To register, e-mail Julie Mulvey at julia@cisco.org or call (630) 472-9411.
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ECA Young Professionals Winter Leadership Event
Thursday, February 12, 2026
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ECA Young Professionals Winter Leadership Event
Thursday, February 12, 2026 - 4pm to 8pm
Top Golf
2050 Progress Pkwy
Schaumburg, IL 60173
(847) 656-2122
Please join us for our first YP event of 2026 entitled "Take Control of Your Material." This event will feature a brief presentation by representatives from Remarcable followed by free food, drinks, and Top Golf!
Electrical contractors are operating in a period of profound industry transition where shifting market conditions, advancements in AI, and growing demands for transparency are redefining how companies compete and deliver work. Challenges around material pricing predictability, fragmented communication across teams, and legacy processes continue to create a hidden drag on margins and productivity. Join us for a presentation on best practices to mitigate these challenges.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER.
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ECA Regular Membership Meeting
Wednesday, February 18, 2026
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Please join us for the ECA Regular Membership Meeting.
This luncheon event is scheduled as follows:
ECA Membership Meeting
Wednesday, February 18, 2026
University Club of Chicago
76 E. Monroe Street
Michigan / Monroe Room - Second Floor
Chicago, IL 60603
(312) 726-2840
12:00 pm: Registration / Networking
12:30 am: Lunch
1:15 pm: Business Session / Guest Speaker
2:30 pm: Concludes
Complimentary Valet Parking available.
This program will feature industry updates and a guest presentation by Jerry Lewis, 1901 Project.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER.
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Electric Golf Club Dinner Dance
Saturday, February 21, 2026
The Westin Chicago Northwest
400 Park Blvd, Itasca, IL 60143
Cocktails: 6:00pm,
Dinner 7:00pm
Awards Ceremony
Auction Open 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Congratulations to ECA member: Steve Mulligan, Gibson Electric An Emcor Company,
as he is being honored as the "JP SImons Award" winner!
LIVE MUSIC from Johnny Lyons and the Pride
CLICK HERE TO RSVP for the EGC Dinner Dance by February 21, 2026
Complete tables purchased by a company will have their Company's name displayed on the table. Tables 10, 11, and 12 Seats can be accommodated. Seats of less than 10 will be open seating.
Hotel rooms available at this link.
AUCTION ITEMS NEEDED!
Support the CEAEF Scholarship Program and Electric Association Education Programs!
This year's auction will accessible on a mobile app for easy bidding at the Dinner Dance. Each donation item/package must carry a minimum value of $250. Each donor will be recognized for their contribution with a sign displayed in front of their donation at the auction. They will also be recognized on the bidding app and after the event in promotions. If you would like to make a donation, please complete the linked donation form here. All donations need to be mailed or dropped off at the EA office by February 18, 2026.
If you have any questions, please contact Ali Novinger at anovinger@eachicago.org.
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The 2026 National Electrical Code (NEC) Is Here —
Are You Ready?
Free Educational Seminar on February 27, 2026
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The 2026 National Electrical Code (NFPA 70®) has been released just recently, and it will directly impact how electrical systems are designed, installed, inspected, and enforced. Staying current is critical, this seminar prepares you before adoption begins. The IBEW Local 134 Codes & Standards Committee invites you to attend a Free, In-Person Educational Seminar led by Ryan Jackson, a nationally recognized electrical industry leader and National Electrical Code expert. This full-day seminar provides clear, practical guidance on what changed in the 2026 NEC, why it changed, and how it affects real-world electrical work, including inspections, plan review, and installations.
Event Details:
Date: February 27, 2026
Time: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Doors Open: 7:00 AM for check-in
Location: IBEW-NECA Technical Institute|
6201 W 115th Street, Alsip, IL 60803
Cost: FREE — Registration is REQUIRED to attend
REGISTER NOW – REQUIRED FOR ENTRY
👉 CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
⚠️ This event is free, but advance registration is mandatory. Walk-ins will not be permitted without registration.
CEUs will be provided. Light breakfast, lunch, and refreshments will be available throughout the day. Ample parking is available, and check-in will be located inside the main entrance. Don’t wait until the 2026 NEC is enforced to learn the changes.
Get informed. Get ahead. Get registered.
If any questions, please contact: Matthew Stolspart, Business Representative, IBEW Local 134, at: mstolspart@local134.org
CLICK HERE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
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INTECH - Tool Show and Open House
Friday, March 6, 2026 & Saturday, March 7, 2026
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The IBEW-NECA Technical Institute is holding a Tool Show and Open House as follows:
Friday, March 6, 2026
12:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Saturday, March 7, 2026
9:00 am - 12:00 pm
IBEW-NECA Technical Institute (INTECH)
6201 W. 115th Street
Alsip, IL 60803
(708) 389-1340
www.ejatt.com
The program will feature:
- Leading Industry Vendors will be on-site.
- New Tool Demonstrations
- School Tours
Please contact the school and let them know you are participating.
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Midwestern Region Conference
March 10 - 13, 2026
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Join us in paradise for NECA's Midwestern Region Conference at the Hilton Waikoloa Village in Hawaii on March 10 -13, 2026. This unforgettable event is your chance to network with industry leaders, learn from top experts, and gain insights from inspiring speakers—all while enjoying the beauty of Hawaii!
CLICK HERE FOR REGISTRATION INFORMATION.
| | IMSCA Legislative Update
January 30, 2026 | | |
IMSCA Lobby Day
March 24, 2026
The 2026 IMSCA Lobby Day is scheduled for Tuesday, March 24, 2026, in Springfield, IL.
IMSCA will discuss issues important to the Illinois Construction Industry. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to talk to your legislator(s) about your business needs. Please make your voice heard and attend this important event.
Schedule of Events for March 24, 2026
12:00PM - 1:00PM LUNCH at IRTA Office
1:00PM - 2:00PM LOBBY DAY PRESENTATION at IRTA Office
2:00PM - 3:00PM BOARD MEETING at IRTA Office
3:00PM - 5:00PM LEGISLATOR APPOINTMENTS at State Capitol Building
5:00PM - 7:00PM LEGISLATIVE RECEPTION at Vinegar Hill Mall
We hope that you will be able to join us for Lobby Day. If you are planning to attend, please register using the Google Form linked HERE, or fill out the PDF notice of the event HERE and e-mail back to: emailtosarah@ccepil.com
ECA Providing Bus Transportation to/from IMSCA Lobby Day activities.
Bus departing from 5 Westbrook Corp. Center on 3/24/26.
Schedule being finalized.
If you are unable to join us in Springfield on March 24, 2026, we will be offering a virtual attendance option for the Presentation and Board Meeting. If you have any questions about the event, please do not hesitate to contact Daniel Flynn at: dflynn@neilflynnlaw.com.
Please Join Us in Springfield on March 24th!
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION.
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NECA Emerge Conference
April 13 - 15, 2026
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NECA EMERGE is back and registration is officially open! After a highly successful debut in 2024, NECA EMERGE returns April 13–15, 2026, in Atlanta, GA, marking the second time this groundbreaking conference will take place. Designed to happen every other year, EMERGE was created to address the evolving ways NECA contractors do business and the response to the inaugural event made one thing clear: this conference fills a critical need!
NECA EMERGE brings together multiple industry-favorite meetings into one power-packed, three-day experience.
CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS / REGISTRATION INFORMATION!
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ECA Educational Programming for 2026
The 2026 Education Programming Schedule is confirmed for 2026. Please click the link below for a full listing with links for registration!
CLICK HERE FOR LISTING
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ECA Educational and Conference Stipends for 2026
The Electrical Contractors' Association of City of Chicago (ECA) Executive Committee has approved a number of educational stipends for many special programs / conferences throughout 2026. All stipends / reimbursements are made after each conference with registration confirmation(s) and applicable receipts forwarded to ECA.
CLICK HERE FOR LISTING
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Navigating the Skilled Labor Shortage: Mega Projects, Incentive Pay, and the Department of Labor
Wednesday, February 11, 2026
The Electrical Contractors’ Association of City of Chicago (ECA) is proud to sponsor the "Navigating the Skilled Labor Shortage: Mega Projects, Incentive Pay, and the Department of Labor" Seminar on Wednesday, February 11, 2026 from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm at Gibsons Steakhouse at 2105 Spring Road in Oak Brook, IL (630) 954-0000. The session is to be presented by Ted Uppole, Vice President NECA Labor Relations, Brendan Coakley, Assistant Professor in the Construction Management Department at California State University, Chico, and Dr. Anthony Perrenoud, Department Chair for the Construction Management Department in the College of Engineering at Boise State University.
The re-electrification of the United States is in full swing and while this creates tremendous opportunity for electrical contractors, it brings with it a new host of challenges with no simple solutions. This seminar will examine 1) the impacts of mega projects on local construction markets; 2) how incentive pay works in practice and its implications for productivity, labor supply, cost, and retention; and 3) an incentive pay/per diem best practices session to help contractors stay in compliance with the US Department of Labor.
Program Schedule:
Wednesday, February 11, 2026
Gibsons Steakhouse
2105 Spring Road
Oak Brook, IL
12:00 pm - Lunch
1:00 pm - ~4:00 pm - Seminar
This program is complimentary for ECA members!
Registration link is below:
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER!
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"Effective Client Communication" Seminar
Thursday, March 26, 2026
The Electrical Contractors’ Association of City of Chicago (ECA) Research and Education Committee is proud to sponsor the "Effective Client Communication" seminar on Thursday, March 26, 2026 from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm at Maggiano's Banquets - 240 Oakbrook Center, Oak Brook, IL - Barbarossa Room) (630) 368-0300. (Breakfast to be available at 7:45 am). The session is to be facilitated by David Ashcraft, Advantage Learning Systems.
Effective Client Communication
Multiple factors influence effective client communications including self-awareness, self-improvement, social awareness and relationship management. In this session, you will learn how to attract, build and maintain long lasting client relations. Better communication skills lead to more client trust, faster decisions and more referrals. This class will benefit those with 1 or 20 plus years of experience.
Following this course, participants will be able to:
- Explain how to build stronger rapport and trust (and maintain it)
- Discuss ideas to connect with clients faster
- Ask better questions to uncover client priorities (Hot Buttons) and their pet peeves.
- Identify techniques that improve listening skills (You can’t ask great questions if you aren’t listening)
- Identify distracting appearance and auditory behaviors and how to reduce them
- List tips to illustrate ideas and improve collaborative communication
- Analyze characteristics of a poor listener
- Explain how to interpret nonverbal responses
Registration is open for "Effective Client Communication"
Thursday, March 26, 2026
8:00 am - 12:00 pm
Maggiano's Banquets
Oak Brook, IL
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
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CSC Update
For a listing of coursework available through the Construction Safety Council (CSC) for the month of January 2026, please visit www.buildsafe.org.
FREE Safety Training - 2026
CSC is offering a series of complimentary programs!
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The Construction Safety Council (CSC) been awarded an OSHA grant to support local delivery of five high-demand training topics:
- Workzone Hazards
- Excavation Dangers
- Harmful Silica
- Fall Protection
- Electrical Safety
Each session includes four hours of in-person instruction, which requires a 4.5 timeline for delivery (e.g., 7:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.). This Awareness-Level training is available to employers and employees, locally or nationwide. Their trainers are subject matter experts, who will engage participants in interactive lectures, demonstrations, and discussions about construction workplace hazards and risk-prevention strategies.
The ECA is proud to join the CSC in sponsoring these training opportunities. Due to the availability of federal grant funding, all materials and instruction are available AT NO COST. The training is FREE OF CHARGE for all ECA members.
- OPEN ENROLLMENT courses hosted by CSC in Hillside, Illinois – 2026 training dates will be available at www.buildsafe.org after December 15.
- PRIVATE courses hosted by ECA members – at any time, on any day, at any location.
If any questions, please contact the CSC at: (708) 449-8604.
We hope that you will take advantage of the opportunity to participate with these sessions!
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NECA Recognition of Safety Achievement Program
NECA’s Recognition of Safety Achievement program is an elite safety recognition focused on recognizing thriving companies that excel in multiple areas of their safety and health programs. Member companies that consistently show no injuries, illnesses or fatalities and implement internal company safety practices above and beyond basic compliance will continue to be recognized with our Zero-Injury Recognition program. New criteria for Safety Excellence were introduced in 2025. The new criteria follows the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) and overall safety industry focus on companies that implement internal company safety practices above and beyond basic compliance and show an absence of serious injuries and fatalities.
Click Here for Application / Registration information.
NECA Safety Professionals Conference
May 18 – 20, 2026
Registration is to open, soon.
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