Greetings!
Welcome to the February 2012 edition of the Electrical Contractors' Association newsletter LiveWire.
This month's issue features updates regarding the ECA Standing Committee appointments, Trustee appointments, membership benefits, NECA Midwest Regional Conference, "Cypress Creek" - Mechanics Lien issue, among other industry-related articles.
As always, please give us your feedback about the ECA LiveWire Newsletter and let us know what information would be helpful to you in future additions. We appreciate your comments.
Best regards,
ECA Chicago |
|
| ECA Membership Meeting
The Electrical Contractors' Association of City of Chicago (ECA) began the new year with its first Membership Meeting of 2012 at Courtright's Restaurant in Willow Springs, Illinois on January 11th. The meeting was highlighted by the review of the 2012 Budget, acknowledgement of the ECA Executive Committee and Officers, the recent appointments made by James Gallagher, ECA President, Grand-Kahn Electric of the Electrical Contractors' Association of City of Chicago (ECA) Standing Committee Chairpersons, as well as the Management Trustee appointments.
The Association wishes to thank the many member volunteers who have devoted much time and talent for the benefit of the ECA and the advancement of the industry, including the following:
ECA Officers
President
James Gallagher, Grand-Kahn Electric
Vice President and Treasurer
David Witz, Continental Electrical Construction Company
Executive Vice President and Secretary
Mark Nemshick
ECA Executive Committee
Katie Canino, Canino Electric Company
William Cullen, Sharlen Electric Company
William Darnstadt, Lyons Electric Company, Inc.
Michael Deger, Block Electric Company, Inc.
Daniel Divane, Divane Bros. Electric Company
Daniel Durkin, Sr., Durkin Electric Company, Inc.
Jay Eminger, Sr., Helm Electrical Services, Inc.
Daniel Fitzgibbons, Gibson Electric & Technology Solutions
James Gallagher, Grand-Kahn Electric
Wayne Gearig, Aldridge Electric, Inc.
Frank Gurtz, Gurtz Electric Company
Richard Jamerson, Jamerson & Bauwens Electrical Contractors, Inc.
Eric Nixon, Maron Electric Company
David Witz, Continental Electrical Construction Company
NECA District 4 Vice President
David Hardt, Hardt Electric, Inc.
NECA Governor
Brad Weir, Kelso-Burnett Co.
ELECTRI
Daniel Divane, Divane Bros. Electric Company
NECA Political Leadership Council
James McGlynn, McWilliams Electric Company, Inc.
Electrical Insurance Trustees (EIT) / Joint Pension Trustees
William Divane, Chairman, Divane Bros. Electric Company
Ken Bauwens, Jamerson & Bauwens Electrical Contractors, Inc.
Steve Diamond, Malko Electric Company
Kevin O'Shea, Shamrock Electric Company, Inc.
Michael Walsdorf, Advent Systems, Inc.
Associate EIT/Joint Pension Trustees
Jack Block, Block Electric Company, Inc.
David Witz, Continental Electrical Construction Company
Mark Nemshick, ECA
Electrical Joint Apprenticeship and Training Trustees (EJATT)
James McGlynn, Chairman, McWilliams Electric Company, Inc.
Michael Deger, Block Electric Company, Inc.
Frank Gurtz, Gurtz Electric Company
Paul Janik, MidCo, Inc.
Eric Nixon, Maron Electric Company
EJATT Associate Trustees
Robert Fimbianti, Linear Electric, Inc.
Frank Peters, ECA
LMCC Trustees
Steve Witz, Chairman, Continental Electrical Construction Company
Daniel Fitzgibbons, Gibson Electric & Technology Solutions
Joseph McGlynn, McWilliams Electric Company, Inc.
Frank Peters, ECA
Standing Committees:
Arbitration
Mark Nemshick, ECA
Construction Employers' Association (CEA)
Richard Jamerson, Jamerson & Bauwens Electrical Contractors, Inc.
Codes & Standards
Steve Diamond, Malko Electric Company
Communication
Daniel Fitzgibbons, Gibson Electric & Technology Solutions
Diversity Development
Katie Canino, Canino Electric Company
ECA PAC
James McGlynn, McWilliams Electric Company, Inc.
Electric Association
Richard Jamerson, Jamerson & Bauwens Electrical Contractors, Inc.
Finance
James Gallagher, Grand-Kahn Electric
Insurance
David Witz, Continental Electrical Construction Company
Legislative
James McGlynn, McWilliams Electric Company, Inc.
Membership
Eric Nixon, Maron Electric Company
Public Utilities
Wayne Gearig, Aldridge Electric, Inc.
Research & Education
Daniel Divane, Divane Bros. Electric Company
Residential
Daniel Durkin, Sr., Durkin Electric Company, Inc.
Safety
Michael Deger, Block Electric Company, Inc.
Student
Michael Deger, Block Electric Company, Inc.
|
Apprentice Graduation Ceremony
The Apprentice Graduation Program was held on January 7, 2012 at the Navy Pier Grand Ballroom, Chicago, Illinois. Over 200 apprentices graduated to journeylevel status. A number of awards were given out to outstanding apprentices and guest speakers representing the industry were on hand to congratulate the attendees.
The awards were distributed as follows:
Outstanding Apprentice of the Year
"A" Program
1st Year - Robert Carfagnini
3rd Year- Antjuan Burdette
4th Year- Tirata Earmsmuth
5th Year- Dustin Frykman
Graduate- Robert Fredickson
"C" Program
2nd Year- Armando Rodriguez
3rd Year- Christopher Vanko
4th Year- Ryan Ferguson
Graduate- Donald McCue
Andrea Hall Apprentice Excellence Award
Janina Bobak-Sadelski
The guest speakers included the following:
Deacon Joseph Truesdale,
Francis Cunnigham, Local Union #134, IBEW Recording Secretary
James Gallagher, ECA President, Grand-Kahn Electric
Thomas Villanova, President, Chicago & Cook County Building & Construction Trades Council
All the speakers congratulated the apprentices on their accomplishments, praised the support of their families, instructors, friends, union and management and encouraged the journeymen to continue with educational programming to further enhance their skills in this challenging and dynamic industry.
 Pictured above from left to right at the Apprentice Graduation Ceremony are:
Matthew DiFiore, "A" Apprentice Program Graduate and his father,
Vince DiFiore, Candor Electric, Inc.
|
NECA Midwest Regional Conference Special Incentive
As you are aware, the NECA Midwest Regional District 4 & 7 Conference will be held March 18 - 21, 2012 at the Loews Ventana Canyon Resort, Tucson, Arizona.
SPECIAL INCENTIVE
Also, the ECA Executive Committee has approved the scholarship of the Registration fees of each Association member with spouse/adult guest at a cost not to exceed $900.00 per couple for the 2012 NECA District IV & VII Midwest Regional Conference to be reimbursed to all member attendees upon completion of the Conference.
If you would like to attend the conference, you can either utilize the "paper process" or the on-line registration process at: www.necanet.org for this event. If you utilize the paper Registration Form, please make a copy to be retained for your records.
Please send the original to the: Electrical Contractors' Association of City of Chicago (ECA), Five Westbrook Corporate Center, Suite 940, Westchester, Illinois 60154 on or before February 3rd, as the form needs to be recorded then forwarded to the Midwest Regional Office NECA on or before February 10, 2012.
Details of golf and recreation, spa services, dining and entertainment, area attractions and additional hotel amenities can be reached at the resort's website at: www.loewshotels.com/en/Ventana-Canyon-Resort.
Registration officially began on November 28th on the NECA website at www.necanet.org .
|
CISCO Scholarships AvailableThe ECA is an active member of the Construction Industry Service Corporation (CISCO), a labor-management group. CISCO is funded by union contractors and various trade associations. CISCO is accepting applications for its 2012 Scholarship Program. Applications for both the two-year Continuing Education and the four-year scholarships are available at: www.cisco.org/scholarships/ or by calling CISCO at: (630) 472-9411. Each year, four-year scholarships, valued at $2,000 per year ($8,000 maximum) are awarded to high school senior children of members and employees of trade unions and contractors affiliated with CISCO. In addition, two-year Continuing Education scholarships, valued at $1,000 per year ($2,000 maximum) are awarded to union members or contractor employees. All applications and accompanying documents must be postmarked by February 17, 2012 to be eligible for consideration. |
ECA Research and Education Committee Update
As a reminder, the ECA Research and Education Committee is solidifying its educational programming for the year. However, several seminars are already in place, including the following:
February 2012
"Building High Performance Teams"
March 2012
"Communicating Effectively with Challenging and Difficult Personalities"
April 2012
"Comprehensive Practices for Effective Project Management"
May 2012
"Financial Principles and Tools"
Registration information for these seminars will be forthcoming.
|
Complimentary Memberships for USGBC / ISEA
The Electrical Contractors' Association of City of Chicago (ECA) Executive Committee approved the continuation of the offering of complimentary memberships in the US Green Building Council (USGBC) and the Illinois Solar Energy Association (ISEA) for ECA members. Please contact the ECA at: (708) 531-0022 for registration details.
|
ECA Legislative Committee
Mechanics Lien Update A recent Illinois Supreme Court ruling known as "Cypress Creek" has greatly impacted the construction industry in our state. This ruling significantly changes the terms of payment to contractors and lenders in a mechanics lien foreclosure as defined in the Illinois Mechanics Lien Act. Now, the vast majority of the funds go only to the lenders. Subcontractors and other lien claimants are mostly cut out of the equation. The ECA believes this ruling can and should be reversed by the Illinois legislature - and House Bill 3636 aims to do just that. We are working diligently to support passage of this important legislation. What the Electrical Contractors' Association is doing to restore contractors and subcontractors rights within the Illinois Mechanics Lien Act: - Actively supporting passage of HB3636 with legislators.
- Working with IMSCA to host a Lobby Day in Springfield on March 6, 2012 for all interested participants in the construction industry to meet with their legislators.
- In the next few weeks, we will contact you with more information about how you can help in this effort to support HB 3636 - and restore your rights.
What you can do now: - Be aware of this change in the law and how it affects contractors and subcontractors.
- Let your workers and employees know about this issue and ask for their support.
- Contact your Illinois Senator and Representative to let them know that you support passage of HB3636.
- Join fellow construction industry leaders in Springfield on March 6th for Lobby Day to meet with your legislators about this important issue.
Please call the association office if you are interested in attending the IMSCA Lobby day or if you have any questions or comments regarding Cypress Creek. We look forward to working with you to keep construction strong in Illinois. Meeting with Illinois Senator John Mulroe The Electrical Contractors' Association of City of Chicago (ECA) recently met with Illinois Senator John Mulroe to discuss the recent "Cypress Creek" matter. The Senator has agreed to assist the ECA along with the lobbying group, Illinois Mechanical and Specialty Contractors Association (IMSCA) with the effort to reverse the "Cypress Creek" ruling. We thank the Senator for working to alleviate such a difficult impediment facing the construction industry. We also thank our Legislative Committee members, ECA members-at-large, as well as signatory contractors for their assistance with this issue.
|
| Construction Expo 2012 and Safety Day
The Chicagoland Construction Safety Council (CCSC) will hold its "Construction Expo 2012 and Safety Day" on March 14th. This event brings together construction professionals, safety specialists and vendors for a day of cutting edge safety sessions and networking. The event is to be held at the Drury Lane Conference Center, Oak Brook, Illinois.
Please click on the link below for full registration information:
|
|
November 2011
Industry Statistics
|
| 2010 | 2011 | Number of Contractors
| 728
|
668
| | Journeymen & Apprentices Employed | 9,219
|
9,105
| | Monthly Hours Worked | 889,146
|
945,469
| | Cumulative Hours Worked for Period | 9,836,746
|
10,221,805
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
UPCOMING EVENTS
February 8, 2012
ECA Regular Membership Meeting
Rosewood Restaurant Banquets
Rosemont, IL
February 11, 2012
89th Annual Electrical
Industry Dinner Dance
Westin Chicago Northwest
Registration information at:
(630) 305-3050
March 6, 2012
IMSCA Lobby Day
Springfield, Illinois
March 14, 2012
ECA Regular Membership Meeting
Itasca C.C.
Itasca, IL
March 14, 2012
Construction Expo 2012
& Safety Day
Drury Lane Conference Center
Oak Brook, IL
Registration at:
www.buildsafe.org
March 18 - 21, 2012
NECA District 4 & 7 Midwest Regional Conference
Loews Ventana Canyon Resort
Tucson, AZ
|
We Need Your Comments
The Association urges all members to utilize the many resources that are available on-line at the ECA website. We hope that the information provided will help you better run your business, by helping you become aware of what's new in the marketplace not only in the Chicago area, but nationwide.
Available in the On-Line Resources section of the ECA Website is the Equipment & Material Member Exchange. Visit the "Member's Only" section and unlock all the features provided to ECA members.
The Events area of the site is constantly being updated. Please view the calendar for upcoming educational programming, as this dynamic is ever-changing. We hope that you will take advantage of the on-line surveys, polls, etc. Your participation will assist in the development of future programs offered by the Association.
Please let us know how we're doing and send your comments via e-mail. Visit the "Contact Us" portion of the website.
We look forward to your visit to: www.ecachicago.com.
|
 |
|
