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. 

"I'm not a professional. I'm just some guy that would rather hear you tell me your story than hear your friend tell me your eulogy," O'Shea told FOX Business. 

While he isn't a professional in the medical sense, O'Shea has been in the industry for nearly five decades and has come face to face with colleagues and employees who have considered suicide. O'Shea isn't a stranger to mental health issues either, admitting that he has found ways to deal with his tremors, ADHD, and depression. 

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Program Highlights:

• Wrigleyville Rooftop: Cubs vs. Cardinals
• 4 Amazing Educational Sessions
• Networking Receptions @ Virgin Hotel Chicago

The cost is $300.00 per person. It is open to all ECA Member Firms and their Employees.

The fee covers lodging, conference programs and events, and food and beverage. 

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Program highlights include:

• Summer Wine Tasting
• Food, Beverages, & Networking
• Taste of Chicago: Rainbow Cone & Garrett's Popcorn
• Yard Games
• Tremendous Views of the City Skyline

All ECA Members, their spouses, and guests are welcome to attend this end-of-summer event!

*Complimentary valet will be available.

**Recommended dress attire is business casual / summer attire. 

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EVENTS

Electric Golf Club Event

ECG Contractors' Day

Arrowhead Golf Club

Date: July 11, 2024

Time: 10:00 am

26W151 Butterfield Road, Wheaton, IL 60189

Registrations and sponsorships are due July 5 and are expected to sell out!

The Electric Golf Club revolves around the great camaraderie of the members, customers, and friends invited. This is a great time to join or confirm your membership and continue the tradition.

Register for the July 11 outing at Arrowhead Golf Club in Wheaton. This outing will have a 10:00 am shotgun start followed by dinner and raffle prizes. Bonus Raffle for Contractor Attendees!

SPONSORSHIPS AVAILABLE!

• Prize Sponsors (Limit 5) includes recognition at the event and on signage and social media posts. $250
• Hole Sponsors (Limit 18) includes recognition at the event and on signage and social media posts. Hole sponsors may set up on the hole to promote your company. $500

REGISTRATION LINK: https://electric-golf-club-of-chicago.square.site/

Jul 15, 2024 - Jul 17, 2024

Intercontinental Boston 510 Atlantic Avenue

Boston, MA.

The 2024 ELECTRI International Summer Council meeting will be held in Boston, MA, July 15-17. During the meeting, we will hear updates on our current research projects and vote on new research proposals. The agenda will also include contractor panels, TED Talks, and breakout sessions.

The Intercontinental Boston/ Rooms are available for $350 per night plus taxes and fees.

A housing link will be sent in your email confirmation. If you have any questions, contact Laura.Holmes@electri.org 

Register Now

25th Special Olympics Construction Team Picnic

September 14, 2024 (10 am - 1 pm)

IBEW - NECA Technical Institute

6201 W. 115th Street, Alsip, IL 60803

We are looking for Volunteers and Donations. The Special Olympic Athletes need financial support again this year. In 2023, we raised over $20,500.00 to assist in their participation in the games, and we hope to exceed that amount this year!

How to Help:

1. Monetary Donations - assist the athletes to be able to participate in the games throughout the year
2. Donations for the goody bags we distribute to all of the athletes that attend - include items such as T-shirts, Sunglasses, Water Bottles, Mugs, Hats, Paper, Pens, Pencils, etc. If your Company provides any type of donation, your Company logo will be printed on the back of the t-shirts that are distributed to everyone.
3. Your Time - We need volunteers from 10 am - 1 pm. Anyone who is able to arrive earlier than 10 am and/or stay later than 1 pm is welcome to help with set and take down. Volunteers are needed for set up, assisting with playing the game s and lunch and clean up.

Any Monetary donations (Corporate or Personal) should be sent directly to:

NOTE: This is a new Address

Patty Welsh

Special Olympics Illinois - Region E

18440 Thompson Ct., Suite 205

Tinley Park, IL 60477

Please contact Maureen Mikulski at 224-754-9179 or via email at maureen@mcwelec.com if you are making a company donation so we can make sure your logo is included on the t-shirts. The deadline for t-shirt logos is September 1st.

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

Various Event Stipends

The Electrical Contractors' Association of City of Chicago (ECA) Executive Committee recently approved a number of educational stipends for various events throughout 2024. Please click on the link for the current listing. The registrations will be reimbursed to the applicable companies after the applicable Conference.

2024 Stipend Listings

2024 Project Excellence Awards Now Accepting Submissions:

The NECA Project Excellence Awards were established to honor member companies for their exceptional dedication, professionalism, and creativity in executing electrical projects across 13 diverse market sectors. 



Deadline to submit is July 14, 2024. Applications submitted must be based on projects completed in 2023. View more information and rules here.

Submit Your Project

2023 Winners

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.