Government Relations

The Association has a continuous program of monitoring legislative activities that can impact electrical contractors throughout the city, state, and nation. Representation on the city level is achieved through the Coordinating Committee of Chicago, which consists of representatives from the Electrical Contractors´ Association of City of Chicago, the Mechanical Contractors Association, Sheet Metal Contractors Association, and the Plumbing Contractors Association of Chicago and Cook County. Representation on the State level is achieved through the Illinois Mechanical and Specialty Contractors Association (IMSCA). This multi-construction trade association group serves to monitor activities that take place in the Illinois General Assembly. Representation on the National level is achieved through the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) Government Affairs Office.

City Government Relations

The Association achieves representation on the city level through the coordinating committee of Chicago that consists of the Electrical Contactors Association of Chicago, the Mechanical Contractors´ Association and the Plumbing Contractors´ Association. The Coordinating Committee retained the services of former Vice-Mayor of Chicago and former 32nd Ward Alderman Terry Gabinski. His past experience and familiarity in City Hall will make Mr. Gabinski a dynamic presence in the Chicago City Council on behalf of the Coordinating Committee of Chicago.

In addition, the ECA has been serving on the City of Chicago's Department of Buildings' Public Seminar Planning Group. The Department holds from three to four public seminars a year. The ECA has been able to offer input into each program's content.

State Government Relations

Representation on the State level is accomplished through the ECA's membership in the Illinois Mechanical & Specialty Contractors´ Association (IMSCA). IMSCA monitors any action within the Illinois General Assembly. The group also provides assistance with coordination of any meetings that may be needed with our contractor members and elected officials.

National Government Relations

ECA members are represented on a national level by the NECA Government Affairs office. This includes individuals who work on a daily basis to monitor legislation in Congress that effects electrical contractors. A main part of the NECA Government Affairs activity is the co-sponsoring of the Construction Alliance Legislature conference held in Washington D.C. each year. Listed below are several links that may be useful resources. By participating in the Construction Alliance Legislature Conference, ECA members make their voice known to Congressional Representatives.

Illinois Mechanical & Specialty Contractors Association

IMSCA has been representing the interests of mechanical and specialty contractors in Springfield since 1967.

IMSCA is an umbrella organization of 18 different construction associations in Illinois that represents a wide range of specialty trades.

IMSCA was formed to work with members of the Illinois State Legislature and State Regulatory Agencies on behalf of the construction industry, opposing inequitable regulations and supporting efforts to strengthen the business environment for contractors in the state.

IMSCA employs a professional executive in Springfield who knows the legislators and understands the political process in the General Assembly. Acting at the direction of IMSCA, this representative monitors proposed legislation which may affect our industry and meets with legislators to make sure that the collective position of the mechanical and specialty contractors in Illinois is clearly understood.

IMSCA WORKS FOR YOU

The following represents some of IMSCA's achievements over the past few years:

• Spearheaded a class action suit which resulted in refunds of over one billion dollars by insurance companies.
• Successfully supported the requirements for separate bids under the Illinois Purchasing Act.
• Promoted creation of an industry advisory board to maintain communication between contractors and Capitol Development Board.
• Continued representation on the Governor's "Agreed Bill Committee" responsible for workers compensation rules in Illinois.
• Successfully attained passage of "No Lien Bill" which allows contractors to maintain their lien rights in Illinois.
• Legislative Representation for Over 2,000 Construction Employers.

Louis Giordano
Executive Director
Government Relations Specialist
William (Bill) Foster
Lobbyist
925 South Spring
Springfield, Illinois 62704
Phone (217) 523-4361
Fax (217) 523-179

Political Action

City, State, and National government will continue to have a strong impact on the way electrical contractors do business. Electrical contractors need representation at these levels of government and must work together to elect knowledgeable, responsible men and women, who are sensitive to the needs of our business interests.

Electrical Contractor's Association members achieve this measure of representation by their participation in several political action committees. First is the Electrical Contractors´ Association Political Action Committee (ECAPAC).The ECAPAC represents ECA members on the City and State level of government by contributing to candidates for office who will support electrical contractors issues in local city councils and the Illinois General Assembly.

ECA members also have the ability to participate in the Electrical Construction Political Action Committee (ECPAC) that represents the interests of electrical contractors at the national level of government. The ECPAC contributes to candidates for office who will support electrical contractor issues in the US Congress.

Members or others interested in supporting either of these Political Action Committees should contact the Association office at 708-531-0022 for further information.