07/24/2026

Illinois IBEW Renewable Energy Fund’s 2026 Summer Solar Training Program Graduation Celebration

Friday, July 24, 2026

July 24, 2026
Illinois IBEW Renewable Energy Fund’s
2026 Summer Solar Training Program Graduation Celebration
Local 134 IBEW Hall - Chicago, IL

On Friday, July 24, 2026, the Illinois Renewable Energy Fund (REF) celebrated the completion of their Summer Solar Training Program.   This special event was held at the IBEW Local 134 Union Hall at 2722 S. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive, Chicago IL 60616.  These 81 graduates are also Trainees that will be available for work on August 3, 2026.

The July 24^th event featured a number of special activities / guest speakers. 

Program highlights included:

• Guests were able to watch the late morning culmination of the Final Solar Installation Exercise.
  
  
• Special Guest Presentations, included:
  
  
• Don Finn, Local 134 IBEW Business Manager/Financial Secretary
• Kendra Dinkins, ECA President, Taylor Electric Company
• Alex Giannoulias, State of Illinois Secretary of State
• Bob Hattier, Illinois Renewable Energy Fund / Local 134 IBEW Business Rep.
• Joe Kilcoyne, Local 134 IBEW Business Rep.
  
  
• Graduation and Certificates

Lunch was provided after the program for all the invited guests:  parents, guardians, support persons for the students,  as well as the administrators from partner programs and additional special guests that attended the celebration.   We thank all that were able to attend.  We wish the graduates well as they finalize training in the coming week and begin working on August 3, 2026.

Pictured from left to right are:
Neil Parish, ECA Director of Operations,
Bob Hattier, Illinois Renewable Energy Fund / Local 134 IBEW Business Rep.,
Kendra Dinkins, ECA President, Taylor Electric Company,
Don Finn, Local 134 IBEW Business Manager/Financial Secretary, and
Alberto Rocha, Rocha Electric Company.

 

Graduates assembled outside to showcase their training regimen.

 

Pictured below are preparations for the Graduation Ceremony:

 

Pictured below are a number of the special guest presentations:

Picture above is Joe Kilcoyne, Local 134 IBEW Business Rep., as he opened up the Ceremony.

Pictured above is Don Finn, Local 134 IBEW Business Manager/Financial Secretary.

Pictured above is Kendra Dinkins, ECA President, Taylor Electric Company.

Pictured above is  Alex Giannoulias, State of Illinois Secretary of State.

Pictured above is Bob Hattier, Illinois Renewable Energy Fund / Local 134 IBEW Business Rep.