• Posted: January 26, 2026
• better careers, better communities, better construction, Chicago Electrical Contractors, Commercial Solar Panel Installation, Electrical Construction Chicago, Electrical Contracting Services in Chicago, Electrical Contracting Services in Chicago ✔, EV Charging Station Installation, IBEW Local 134, Renewable Energy Systems

 

Across Chicago and Cook County, electrical infrastructure supports everything from public safety and economic growth to sustainability and community development. Delivering that infrastructure requires technical skills, coordination, long-term planning, and a workforce prepared to meet complex, real-world conditions.

Powering Chicago’s The Power of Better video series documents how that work gets done. The Power of Better Episode 19 brings together four episodes, offering a comprehensive look at how Chicago electrical contractors and IBEW Local 134 electricians deliver better outcomes across a wide range of projects and environments.

Strengthening the Industry Through Mentorship

A strong electrical industry depends on a strong contractor pipeline. One of the most effective ways to build that pipeline is through mentorship that expands opportunity and removes barriers for minority-owned firms.

Through the Electrical Contractors Association’s Small Business Mentor-Protégé Program, experienced contractors provide emerging firms with direct access to estimating, accounting, purchasing, project management, and executive leadership. That access has translated into meaningful work on significant Chicago projects. Two emerging electrical firms are helping shape Chicago’s built environment, balancing historic preservation with community investment, from modernizing systems at the nearly 100-year-old Goodman Theatre to contributing to the Sankofa Wellness Center in Garfield Park, the first new construction there in four decades.

These partnerships strengthen individual businesses while improving the overall capacity of the electrical contracting market, giving owners and developers greater confidence in long-term performance.

See how mentorship is strengthening minority-owned electrical contractors and expanding opportunity across Chicago in Episode 14 of The Power of Better.

Delivering Complex Infrastructure in High-Visibility Environments

Public-facing projects demand precision, planning, and an uncompromising focus on safety. The new Navy Pier Marina, delivered by M.J. Electric, illustrates what it takes to execute complex electrical infrastructure while maintaining full public access.

Built while Navy Pier remained open, the project required extensive prefabrication, underwater cabling installation, and layered ground-fault protection systems. With 19 finger piers, 8,000 linear feet of docking, and electrical systems already aligned with future ground-fault standards, the marina was designed to perform safely in a challenging waterfront environment.

This work demonstrates how experienced contractors manage risk, coordinate logistics, and deliver durable systems in high-visibility locations.

Take a closer look at the planning and electrical expertise behind the Navy Pier Marina by watching Episode 16 of The Power of Better.

Aligning Facility Investments With Sustainability Goals

At the American College of Chest Physicians headquarters in Glenview, a solar installation delivered by Hardt Electric was selected as a long-term investment aligned with organizational values and operational goals.

The installation powers one-third of the 48,000-square-foot facility and reduces annual energy costs by approximately $40,000. Advanced planning addressed roof load restrictions and long-term durability, reinforcing the role of qualified electrical contractors in delivering renewable energy systems built to perform throughout a facility’s full lifecycle.

Learn how a thoughtfully designed solar installation is supporting long-term performance and sustainability goals in Episode 17 of The Power of Better.

Showcasing Electrical Excellence on a National Stage

Large-scale events place unique demands on electrical systems and coordination. At the National Electrical Contractors’ Association (NECA) Convention at McCormick Place West, more than 100 IBEW Local 134 electricians worked over four days to power 100,000 square feet of exhibit space—installing lighting, truss motors, and sound systems throughout the venue.

The project reflects the long-standing partnership between the Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA) and IBEW Local 134, demonstrating how collaboration enables complex, time-sensitive work to be delivered safely and efficiently.

See how Chicago’s electrical workforce powered one of the industry’s largest conventions in Episode 18 of The Power of Better.

Watch the latest episode of The Power of Better

In Episode 19 of The Power of Better, we bring these stories together into a single view of how Chicago electrical contractors and IBEW Local 134 electricians deliver safer infrastructure, stronger facilities, and lasting value across Chicago and Cook County.Watch Episode 19 of The Power of Better and subscribe to Powering Chicago’s YouTube channel to stay up to date on the projects, people, and partnerships shaping better construction, better careers, and better communities across Chicagoland.