• Posted: June 2, 2026
• Chicago electrical industry volunteers, Community home repair projects, Electrical improvements for homeowners, Electrical safety upgrades in Chicago, National Rebuilding Day Chicago, Skilled electricians for community projects

 

On April 25, the Austin community of Chicago and the village of Maywood became the focus of a large-scale community revitalization effort as Powering Chicago member contractors and International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 134 electricians joined together for National Rebuilding Day.

More than a dozen Powering Chicago member contractors and nearly 240 IBEW Local 134 electricians volunteered their time and expertise to complete electrical improvements and safety upgrades on 55 homes throughout the two communities. The effort was completed in partnership with Rebuilding Together Metro Chicago, a nonprofit organization dedicated to repairing homes, revitalizing communities, and helping residents live in safer, healthier environments.

“For 35 years, this work has been more than just about repairs,” said Wanda Ramirez, CEO of Rebuilding Together Metro Chicago. “It’s been about dignity, stability, independence, and making sure our neighbors can remain safely in the homes that they love.”

For Powering Chicago, the qualified electrical contractors and IBEW Local 134 electricians they employ, the day reflected a continued commitment to investing in better communities throughout Chicago and Cook County.

Supporting Safer Homes Through Skilled Electrical Work

Electrical systems are one of the most important components of a safe and functional home. Aging infrastructure, outdated wiring, overloaded panels, and damaged electrical components can pose serious safety risks to residents.

Throughout National Rebuilding Day, volunteers completed a range of electrical repairs and upgrades designed to improve the safety and reliability of homes for local residents. Apprentices and journeypersons from IBEW Local 134 worked alongside Powering Chicago member contractors to deliver skilled electrical work that homeowners may not otherwise have access to.

“We are doing electrical work, upgrading some outlets, piping in a new lighting system in their basement,” said Mark Sempek, General Foreman at Rocha Electric. “Making everything safe and hopefully a little more pretty.”

For the residents on the receiving end of these upgrades, the impact was immediate.

“They are doing electrical to my home, they put new sockets in my home,” said Relinda, a local homeowner. “Thanks to the crew, thanks to God for me being the chosen one.”

Projects like these highlight the important role that unionized electrical industry play in strengthening communities beyond commercial and infrastructure projects. The same training, safety standards, and technical expertise used across large-scale construction projects are also applied to improving neighborhoods and supporting residents across the region.

Investing in Better Communities

National Rebuilding Day reflects Powering Chicago’s commitment to strengthening communities through skilled labor, service, and workforce development. By bringing together apprentices, journeypersons, contractors, and community organizations, the event helped improve home safety in Austin and Maywood while giving volunteers the opportunity to give back through the skills they use across Chicago and Cook County every day.

“We’re there to make them safe. That’s our number one priority,” said Elbert Walters, Executive Director of Powering Chicago. “I know that we have the ability to do it, I know we have the skill, and I know we’ve been trained to do it.”

Looking for a qualified electrical contractor for your next project? Use Powering Chicago’s Find a Contractor Tool to connect with experienced contractors serving Chicago and Cook County.