As the school year commences for Chicagoland students, Powering Chicago, an advocate for the union electrical construction industry in Chicago and Cook County, is gearing up to welcome aspiring electricians to its Registered Apprenticeship program. Taking place at the IBEW-NECA Technical Institute (IN-Tech) in suburban Alsip, this program offers five years of paid training, equipping […]
Waddell Green’s career as a Chicago union electrician started the same way as countless others — applying for the apprenticeship in a long line at the IBEW Local 134 union hall. Starting as an apprentice on September 23, 1970, he then worked for a handful of contractors before he decided to explore the idea of […]
The latest episode of The Power of Better brings viewers to Chicago’s southwest suburbs as Consolidated High School District 230 sets a new standard for audio-visual excellence. Faced with outdated equipment and technical challenges during school events, the district’s I.T. Service Operations Manager, Marce Gonzalez, recognized the need for change. The schools involved in this […]
The Illinois IBEW Renewable Energy Fund (REF) and the IBEW Local 134 recently completed their 100th training of first responders at the IBEW-NECA Training Institute in Alsip, IL. This collaboration started to keep first responders informed about fire hazards for renewable energy systems. As renewable energy systems grow in popularity, the programs are also growing […]
Powering Chicago joined the Construction Industry Service Corporation (CISCO) for its second annual Union Construction Trades Fair hosted by IBEW Local 134 to showcase the benefits of joining the electrical trade. The free event, open to the public, aimed to educate and inspire the next generation of trades professionals by giving them firsthand experience in […]
Powering Chicago is launching a pioneering campaign that promotes its member contractors’ qualifications and expertise in renewable energy on the Chicago Transit Authority’s (CTA) electric bus fleet. As trusted leaders in the field, Powering Chicago’s qualified electrical contractors and IBEW 134 electricians have been at the forefront of clean energy technology for nearly two decades, […]
Switching to solar power is an excellent way for homeowners and businesses to reduce their carbon footprint and save money on energy costs. However, choosing the right electrical contractor who has expertise in the design, engineering, procurement, installation and maintenance of solar systems is key to ensure the installation is done correctly and safely. The […]
In 1986 when Tony Sage graduated from St. Rita High School on Chicago’s South Side, he wasn’t sure what path to take. Now almost 40 years later, he’s glad he followed the guidance of lifelong family friend Peggy Brankin who encouraged him to sign up for the electrical apprenticeship program. “I didn’t really understand what […]
New guide empowers business leaders to confidently transition to solar electric (CHICAGO) May 18, 2023 – With economic and environmental reasons for considering photovoltaic (PV) systems, Powering Chicago published a new e-book, Determining if a Solar Electric (Photovoltaic, PV) System is Right for Your Facility. Despite the real benefits of PV systems, commonly called solar […]
Fifteen years ago, driving past a solar panel-equipped building might have been a surprising sight. These days, renewable energy is everywhere—from sprawling fields of wind turbines to high-powered hydroelectric dams. Renewable energy has a tremendous impact on how we live. While the array of renewable energy systems available are vast, photovoltaic (PV) systems, commonly known […]
