• Posted: May 26, 2021
• better careers, better construction, BlueCross BlueShield of Illinois, contactless office, Electrical Contractors' Association of Chicago and Cook County, Gibson Electric, IBEW Local 134, IBEW-NECA Technical Institute, Terrance Electric, YouTube video

 

When COVID-19 hit Chicago early in 2020, Powering Chicago began thinking about what they could do to help their customers throughout Cook County. Because initial guidance focused on the importance of handwashing and sanitizing high-touch surfaces, Powering Chicago came up with the Contactless Office campaign which included a downloadable eBook that outlined the numerous ways that employers can enhance the health and safety of their workers through contactless solutions. 

One example of a local employer that moved quickly to implement future-focused solutions is BlueCross BlueShield of Illinois. Building managers worked with union contractors to install temperature reading scanners, while also upgrading their card access system to limit the need to touch surfaces as employees enter and exit the building. They also contracted with Gibson Electric to install a building-wide distributed antenna system for cellular coverage and Terrance Electric to install temperature reading scanners in all of their properties. BlueCross BlueShield of Illinois has been working with union electricians for years to power their renowned building-side lighting displays. 

Thankfully, preparing for these installations is something that the IBEW-NECA Technical Institute has been teaching apprentices for years. Through subjects like lighting control, security, HVAC, and building automation, apprentices are trained and ready to install these touchless technologies. 

“Our instructors definitely go above and beyond for the industry, for the local and the contractors,” says Gene Kent, Director of IBEW-NECA Technical Institute. “It’s a beautiful relationship that the ECA of Chicago has with Local 134.”

The example of union contractors and electricians standing at the ready to implement newer technologies is a benefit to the health and safety of the Chicago community and a point of pride for those in the industry.

“I definitely have a lot of pride in what work I do, especially in the city of Chicago because we’re the Local 134, we are the best out there,” said IBEW Local 134 apprentice Brandon Legreid.

This story was recently featured on ABC 7’s Built to Last, an Emmy-nominated program that features trade union members and contractors from around the Chicagoland area.