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CISCO Annual Luncheon Hits Home Run
The event featured Keynote Speaker Javier Ramirez, Deputy Director of Field Operation for the Federal Mediation & Conciliation Service (FMCS), the recognition ceremony of CISCO’s 2022 Scholarship Award winners, and the honoring of CISCO’s Board Members Jim McGlynn and Dave Henderson, who were marking their 30th and 25th years of serving on the board, respectively.
 In his remarks, Javier Ramirez talked about his childhood and remembered three phrases of wisdom from his parents that have helped shape his career: 1) Do the right thing; 2) Try to help others, and 3) Let your work speak for you. He said that the FMCS was formed to help create labor peace. “Collaboration, communication, early intervention and third party mediation are all good tools to negotiate a contract,” Ramirez said.“In construction, too often, negotiators think it is a badge of honor to avoid federal mediation,” he added. “But the industry should not feel embarrassed to take that route.”
CISCO/CPS Skilled Trades Career Fair Draws Over 3,000 Students Another CISCO partnering effort – this time with Chicago Public Schools and the Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership – attracted more than 3,000 students to McCormick Place for a three day (March 22-24) Career Fair that featured 12 different building trades and dozens of contractors, pre-apprentice programs and other organizations.
Open to CPS students only, the goal of the Career Fair was to expose and connect students at risk of becoming disconnected from work and school after graduation, with the necessary information and tools to explore a career in the skilled trades. CISCO Unveils 2021 Annual Report CISCO’s Annual Report is hot off the presses, and contains last year’s accomplishments, as well as a look in the future of the union construction industry. To read and print the report, click here. ILEPI Video: The Value of Union Apprenticeships Please take a look at the YouTube link below provided by Executive Director of the Illinois Economic Policy Institute (ILEPI), Frank Manzo IV. This is another tool we can use in our efforts to highlight why strong enforcement of the Illinois Prevailing Wage Act is vital in ensuring the future of Union apprenticeship programs and strong wages for Illinois families in the Union construction industry. Watch the video – click here. CISCO Board Announces Selections For Top 2021 Construction Projects CISCO’s Board of Directors recently determined which construction projects were winners in six different construction categories – part of CISCO’s Annual Pride in Construction Awards for Projects of the Year. Among the entries submitted by General Contractors, Builders, Architects and other organizations, the top choices were: New Construction – Chicago (+$20m):
New Construction – Suburbs (+ $20m):
Infrastructure: I-294 Mile Long Bridge; GC – F. H. Paschen; Cook County.
Residential: Westerly; GC – James McHugh Construction; Cook County.
CISCO wishes to recognize each and every entry for its quality of construction, design, impact on the community and safety record. Even under extreme circumstances, amidst an unprecedented pandemic, general contractors, subcontractors and the men and women who construct these buildings collaborated to stay safe, stay on time, and within budget to complete these amazing projects. CISCO Golf Outing Enjoys Another Successful Day Of Fun and Charity Benefits  Ideal weather and a fun, full house of golfers got to relax on a Monday to start off the week right. See photos below. For more pictures, click here.
      Many thanks to the following for sponsoring the outing!
Lunch Sponsors:
DuPage County Building Trades IBEW Local 701 Laborers’ District Council Laborers’ Local 68 Megent Financial Powering Chicago Sprinkler Fitters Local 281 Ullico Beverage Sponsors: Amalgamated Bank of Chicago Chicagland AGC IBEW Local 9 Roofers & Waterproofers Local 11 Underground Contractors Association Halfway House Sponsors: Chicago & Cook County Building Trades Residential Construction Employers Cncl UllicoHole Sponsors •BAC ADC Local 1 •Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois •Boilermakers Local 1 •CED Inc. •Chicago Federation of Labor Workforce & Community Initiative •Chicagoland Regional Council of Carpenters •Concrete Contractors Association •Construction Safety Council •Delta Dental
•Eye Boutique •FCA of Illinois •Fox Valley Bldg. Trades Council •Heat & Frost Local 17 •Hunt Insurance Group •IBEW Local 9 •Italian American Labor Council •Lake County Building & Construction Trades Council •PCA Midwest •Plumbers Local 130 •PowerForward DuPage •Powering Chicago •ScreenSafe, Inc. •Vogelzang Law Prize/Gift Donors
•Eye Boutique •Megent Financial •PCA Midwest •Sommers & Fahrenbach •Vogelzang Law
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CISCO Executive Director to be Part of WCPT – 820AM Labor Panel
The station’s talk show hosts Thom Hartmann, Joan Esposito, Patti Vasquez and Rick Smith will team up to split the 2-hour panel into one-hour segments as they ask questions from some of the leading voices in Chicago labor. Topics will include: 1) The impact of electric vehicles on the power grid; 2) Educating the future workforce; and 3) The Worker’s Rights Amendment that will be posed to voters on the November ballot. As Thom Hartmann often says, “Organized labor is the heart of middle class, and the middle class is the backbone of this country.” Sponsoring organizations of this Labor Panel are SMART (Sheet Metal Workers) Local 265, Roofers & Waterproofers Local 11, IBEW Local 176, and the Construction Industry Service Corporation (CISCO). CISCO Scholarship Winners Recognized at April 29 Annual Luncheon At the conclusion of the Annual Luncheon, CISCO Executive Director Dan Allen recognized the 2022 scholarship winners. The recipients were:  Four-year scholarship winners:1) Sophia Alvarez – York High School in Elmhurst; Parent – Laborers’ Local 582 2) Julia Chom – Hoffman Estates High School; Parent – IBEW Local 134 3) Katelyn McCann – Wilmington High School; Parent – IBEW Local 134 Two-year scholarship winners: 4) Sophie Brown – Lisle High School; Parent – UBC Carpenters Local 1889 5) Leonardo Barrientos – Lane Tech High School; Parent – Bricklayers Local 21 Continuing Education scholarship: 6) Michael Chiaramonte – Elmhurst University; Affiliation – McWilliams Electric Company, Inc. Annual Meeting Announces New CISCO Board & Officers
During the opening remarks of CISCO’s Annual Meeting, outgoing Board president Dave Henderson recognized the 2022 Board of Directors. Henderson, who was completing his third, two-year stint as President over 25 years as a CISCO Board Member announced the new officers:  President John Daniel, (pictured) President/Business Manager for SMART Local 265; Vice President Melanie Izral, Ray Edwards Contractors, Inc. and affiliated with the Underground Contractors Association, Treasurer Frank Furco, Business Manager/Financial Secretary of IBEW Local 701, and Secretary S.J. Peters, Executive Director of PCA of Greater Chicago. CISCO Annual Meeting Checks All The Boxes Of A Great EventWhat could be better than hearing remarks from Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul, State Comptroller Susana Mendoza, DuPage County Chairman Dan Cronin and two teachers from Stagg High School, who have successfully launched a construction program for students who are interested in careers in the construction industry!
That’s what happened last week Friday as nearly 300 guests attended CISCO’s Annual Meeting at Maggiano’s in Schaumburg. And for good measure, six construction projects and their teams were recognized as Projects of the Year as part of CISCO’s Annual Pride in Construction Awards. The full house left to digest both the great breakfast fare, and the food for thought about the future of the union construction industry in northeast Illinois. CISCO would like to thank all those who attended, as well as all of the organizations that sponsored the event. To see more photos from the event, click here.
CISCO Part of National Labor Panel Program on WCPT – 820 AM
The virtual program was hosted by National Show Host Thom Hartmann and co-hosted by Joan Esposito and Patti Vasquez. The Labor Panel Program was live on WCPT – 820 AM and was live streamed on WCPT820.com, as well as live streamed on Facebook and mobile apps, and CISCO’s Facebook page. To watch the entire program, click here. Dan and Jamillah were joined by leaders from Finishing Chicago, SMART Local 265, Operating Engineers Local 399, Blue Cross Blue Shield, IBEW Local 176 and the Chicago Federation of Labor. Issues discussed involved items that impact both the labor community and middle class, including the labor-friendly infrastructure plan, the Pro Act, how immigration reform affects labor, the role of diversity and inclusion in the building trades, and the future of clean energy training and jobs. Painters District Council #14 Latest To Be Featured During “Construction Talks” Webinar Series
The webinar featured Dan Penski, Jr., Director of Training (pictured above), Instructor Veronica Leal, and second year apprentice Rahm Jointer. Also involved in the panel discussion were CISCO’s Education-to-Careers Director Jamillah Muhammad, and Brandy Phillips and Sam Hunt from the CTA. The 50-minute webinar featured Dan Penski explaining the requirements needed to apply to the program, as well as a description of the trades’ duties. In addition, Ms. Leal and Mr. Jointer explained how they got interested in the trade and their experiences during training and how it changed their lives. To view the entire video, click here. At Last: Groundbreaking Occurs for Obama Presidential Center
“CISCO was perfectly positioned to join the Foundation’s team as our rich history of working with south- and west-side schools, churches and other organizations, is well documented,” said Executive Director Dan Allen. IBEW Local 701 Cuts The Ribbon on New Wellness Center
Formed by a unified group of local trade unions partnering together with Cerner Health to provide better health services for our membership, the Union Wellness Centers (UWC) are exclusive to the members and the families of SMART Local 265, Plumbers Local 130, Iron Workers Local 63, Riggers Local 136, Cement Masons Local 502 and Electricians Locals 701 and 176. The Wellness Center was the idea of Plumbers Local 130 with the initial Center opening in Lemont two years ago. Five more centers are scheduled to open in the weeks and months ahead. Frank Furco, 701 Business Manager/Financial Secretary, opened the festivities by thanking Jim Coyne. “He cut the trail and the rest of us jumped on and we appreciate his foresight.” Coyne added, “This was a true team effort. We’ve checked our egos at the door for the betterment of the people who elected us to be their leaders.” The Centers will offer members services such as preventive care, chronic condition management, physical therapy, virtual care services, health education, and risk awareness. CISCO/St. Paul Construction Expo Shines a Light on Career Opportunities The 7th Annual Construction Expo once again lived up to its tradition of several building trades and contractors providing both information and hands-on demonstrations to make men and women aware of the opportunities of a career in the building trades.
As Guest Speaker U.S. Congressman Danny Davis (pictured at right) described in a poem, St. Paul, CISCO, and other groups that focus on promoting union apprenticeship programs to young adults are not the “wreckers of buildings and communities, but rather the builders of communities.” Davis, CISCO Executive Director Dan Allen and Keynote Speaker Tim Drea, (pictured below) President of the Illinois AFL-CIO all spoke about the efforts that have been ongoing for decades to bring about a diverse union workforce that not only can transform neighborhoods, but can transform the lives of the individuals who pursue careers in the union construction industry. To view more photos, click here.
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CISCO’s Annual Luncheon touched all the bases with a dynamic keynote speaker, the glowing faces and families of 5 scholarship winners, and a surprise presentation to two long-term board members. And for good measure, about 250 guests enjoyed a delicious lunch last week courtesy of Maggiano’s Little Italy in Schaumburg.
To see more photos of the event, 
CISCO Executive Director Dan Allen and CISCO Board President John Daniel, President/Business Manager of SMART Local 265, will be guests as WCPT 820AM hosts a Virtual Labor Panel on Wednesday, May 25 from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m.
CISCO’s Dan Allen and Jamillah Muhammad were panelists featured on WCPT’s recent special, two-hour, Labor Panel.
“Construction Talks” most recent visit was to the Training Center of the Painters District Council #14 in Berkley. This was the 9th episode in the series which began in 2020.
Former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama were on hand to ceremoniously break ground on the Obama Presidential Center. The couple were joined by Governor JB Pritzker and Mayor Lori Lightfoot in the one-hour ceremony.
CISCO has been working with the Obama Foundation since 2016, when the project was touted to be built in Jackson Park, to encourage a diverse construction pipeline prior to and beyond the presidential center.
IBEW Local 701 in Warrenville opened the second Wellness Center in the Chicago area yesterday.
