IBEW Local Union 117 - IBEW Local Union 117

News & Events

Masks are required when visiting the Local 117 Office

Attention: All Book 2 signings must be done in person

Retirees' Breakfast is Back!

The retirees' breakfast has resumed it's normal schedule.

COVID-19 Vaccination News 

As of March 29, 2021 Illinois has entered into Phase 1C for COVID-19 vaccination eligibility. Phase 1C includes Construction Trade Workers in the expanded eligibility list. This expansion opens eligibility to Local 117 members. Local 117 members are encouraged to get the vaccine to help keep our job sites, members, and their families safe.

Covid Referral Policy

Until further notice, to limit the amount of foot traffic in the Union office, you may sign the out of work book by calling the Union office or e-mailing us and we will take care of it for you. Book II signs will need to direct their home locals to contact us and we will add them to book II.

If you are on the out of work book and you test positive for Covid-19 and provide a document of the test results you will not accumulate strikes for being unable to bid on long calls for 14 days from the date of the test, or a letter from a doctor stating you are still under the effects of Covid-19 past the 14 days. The short call policy will remain unchanged with one exception, if you happen to be on a short call and the job you are on is shut down for a period of time due to Covid-19 your short call may be extended for the amount of days the job was shut down. If you were paid during the time your job site was shut down through the Cares Act or you were transferred to another job site your short call will not be extended.

In Local 117 we have now had several job sites where the Covid-19 virus has infected local members and other tradesmen. We have also had apprentices test positive. Lately, every day it seems we are hearing of a member testing positive or having to quarantine for 14 days. The pandemic is currently spreading and appears to be more prevalent now than what it was in March and April. It is very disappointing to walk a job site and see the majority of tradesmen working and not wearing a mask. Then to find out the virus has spread through the job site. Please be responsible and wear a mask and be safe.

What every worker should know about unemployment insurance

In response to the release of the National Disease Emergency Response Agreement (NDERA) on Monday March 16 that was designed to address the current national public health emergency and to provide guidance for our industry, we have received a number of questions.

The attached NDERA Questions and Answers has been written to address the questions we have received from the field to date and the guidance is intended to answer as many of those questions as possible. These questions and answers are subject to being revised by NECA and the IBEW as often as necessary.

The questions and answers have been vetted and reviewed by both IBEW and NECA Leadership including IBEW International President Lonnie Stephenson, IBEW International Secretary Treasurer Kenny Cooper, NECA President Larry Beltramo and NECA CEO David Long. Additionally, these Questions and Answers have also received legal review from the legal counsels of both organizations.

To review these questions and answers please use the following link.

Joint NDERA QandA

Please find the attached agreement between the IBEW and NECA regarding these rapidly changing times.

IBEW and NECA COVID Agreement

Here is a link to the FMCP information about hours adjustments and eligiblity.

Important Information about Coronavirus and Your Benefit Plan

Here are some links to guidelines for safe practices during the current COVID-19 (coronavirus) event.

Illinois Department of Public Health

Symptoms of COVID-19

CDC guidelines for COVID-19