Project of the Year Feature – New Construction – Chicago (Above $20M)

Posted on January 8, 2024 by Jennifer

Project of the Year Feature – New Construction – Chicago (Above $20M)

January 8, 2024

BURR RIDGE – CISCO’s 1st Project of the Year Feature is the top choice of New Construction – Chicago (Above $20M), which is the Chicago Park District Administrative Headquarters, Fieldhouse and Site Development. General contractor was Paschen ALL Joint Venture; client was the Chicago Park District.

When considering submissions, judging criteria is based on: quality of construction, design, impact on the community and safety record.

The Chicago Park District Headquarters meets all of the City of Chicago’s goals for the Brighton Park neighborhood: revitalize the community through job opportunities, establish an area for community events and recreation space, and add park land to a heavily developed area. © CONNOR STEINKAMP PHOTOGRAHY

Sparking community growth: that was the goal Chicago city leaders had when moving the Chicago Park District’s headquarters to the underserved Brighton Park community. And as the general contractor on the project, the Paschen ALL Joint Venture helped make this vision a reality.

Paschen ALL Joint Venture led the construction of the Park District’s 79,000-SF new building, including administrative offices, a community fieldhouse, athletic fields, and other recreational space:

– Administrative Building – The 57,000-SF, multi-story, circular administrative headquarters building required a staggered construction approach to ensure timely completion. Paschen ALL Joint Venture provided a range of site improvements, including parking, walkways, and outdoor lighting as well.
– Fieldhouse – Sharing the footprint of the Administrative Building, the 22,000-SF fieldhouse includes a gymnasium, fitness center, bathrooms and locker rooms, multi-purpose rooms, staff offices, teen center, and welcome lobby.
– Outdoor Recreational Space – Construction of the outdoor park improvements included two artificial turf athletic fields, athletic field lighting, grand lawn, walkways, a children’s playground, nature play areas, and a splash pad.

The finished building provides both administrative space and a fieldhouse with plenty of meeting spaces and terraces for community use. © CONNOR STEINKAMP PHOTOGRAHY

From the complex design of the building to unforeseen site conditions to material scarcity, Paschen ALL Joint Venture faced several construction challenges. Its strong working relationships across all stakeholders was key to delivering viable construction solutions.

Paschen ALL Joint Venture first challenge was to achieve the design vision without compromising construction quality. The two-story, circular building is actually two structures bisected through the middle by a courtyard/walkway and connected by three bridges on the second story. Their approach involved building the structure in quadrants, moving clockwise as work progressed. Paschen ALL Joint Venture staggered trades so that when one group finished, they could move to the next quadrant while the next set of trades began in the first. This required consistent communication and coordination amongst subcontractors.

The 17-acre site includes plenty of green space and park land. The grand lawn on the right allows for passive recreation and space for community events. The dirt area on the left will grow into meadowlands with paths winding through the greenery. And even the rooftop offers green space with rooftop gardens that will house up to 30 different types of plants. © CONNOR STEINKAMP PHOTOGRAHY

Discovered conditions also created a challenge. As construction began, Paschen ALL Joint Venture found that the 17-acre site was littered with concrete foundations and slabs remaining from buildings previously on the property. Removing them all would be both time consuming and expensive, and we found several underground storage tanks, all of which required removal. To address these unforeseen site conditions, the Owner granted a $4M allowance for concrete and tank removal. Paschen ALL Joint Venture worked closely with the designer to carefully lay out all installations, such as foundations, utilities, trees, etc., in advance to minimize the concrete requiring removal. Their approach minimized the Owner’s spend, using only $2M of the original $4M allowance.

Finally, because work commenced during the pandemic, material scarcity due to supply chain shortages became an issue. Paschen ALL Joint Venture worked closely with the Owner and designer to identify alternative products that they could source quickly and within budget, which would meet building specifications.

The Paschen ALL Joint Venture deployed a comprehensive safety program at the site that addressed not only worker safety but the surrounding community as well. From weekly jobsite audits and toolbox talks to the daily completion of job hazard forms at the beginning of each work shift, their safety program ensured safe work practices at all levels. Paschen ALL Joint Venture also incorporated periodic site safety audits with its major subcontractors, creating an interactive safety culture across the project.

The full-size gymnasium provides a dedicated area for community basketball programs. © CONNOR STEINKAMP PHOTOGRAHY

As part of Paschen ALL Joint Venture safety program, they had to address several unique safety challenges particular to the site. The first was the removal of a large tree that abutted the nearby Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) train tracks. Removing the tree required close coordination with the CTA to avoid long commuter delays and ensure track integrity and safety.

In addition, James Shields Middle School is directly across from the west end of the site, on a cul de sac, which was a key access point for trucks entering and leaving the jobsite. To protect the safety of school students and staff, Paschen ALL Joint Venture added a construction gate, which would deter site access from unauthorized personnel. They also limited use of the gate during school hours, particularly during busy drop-off/pickup times so construction traffic would not interfere with school operations or create a hazard. Doing so helped protect not only the jobsite, but the safety of the larger school community.

Meeting spaces and group fitness areas overlook one of two courtyards at the center of the building. © CONNOR STEINKAMP PHOTOGRAHY

John Ronan Architects (JRA), the AOR for the project, developed a design concept that is a modern take on Chicago’s historical Parks & Boulevards system. The design incorporates multiple site purposes – administrative offices, community spaces, and recreational spaces.

The site is anchored by a dual-purpose, circular building with divergent uses: a 57,000 SF administrative center and a 22,000-SF fieldhouse, surrounded by a continuous park pathway that periodically widens out into a series of courtyards and plazas. The pathway extends through the center of the building, delineating its divergent uses. Athletic fields, a grand lawn, and meadowlands also provide greenspace throughout the site.

F.H. Paschen used our established, three-phase quality control program that is modeled after the US Army Corps of Engineers program and includes preparatory, initial, and follow-up inspections for each definable feature of work. F.H. Paschen encouraged full transparency and collaboration with all stakeholders, and held numerous prefabrication and pre-pour meetings with the subcontractors and Owner’s representatives to discuss and confirm procedures, schedule, impacts on the community, and construction of mockups to ensure that all parties agreed on the products prior to fabrication and installation.

Outside recreational space includes two full-size artificial turf athletic fields, a children’s playground, and splash pad. © CONNOR STEINKAMP PHOTOGRAHY

As with all F.H. Paschen projects, quality control was addressed in detail at weekly project meetings in order to review the previous week and prepare for the week ahead. JRA was extremely specific with their vision on every part of the project. Therefore, it provided numerous mock ups on all features of the project, including several different types of concrete finish, brick patterns, expanded metal sunscreen, etc. In addition, the concrete slab of the building was poured in the winter, which required stringent quality control to ensure the slab was heated and cured properly to certify strength and proper flatness. This included using in-slab concrete monitors to watch present concrete temperatures and distribute our heaters correctly. Finally, the project site was filled with unsuitable soil and urban fill that required a lot of attention to compaction testing and undercuts by Paschen ALL Joint Venture’s ITL. For all foundations and utility piping, they compaction tested the soil. They then worked closely with the engineers to establish parameters that allowed for efficient solutions. This kept work progressing to undercut piping and forms, ensuring settling would not be a future issue.

The key to success on this project wasn’t just the quality of Paschen ALL Joint Venture team’s construction. The true success is the positive impacts this project has on the surrounding community. F.H. Paschen partnered with All Construction Group, a minority-owned business with strong ties to Chicago, and they exceeded the City’s M/WBE participation goals of 26 percent MBE and 6 percent WBE. Paschen ALL Joint Venture’s work created more than 300 construction jobs during the project and has permanently brought 200 Chicago Park District jobs to the area.

Moreover, the 17-acre site now provides parkland and amenities for the children and families living in the community and offers a unique space that combines workplace and recreation.

Posted in Pride in Construction | Tagged Chicago Park District, CISCO, F.H. Paschen, Pride in Construction, Project of the Year | Comments Off

Become a Sponsor Today for CISCO’s Pride in Construction Awards Program

Posted on January 8, 2024 by Jennifer

Become a Sponsor Today for CISCO’s Pride in Construction Awards Program

January 8, 2024

CISCO’s Annual Meeting
Friday, January 19, 2024
Harry Caray’s at the Westin
70 Yorktown Shopping Center
Lombard, Illinois

Registration/Breakfast at 8 a.m.
Program at 9 a.m.

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CISCO announces 2023 Project of the Year Winners

Posted on January 5, 2024 by Jennifer

CISCO announces 2023 Project of the Year Winners

December 15, 2023

BURR RIDGE – The Construction Industry Service Corporation (CISCO) announced its Project of the Year award winners today as part of its annual Pride in Construction Award Program. The program recognizes the top quality, Union construction projects in six (6) different categories, as well as three (3) individual awards: Educator of the Year, Public Body of the Year and Construction Advocate of the Year. For the second time in CISCO history, the CISCO Board of Directors decided to use its discretionary authority and award a Special Mention honor. It selected a unique project as a Community Project honor.

“We are proud to recognize these projects, project teams and organizations for this prestigious award,” said CISCO Executive Director Dan Allen. “Clearly, all entries are winners as the quality of each of these projects was evident to our Board members, who had the difficult task of choosing in each category. Amidst challenges still felt from the COVID pandemic, such as supply chain issues, 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 outstanding projects.”

The top project in the New Construction – Chicago (Above $20M) went to Chicago Park District Administrative Headquarters, Fieldhouse and Site Development

The finished building provides both administrative space and a fieldhouse with plenty of meeting spaces and terraces for community use. © CONNOR STEINKAMP PHOTOGRAHY

This project included the construction of the Park District’s 80,000 square-foot new building – including administrative offices, a community fieldhouse, athletic fields, and other recreational space.

This project faced several construction challenges. The 2-story, circular building is actually two structures bisected through the middle by a courtyard/walkway, and connected by three bridges on the 2nd floor.

The general contractor was Paschen ALL Joint Venture; the client was the Chicago Park District.

The top choice in the category for New Construction – Suburbs (Above $20M) was Lincoln Elementary School

The 79,380 square foot, two-level learning environment incorporates the latest in education design: a large gathering / presentation stair, individual break-out rooms, outdoor instruction and play environments and secured main entrances with a dedicated administration wing.

District 205 in Elmhurst wanted to replace its 106-year-old Lincoln Elementary School in time for the 2022 school year. This new, modernized building provides future-ready learning spaces – to drive student success. This LEED silver certification school is 80,000 square-foot and 2 stories and involved 64,000-man hours. The inside the school is partitioned into “neighborhoods.” Each given its own identifying personality.

Safety was huge and was discussed at weekly subcontractor meetings by both the superintendent and project manager, resulting in ZERO safety incidents.

The general contractor was International Contractors, Inc.; the client was Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205.

The top choice of New Construction – Chicago/Suburbs (Below $20M) projects went to Rusu-McCartin Boys & Girls Club of Chicago

The Rusu-McCartin Boys and Girls Club of Chicago was built with community in mind. It was constructed on a shared campus that includes a first responders training Academy, and several minority-owned businesses. This was done with the needs of the Austin neighborhood in mind. As part of resident hiring requirements, more than 10,000 labor hours, (or just under 20 percent of the total project hours) were performed by residence of the Austin neighborhood and adjacent City wards.

The northwest elevation showcasing main entrance and sculpture park in front of child-safe play area. © Tom Harris

BEAR work closely with its trade partners, ensuring this project was delivered within an aggressive schedule and tight budget constraints. There were ZERO recordable incidents with more than 50,000 labor hours worked. All materials used in this project focused on resiliency to ensuring the building would have limited maintenance and repair cost for at least 60 years.

The general contractor was BEAR Construction; the client was Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago.

The top choice of Infrastructure projects went to Canal Street Plaza Reconstruction

The Canal Street Plaza Reconstruction project was the capstone to JLL’s renovations of the old Post Office. Key to the project’s success was the ability to work with a range of stakeholders in a complex and heavily trafficked environment. Courtesy of F.H. Paschen.

Active community participation was insured through subcontractors and workforce, which comprise 42 percent city of Chicago residents. The owners M/WBE diversity goals were met with 12 percent of the contract cost going to women-owned businesses; and 26 percent going to minority-owned businesses.

The general contractors were F.H. Paschen; S.N. Nielsen & Associates LLC; the client was Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL).

Among Rehab projects, Congress Line – Track Improvements – Phase One was the top vote-getter

This $105 million rehabilitation project was the first phase of the CTA’s Forest Park branch rebuild, a multiyear, multiphase investment to make service, faster, safer, more reliable, and more accessible for all blue line riders. Work was planned on an aggressive timeline to minimize impacts to CTA ridership. Work was awarded with conditions that all work be completed within a 61-day complete blue line shut down, and re-opened to the public prior to the Chicago marathon.

Kiewit and subcontractors worked 24-hour shifts, 7 days per week to complete the project within the prescribed Blue Line shut down period allowed by CTA. Photo credit: WSP – Construction Manager

CTA set a workforce participation goal of 10 percent workforce innovation and opportunity act (WIOA), which Kiewit achieved. Kiewit employed about 100 of its own craft, and the project employed more than 500, including subcontracted craft. Working more than 150,000 craft hours through the extended line, the project maintained a very good safety record with only one subcontractor recordable, and one contractor recordable.

The general contractor was Kiewit Infrastructure Co.; the client was the Chicago Transit Authority.

The top Residential project chosen was The Row Fulton Market

The Row Fulton Market is a:
– 43-story
– 500-foot tall
– 550,000 square foot luxury multifamily skyscraper in Fulton Market

The building structure is composed of belled and top-of-rock caissons foundations with a post-tensioned concrete superstructure. Designed by Morris Adjmi Architects, the podium enclosure includes decorative masonry, articulating metal panels, and glazing. Notably the tower window wall system carries the same metal articulation of profiles and arches all the way to the top of the building.

It includes 300 apartment residences on floors 2-43. The top 2 floors are reserved for six expansive 3- and 4-bedroom penthouse residences. The apartments feature spacious convertible, 1- 2- and 3-bedroom floor plans.

The Row was a groundbreaking project in many respects. An effective partnership enabled this project to break ground in diversity and equity.

General contractor was LR Contracting; the client was Related Midwest.

A Special Mention honor was given to Walsh Academy & Career Tech High School as the Community Partner Award

Opened in fall of this year, Walsh Sr. Academy and Career Tech High School focuses on preparing special education students to enter high demand, high-paying jobs in the trades for a successful future. Walsh Academy curriculum offers CTE instruction. It develops strong partnerships with contractors, Union organizations, including CISCO, and school districts to create internship and job opportunities for the students in their communities.

The building had to be completely gutted. Multiple classrooms and offices, and the adaptation of several ground- and first-floor classrooms to accommodate shop classes with modifications to permit small engines and equipment to be transferred to and from the exterior. A new elevator within the building provides accessibility throughout the building. All new mechanical systems also were installed. Provided by MKB Architects

The Walsh Academy building was completely gutted from roof to foundation. There wasn’t a single square inch that wasn’t touched by renovation. Upon 1st tour of the building, there was mold, debris, and vandalism EVERYWHERE. Included were multiple classrooms, shop classes, all new mechanicals, elevator, and modifications for small engines.

The general contractor was Wight Construction; the client was Maryville.

Individual award winners are:

Educator of the Year – Rita Cárdenas – Chicago Public Schools’ Career Pathway Specialist Office of Early College and Career Education
Public Body of the Year – Village of Tinley Park/Mayor Michael Glotz
Construction Advocate of the Year – Christina Wernick – Laner Muchin, Ltd.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Project of the Year | Comments Off

Union Strong LIVE!

Posted on November 20, 2023 by Jennifer

Union Strong LIVE!

October 20, 2024

WCPT Union Labor LIVE!

OAK BROOK— When Chicago Labor leaders recently joined forces on WCPT 820 AM for a 2-hour candid discussion covering organized labor topics, you’re going home with A LOT of information.

The Oct. 18 broadcast of WCPT’s Union Strong LIVE was the first to be broadcast in front of a live audience in years at the Oak Brook-based Roofers and Waterproofers Local 11.

Hosts Joan Esposito and Santita Jackson questioned several panelists on topics ranging from workforce development, qualifications for a Union apprenticeship, retention and pensions.

WCPT Union Strong LIVE!

“We’re all here to help people understand what the trades do, what Unions do and why working collectively makes us all stronger,” said Jackson to applause from the live audience.

Labor panelists were: Roofers and Waterproofers Local 11 President/Business Manager Gary Menzel; SMART Local 265 President/Business Manager John Daniel; Megent Financial Co-CEO Ron Whittingham; Chicago Federation of Labor President Bob Reiter and CFL Secretary Treasurer Don Villar; CISCO ED Dan Allen and Education-to-Careers Director Jamillah Muhammad; CTU Legislative/Policy Director Kurt Hilgendorf, University of Illinois Chicago Professor of Labor and Employment Relations Dr. Bob Bruno and Illinois Economic Policy Institute Executive Director Josh Weger.

Professor Bob Bruno, Professor of Labor and Employment Relations at the University of Illinois Chicago, explained how Unions have built a pathway to a prosperous middle class by providing its members with higher wages, employer paid health care and defined pension plans.

Panelists started the live broadcast discussing the economics behind Unions and the value they bring members in terms of benefits and pensions. Photo courtesy of CISCO

“This allows for home ownership, a more valuable home, and more options for your children to make their own American dream,” Dr. Bruno said. “Without this Union Premium, you’re going to have folks less able to live their American dream,” he added.

SMART Local 265 President John Daniel added to the discussion by bringing up the additional benefits a Union provides with pensions and health care.

“Health care is a huge added value Unions have done right — as well as pensions. Union pensions create a level of dignity, so that as our members retire, they can enjoy the fruits of their labors,” Daniel added.

The first step to these benefits is acceptance into a Union Apprenticeship program, which CISCO Executive Director Dan Allen likes to call the “Bachelor’s Degree of the building construction trades.”

CISCO Executive Director Dan Allen calls Union Apprenticeship programs the “Bachelor’s Degree of the building construction Trades. Photo courtesy of CISCO

Every trade has its own Apprenticeship training program teaching individuals with a combination of classroom training, and paid, on-the-job training — which comes from the contractor you are hired by.

“Apprenticeships are an actual way to a free education, and you are paid to receive that education. At the same time, you are getting benefits you need — like health care and a pension,” explained CISCO Education-to-Careers Director Jamillah Muhammad.

“An Apprenticeship is the best thing that can happen to you, but you have to understand what Apprenticeships are, and you have to know what your strengths and skill sets are, so you choose the right Union for you. I always say, ‘you can’t do what you can’t see,’” Muhammad added.

See below for more photos from the WCPT Union Strong LIVE! event

At the end of the live broadcast, both hosts and panel members were all smiles for a successful show. Pictured, from left, are WCPT host Joan Esposito, SMART Local 265 President John Daniel, Roofers and Waterproofers Local 11 President/Business Manager Gary Menzel, CISCO Executive Director Dan Allen, Chicago Federation of Labor Secretary Treasurer Don Villar, CISCO Education-to-Careers Director Jamillah Muhammad and WCPT host Santita Jackson. Photo courtesy of CISCO

In the second hour of the broadcast panelists, from left, Roofers and Waterproofers Local 11 President/Business Manager Gary Menzel and CISCO Education-to-Careers Director Jamillah Muhammad, discuss the Apprenticeship process and their curriculum. Photo courtesy of CISCO

Posted in WCPT Union Strong | Tagged Chicago Building Construction Trades, Union Labor Leaders, WCPT Union Strong | Comments Off

CISCO is Accepting Scholarship Applications – Get Your Application in NOW

Posted on November 7, 2023 by Jennifer

CISCO is Accepting Scholarship Applications – Get Your Application in NOW

October 4, 2024
2023 scholarship announcement

BURR RIDGE – CISCO is accepting applications for its long-standing Annual Scholarship Awards Program. Applications form are available by clicking on one of the three types of scholarship awards below.

CISCO’s three (3) scholarship program categories are:
– Three (3) four-year scholarships ($2,000/year) for High School seniors to support college-bound children of construction building trade Union members and employees of Union contractors, or to children of non-bargaining unit employees of a Union contractor affiliated with CISCO. DOWNLOAD APPLICATION HERE

– Two (2) two-year awards ($1,000/year) for High School seniors planning on attending a community college or pursuing an Associates Degree. Must be a child of a construction building trade Union member and employee of Union contractors, or a child of a non-bargaining unit employee of a Union contractor affiliated with CISCO. DOWNLOAD APPLICATION HERE

– Two (2) two-year continuing education awards ($1,000/year) to support CISCO members who are enrolled in an undergraduate degree program at a community college or a 4-year accredited college or university who are working in the Union building construction trades or are employees of a CISCO contractor. DOWNLOAD APPLICATION HERE

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Registration is Open for Nov. 1 DuPage County Trade Apprenticeship Expo

Posted on October 16, 2023 by Jennifer

Registration is Open for Nov. 1 DuPage County Trade Apprenticeship Expo

Oct. 13, 2023

3:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Nov. 1
IBEW Local 701
28600 Bella Vista Pkwy., Warrenville
Register HERE

WARREVILLE – If constructing buildings, running electrical wiring and painting water towers is something you’d like to know more about, attend the Nov. 1, 2023, DuPage County Trade Apprenticeship Expo. This event features interactive, hands-on demonstrations by the county’s construction building trade organizations, as well as opportunities to meet with instructors. Learn about trade apprenticeship programs – which is the college for construction building trades.

Last year’s event brought in almost 400 attendees and we expect more this year! Watch our Expo Video!

If you are a DuPage County educator and would like your high school to be contacted directly for participation, please contact PowerForward DuPage at 630-791-2660.

DuPage Trades Expo

Posted in CISCO Hands-On Trades FAir | Tagged Construction, DuPage County Trades Expo, Trades Fair | Comments Off

CISCO Accepting Applications for its Annual Pride in Construction Award Program

Posted on September 14, 2023 by Jennifer

CISCO Accepting Applications for Annual Pride in Construction Award Program

Sept. 14, 2023

Click image below or HERE for application.

BURR RIDGE – If you think you’ve got one of the best construction projects in CISCO’s 6-county area, including Cook, DuPage, Kane, Kendall, Lake and McHenry – prove it with a submission to CISCO’s Annual Pride in Construction Award Program. Applications are being accepted through Dec. 1, 2023, from projects competed during May 2022 through December 2023.

CISCO’s Award Program gives general contractors, owners, engineers and architects a chance to submit projects in six (6) different categories for recognition as that categories’ Project of the Year. (See 2022 winners here). Categories include:

– New Construction – Chicago (Above $20M)
– New Construction – Suburbs (Above $20M)
– New Construction – Chicago or Suburbs (Below $20M)
– Rehabilitation
– Residential
– Infrastructure

Eligibility and Criteria
Each candidate’s project needs to demonstrate a dedication to:

– Quality of Construction
– Design
– Impact to Community
– Safety Record

Deadline
Participants must complete the application form and submit it directly to CISCO. CISCO is not responsible for the return of any materials submitted. Deadline for submitting applications is 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 1, 2023. For additional information, contact CISCO’S Director of Communications and Public Affairs Director Jennifer Rice at 630-472-9411. Applications can be sent via email at: jennifer@cisco.org, or via mail to: CISCO, 999 McClintock Dr., STE 100, Burr Ridge IL 60527.

Notification
Submittals will be reviewed in December 2023 during CISCO’s Board Meeting, and winners will be selected at that time. Winners will be notified the week of Dec. 11, 2023. Due to the volume of submissions CISCO receives, only winners will be notified. Winning entries will be posted on CISCO’s website – cisco.org, on Dec. 15, 2023.

Awards will be presented at CISCO’s Annual Meeting in 2024. Winning entries and their team will be invited for recognition and celebration. An exact date for the meeting has yet to be determined – but will be held in January 2024.

Posted in Pride in Construction | Tagged Construction Awards, Pride in Construction | Comments Off

Changing lives – one construction job at at time

Posted on August 30, 2023 by Jennifer

Changing lives – one construction job at at time

CHICAGO — When it comes to considering if a career in the Union construction trades is the right fit for them, the young men and women who came to the 9th annual Construction Conference and Expo Aug. 17 made the choice to make their NEXT decision be their BEST decision.

The Expo, hosted by St. Paul Community Development Ministries (SPCDM) and sponsored by CISCO, allowed participants to understand how apprentices work and what various construction careers requires. “If anybody want’s to change their life, the Union construction trades are here for you,” explained Powering Chicago Executive Director Elbert Walters III. He stressed that access, opportunity and availability are important traits to becoming successful.

Union reps got a chance to talk with individuals looking to better their lives with a new career in the construction trades during St. Paul Community Development Ministries annual Construction Conference and Expo. Photo courtesy of CISCO

Some of the Expo’s participants are currently enrolled in Next Step, a 12-week pre-apprentice program offered by SPCDM. It helps people prepare for entry into a USDOL registered apprenticeship program. To date, Next Step has placed more than 246 individuals, many of them women and people of color, into the Union construction trades.

A Cement Masons’ and Plasterers’ Local 502 instructor explains to Expo attendees how proper technique, when laying brick, is important to the overall project. Photo courtesy of CISCO

Pastor Kevin Ford explained that the Next Step program is about getting ready to go upstairs. “Once in the trades, you begin to move up and climb from apprentice to journeyman, start attending Union meetings, becoming a business agent, coordinator and even an international representative of a Union,” Ford said.

CISCO Executive Director Dan Allen said the Next Step pre-apprenticeship program’s success rate is incredible. “We need young people to be the next generation of skilled trades men and women – along with our Union contractors, to build this amazing city, state and country,” Allen explained. Photo courtesy of CISCO

After the Expo, many participants opted to stay for a pre-test assessment to determine their math and language skill level.

CISCO Executive Director Dan Allen said there has never been a better time to begin a career in the construction trades.

“Unions are supplying the next generation of construction workers who will build the infrastructure needed to replace our country’s outdated roads, bridges, transit systems and more, which is coming from President [Joe] Biden’s Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, a $1 trillion infrastructure bill,” Allen explained.

Along with various Chicagoland Union reps at the Expo, several Union contractors also participated, such as WE O’Neil and Power Construction, who were able to show participants current and future projects they are working on.

See below for more photos of our event

(Left photo) Union reps from the Hill-side based SMART Local 73 explain to this woman how members install HVAC and perform HVAC fabrication. (Right photo) This LiUNA rep points out that the Laborers’ apprenticeship program is 2 years. Working as a Laborer provides a well-paid career and is a career that is always in demand – all WITHOUT the need for a college degree or student debt. Photos courtesy of CISCO

Edward Walker attended SPCDM Next Step pre-apprentice program and went on to find a career as a Tilesetter. Previously, Walker worked 25 years in the maintenance field. After going through the program, “it turned my life around – immediately,” he said. “Getting a job in the construction field is the best thing you can do for yourself, ” he added. Photo courtesy of CISCO

New Tabernacle of Faith Baptist Church Pastor Paul Jakes, U.S. Congressman Danny Davis (7th District), CISCO Executive Director Dan Allen and St. Paul Church of God in Christ Community Development Ministries President Pastor Kevin Ford. Photo courtesy of CISCO

We’ll see everyone next year at St. Paul Community Development Ministries (SPCDM) for the 10th annual Construction Conference and Expo. Photo courtesy of CISCO

Posted in CISCO Hands-On Trades FAir | Comments Off

Register for CISCO’s 2023 Annual Golf Outing!

Posted on August 8, 2023 by Jennifer

Register SOON for CISCO’s Annual Golf Outing
August 8, 2023

As we have in the past, CISCO is all set for its annual golf outing for Monday, Sept. 11, 2023 at the Bloomingdale Golf Club. Click the link below to print our 2-page flyer.

CISCO’s Annual Golf Outing
Monday, September 11, 2023
Bloomingdale Golf Club
181 Glen Ellyn Rd., Glen Ellyn
Bloomingdale IL
7 a.m. Registration
8 a.m. Shotgun Start
1:30 p.m. Cocktails/Lunch

CISCO’s 2023 Golf Outing flyer

2023 CISCO Golf Outing

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More Than 600 People Visit 2nd Annual Union Construction Trades Fair

Posted on July 28, 2023 by Jennifer

More Than 600 People Visit 2nd Annual Union Construction Trades Fair

July 28, 2023

CHICAGO – What a difference a year makes! At last year’s inaugural event, 200 participants came to CISCO’s Union Construction Trades Fair, held at the Chicago-based IBEW Local 134, to learn about apprenticeship opportunities and careers in the Union construction industry. During this year’s 2nd annual event – held July 21, more than 600 participants came out!

Participants received information from 16 Union Trades, Union contractors, community groups and Union contractor associations. School age children and teens also received backpacks filled with CPS school supplies. MANY Unions and contractors donated school supplies and gave monetary donations!

CISCO’s 2nd Annual Union Construction Trades Fair open at 10 a.m. to find participants waiting outside to get in! Throughout the day, vendors encountered more than 600 individuals wanting to learn how get into an apprenticeship to start a career in the building trades. Photo courtesy of CISCO

CISCO’s Education-to-Careers Director Jamillah Muhammad said the increase could be because more young people are looking for a career with stability, advancement, and job security – which can all be found within the building construction trades. “There are many options and paths you can take. There is a variety of roles and specializations, there’s no college debt and great benefits,” Muhammad explained.

During the event, CISCO gave away 175 backpacks to school age children and teens, which were filled with CPS school supplies. Photo courtesy of CISCO

Some participants stayed for the entire four-hour event because they were waiting on friends to arrive. “I am interested in finding a job,” one participant said. Even though he understood this wasn’t a hiring event, he felt it was important to invite his friends so they could see for themselves the benefits of working in the Union construction industry. He made a point to visit all 34 vendors to gather information.

CISCO 2nd Annual Union Construction Trades Fair

The Tinley Park-based Heat & Frost Insulators Local 17 offers an apprenticeship program where apprentices use classroom time to study math, blueprint interpretation, application techniques, pattern layout, workplace safety and supervision. Photo courtesy of CISCO

Various schools and youth organizations brought students to the Trades Fair to let them learn that attending college is not their only option. Curie High School Counselor Linda Verano arranged for 17 of her students to attend the event. All of them are part of the high school’s summer work-based learning programs.

In the Career Masters program, students become College Career Ambassadors. They research post-secondary pathways, compile the information, and present that information to the student body. The Tech Crew program provides students the knowledge and training to fix and repair things around the high school. Students are paid through both programs for their participation.

Verano was researching an event that was trades-related and came across information on CISCO’s 2nd Annual Union Construction Trades Fair. “These students are really curious about their career options. As counselors, we need to know how the trades and apprenticeships work, so we’re able to tell our students about viable career options,” she explained.

This large school group could be seen inside the IBEW hall, stopping at different vendor tables, until they found their way outside to the Powering Chicago Mobile Field Trip Truck – a 73-foot semi-truck outfitted with solar panels and other emerging technologies that every IBEW Local 134 apprentice learns during their apprenticeship.

The Curie High School students found themselves listening to Powering Chicago Executive Director Elbert Walters III explain different ways electricity is generated – via nuclear power plants, solar power and wind turbines – and how the power is stored in batteries. Walters also explained how the electrical industry is changing.

Students from Curie High School find out about electrical jobs from IBEW Local 134 – NECA Powering Chicago Executive Director Elbert Walters III. Photo courtesy of CISCO

“The great thing about our industry – it’s expanding because everything is becoming electrified. If you’re thinking about getting into a craft or trade that’s going to pay you great wages – it’s the Union trades. It’s going to allow you different opportunities and be able to choose a specialty, be financially free and work anywhere in the country,” he explained to the students.

CISCO 2nd Annual Union Construction Trades Fair

Posted in CISCO Hands-On Trades FAir | Tagged Construction, Construction Trades, Trades Fair, Union | Comments Off