Underground Contractors Association of Illinois

10/09/2026

UCA Director Jake Czerwinski of Commercial Credit Group represented UCA last night at Illinois Senate Minority Leader John Curran’s event. Jake discussed the issues facing UCA members and opportunities to improve Illinois’ business climate, all while enjoying the White Sox ALDS action.

UCA remains committed to engaging with state leaders to advocate for policies that support our members, strengthen the underground utility construction industry, and promote a more competitive business environment in Illinois. # Senator John Curran

10/09/2026

You may see Peoples Gas crews doing important construction work in your neighborhood. They are retiring old natural gas mains to ensure safe and reliable service. This video has more about why the work is being done: Peoples Gas

Building a safer, more reliable energy system for Chicago.

10/08/2026

The infrastructure work Peoples Gas is doing means major investments in the workers who build and maintain the energy system. Critical pipe retirement work supports hundreds of good-paying, union jobs — and is creating new ones. Peoples Gas

10/07/2026

UCA supports the work Peoples Gas is doing to ensure safety in Chicago’s heating system. Safe energy delivery starts with modern and resilient infrastructure that prevents leaks, resists corrosion, and will serve Chicago homes and businesses for decades to come. Peoples Gas

Building a safer, more reliable energy system for Chicago.

10/06/2026

Free CSC training sessions at UCA's office in Schaumburg. Limited to 24 registrants in each class.

EXCAVATION DANGERS
12/9/26 7:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Working in and around trenches requires attention to multiple hazards, both below-grade and above-ground. Because excavation operations can turn tragic in an instant, everyone must be involved in preventing cave-ins through site inspections, soil/air analyses, and protective systems. The role of a competent person is especially important to ensure compliance with OSHA safety standards. Learn how to Slope – Shore – Shield for best results.
https://buildsafe.org/Training/Excavation-Dangers-Free-Grant-Class

WORKZONE HAZARDS
12/9/26 12:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Workzone safety is the predictable outcome of proper planning, combined with skills training, for individuals assigned to temporary traffic control areas. A thorough understanding of government regulations and the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) is essential - as is the placement and use of flags, signs, barricades, and message boards. Following best practices will reduce the risk of injury, both to workers and motorists.
https://buildsafe.org/Training/Workzone-Hazards-FREE-Grant-Class

HARMFUL SILICA
12/10/26 7:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Barely visible, but dangerous nonetheless, respirable crystalline silica is the byproduct of sawing, drilling, and crushing concrete, stone, and brick. The dust particles are small enough to be inhaled deep into the lungs, where they can cause serious illness and fatal disease. Learn about the OSHA standard that includes specific measures for employers to protect employees from exposure, including engineering controls, work practices, and respirators. https://buildsafe.org/Training/Harmful-Silica-FREE-Grant-Class

FALL PROTECTION
12/10/26 12:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

It is unfortunate that the need for training to avoid falls is talked about as much as the incidents themselves. But why, and why so often? Because the hazard is commonplace in construction - at height (from scaffolds, ladders, roofs) and on ground (from slips and trips on uneven surfaces). The resulting injuries are usually severe, but entirely preventable with a proactive safety program involving risk assessment, personal equipment, and protective systems. https://buildsafe.org/Training/Harmful-Silica-FREE-Grant-Class

ELECTRICAL SAFETY
12/11/26 7:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

All workers can benefit from greater awareness of the electrical dangers (shock, arc flash, fire) that exist in a powered environment. The Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace (NFPA 70E) provides requirements for work practices and hazard identification, as well as the use of lockout/tagout and personal protective equipment (PPE). Gain insights about how to avoid accidents and improve your safety culture through effective risk prevention and control. https://buildsafe.org/Training/Harmful-Silica-FREE-Grant-Class

10/05/2026

Time to Take Action: Accelerate the Work. It’s time to reach out to your local congressional representatives and make your voice heard.

During Water Week in Washington, D.C., the Clean Water Construction Coalition (CWCC) identified “Accelerate the Work” as Priority #2. The message is straightforward: we need to get water infrastructure projects moving faster. Delays in getting projects designed, approved, funded, and into construction drive up costs, delay needed improvements, and leave critical water infrastructure needs unaddressed.

UCA members: Please take a few minutes to contact your congressional representatives and ask them to support efforts to accelerate water infrastructure projects. Your direct communication with your representatives helps reinforce the message that Illinois contractors are ready to put people to work and build the infrastructure our communities need.

CWCC Priority #2: Accelerate the Work

"The Coalition supports the enactment of legislative and regulatory solutions tailored towards accelerating the project pipeline and bringing more water projects to construction in a timely manner. This includes advocating for the EPA to require that States streamline review and approval processes for the replacement or improvement of existing water infrastructure assets".

Lawmakers hope for passage of long-awaited legislaiion just after the Nov. 3 midterm elections, following the House-passed SPEED Act in December 2025, but hurdles remain

09/29/2026

UCA Signatory Contractors,

Do you need qualified pre-apprenticeship graduates to help meet your project requirements? UCA member contractors can connect with qualified graduates of the IL Works Bid Credit Program who are ready to enter the skilled union construction trades.

This is an opportunity to help meet project workforce requirements while bringing the next generation of skilled union tradesmen and tradeswomen into our industry.

See the information below and register using the link provided to connect with qualified pre-apprenticeship graduates.

Please take advantage of this resource and help build the future of Illinois’ skilled construction workforce.

Here is a link to the registration page https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/6dy4xqv

09/29/2026

Safety First!

Hoerr Construction recently used UCA’s building conference room to conduct an employee Safety Stand-Down Day, with more than 30 employees participating in safety training.

Thank you to Hoerr Construction for making safety a priority and investing in the training and well-being of their employees.

UCA Training Facilities Available to Members.

UCA is proud to provide our members with facilities that support important employee training and safety initiatives.

The UCA office conference room is available free of charge to member firms and can accommodate approximately 25–40 people, depending on the type of meeting or training. The building conference room can accommodate up to 75 people and is available to member firms for $75 for a half-day or $150 for a full day.

Whether you are planning a safety stand-down, employee training, meeting, or other member activity, UCA’s facilities are available to help support your needs.

To reserve a date, please contact UCA Executive Director Mike Wiedmaier.

09/29/2026

Please Slow Down in Work Zones.

Slow down, stay alert, and eliminate driving distractions when traveling through work zones. Protect yourself, your passengers, and the workers who are working to keep our roads safe.

Slow down. Stay focused. Drive safely.

09/25/2026

Thank you to everyone who attended last evening’s Fall Fest and to all who participated in the bourbon raffle supporting the UCA Scholarship Fund!

UCA sold $2,240 in raffle tickets, enough to fund one new $2,000 scholarship for next year. We greatly appreciate everyone’s support in helping UCA invest in the education and future of our industry.

UCA awards a minimum of two new $2,000 scholarships each year, with scholarships renewable for up to four years. In 2026, UCA provided $20,000 in scholarship funding to 10 new and continuing scholarship recipients.

The UCA Scholarship Program supports employees of UCA member companies pursuing continuing education, as well as the children of UCA members entering college.

Congratulations to Hops on winning the bourbon raffle, and thank you again to everyone who participated and helped support this important program!

UCA's scholarship committee Gulzar Singh, Pan-Oceanic Engineering; Mearl Kise-Halsall, JBCCO; Todd Larsen, Lee Jensen Sales; Brian Mihelich, True North Consultants; Sean O'Brien, DB Sterlin Consultants.