RECAP: Membership Meetings

Justin Crandol, SMACNA National’s Director of Safety, joined us during our March 14 meeting to discuss industry trends. He began his presentation with an OSHA update and the organization’s regulatory efforts, including recordkeeping, PPE in construction, lead standard and heat stress. An ANSI update followed. 

Additionally, Crandol reported on the hard truth that our industry has one of the highest rates of suicide in the nation. In response to this, SMACNA has joined forces with MCAA, NECA and TAUC to spread awareness about the importance of mental health. Together they have released a poker chip and hard hat sticker with the new suicide and crisis prevention number: 988.

During our May 9 membership meeting, WGN Political Analyst Paul Lisnek provided our group with a fast-paced and engaging overview of the changing political landscape on national, state and local levels.

His predictions for the coming months:

• We’re headed for a Biden/Trump rematch in 2024. If the focus turns to economic issues, Biden may be in trouble.

• With Pritzker likely eyeing a 2028 presidential run, expect Illinois to stay on the progressive side of social issues and make Illinois “the model of what a democratic state should be.”

• New Chicago mayor Brandon Johnson was a surprising win because of the voter turnout. As a pragmatic progressive, he’s got the younger generation energized and has chosen moderate picks for his administration, but has to adjust his strategy to win favor on both sides of the aisle.

Membership meetings have concluded for the summer and will resume in September 2023.