APRIL '26 NEWSLETTER

ChatGPT Joke of the Month!

We’re excited to announce a new product launch:
Wireless conduit.
Finally — no bending, no threading, no supports…
Just run it wherever you want.
Only downside?
Still on a 26-week lead time.

---

April Birthdays​

• 4/21 - Alyssa Butler​

The Agency News & Memos

• We are "hosting" a one day SSU in our Solutions Center on Wednesday, 4/8.
  • Please keep Sales Pit, Kitchen & Bathrooms clean!
• Lighting team heading to Leducation in NYC on 4/13-4/15
• YTD Sales thru March'26:
  • Electrification
    • Southwire : +18.4%
    • Southwire EP&ES : +6.9%
    • Eaton B-Line : -24.8%
    • Eaton Crouse Hinds : +15.8%
    • Eaton Bussmann : -3.6%
    • Eaton Resi : +9% (thru Feb)
    • Eaton Wiring Devices : -17.1%
    • Robroy : +98.3%
    • World Dryer : -60.6% (thru Feb)
    • Illumination 
      • Sales are now available in TTS
• ​Quote Log as of 4/1/2026
  • Please keep adding quotes as we are now attaching quotes to major projects!
  • Make sure you are including contractor info and updating the quote statuses when they are WON/LOST/etc!

 Promotions​

• Click below to view current promotions!​

🔹 Largest Data Center in Illinois Approved (Joliet)Source / Date: CBS Chicago – March 19, 2026
Link: https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/joliet-city-council-approves-data-center-plan/
Summary:
The Joliet City Council approved a 795-acre data-center campus, making it the largest data center project in Illinois.
Why it matters:

• Massive demand for substations, switchgear, and electrical distribution
• One of the biggest construction opportunities in the Midwest

🔹 Joliet Data Center Advances Through Planning PipelineSource / Date: ABC7 Chicago – March 6, 2026
Link: https://abc7chicago.com/post/joliet-planning-commission-advances-plans-what-would-largest-data-center-illinois/18683608/
Summary:
The project was advanced earlier in the week by the planning commission, showing how quickly large-scale developments are moving through approvals.
Why it matters:

• Confirms strong pipeline of real projects (not just proposals)
• Signals continued electrical contractor demand

🔹 $20B Data Center Proposal Near Chicago Gains MomentumSource / Date: DataCenterDynamics – March 6, 2026
Link: https://www.datacenterdynamics.com/en/news/proposal-for-20bn-data-center-outside-chicago-recommended-for-approval-by-local-planning-commission/
Summary:
A proposed $20 billion hyperscale data-center campus near Joliet is moving forward, with potential multi-gigawatt power demand.
Why it matters:

• Represents huge electrical infrastructure buildout
• Likely to require dedicated substations and transmission upgrades

🔹 Illinois Pushes Toward Data Center Regulation (POWER Act)Source / Date: WTTW – March 18, 2026
Link: https://news.wttw.com/2026/03/18/political-will-grows-illinois-data-center-regulations-power-act-remains-committee
Summary:
Momentum is building behind legislation that would require data centers to pay for their own energy capacity and infrastructure costs.
Why it matters:

• Could change how electrical infrastructure is funded
• May shift project economics and utility coordination requirements

📌 Key Takeaways This Week

• Joliet is now the epicenter of Midwest data-center development
• Projects are moving forward at scale, not just being proposed
• Regulation and power availability are becoming the biggest constraints
• Electrical demand from data centers continues to drive substation and grid investment needs

👀 Things to Watch

• ComEd and regional transmission / substation upgrades
• Additional suburban approvals or pushback
• Final direction of the POWER Act legislation
• Whether developers are required to self-supply power capacity

Monthly Calendar