JUNE '26 NEWSLETTER

ChatGPT Joke of the Month!What's the difference between a construction worker and a lobster in the summer?
The lobster gets dipped in butter after it turns red.

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June Birthdays​

• Zero June birthdays. Definitely not Mike Averill's bday month...

The Agency News & Memos

• NEW LINE ALERT!
  • We added Kidde and Edwards Signaling to our Electrification line card starting June 1st! They will be visiting our office June 16th & 17th for an official onboarding.​
• New CRM program
  • This month, we'll be transitioning over to Flow
  • Please continue logging quotes and orders into TradeTech as everything will be merged toward the end of the month
  • We will conduct trainings on Flow in the coming weeks 
• YTD Sales thru May'26:
  • Electrification
    • Southwire : +7.4%
    • Southwire EP&ES : +4.7%
    • Eaton B-Line : -21.7%
    • Eaton Crouse Hinds : +10.7%
    • Eaton Bussmann : -11.2%
    • Eaton Resi : +9% (thru Feb)
    • Eaton Wiring Devices : -3.7%
    • Robroy : +98.3%
    • World Dryer : -60.6% (thru Feb)
    • Illumination 
      • Sales are now available in TTS
• ​Quote Log as of 6/1/2026
  • 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!​

📰 Chicagoland / Illinois Electrical & Construction Industry UpdatePeriod Covered: Last 2–3 Weeks (Mid-May → June 2, 2026)

​This update focuses on new developments and non-overlapping stories affecting the electrical, construction, utility, data center, and infrastructure markets in Illinois, Chicagoland, Southern Wisconsin, and NW Indiana.

🔹 Illinois POWER Act Stalls, But Data Center Regulation Debate ContinuesSource / Date: Capitol News Illinois – May 30–31, 2026
The proposed POWER Act will not pass during the spring legislative session, but lawmakers confirmed negotiations will continue through the summer. Discussion remains focused on requiring data centers to pay for their own power infrastructure, report water usage, and enter community-benefit agreements. Lawmakers are also considering a pause on state data center tax incentives. (Capitol News Illinois)
Why it matters

• Regulatory uncertainty remains a major factor for developers.
• Utilities, labor groups, manufacturers, and data center operators are all expected to be involved in negotiations.
• Could significantly affect future electrical infrastructure funding and utility interconnection requirements.

🔹 Morgan County Extends Data Center Scrutiny After MoratoriumSource / Date: Journal-Courier – May 28, 2026
Morgan County officials continued discussions around potential data center regulations after implementing a six-month moratorium earlier this spring. County leaders cited concerns about infrastructure impacts and emphasized that any future developer would need to make substantial local investments. (Jacksonville Journal-Courier)
Why it matters

• Demonstrates that local governments across Illinois are becoming more cautious.
• Infrastructure capacity and community engagement are increasingly central to project approvals.
• More engineering, planning, and utility studies are likely before projects move forward.

🔹 Dixon, Illinois Data Center Proposal Sparks Public ControversySource / Date: Business Insider – May 31, 2026
A proposed data center development in Lee County near Dixon has become the center of a highly public dispute involving local opposition and concerns about environmental impact, noise, and infrastructure demands. The controversy reflects growing resistance to large-scale data center developments in rural Illinois communities. (Business Insider)
Why it matters

• Highlights increasing public awareness and scrutiny of data center projects.
• Community relations and stakeholder engagement are becoming critical components of project development.
• May influence how future projects are structured and communicated.

🔹 Illinois House Hearing Focuses on Grid Capacity & Data CentersSource / Date: Illinois Society of Association Executives / House Executive Committee – April 15 hearing, ongoing policy discussions reported in May
Illinois lawmakers held extensive hearings with utilities, energy providers, consumer advocates, and industry representatives to evaluate how data centers may affect electric rates, grid reliability, and long-term infrastructure planning. (ISACo)
Why it matters

• Reinforces that electrical infrastructure is now a statewide policy issue.
• Utilities are being asked to justify future transmission and generation investments.
• Grid capacity remains the single largest constraint on future data center growth.

🔹 Eaton–SPAN Partnership Continues to Gain AttentionSource / Date: Eaton / SPAN – March announcement with ongoing market adoption discussions
Eaton's $75 million investment in SPAN continues to be one of the most significant manufacturer developments affecting residential electrification. The partnership combines Eaton's electrical distribution and protection products with SPAN's smart panel technology to support EV charging, energy storage, and home electrification. Joint solutions are expected to enter the market during 2026. (Eaton)
Why it matters

• Positions Eaton strongly in the smart panel and residential energy management market.
• Creates opportunities for electrical contractors involved in electrification and retrofit projects.
• Supports the broader trend toward digital power management.

📌 Key Takeaways

• The conversation is shifting from data center growth to data center governance.
• Illinois regulators and local governments are increasingly focused on power, water, and infrastructure impacts.
• Community resistance is becoming a significant project risk.
• Electrical infrastructure investment remains strong, but future projects may face additional requirements and approval hurdles.
• Eaton remains the only manufacturer on your watchlist with a major strategic initiative currently affecting the market. (Capitol News Illinois)

👀 Things to Watch (Next 30 Days)

• Summer negotiations around the POWER Act
• Potential action on Illinois data center tax incentives
• Additional local moratoriums or zoning restrictions
• Utility announcements regarding transmission and substation investments

Monthly Calendar