Illinois linemen compete in annual rodeo

October 30th, 2017

Three teams tied for best overall team performance in points, forcing the tie-breaker rule of time. Shown left to right are: EnerStar Electric’s first runner-up team of Jake Keys, Keith Borchers and Russ Camp. Center is the Shelby Electric best overall team of Matt Clark, Brian Chevalier and Jamie Sharp. ...Read More

Are you secure?

October 9th, 2017

October is National Cyber Security Awareness Month Sony, Target, Home Depot, Yahoo and even the U.S. Office of Personnel Management have all been attacked by cybercriminals. Let’s face it: In today’s world, the cybersecurity threats facing our nation can seem overwhelming – and downright scary. Cybersecurity, specifically the protection and ...Read More

National Co-op Month

October 4th, 2017

This month, the Association of Illinois Electric Cooperatives is joining 30,000 cooperatives nationwide to celebrate National Co-op Month, which recognizes the many ways cooperatives are committed to strengthening the local communities they serve. “Co-ops Commit” is the theme for this year’s celebration, spotlighting the countless ways cooperatives meet the needs ...Read More

Thad France Hired as New Safety Instructor

October 2nd, 2017

The Association of Illinois Electric Cooperatives is pleased to announce the addition of Thad France to the Safety and Training Department. Thad will be serving our member cooperatives as a safety instructor. A journeyman lineman with over 23 years of industry experience, Thad brings a unique blend of mentorship, training, ...Read More

A Model of Cooperation

September 29th, 2017

If you’ve been a loyal reader of Illinois Country Living magazine, the notion of “the cooperative difference” isn’t new. We talk about electric co-ops supporting community programs and economic development efforts, offering value-added services like energy audits, and being locally owned and operated. At the core of our not-for-profit, consumer-owned ...Read More

Harvest workers urged to take time to reap safe harvest

September 20th, 2017

It can be an exciting and exhausting time, the culmination of a season of hard work. However, the rush to harvest can also yield tragic outcomes. Each year, dozens of farm workers are killed and hundreds are injured in accidents involving power lines and electrical equipment. “Things people see every ...Read More

National Preparedness Month: Make A Plan

September 20th, 2017

Make a plan today. Your family may not be together if a disaster strikes, so it is important to know which types of disasters could affect your area. Know how you’ll contact one another and reconnect if separated. Establish a family meeting place that’s familiar and easy to find. Step 1: Put together ...Read More

Cooperation among cooperatives

September 13th, 2017

The photo was taken by a Norris Electric lineman of a house served by Snapping Shoals EMC. In advance of Hurricane Irma, the Georgia Electric Membership Cooperative reached out to the Association of Illinois Electric Cooperatives (AIEC) for storm recovery help. The AIEC activated its Emergency Work Plan and dispatched ...Read More

Power Outages & Food Safety

September 12th, 2017

We all know that during a power outage, it is essential to take proper food safety precautions. That’s why we support National Food Safety Education Month (NFSEM). To help you participate in the food safety awareness initiative, know what to know before, during, and after a power outage. PLAN AHEAD ...Read More

When disaster strikes, we’ll be ready

September 6th, 2017

Mother Nature is not as predictable as we would like her to be, and when she gets angry, cooperatives are left to pick up the pieces. Floods, tornadoes, snow and ice, and other natural disasters are her methods of destruction and pose major threats to all kinds of infrastructure, including ...Read More