The Northern Illinois Building Contractors Association (NIBCA) was formed in 1918 in response to an industry crisis. World War I had just come to an end and certain businesses were causing instability locally and nationwide by hoarding scarce building materials and selling them at outrageous profits. A small group of Rockford building contractors met and with a handshake agreed to not allow hoarding and to meet regularly on other issues. They called themselves Associated Building Contractors of Rockford. From this principled beginning, the association has broadened its scope and dimension consistently. In the 1930's it became a regional network of contractors covering most of northwestern Illinois. In the early 50's this regionalization was formalized by the association becoming an autonomous chapter of the Associated General Contractors of America. With that alliance, our chapter was re-named the Northern Illinois Building Contractors Association and assigned responsibility for the nine northwestern counties of Illinois. With this heightened role NIBCA hired staff, created health and welfare and retirement programs for union employees, bargained contracts, hired legislative consultants, provided full time safety services, developed educational and award programs and settled on a social events calendar. Today NIBCA represents over 200 contractors and industry affiliates, provides a full time staff of four professionals, engages the services of a public relations consultant, an attorney for member use and a legislative liaison in Illinois and Washington.
