Illinois added 14,800 construction jobs in October, the fourth largest gain among states in year-over-year comparisons, according to data compiled by Arlington, Va.-based Associated General Contractors of America (AGC). Only Florida (38,900 jobs), Texas (38,500) and California (34,300 jobs) made stronger showings for the same period, AGC data indicate. Illinois additionally logged the fourth-largest percentage increase (7.8%) among states in October, followed by neighboring Wisconsin (7,000 jobs 7.2%).Other Midwest states, including Michigan (4,300 jobs, 3/3%), Indiana (3,500 jobs, 2.8%) and Missouri (1,700 1.6%), also added jobs in October, with only Ohio, (1,000, -0.5%) posting declines for the same period.In all,

Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett says he intends to use $49.3 million in tax incremental financing (TIF) to extend a proposed 2.1-mile street car line and finance infrastructure alterations for the $123.9-million project. Subject to approval by Milwaukee's Common Council and Redevelopment Authority, funds would finance a 0.4-mile lakefront extension added to original plans and, if required, the cost of relocating utility lines for the project. Earlier this week, Milwaukee sued the Wisconsin Public Service Commission, seeking to reverse a  commission ruling requiring the city to finance the relocations rather than utilities and their ratepayers. The suit, filed with Milwaukee County

Midwest construction backlogs continued to rebound in the third quarter, rising from 6.42 months to 6.92 months – a 7.9% increase – in quarter-to-quarter comparisons, according to data compiled by Washington, D.C.-based Associated Builders and Contractors. Midwest backlogs additionally rose by 12.7% in quarter-over-quarter comparisons. Strong showings in the Midwest, West and Northeast propelled national backlogs to 8.8 months in the third quarter, an all time high, eclipsing the previous record of 8.5 months in the second quarter of 2014.“Recent data regarding nonresidential construction and employment has shown only sporadic gains, which is consistent with the less optimistic backlog readings

The rehabilitation of historic Union Station's 9,500-sq-ft Grand Hall and Market called for restoration of cornices and terrazzo floors, the addition of a 90-ft bar, coffee shop and train display, and installation of a projection system to support one of North America's largest multimedia shows.

Downtown Detroit's 10-story Z, so named for its zig-zagging floor plate, combines a 1,300-space parking structure with the works of more than 27 mural and graffiti artists from around the world.

Health care long has espoused the influence of environment on healing, a relationship Cincinnati's Mercy Health – West Hospital develops to an extent rarely seen in a contemporary hospital setting.

The 1,000-sq-ft glass structure known as The Cube provides Westfield Old Orchard, an upscale, outdoor shopping center in suburban Chicago, a freestanding, climate-controlled venue for promotional events, community performances, interactive displays and live entertainment.

A Holocaust memorial, an airport runway, an orangutan habitat and a tied-arch bridge are among the enterprises that a panel of industry professionals awarded top honors for ENR Midwest's Best Projects competition, an annual program recognizing outstanding design and construction in a variety of categories.

With classroom and administrative wings, the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools' Earl Shapiro Hall is quite simple, though atypical forms and detailing required tight coordination among specialty trades, which met regularly with contractor and designers to review intent and feasibility.

Performed in Chicago's historic Merchandise Mart, the 525,000-sq-ft build-out of Motorola Mobility's new headquarters required 650,000 labor hours and up to 480 construction workers during peak periods.