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News and Updates

Updates on Builders Association government activities

AGC Releases Updated Employment Figures

  • By LeeAnn Maton
  • July 23, 2009

Construction employment numbers plunged nationwide from June 2008 to June 2009, resulting in net job losses for all but two states, according to new data from AGC of America's Chief Economist Ken Simonson.

Senate Drops EFCA's Card Check Provision

  • By LeeAnn Maton
  • July 20, 2009

Employers scored a victory on Capital Hill last when senators revising the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) dropped the bill's fiercely-debated card-check provision. A revised bill will instead require shorter unionization campaigns and faster elections, the New York Times reports.

Governor Signs Statewide Construction Plan

  • By Andy Cole
  • July 15, 2009

Close to two months after being passed by both chambers of the Illinois Legislature and two weeks after hitting the desk of Governor Pat Quinn for the first time, a $31 billion capital spending plan was signed into law.

AGC Talks Stimulus With Federal Reserve

  • By LeeAnn Maton
  • June 29, 2009

AGC Chief Economist Ken Simonson, along with other members of the National Association for Business Economics, recently briefed Chairman Ben Bernanke and Governor Dan Tarullo of the Federal Reserve about the state of the economy.

Money Matters - Industry News And Highlights

  • By LeeAnn Maton
  • June 26, 2009

Important reports were released this week, predicting how much Chicago-area construction starts will decline as well as analyzing changes in employment rates industry-wide. Read all about it here.

Local OSHA Rep Promoted To National Office

  • By LeeAnn Maton
  • June 24, 2009

Nancy Hauter, a compliance assistance specialist with OSHA's Chicago North Area Office, accepted a promotion to become the organization's new Director of Health Enforcement at their Washington, D.C.-based national office.

Where Are Stimulus Funds Going?

  • By Andy Cole
  • June 16, 2009

While agencies have started spending funds from the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act of 2009 (ARRA), it's unclear to some if those funds are going to benefit Chicago contractors or minority firms.

New AGC Analysis: Construction Employment Declines Nationwide

  • By LeeAnn Maton
  • June 15, 2009

Construction employment figures have fallen across nearly all major metropolitan areas in the past year, according to a new analysis of data by the Associated General Contractors of America, including losses of 13% in Chicago.

Olympic Bid Seeks Washington's Help

  • By LeeAnn Maton
  • June 11, 2009

As the October selection of an Olympic host city grows closer, Chicago 2016 is gearing up by lining up help from government officials, according to a recent Chicago Tribune article.

State Capital Bill On Hold

  • By Andy Cole
  • June 4, 2009

The construction industry in Illinois may soon get some help from the state, but not before a period of legislative wrangling. 

Supreme Court Call Could Change Payment Plans

  • By LeeAnn Maton
  • May 28, 2009

An Illinois Supreme Court decision (Docket No. 107108) rendered last week could have an impact on how payments are made on construction projects in Illinois.

U.S. House Approves School Funds

  • By Andy Cole
  • May 20, 2009
The U.S. House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed legislation to modernize and green schools across the country.

Upcoming Free Legal Programs

  • By Andy Cole
  • May 3, 2009

A pair of Builders Association law firms are presenting free seminars on labor and legal matters.

More On Impact Of Stimulus

  • By Andy Cole
  • April 23, 2009

McGraw-Hill Construction and the AGC of America staged an Economic Stimulus & Recovery Watch event April 22 downtown.

EPA Releases Stimulus Projects

  • By Andy Cole
  • April 12, 2009

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency has released a list of projects eligible for federal stimulus funds.