Chicago Construction News staff writer

Construction is set to resume on the $1.15 billion Brandon Road Interbasin Project near Joliet, Illinois, after the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers lifted a stop-work order that had halted the project since late July.

The federal-local infrastructure project is designed to prevent invasive carp from moving farther north through the Mississippi River Basin and reaching the Great Lakes.

The Army Corps stopped work at the end of July while the project underwent an administrative review, but Illinois officials said they received no explanation for the halt for more than a month.

The stop-work order was lifted this week following renewed pressure from officials in Illinois, Michigan and Congress.

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker sent a letter to President Donald Trump on Sept. 2 demanding that construction immediately resume. Pritzker also directed the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to renew its request for an emergency meeting of the project’s Senior Executive Board.

“The Great Lakes should not become collateral damage in political games,” Pritzker wrote. “The Brandon Road Project is critical infrastructure designed to stop the spread of invasive carp, and the people of Illinois deserve answers as to why Donald Trump is putting partisanship ahead of protecting one of America’s greatest natural resources.”

The push to restart construction came as IDNR reported finding several hundred juvenile silver carp approximately 80 miles from Lake Michigan and about 15 miles from the Brandon Road barrier site.

It was the first time invasive carp of that size had been detected that far upstream since monitoring began in 2010, according to the state.The Brandon Road project is being developed in the Des Plaines River near Joliet and is intended to create a series of technological barriers and deterrents to prevent invasive carp from advancing toward the Chicago Area Waterway System and Lake Michigan while maintaining commercial navigation.

Planned infrastructure includes an electric dispersal barrier, acoustic deterrent technology, an air-bubble curtain and a flushing lock. The combination is intended to provide multiple layers of protection against invasive carp.

The project is a federal-local partnership with an estimated cost of $1.15 billion. It has received support from the Trump administration, including a 2025 presidential memorandum directing federal agencies to expedite support and infrastructure for the project.

U.S. Rep. Dave Joyce, R-Ohio, also called for the project to move forward. Joyce said the Great Lakes Task Force co-chairs sent letters to the Office of Management and Budget and the Army Corps urging the stop-work order to be lifted. He also said he spoke directly with OMB Director Russell Vought about the project.

“The Great Lakes are one of our region’s greatest assets, and we have a responsibility to protect them,” Joyce said. “That means taking the threat of invasive carp seriously and making sure the Brandon Road Interbasin Project moves forward.”

Joyce said he would continue working with Congress and the administration to find a path forward for the project.

“Addressing the threat of invasive carp is about more than one project,” he said. “It is about preserving a resource that defines our region and supports millions of people. We have an opportunity to get this right, and we should seize it.”

Illinois has been involved in advancing the Brandon Road project for several years. In 2019, Pritzker authorized the state to begin initial engineering work. Five years later, Illinois reached an agreement with Michigan and the Army Corps to advance the estimated $1.15 billion project.

As a project sponsor, Illinois’ commitment helped secure the project’s first construction-increment award in November 2024. In September 2025, the state acquired two critical upland parcels needed to support full project construction.

The project is intended to protect the Great Lakes from an invasive species that could have significant environmental and economic consequences. The Great Lakes provide drinking water to tens of millions of Americans and support economies tied to commercial and recreational fishing, tourism, shipping, manufacturing and agriculture.

The discovery of juvenile silver carp farther upstream has increased the urgency surrounding the construction effort, particularly because the fish were found relatively close to the planned Brandon Road barrier site.

With the stop-work order lifted, construction can resume on the infrastructure intended to provide a final defense against invasive carp reaching Lake Michigan.

Chicago Construction News staff writer

Chicago could soon require bird-friendly design features in new buildings and major renovation projects under an ordinance expected to be debated at the Sept. 17 or Sept. 23 City Council meeting.

The proposed ordinance would establish mandatory standards aimed at reducing the risk of birds striking glass and other building surfaces.

The measure, introduced by Ald. Maria Hadden and co-sponsored by other alderpersons, was moved from the City Council’s Rules Committee to the Committee on Zoning, Landmarks and Building Standards in July.

New requirements would apply to new construction and major renovations, with exemptions for some smaller residential buildings and would mean:

• Single-family homes and two- and three-flat buildings would not be required to meet the bird-friendly design standards, although the ordinance encourages those property owners to use them.
• Larger residential projects and commercial buildings would be subject to the requirements.
• For covered projects, the ordinance would require building designs to limit the amount of transparent or reflective glass used on exterior walls.
• Where glass creates a known collision hazard, projects would have to use glass with visual patterns or other treatments that make the surface more visible to birds.

The proposal would also address building lighting, as exterior lighting would be limited based on its amount, location and operating hours. Interior lighting that is visible from outside would also have to be reduced through measures such as timers, dimmers, blinds and motion controls.

Building design would also have to take landscaping into account. The ordinance would seek to avoid designs in which trees and other plantings are reflected in glass or are visible through transparent glass, creating the appearance of a continuation of the landscape.

Existing buildings would not have to make changes simply because the ordinance takes effect. Requirements would apply when an existing building undergoes a major renovation covered by the ordinance.

Bird Friendly Chicago, which supports the ordinance, says incorporating bird-friendly features during the initial design of a project can keep costs relatively low.

The organization cites testimony from Skyline, a Chicago company that manufactures bird-friendly glass, that incorporating bird-friendly design at the beginning of a project can increase costs by less than 1% of the total project cost.

Bird Friendly Chicago also says reducing the amount of glass used on a building can lower initial construction, replacement and maintenance costs.

While some treated or specially patterned glass can carry a higher upfront cost, the organization says some products can provide additional energy benefits by reducing heat gain during the summer and heat loss during the winter.

The organization also says changes to exterior and interior lighting can be incorporated into broader building sustainability measures and may reduce energy use.

By contrast, retrofitting an existing building after bird collisions become a problem can be more expensive and may require changes to the building’s original design, according to Bird Friendly Chicago.

For developers, architects, general contractors and façade and glazing contractors, the proposed ordinance could make bird-friendly glass, façade design and lighting controls part of the planning process for covered Chicago projects.

Chicago Construction News staff writer

Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul has filed a lawsuit against an Arlington Heights-based plumbing, heating and electrical contractor, alleging the company used deceptive sales tactics to pressure homeowners — particularly senior citizens — into costly and sometimes unnecessary repairs.

The lawsuit, filed Thursday against ABC Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electric Inc., accuses the company of violating the Illinois Consumer Fraud Act, the Deceptive Trade Practices Act and the Illinois Home Repair and Remodeling Act.

According to the attorney general’s office, the lawsuit alleges that ABC technicians would enter homes to address an initial repair issue, but then inspect other areas of the property without the homeowner’s permission. The technicians would allegedly present newly discovered issues to the homeowners as emergencies or life-threatening hazards requiring immediate attention.

Consumers were then handed a digital tablet to sign to initiate the work, but often were not allowed to read what they were signing, according to the complaint. The attorney general alleges that in some instances, customers did not understand they were signing a contract, or they unknowingly waived their statutory three-day right to cancel the agreement.

“ABC Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electric’s deceptive business practices are not only illegal but also disheartening because those practices target senior citizens,” Raoul said in a news release. “When consumers reach out to home repair companies like ABC, they trust the company will present honest prices for complete work. Instead, ABC took advantage of its customers.”

In a statement responding to the allegations, ABC Plumbing defended its decades-long reputation in the Chicago area.

“ABC Plumbing, Sewer, Heating, Cooling and Electric has become aware through media reports of a complaint reportedly filed by the Illinois Attorney General’s Office,” the company said in a statement on Sept. 3. “We have not yet received the complaint nor have we had an opportunity to review its allegations, and we will respond at the appropriate time.”

The company added: “For more than 70 years, ABC has served Chicago-area homeowners and earned their trust by operating with integrity. We value the relationships we have built with hundreds of thousands of clients and the more than 25,000 five-star reviews they have shared about their experiences with ABC, and we continue to serve them faithfully every day.”

The state’s lawsuit also claims that when ABC completed the overpriced work, it was frequently sloppy, incomplete and sometimes performed by unlicensed technicians.

The allegations regarding unlicensed workers drew sharp criticism from local organized labor.

“No homeowner should be taken advantage of when dealing with a plumbing emergency — especially the most vulnerable among us,” said James F. Coyne, business manager of the Chicago Plumbers Union, Local 130, UA. Coyne praised the attorney general’s office for enforcing the state’s plumbing license law, noting that his union’s professionals are required to complete a five-year apprenticeship and annual continuing education.

Through the lawsuit, the state is seeking a permanent injunction to prevent future violations, the rescission of all contracts entered into under the alleged unlawful practices, and civil monetary penalties.

ABC Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electric is located on Campus Drive in Arlington Heights and provides residential plumbing, sewer, HVAC and electrical services throughout the greater Chicago metropolitan area.

Chicago Construction News staff writer

Four local development teams have been selected to build 30 new Missing Middle housing projects on vacant City-owned lots in Chicago’s South Chicago and West Englewood neighborhoods.The projects represent a combined investment of approximately $27.6 million and will deliver new two- and three-flat residential buildings while creating opportunities for homeownership in areas that have experienced prolonged disinvestment and demolition.

The selected development teams are:

• 75 Development — $6.8 million to construct eight two-flats on the 8400 block of S. Baker Avenue in South Chicago.
• Vazquez Housing Development — $6.2 million to construct five two-flats on the 8300 block of S. Buffalo Avenue in South Chicago.
• Blazer Jones — $5.2 million to construct four two-flats and two three-flats on the 8400 block of S. Buffalo Avenue in South Chicago.
• Blueprint Ventures — $9.35 million to construct 11 two-flats in the 1700 block of W. 69th Street in West Englewood.

The teams were selected from 34 submissions received through a recent Request for Applications issued by Chicago’s Department of Planning and Development for Missing Middle housing in the two neighborhoods.The developments will convert vacant City-owned parcels into new residential construction, adding a total of 30 buildings and providing new housing units within established neighborhoods.

Under the program requirements, at least one unit in each building must be sold to an owner-occupant earning up to 140% of the area median income. For a two-person household, that income threshold is $134,400 annually.The program is designed to combine new residential construction with homeownership opportunities, allowing eligible buyers to acquire newly built homes and build equity as neighborhood development proceeds.

Developer assistance could include up to $150,000 per housing unit, along with the sale of each participating City-owned lot for $1. The assistance is intended to help keep purchase prices aligned with local market conditions.

Funding would come from Housing and Economic Development Bond proceeds, subject to approval by Chicago City Council.

Missing Middle housing generally consists of smaller-scale multifamily buildings containing two to six units. The housing type was once common throughout Chicago but has declined in many neighborhoods following decades of disinvestment and demolition.

The latest projects represent the fourth phase of Chicago’s Missing Middle housing initiative. The first three application rounds have more than 300 homes advancing in North Lawndale, Chatham, South Chicago, Morgan Park, McKinley Park, and East and West Garfield Park.

The new construction is part of a broader effort to return vacant residential properties to productive use while increasing the supply of smaller multifamily housing and expanding access to homeownership on Chicago’s South and West sides.

More information on the Missing Middle housing program and selected projects is available through Chicago’s Missing Middle housing program.

Chicago Construction News staff writer

The construction industry had 326,000 job openings on the last day of July, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey.

“The construction job opening rate rose to the highest level in nearly two years in July,” said ABC Chief Economist Anirban Basu. “Contractor hiring also accelerated for the month, while layoff activity slowed. This meaningful improvement in labor demand is a function of insatiable demand for data centers and the accompanying strength in power-related construction.

“With contractors broadly optimistic about expanding their staffing levels over the next six months, according to ABC’s Construction Confidence Index, it’s possible that reemerging worker shortages will put upward pressure on labor costs over the next several months.”

JOLTS defines a job opening as any unfilled position for which an employer is actively recruiting. Industry job openings increased by 28,000 last month and are up by 21,000 from the same time last year.

Chicago Construction News staff writer

A group of Chicago business and civic leaders has unveiled plans for O’Hare Flyer, a privately funded airport express train that proponents say would provide a 15-minute connection between downtown Chicago and O’Hare International Airport.

The proposed service would operate on a dedicated track between a downtown station near the Old Post Office and a station at O’Hare Terminal 2. Trains would be battery-electric and operate every 15 minutes.

The project is expected to use existing freight rail rights-of-way owned by CSX, Canadian National and Union Pacific. O’Hare Flyer says it has reached an agreement on terms with CSX through a letter of intent and is continuing discussions with the other railroads.

“O’Hare Flyer will connect our world class downtown with our world class airport in fifteen minutes,” said Dave Lundy, founder and CEO of O’Hare Flyer. “This is a first-of-its-kind express train in the U.S. and will give Chicago a safe, reliable, world-class rider experience on a fast, whisper-quiet battery-electric train.”

The project is being developed as a private venture and is not seeking government subsidies or funding that would otherwise go to regional transit agencies such as the Chicago Transit Authority or Metra.

O’Hare Flyer said it has spent the past three years in exploratory development and has assembled engineering, legal, architecture, urban planning, design, marketing and public relations firms to support the project. Two of the Big Four accounting and consulting firms are also involved.

The proposed service would combine three existing freight rail rights-of-way to create a dedicated airport express route.

“By combining three existing but underused freight rights-of-way into a dedicated express rail service, we will create the best airport transportation experience in America — and one of the best in the world,” said Mark Walbrun, founder and chief engineering officer of O’Hare Flyer.

The company said the trains would include comfortable seating and luggage racks in every car. The battery-electric trains would recharge at the downtown and O’Hare stations.

Construction could create opportunities for Chicago-area contractors and union trades workers. O’Hare Flyer said it plans to work with local contractors and intends to execute a Project Labor Agreement with the Chicago and Cook County Building and Construction Trades Council.

“O’Hare Flyer will be a job creation engine and an investment in working families and communities across Greater Chicago,” said Mike Macellaio, president of the Chicago and Cook County Building and Construction Trades Council.

O’Hare Flyer and the Building and Construction Trades Council have signed a memorandum of understanding as an initial step toward a Project Labor Agreement, according to the project.

Kristi Lafleur, an O’Hare Flyer co-founder, said the project could support economic development by improving the connection between O’Hare and downtown.

The project team is targeting a launch within the next five years. It is currently meeting with public officials, business and finance groups, government representatives and community organizations and plans to expand outreach across the region.

Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Jack Lavin said the proposed connection could improve access between O’Hare and downtown for business travelers and visitors.

“O’Hare Flyer will be a game-changer, creating a faster, more reliable connection between the airport and downtown,” Lavin said.

World Business Chicago has also worked with the project team during its development.

The proposed rail service would add another transportation option between downtown and one of the region’s largest transportation hubs while using existing freight rail corridors rather than building an entirely new rail alignment.

Chicago Construction News staff writer

Construction of the new Tazewell County Justice Center Annex has reached a major milestone with the topping-out of the 87,000-sq. ft facility in downtown Pekin.Wold Architects and Engineers and P.J. Hoerr Inc. Construction joined Tazewell County representatives and other project team members last week for a topping-out ceremony marking the completion of the building’s structural frame.

The new Justice Center Annex is designed to provide modern and secure court operations while maintaining the county’s presence in downtown Pekin. The facility is located across from the historic Tazewell County Courthouse.

The building will open with three criminal courtrooms, with shelled space available for the eventual construction of three additional courtrooms. The larger courtrooms will be accompanied by improved spaces for judges and jurors.

The annex will be connected to the adjacent Justice Center and county jail through an underground tunnel designed to allow the secure movement of people in custody to and from court.

The facility also will house the State’s Attorney, Probation and Circuit Clerk’s offices, bringing several justice-related functions into one location.

A key feature of the design is the separation of circulation routes for judges and staff, the public, and people in custody. The three-way separation is intended to improve security and efficiency compared with operations in the existing facilities.

The building’s exterior is designed to combine a contemporary aesthetic with architectural influences from surrounding buildings, including the historic courthouse and existing Justice Center, helping the new facility fit into downtown Pekin.

The project is being delivered as new construction for Tazewell County, with completion anticipated in fall or winter 2026.

Wold is providing architecture and engineering services for the project, including electrical engineering. P.J. Hoerr Inc. is serving as the construction contractor.

Chicago Construction News staff writer

A new Illinois law will allow the state treasurer to invest in a housing fund that finances affordable and workforce housing projects, creating a potential new source of capital for housing construction and preservation across the state.

Gov. JB Pritzker signed Senate Bill 3086 into law after the measure received bipartisan support in the Illinois General Assembly. The law allows Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs to invest in the AFL-CIO Housing Investment Trust, which finances affordable and workforce housing while supporting union construction jobs.

“This new investment tool will help build homes, create good-paying jobs for Illinois workers, and earn a solid rate of return for Illinois taxpayers,” Frerichs said. “The HIT Fund is another example of how our investments can help move our state forward.”

The legislation aligns with Pritzker’s Building Up Illinois Developments, or BUILD, plan, which seeks to expand investment in development across the state.

“Illinois is putting its money to work in a responsible and beneficial way,” Pritzker said. “This effort expands investment opportunities that are good for Illinois’ taxpayers while also promoting new development. It also creates good-paying, union construction jobs, employing highly skilled trades workers across the state.”

The bill was sponsored by state Sen. Ram Villivalam, D-Chicago, and state Rep. Kevin Olickal, D-Skokie.

The law allows the treasurer to invest in private-placement fixed-income securities issued by qualified investment funds, including the AFL-CIO Housing Investment Trust.

Villivalam said the legislation will allow Illinois to support housing projects while maintaining safeguards for state investments.

“This legislation is about making sure Illinois can invest responsibly while also prioritizing projects built or rehabilitated by union labor,” Villivalam said. “By expanding access to investment trusts connected to the labor movement, we can help support projects that create union jobs while maintaining strong safeguards for the state’s investments.”

Olickal said the measure gives the state greater flexibility to make investments while supporting housing development.

The AFL-CIO Housing Investment Trust currently has nine projects under construction in Illinois that are expected to add 1,466 housing units. Nearly two-thirds of those units will be affordable housing, according to the organization.

The projects represent nearly $150 million in investment and include developments in Chicago, Aurora, Crystal Lake, Decatur and East Moline.

Chicago projects include Grace Manor, 400 Lake Shore, 6900 South Crandon, Imani Village Senior Residences and Willa Rawls Manor. Other projects include Fox Shore in Aurora; The Villager and Briarwood West in Crystal Lake; Southern Hills/Orlando in Decatur; and Two Towers in East Moline.

The trust said it has completed 125 projects and generated $8.4 billion in economic activity.

“Illinois taxpayers deserve competitive returns, and Illinois workers deserve a state that invests in them,” Illinois AFL-CIO President Tim Drea said. “This law delivers both.”

Chang Suh, chief executive officer and chief investment officer of AFL-CIO HIT, said the new investment authority will strengthen the fund’s ability to finance housing development.

“Investing in housing production and good jobs is an investment in the future of the State of Illinois,” Suh said. “The AFL-CIO Housing Investment Trust has a long and proven history of financing housing development responsibly and helping communities create opportunities for residents.”

The law gives the state treasurer another investment option while potentially directing additional capital toward housing production, preservation and community development.

Chicago Construction News staff writer

A church-led mixed-use development valued at $580 million has broken ground in Chicago’s Woodlawn neighborhood, with plans for hundreds of residential units, a hotel, commercial space and cultural facilities along the 63rd Street corridor.

The Apostolic Church of God, Bishop Byron T. Brazier, community leaders, elected officials and development partners held a ceremonial groundbreaking for Woodlawn Central, which will transform about eight acres surrounding the church into a walkable, mixed-use district.

When fully built out, Woodlawn Central is expected to include approximately 870 to 1,000 residential units, a hotel, retail and office space, cultural and performance facilities, an urban farm and green space.

The development is being self-developed by ACOG Ventures, the limited liability company of the Apostolic Church of God. J. Byron Brazier is the lead developer, with P3 Markets serving as a development partner. Bowa Construction has been named construction manager and community partner.

Gensler is the architect for the project.

The first phase represents an investment of approximately $134 million. It will include about 104 residential units, including approximately 22 affordable homes, an approximately 160-room boutique hotel, retail space and about 300 parking spaces, along with bicycle parking.

The first phase will feature two approximately 14-story towers connected by a shared podium.

“This is an important moment for Woodlawn and the entire South Side,” Mayor Brandon Johnson said. “Woodlawn knows what it means to be overlooked and to experience disinvestment, but today we are writing a different chapter defined by opportunity, stability, dignity and hope.”

Johnson said the development demonstrates that neighborhood investment can occur without displacing longtime residents while preserving the history, culture and institutions of Woodlawn.

“Woodlawn Central continues the legacy of bringing together housing, economic opportunity, businesses, jobs, hospitality and community spaces in a development designed to serve both the people who are here today and the generations who will follow,” Brazier said.

The development will be located near the Obama Presidential Center and the 63rd Street Metra station. Project plans call for a transit-oriented district with walkable streets, housing, retail and cultural spaces.

Woodlawn Central’s plans also include a 21,500-square-foot Black Box Theater, according to the project’s development website. The larger development is planned to include about 215,000 square feet of retail and office space and a 154-room hotel.

The project builds on the legacy of the late Bishop Arthur M. Brazier, a civil rights leader and longtime pastor of the Apostolic Church of God who advocated for economic development and neighborhood investment in Woodlawn.

Bowa Construction was brought onto the project as construction manager and community partner as part of a development partnership announced in 2025. At the time, project officials said Phase One would include a hotel, restoration and repurposing of the historic 63rd Street Metra headhouse and 140 mixed-income residential units.

The project has undergone changes since its initial announcement, including revisions to its overall development program and investment value. The current Woodlawn Central website describes an approximately 8-acre district with about 1.25 million square feet of planned development.

The development is expected to add housing, commercial activity, jobs and community amenities to the 63rd Street corridor while building on the Apostolic Church of God’s longstanding presence in Woodlawn.

Chicago Construction News staff writer

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has signed an executive order establishing new ethical procurement standards for companies seeking to do business with the city, including contractors and subcontractors.

Executive Order 2026-06 directs the city’s chief procurement officer to establish rules that could prohibit individuals and businesses with certain public integrity violations within the previous five years from entering into city contracts or subcontracts.

“Chicagoans work hard for their tax dollars, and they deserve to know those dollars are being used responsibly,” Johnson said. “This executive order is about raising the standard for who we do business with, increasing transparency, and making sure our purchasing power reflects the values of the people we serve.”

The executive order took effect immediately upon signing and filing with the Chicago City Clerk.

Prospective contractors will be required to certify that they comply with the standards and agree to continue complying throughout the term of a city contract. Violations could result in termination, suspension or debarment.

The order also establishes new disclosure requirements.

Within 60 days, contractors and subcontractors will be required to disclose certain information, including whether they have received more than $500,000 through contracts with government entities or law enforcement agencies during the previous five years and whether they have faced certain civil or administrative proceedings alleging excessive force, unlawful detention, unconstitutional policing, discrimination or other violations of federal or state civil rights laws.

Entities with more than $100,000 in city contracts also will be required to disclose workplace anti-discrimination and worker protection violations, board composition and charitable giving.

The city will make the disclosures public within 30 days of receiving them.

The order also establishes workplace notification requirements. Companies entering into new, renewed or extended city contracts will be required to notify employees working at Chicago workplaces of their rights under applicable workplace anti-discrimination laws, the Chicago Human Rights Ordinance and other workplace protections.

The city will develop additional guidance informing workers of their rights under workplace protections and the Fourth Amendment in situations involving potential immigration enforcement.

The executive order also creates an Ethical Procurement Standards Task Force to help develop additional criteria for evaluating vendor and contractor conduct.

Johnson will appoint up to 12 members with expertise in ethics, procurement integrity and the impacts of corruption and militarization on Chicago communities and the economy.

The task force will hold public hearings within 60 days of the order taking effect. Within 120 days, it will propose additional standards, including potential legislation or rulemaking, stronger whistleblower protections, worker-rights guidance and procedures for reviewing vendor compliance.

Within 150 days, the chief procurement officer will update relevant procurement rules, regulations and guidance to reflect the requirements of the order.

Chicago is the first major municipality in the country to join Not With Our Money, a national civic accountability initiative focused on public procurement, purchasing and pension dollars.