Illinois’ construction industry continues to show strength, with commercial building construction projected at $11.8 billion in 2025 and construction earnings reaching roughly $31 billion as of July 2024. The state contributes approximately 12% to the national construction market, which is expected to exceed $2 trillion in 2025.
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While the industry faces challenges including regulatory complexity and workforce shortages, Illinois construction firms report positive outlooks for private office (+50%), lodging (+45%), and multifamily residential (+50%) sectors. Here are the leading construction companies in Chicago and across Illinois, based on revenue data from Engineering News-Record’s 2024 Midwest Top Contractors list.
Top construction companies in Chicago and Illinois
The following companies represent the largest construction firms operating in Chicago and throughout Illinois. Combined, these 15 companies generated more than $34.7 billion in regional revenue in 2023.
| Rank | Company | 2023 Revenue (millions) | Headquarters |
| 1 | The Walsh Group | $7,690.6 | Chicago |
| 2 | JE Dunn Construction Co. | $7,428.0 | Chicago |
| 3 | Clayco | $6,840.0 | Chicago |
| 4 | Clune Construction | $2,238.0 | Chicago |
| 5 | J.T. Magen & Co. Inc. | $1,888.0 | Chicago |
| 6 | Pepper Construction | $1,649.1 | Chicago |
| 7 | Power Construction Co. LLC | $1,343.3 | Chicago |
| 8 | W.E. O’Neil Construction Co. | $1,260.0 | Chicago |
| 9 | Sjostrom & Sons Inc. | $1,173.0 | Rockford |
| 10 | F.H. Paschen | $977.7 | Chicago |
| 11 | Bulley & Andrews | $655.0 | Chicago |
| 12 | Leopardo Construction | $512.6 | Hoffman Estates |
| 13 | Executive Construction Inc. | $415.0 | Hillside |
| 14 | River City Construction LLC | $363.0 | East Peoria |
| 15 | Berglund Construction Co. | $341.0 | Chicago |
Leading construction companies in Chicago and Illinois by revenue
Based on ENR Midwest regional revenue data, these are the top construction firms operating in Chicago and throughout Illinois, ranked by their 2023 revenue:
1. The Walsh Group
2023 regional revenue: $7,690.6 million
The Walsh Group is a fourth-generation family-owned construction management service company founded in Chicago in 1898. The company has grown to become one of the largest contractors in the United States while maintaining its Chicago headquarters.
The Walsh Group provides comprehensive services including preconstruction, design-build, public-private partnership management, maintenance, and lean construction. With a focus on heavy civil, infrastructure, and building sectors, the company works on transportation, water, and public works projects throughout the nation.
2. JE Dunn Construction Co.
2023 regional revenue: $7,428.0 million
Founded in 1924 in Kansas City, Missouri, by John Ernest Dunn, JE Dunn Construction maintains a significant presence in Chicago as part of its 26 offices nationwide. The company has grown to become the eighth-largest domestic general building contractor in the United States.
JE Dunn has been named a US Best Managed Company by Deloitte Private and The Wall Street Journal for six consecutive years, achieving Gold Standard status multiple times from 2020 to 2025. The company provides construction management, general contracting, design-build, and program management services, with self-perform capabilities in concrete and masonry. They serve healthcare, mission critical (data centers), advanced industries, higher education, industrial and manufacturing, hospitality, and commercial sectors.
3. Clayco
2023 regional revenue: $6,840.0 million
Clayco was founded in 1984 by Bob Clark in St. Louis and moved its headquarters to Chicago in 2013. The company has expanded from a small office to a national firm with 6 affiliates and more than 2,800 employees.
Clayco has received numerous accolades including multiple-time Engineering News-Record Midwest Contractor of the Year (most recently in 2024 and 2021) and ranking #4 in ENR’s Top 100 Design-Build Firms. The company provides full-service turnkey real estate development, architecture, engineering, design-build, and construction services. They specialize in design-build distribution centers and industrial facilities, with strong focuses on innovation, safety, sustainability, and diversity.
4. Clune Construction
2023 regional revenue: $2,238.0 million
Clune Construction is an employee-owned construction company founded in Chicago in 1997. The company employs more than 600 professionals in six offices throughout the United States.
Founded by Mike Clune with the intention of creating a family-like bond between all employees, the company provides construction management, virtual construction, and sustainability planning services. Clune Construction specializes in commercial construction including office buildings, healthcare, educational institutions, and mixed-use developments.
5. J.T. Magen & Co. Inc.
2023 regional revenue: $1,888.0 million
J.T. Magen & Co. is a Chicago-based construction firm recognized for interior and commercial construction. The company has established itself as a leader in major office, retail, and hospitality projects in urban centers like Chicago and New York.
While specific company history and awards were not detailed in available sources, J.T. Magen has built a strong reputation for complex interior construction projects and commercial developments throughout the Chicago metropolitan area and beyond.
6. Pepper Construction
2023 regional revenue: $1,649.1 million
Pepper Construction was founded in Chicago in 1920 and has operated for over a century. The company is routinely recognized as one of the leading contractors in Chicago.
Pepper Construction was named Interior Contractor of the Year at the 32nd Annual Chicago Commercial Real Estate Awards. The company provides full-service construction management and general contracting with focus on civic, corporate, entertainment, healthcare, higher education, hospitality, and manufacturing sectors throughout Illinois.
7. Power Construction Co. LLC
2023 regional revenue: $1,343.3 million
Power Construction is a family-owned construction company founded in Chicago in 1926. The company remains dedicated to serving the Chicago community and contributes more than 2,000 volunteer hours annually to local organizations in Northern Illinois.
Power Construction provides commercial construction services with expertise in educational, healthcare, commercial, and industrial sectors. Their areas of focus include science, aviation, education, healthcare, hospitality, luxury residences, multifamily residences, and senior living facilities.
8. W.E. O’Neil Construction Co.
2023 regional revenue: $1,260.0 million
Founded in 1925 by W.E. O’Neil in Chicago, W.E. O’Neil Construction remains family-led for four generations. The company now has locations across the United States including Los Angeles, Tucson, Phoenix, and Chicago, built on a “hands-on” leadership philosophy emphasizing integrity and employee care.
W.E. O’Neil has received multiple awards including Project of the Year (Cisco), HREI Insights Award (Healthcare Real Estate Insights, 2020), A+ Design Award, and ENR Mountain States Best Project Award for Renovation & Restoration. The company provides construction management, general contracting, and design-build services with wide sector experience including healthcare, commercial, and multi-family projects.
9. Sjostrom & Sons Inc.
2023 regional revenue: $1,173.0 million
Sjostrom & Sons is based in Rockford, Illinois, and has established itself as a major regional contractor. While specific historical details were not available in search results, the company is known for general contracting and construction management services.
Sjostrom & Sons has built a reputation for work in healthcare, institutional, commercial, and public infrastructure projects throughout Illinois and the surrounding region.
10. F.H. Paschen
2023 regional revenue: $977.7 million
F.H. Paschen is an industry leader in Illinois’ infrastructure construction and rehabilitation space. Based in Chicago, the company has a long-standing presence in heavy civil and building construction.
F.H. Paschen has received numerous awards including General Contractor of the Year from the Federation of Women Contractors, Most Inclusive Prime Contractor of the Year from the Maryland Washington Minority Companies Association, and Contractor of the Year from the African-American Contractor’s Association. The company provides pre-construction, building information modeling, self-perform capabilities, LEED construction, and value engineering services, with recognized expertise in complex projects such as infrastructure, bridges, and healthcare facilities.
11. Bulley & Andrews
2023 regional revenue: $655.0 million
Bulley & Andrews has built and restored historic and contemporary buildings in Chicago for generations. The company is known for innovative, solution-driven approaches and maintains a strong team-focused culture.
Bulley & Andrews specializes in complex renovations and restoration, particularly of historic properties. The company provides construction management and general contracting services, with a focus on aligning design visions with construction costs and problem-solving for challenging projects. They played a key role in significant restoration projects such as the Belden-Stratford in Chicago.
12. Leopardo Construction
2023 regional revenue: $512.6 million
Leopardo Construction is based in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, serving the Chicago metropolitan area and beyond. The company has established itself as a reputable contractor known for general contracting and construction management services.
While specific details about awards and history were not available in search results, Leopardo Construction is recognized for work in healthcare, institutional, commercial, and public infrastructure projects throughout the region.
13. Executive Construction Inc.
2023 regional revenue: $415.0 million
Executive Construction Inc. was founded in the Chicagoland area and has over 40 years of commercial general contractor experience. Based in Hillside, Illinois, the company has constructed more than 70 million square feet of projects.
Executive Construction was named CFMA (Construction Financial Management Association) Chicago Chapter’s Contractor of the Year. The company specializes in new construction, tenant interiors, and data center buildouts, with projects typically ranging from $10,000 to $60 million in size.
14. River City Construction LLC
2023 regional revenue: $363.0 million
River City Construction is based in East Peoria, Illinois, providing construction services throughout the state. While specific company details were not available in search results, River City Construction has established itself as a significant regional contractor.
The company is known for general contracting and construction management services, working on various commercial and infrastructure projects in central Illinois and beyond.
15. Berglund Construction Co.
2023 regional revenue: $341.0 million
Berglund Construction is a Chicago-based contractor that has built a solid reputation in the local construction market. While specific historical details and awards were not available in search results, the company provides general contracting and construction management services.
Berglund Construction is recognized for work in healthcare, institutional, commercial, and public infrastructure projects throughout the Chicago metropolitan area.
Chicago and Illinois construction market overview
These 15 companies represent a combined regional revenue of more than $34.7 billion. Chicago-based firms account for $32.7 billion of this total, while other Illinois-based companies contribute $2.0 billion.
The companies range from The Walsh Group and JE Dunn Construction at over $7 billion each in revenue to Berglund Construction at $341 million. Each firm brings different specializations to Illinois’ construction market, from heavy civil infrastructure and data centers to historic renovations and interior buildouts.
Illinois construction firms navigate a complex regulatory environment with strict building codes while managing rising costs and workforce challenges. According to Bridgit’s 2025 State of Workforce Planning report, 93% of construction leaders report that labor shortages are impacting operations, with 43% experiencing increased costs due to these shortages.
Despite these challenges, 75% of construction leaders believe workforce planning software can effectively address labor shortage issues. For construction companies looking to optimize workforce planning and project delivery in this competitive environment, solutions like Bridgit provide the tools needed to manage resources efficiently. As Chicago and Illinois’ construction sector continues adapting to market conditions, these companies demonstrate the variety of approaches and specializations serving the state’s construction needs.
For more articles about North American construction companies and construction management processes, visit the Bridgit blog.
