After faltering in June, construction employment in Illinois showed signs of improvement in July, adding 2,000 jobs, a 1% increase, in month-to-month comparisons, according to data compiled by Arlington, Va.-based Associated General Contractors of America (AGC). Illinois also added 9,200 jobs, a 4% increase, in year-over-year comparisons for July, for a total of 211,200 jobs statewide.
Michigan lost 1,500 construction jobs between June and July, but continues to rank among the nation's top gainers in year-over-year comparisons, having added 12,400 jobs, an 8.7% increase, for a total of 154,900 jobs in July. On a percentage basis, only Arkansas, Idaho, Nevada, Washington and Michigan added more jobs on a percentage basis over the same period.