It's no coincidence that the two largest projects to break ground in the Midwest last year involved Illinois road work. Employment conditions are dire in Illinois, and lawmakers of every stripe agree improved roads and infrastructure will not only make the state more competitive but create thousands of construction jobs.
The combined value of the two projects—the new Elgin-O'Hare Expressway and a rebuild of I-90, a northeast artery—is $5.6 billion, and Illinois is only getting started.