Top 20 General Contractors in Illinois

The Illinois construction market continues to expand through commercial developments, infrastructure upgrades, healthcare facilities, industrial projects, and residential growth. Leading general contractors in Illinois play a critical role in delivering complex projects across Chicago and communities statewide. This list highlights twenty of the state’s most established contractors based on market presence, project experience, service capabilities, and contributions to the Illinois construction industry.

Illinois Construction Industry Overview

Illinois remains one of the Midwest’s largest construction markets, supported by Chicago’s commercial sector, transportation networks, manufacturing base, and growing demand for modern facilities. The state’s contractors work across healthcare, education, logistics, residential, industrial, and public infrastructure sectors. Major construction firms in Illinois increasingly use technologies such as Building Information Modeling (BIM), digital project management, and sustainable construction practices to improve efficiency, safety, and project outcomes.

Top 20 General Contractors in Illinois

1. Clayco

Clayco is one of the largest construction companies in Illinois, providing design-build, engineering, and construction services. Based in Chicago, the company serves commercial, industrial, healthcare, residential, and mission-critical markets. Clayco has completed major Illinois projects including manufacturing facilities, logistics centers, corporate offices, and mixed-use developments. The contractor serves Chicago, Joliet, Aurora, Naperville, and other Illinois communities, with expertise in fast-track project delivery.

2. Turner Construction Company

Turner Construction maintains a strong Illinois presence through large-scale commercial construction and construction management services. The company works on healthcare facilities, universities, aviation projects, sports venues, and high-rise buildings. Turner has completed numerous Chicago developments, including office towers, institutional facilities, and infrastructure improvements. Its Illinois operations serve metropolitan Chicago and surrounding areas with expertise in sustainable construction and advanced project management.

3. Walsh Construction

Walsh Construction is a Chicago-based contractor recognized for transportation, infrastructure, healthcare, and commercial construction. The company has delivered major Illinois projects involving highways, transit systems, airports, hospitals, and educational facilities. Walsh serves clients throughout Illinois, including Chicago, Springfield, Rockford, and suburban markets. Its experience with complex public and private projects makes it one of the best general contractors in Illinois.

4. Pepper Construction

Pepper Construction provides construction management, general contracting, and design-build services throughout Illinois. The company specializes in healthcare, higher education, life sciences, commercial buildings, and industrial projects. Pepper has completed projects for universities, hospitals, research facilities, and corporate clients across Chicago and surrounding communities. Its focus on collaboration, safety, and sustainable construction supports long-term client relationships.

5. McHugh Construction

McHugh Construction has helped shape Chicago’s skyline through decades of high-rise, residential, hospitality, and commercial projects. The company specializes in concrete construction, mixed-use developments, luxury residential buildings, and institutional facilities. McHugh serves Chicago and surrounding Illinois markets, completing projects such as residential towers, hotels, office buildings, and complex urban developments.

6. Power Construction

Power Construction is an employee-owned contractor specializing in commercial construction throughout Illinois. The company delivers healthcare facilities, schools, office buildings, cultural projects, and residential developments. Power has completed projects for hospitals, universities, and corporate clients across the Chicago region. Its expertise includes preconstruction planning, construction management, and complex renovation projects.

7. Leopardo Companies

Leopardo Companies provides general contracting, construction management, and design-build services across Illinois. The company serves commercial, healthcare, education, hospitality, municipal, and residential markets. Leopardo has completed schools, hospitals, corporate offices, retail centers, and multifamily developments throughout the state. Its experience in sustainable construction and complex renovations has strengthened its position among Illinois general contractors.

8. Bulley & Andrews

Bulley & Andrews is one of Illinois’ oldest construction firms, delivering projects since the early 1900s. The company specializes in commercial construction, healthcare, education, cultural facilities, and historic restoration. Its Illinois portfolio includes museums, universities, hospitals, and institutional buildings. Based in Chicago, Bulley & Andrews serves clients throughout the state with expertise in preservation and modern construction.

9. W.E. O’Neil Construction

W.E. O’Neil Construction provides general contracting and construction management services for commercial and institutional projects. The company works across healthcare, hospitality, education, residential, and corporate markets. Its Illinois projects include hotels, schools, medical facilities, and office developments. The contractor serves Chicago and suburban communities while focusing on quality control and client collaboration.

10. F.H. Paschen

F.H. Paschen is a Chicago-based contractor specializing in building construction, infrastructure, and public projects. The company has completed transportation facilities, airports, schools, healthcare buildings, and government projects throughout Illinois. Its service areas include Chicago, Springfield, Peoria, and statewide markets. F.H. Paschen is recognized for handling complex public-sector construction projects.

11. Skender

Skender is an innovative Chicago construction firm specializing in healthcare, commercial, residential, and modular construction. The company uses technology-driven approaches to improve project delivery and efficiency. Skender has completed hospitals, office renovations, apartment developments, and mixed-use projects across Illinois. Its focus on innovation makes it one of the most forward-thinking construction firms in Illinois.

12. Berglund Construction

Berglund Construction provides construction management and general contracting services for healthcare, aviation, education, municipal, and commercial projects. The company has completed airport improvements, schools, public facilities, and healthcare renovations throughout Illinois. Berglund serves Chicago and northern Illinois markets with expertise in occupied facility upgrades and complex construction environments.

13. Gilbane Building Company

Gilbane is a national contractor with significant operations in Illinois. The company provides construction management, design-build, and general contracting services for healthcare, education, government, and commercial projects. Its Illinois portfolio includes universities, laboratories, hospitals, and institutional developments. Gilbane serves Chicago and statewide clients through experienced project teams.

14. Mortenson

Mortenson delivers construction services for healthcare, technology, renewable energy, sports, and commercial developments. The company has completed Illinois projects involving medical facilities, corporate buildings, and technology-related infrastructure. Mortenson serves the Chicago market while applying advanced construction technologies, sustainability practices, and integrated project delivery methods.

15. The Boldt Company

The Boldt Company specializes in industrial, healthcare, manufacturing, and institutional construction. Its Illinois projects include hospital expansions, manufacturing facilities, and educational buildings. The company serves northern and central Illinois markets with expertise in prefabrication, lean construction, and complex project execution.

16. Ryan Companies

Ryan Companies provides development, design, engineering, and construction services. The firm works on industrial facilities, multifamily housing, healthcare buildings, retail centers, and office developments. Ryan has completed logistics centers and commercial projects throughout northern Illinois, particularly around Chicago’s expanding industrial corridors.

17. ARCO/Murray

ARCO/Murray is a leading commercial contractor specializing in industrial, manufacturing, distribution, and office projects. The company has completed warehouses, production facilities, and logistics centers throughout Illinois. Its service areas include Chicago and major industrial markets such as Joliet and Rockford.

18. Lendlease

Lendlease delivers construction and development services for residential, commercial, healthcare, and mixed-use projects. The company has contributed to major Chicago developments, including urban residential and commercial projects. Lendlease serves metropolitan Illinois markets with expertise in complex city construction and sustainable development.

19. Kiewit Building Group

Kiewit Building Group combines commercial construction expertise with extensive infrastructure experience. The company works on industrial facilities, transportation projects, utilities, and public infrastructure throughout Illinois. Its technical capabilities support large-scale projects requiring advanced engineering and construction management expertise.

20. Barton Malow

Barton Malow provides construction services for healthcare, education, manufacturing, energy, and industrial markets. The company has completed Illinois projects involving hospitals, universities, and manufacturing facilities. Barton Malow serves clients across the state through construction management, design-build, and technology-driven project delivery solutions.

Closing Thoughts

The leading general contractors in Illinois continue to influence the state’s economic growth by delivering major commercial, residential, industrial, and infrastructure projects. From Chicago high-rises to statewide developments, these contractors provide the expertise required for complex construction challenges. Their experience, technical capabilities, and diverse project portfolios position them among the top construction companies in Illinois.