Nonprofit will use funds from lumber company to build beds for children in need. 

Illinois recently joined a string of states around the United States to enact a law that alters the rules for drafting construction contracts. Governor Jay Robert Pritzker signed Public Act 101-0432 into law, which limits the amount of permissible retainage clients can withhold from payments to contractors on construction projects.

Think your inbox looks scary? Think again. The U.S Department of Labor (DOL) has received more than 300,000 comments in response to its proposed changes to its federal program for apprenticeships. Many of those comments came from employees in the construction industry.

Still catching up from the long weekend? We’re right there with ya. While we’re moving slow, let’s talk about something that doesn’t—high-speed light rails. Here are updates on four rail projects currently in process: 

The United States Department of Labor (USDOL) has awarded nearly $1.5 million in grant funding to organizations in Illinois, Virginia and Wisconsin to help recruit, train and retain more women in quality pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship programs. The grants will help women pursue careers in manufacturing, infrastructure, cybersecurity, health care and other industries. Details here. 

Epiroc, a productivity partner for the mining and infrastructure industries, has introduced the Mining and Construction USA blog, a new information hub for the two industries. Visitors will discover content designed to help their operations increase productivity, safety and cost efficiency. They will also read about how to use latest advancements in technology to their full potential. More details here.