Building Knowledge

The newsletter of the ISBA’s Section on Construction Law

ISBA Members, please login to join this section

2024 Articles

Artificial Intelligence Impacts All Areas of the Law, Including Commercial Banking, Collections, and Bankruptcy By Judge Michael Chmiel October 2024 A look at how artificial intelligence will impact the areas of commercial banking, collections, and bankruptcy law.
Be Careful What You Ask For: The Perils of Overstating the Amount Due on a Mechanic’s Lien By Kendall E. Woods May 2024 Although a powerful tool to help contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers, mechanic's liens are nevertheless fraught with peril for the unwary if they are not perfected.
Burrink Commercial Services v. New Life Covenant Church By Samuel H. Levine May 2024 In Burrink Commercial Services v. New Life Covenant Church, the appellate court dismissed a complaint to foreclose a mechanics lien as factually insufficient because the complaint improperly characterized two contracts as one.
Contractor Paid Twice After Sending First Payment to Scammer By Paul Peterson October 2024 A summary of the May, 2024, case, United States for the Use and Benefit of Jay Worch Electric, LLC. v. Atlantic Specialty Ins. Co.  
Editor’s Note By Samuel H. Levine May 2024 An introduction to the issue from the editor.
Editor’s Note By Samuel H. Levine April 2024 An introduction to the issue from the editor.
Editor’s Note—Be Careful Out There By Samuel H. Levine October 2024 A note from the editor.
The First-to-Breach Doctrine and Its Exception By Howard W. Feldman April 2024 In June 2023, the Illinois Supreme Court rendered a decision in PML Development, LLC v. The Village of Hawthorne Woods, which clarified the law when there are cross contractual defaults and continued performance.
Illinois Passes “Wage Protection” Law Targeting General Contractors By Daniel G. Rosenberg October 2024 On June 10, Governor J.B. Pritzker signed into law an amendment to the Illinois Wage Payment and Collection Act making general contractors (or trade contractors that themselves have subcontractors) liable for the wages of their subcontractors' employees. 
Partial Lien Waiver Dilemma By Mark B. Grzymala April 2024 An overview of the issues that can arise when a contractor or subcontractor provides a partial lien waiver.
Shepherd Real Estate Subsidiary, LLC-1901 Halsted Series v. Commonwealth Edison Co. By Ryanne Bush Dent May 2024 In Shepherd Real Estate Subsidiary, LLC-1901 Halsted Series v. Commonwealth Edison Co., the appellate court affirmed the trial court's award of lost profits on the plaintiff's trespass claims.
Venue and Applicable Law in Construction Disputes in Illinois By James M. Dash April 2024 Unless told otherwise, a contractor who works on a project probably expects that, if a dispute arises out of its compliance with the contract or payment thereunder, the dispute will be heard locally and will be governed by local law.