Fallout from Obama Center construction issues

Fallout from Obama Center construction issues

From Crain's Daily Gist by Crain's Chicago Business

June 12, 2026 · 24 min · Episode 1474

About this episode

The episode discusses the challenges faced by local contractors due to delays and cost overruns in the Obama Presidential Center project.

The Obama Presidential Center was meant to lift up local contractors. Some say they’re paying a high price for the project’s delays and cost overruns. Crain’s commercial real estate reporter Danny Ecker talks with host Amy Guth about how some contractors say they’re fighting to collect millions of dollars in unpaid bills. Plus: Illinois joins states’ challenge to Trump’s anti-DEI contract rules, CME plans to offer 24/7 oil and gold contracts, Prada’s Oak Street flagship building up for sale and Chicago gets one more shot at fixing the parking-meter mess.

People in this episode

Host: Amy Guth

Guest: Danny Ecker

Topics covered

  • Obama Presidential Center
  • contractors
  • construction issues
  • cost overruns
  • Illinois legislation
  • CME contracts
  • real estate

Keywords

  • Obama Center
  • contractors
  • construction delays
  • cost overruns
  • Illinois
  • CME
  • Prada
  • Chicago
  • parking meters

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Obama Presidential Center, Illinois, CME, Prada

Places: Chicago

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