Despite rising costs and a tight labor pool, the Chicago construction industry continues to set caissons and raise cranes at a record pace. The Chicago Department of Buildings released its midyear report, which shows that permits and the number of cranes in the air are on pace to match 2016's numbers.

The Buildings Department approved 23,863 building permits through June 30. If that pace holds, the city will approve over 47,000 permits by the end of the year, exceeding the 46,929 permits issued last year. Through H1 2017, 49 cranes were in operation compared to 52 last year.

The Buildings Department spent the first half of the year issuing demolition permits like candy, approving 195 demolition permits through June 30. If that holds, that would more than double 2016's total of 378 permits. The activity is trickling down to building inspections, as well. The city conducted 108,795 inspections in H1 and is on pace to finish the year with over 217,000 inspections. Last year, the department conducted 207,809 inspections.