CHICAGO—High-tech jobs have become increasingly important to the office market in many cities, and Chicago continues to garner more than its share of the sector's expansion. Mayor Rahm Emanuel said yesterday that 14 local tech companies will add more than 1,000 jobs in Chicago during 2017. The mayor leaves for Europe today where he will promote Chicago as a tech and innovation hub.

“Chicago's growing tech economy is among the strongest in the world because it leverages the strength of our diverse economy,” the mayor said. “The companies here today, which will create more than 1,000 jobs this year alone, represent some of the most innovative businesses in Chicago's emerging tech community.”

According to Chicago-based JLL, tech remains the US office sector's dominant industry, capturing 24.2% of leasing volume during the first quarter. In comparison, finance and insurance represented 14.2% of the first quarter's leasing volume. The tech industry has held the top spot for several years now. In 2016, for example, JLL found that in the previous two years, 63% of the tech leases involved expansions, compared to about 48% of leases overall.