Yvette Shields

Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster sued 13 St. Louis County municipalities Thursday alleging violations of a state law that limits how much money they can make from court-related traffic fines.

Revenue and demand pressure on not-for-profit healthcare providers as they navigate federal healthcare reform will weigh down the sector for another year, Standard & Poor's said.

Michigan-based Trinity Health is acquiring the Connecticut-based Saint Francis Care in a deal that allows Trinity to expand its Northeastern footprint and gives Saint Francis improved access to capital.

Moody's Investors Service assigned a negative outlook to Batavia, Illinois electric system revenue bonds citing weakened coverage levels and concerns over political will to raise rates tied to its participation in the Prairie State coal-fired project.

Ferguson, Mo.'s use of reserves to paper over budget deficits prompted a warning from Moody's Investors Service that the city's Aa3 rating could face a downgrade.

A group of Chicago unions, employees and retirees sued Tuesday to overturn pension reforms approved earlier this year, a move that threatens to reverse strides in stabilizing two of the city's four pension funds and the city's credit ratings.

Ohio-based American Municipal Power Inc. – the largest public owner of the bond-financed Prairie State Energy Campus – plans to refund up to $646 million of debt tied to the controversial project that has angered some local municipal participants over its higher energy costs.

Missouri State Auditor Tom Schweich last week announced guidelines for his planned audit of 10 municipal court systems that includes Ferguson amid growing public and legislative concerns over abuses.

Operating gains prompted Moody's Investors Service to revise Iowa's UnityPoint health system's outlook to stable from negative.

Moody's Investors Service has revised Ohio-based Kenyon College's outlook to stable from negative on its A1 rating as the school's stronger performance in fiscal 2014 is expected to continue.

Illinois Gov.-elect Bruce Rauner has the legal authority to appoint a replacement to serve out the upcoming term of the late Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka, but Illinois lawmakers should hand the decision over to voters in 2016, Attorney General Lisa Madigan said.

The federal government has given Illinois and Indiana the go ahead to advance plans for a more than $1 billion bistate toll road both states hope to build with financing from a public-private partnership.

A federal judge in Chicago has signed off on Harvey, Ill.'s settlement with the Securities and Exchange Commission over charges it misled investors by diverting bond proceeds from their intended use.

The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago will bring as soon as Monday a $300 million sale that offers a mix of refunding securities and new-money designated as "green bonds" to fund projects including the mammoth deep tunnel project.

Seven St. Louis County local governments, including Ferguson, face litigation challenging the legality of their municipal court fees.

Squeezed for funds to finance transportation projects, Missouri is eyeing tolls to improve and expand Interstate 70.

Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton tapped his Department of Revenue Commissioner Myron Frans to replace Jim Schowalter in the state's top fiscal post at Minnesota Management and Budget, which oversees debt management.

The Illinois Supreme Court agreed Wednesday to an expedited review of Illinois' appeal of a lower court ruling overturning state pension reforms.

The Illinois Finance Authority board signed off Rush University Medical Center $600 million refunding and issues that will help finance Chicago Navy Pier's big overhaul and finance construction of a compressed natural gas station for Pace suburban bus service.

Illinois Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka, admired across party lines for her blunt nature and down-to-earth style, died early Wednesday after suffering a stroke. She was 70.