Yvette Shields

Strong double-digit investment returns in fiscal 2013 couldn’t stave off funding deterioration for some of the 11 pension funds that cover Chicago area governments and local government employees throughout the state.

Moody's Investors Service Monday revised its outlook to stable from negative on two Illinois-based health systems in recognition of the benefits of their year-old move to join forces.

The Metropolitan Pier & Exposition Authority signed off a $564 million contract to design and build a new convention center hotel and events center that will house an arena for DePaul University's Blue Demons basketball team.

Moody's Investors Service has revised Wisconsin-based ProHealth Care Inc.'s outlook to negative after several years of softening operating results.

A task force examining the needs and funding options for Milwaukee's cultural institutions is floating a sales tax hike to fund capital improvements for regional attractions with the notable exceptions of a new arena for the Milwaukee Bucks and convention center expansion.

Illinois-based Advocate Health Care Network is planning a refunding in the coming weeks of up to $365 million.

The Illinois State Toll Highway Authority returns to the market Tuesday with a $270 million senior lien revenue bond sale for savings.

A lower court ruling throwing out Illinois' pension reforms isn't expected to trigger any immediate negative credit action or legislative moves, as all eyes turn to the Illinois Supreme Court.

Wisconsin faces a $2.2 billion gap headed into the next two-year budget cycle, up $400 million from previous estimates.

Illinois' landmark pension reform law is headed to the Illinois Supreme Court following a lower court decision Friday that the benefit cuts violate the state constitution.

Calling the state's fiscal condition "stunningly bad," Illinois Gov.-elect Bruce Rauner called on Gov. Pat Quinn to freeze hiring and not move political appointees into union protected jobs.

Local county officials in Illinois will be offered special financial training on how to protect their coffers from corrupt fiscal practices similar to what happened in Dixon, Ill. where the comptroller stole more than $50 million in public money.

Wisconsin could win an upgrade if recent budgetary and liquidity strides remain on course and result in a stronger balance sheet and reserves, Moody's Investors Service said in shifting the state's general obligation outlook to positive.

Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon tasked a newly formed commission with advising him on social and economic policy changes in the aftermath of violent protests in Ferguson Missouri sparked by the police shooting of an unarmed civilian.

The Chicago Transit Authority's $1.4 billion 2015 budget won the endorsement of the Civic Federation of Chicago in recognition of the agency's fiscal strides.

Annual income taxes Wisconsin receives from Milwaukee Bucks basketball players and team employees would cover repayment of $150 million of 20-year state general obligation backed bonds for a new stadium, according to the nonpartisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau.

The Chicago City Council approved new rules that require underwriting, advisory, and legal firms that work on Chicago bond deals to report the racial, ethnic and gender makeup of the teams on their transactions.

The Chicago City Council adopted Mayor Rahm Emanuel's $7.3 billion 2015 budget that pushes off a fix for a pension-related fiscal cliff until after next year's municipal elections.

Some Chicago aldermen want the SEC and city inspector general to investigate campaign contributions to Mayor Rahm Emanuel from executives at firms with city pension business.

Underwriting, advisory, and legal firms that work on Chicago bond deals would face heightened disclosure rules about the diversity of their teams working on a transaction under a proposed ordinance.