Yvette Shields

The Chicago Transit Authority has received a first time rating from Kroll Bond Rating Agency of AA on its upcoming sale of nearly $600 million of sales tax backed revenue bonds to fund capital projects.

Missouri is readying a roughly $90 million appropriation-backed refunding for sale next month with plans in the works to return next year with a rare new money issue for $200 million to fund a new mental health facility.

Detroit's bankruptcy court judge has delayed the scheduled start date for hearings on the city's confirmation plan by three weeks to Aug. 14.

Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn signed legislation Monday overhauling two of Chicago's struggling pension funds.

After a national search Columbia College Chicago has hired Michelle Gates to serve as president for business affairs and chief financial officer.

Detroit's hometown automakers pledged $26 million towards the Detroit Institute of Arts' $100 million share of the so-called "grand bargain" that's a key part of the city's plan to emerge from bankruptcy.

Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon announced his opposition to a ballot measure asking voters to approve a three-fourth cent sale tax hike to fund transportation projects.

Moody's Investors Service has downgraded Illinois-based Presence Health's rating one level to Baa2 due to ongoing operating pressures.

Chicago is awaiting word by a Monday deadline for Gov. Pat Quinn to act on legislation approved this spring overhauling two of the city's struggling pension funds.

The trustee for the bondholder-owned St. Louis convention center hotel complex plans to distribute on June 20 $32 million in funds to holders of $98 million in bonds, most of it coming from the newly-closed sale of the hotel.

The Chicago Park District is headed into the market with a $208 million new-money, refunding, and restructuring sale that helps lay the ground work for covering higher future pension contributions.

The Illinois General Assembly's failure to extend the 2011 income tax hike ahead of its partial expiration next year could negatively pressure the state's already weak credit rating, Moody's Investors Service warned.

While a new budget took center stage, Illinois lawmakers also capped their recent session with an expansion of infrastructure programs and passage of an overhaul for some Chicago pensions.

Illinois lawmakers wrapped up their spring session with passage of a new $1.1 billion capital plan for transportation projects and a $35.7 billion operating budget that relies on -one time fiscal maneuvers.

Moody's Investors Service revised its outlook on Illinois Wesleyan University's Baa1 rating to positive due to its improved operating performance.

Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon issued a proclamation setting the vote on a ballot question to amend the state constitution raising the sales tax to fund transportation projects for the Aug 5.

A power generating unit at the mostly bond-financed Prairie State Energy Campus in Illinois was damaged but the operating company said it should come back online by summer.

The Ramsey County, Minn. board of commissioners approved spending $10.55 million to purchase a sports complex financed with $27 million of now-defaulted bonds sold by Vadnais Heights.

Illinois' expected passage of a compromise budget that doesn't extend an expiring income tax hike and relies on one-shots to avoid deep cuts won't sit well with investors or rating agencies, market participants said Wednesday.

The Illinois General Assembly entered the final week of its spring session with the Democratic leadership focused on a budget that doesn’t rely on revenue from an expiring tax hike but also lacks deep cuts rejected by the House last week.