Yvette was a senior reporter, covering the Midwest. She earned a bachelors in journalism from Columbia College Chicago, began her reporting career at the storied City News Bureau of Chicago, and joined the Bond Buyer in 1997 leading Midwest coverage from her hometown Chicago.
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Ill. Gov. Pat Quinn last week formed an independent task force to review and recommend management and oversight reforms for the Chicago region's public transit system that could affect the future of the Regional Transportation Authority of Illinois.
August 19 -
The Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority last week hired Dorsey & Whitney and FTI Consulting to conduct a financial review of Minnesota Vikings owner Zygi Wilf and his real estate business after a New Jersey judge found a Wilf partnership guilty of fraud in a longstanding civil case.
August 19 -
The federal government's attempt to block bankrupt American Airlines' merger with US Airways Group Inc. could have a "marginally positive" impact on U.S. airports, Fitch Ratings said in a report.
August 16 - Ohio
Columbus Ohio will offer buyers high-grade paper beginning Monday when it takes retail orders on a $320 million sale of general obligation notes and bonds to cover its annual spending on capital projects.
August 16 -
The judge overseeing American Airlines' bankruptcy put confirmation of the carrier's restructuring plan on hold after the federal government moved to block its merger with US Airways Group.
August 16 -
A federal grand jury indicted former Ohio deputy treasurer Amer Ahmad, recently Chicago comptroller, on corruption charges of orchestrating a kickback scheme involving Ohio investment business.
August 16 -
In a blow to state pension reforms, a Michigan appellate panel struck down provisions in a 2011 law requiring a minimum contribution from state employees to remain in the state's defined benefit plan.
August 15 -
Two small revenue deals from Michigan — a state transportation refunding and a school district financing — found buyers this week at acceptable rates, breaking a logjam on issuance from the state following Detroit's bankruptcy filing.
August 15 - Illinois
The Chicago Park District enters the market as soon as Thursday with $162 million of general obligation bonds after being stung with double-notch downgrades from two rating agencies over its deteriorating pension fund and city relationship.
August 14 -
Fitch Ratings stripped Wayne County, Michigan's general obligation ratings of their investment grade over the county's rapidly deteriorating fiscal condition, in a five-notch superdowngrade.
August 13 -
The Justice Department and attorneys general from six states and the District of Columbia moved to block bankrupt American Airlines' proposed merger with US Airways under federal antitrust laws.
August 13 -
The Michigan Finance Authority will sell $92 million of state aid revenue notes for the Detroit Public School District next week in the first market offering to carry the Detroit name since the city's bankruptcy filing.
August 13 -
Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn has announced more than $70 million in capital grant funding for 115 hospitals across the state.
August 12 -
Moody's Investors Service hit seven of eight Illinois public universities with a downgrade Friday including the flagship University of Illinois in action that cuts more than $2 billion of rated debt primarily over exposure to the state's fiscal woes.
August 9 -
Standard & Poor's has pushed Proctor Hospital's rating deeper into junk bond territory, lowering it to BB-minus from BB-plus and warning of the potential for further deterioration by assigning a negative outlook due to its poor cash position.
August 9 - Minnesota
Minnesota Municipal Power plans to enter the market in the coming days with a $20 million sale of electric revenue bonds to help finance a bioEnergy project.
August 9 -
The privately owned Branson Airport LLC in Missouri --which is in default on its $113 million of municipal debt -- has filed a lawsuit against a group of airport contractors accusing them of faulty work.
August 8 -
The City Colleges of Chicago has picked a banking team led by Jefferies for its inaugural sale of $250 million of debt that's on track to sell in September or October.
August 7 - Illinois
Chicago leaders faced bond investors and analysts in the week after a three-notch downgrade to the city's debt and after Detroit's bankruptcy raised fears about big-city finances, debt and pension funding.
August 6 -
Moody's Investors Service has revised its outlook on Fairview Health Services' A3 rating to stable from negative in recognition of its improved operations.
August 5