Yvette Shields

Chicago has reached a settlement with St. John United Church of Christ that includes a $1.3 million payment for church land that had housed a cemetery moved to make way for a new runway at O'Hare.

Columbus, Ohio, Auditor Hugh J. Dorrian intends to ask for authority to refund up to $475 million of Build America Bonds and recovery zone economic development bonds if federal subsidies are cut under sequestration or in a deal to avoid the fiscal cliff.

The Illinois State Toll Authority board has approved a $1.5 billion budget for the coming year along with $1 billion in toll-backed bonds in the agency's first borrowing to support its 15-year $12 billion capital program.

Women in Public Finance will honor three professionals next month in Chicago at the national organization's 7th annual founders' awards.

Kansas City, Mo., plans to launch construction of a streetcar system next year using a bond financing plan designed to protect the city's general budget from project shortfalls.

Moody's has downgraded Rochester, Minn.'s electric utility revenue bonds to Aa3 as a lack of rate increases in recent years have made a dent in the utility's credit quality.

Plans are advancing to ask St. Louis area voters to approve a sales tax increase to raise $760 million to fund improvements to area parks and trails and the Gateway Arch grounds.

Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder last week signed a series of high-profile economic development legislation that creates a Detroit area regional transit authority and a lighting authority for Detroit and other cities.

Standard & Poor's has revised its outlook on Perry Public Schools, Mich. issuer credit rating of BBB-plus to negative from stable due to its ongoing fiscal challenges.

Moody's Investors Service has upgraded the rating on the village of Hodgkins, Ill., $36.6 million of Metropolitan Biosolids Management project revenue bonds to Aa3.

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel's announcement that the city will explore leasing Midway International Airport to private operators came with a full court press to portray any eventual deal as a good one for taxpayers.

The Illinois Finance Authority board signed off on a $90 million financing package for Clare Oaks continuing care retirement community in suburban Chicago as part of a Chapter 11 reorganization plan submitted by bondholders.

Chicago is exploring a second try at privatizing its Midway International Airport, Mayor Rahm Emanuel's administration announced Friday.

The RTA of Illinois board put off a scheduled vote Wednesday on its 2013 budget due to an impasse over the level of fiscal information provided by one of its service boards on up to $1 billion of planned borrowing.

A coalition of public unions attacked pension reform plans floated by Gov. Pat Quinn and lawmakers as unconstitutional and offered to increase their contributions if the state guarantees to annually fund its share needed to shore up the system.

Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon's proposed fiscal 2014 budget can count on roughly $7.9 billion in general revenues, a figure that's up slightly from the current year.

Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder has named the six-member team charged with reviewing Detroit's battered finances in a process that could eventually lead to the appointment of a financial manager.

Holders of bankrupt American Airlines' New York City airport debt are weighing a settlement offer that would pave the way for the carrier to assume its lease at John F. Kennedy International Airport.

Standard & Poor's has revised its outlook to stable from positive on Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity Ministries Inc.'s BBB-plus rating.

Moody's Investors Service called Minnesota's latest revenue forecast a positive for school district ratings as a budget surplus will allow the state to begin making good on about $1 billion in aid districts are owed.