Yvette Shields

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.

Moody's Investors Service lowered Roosevelt University's rating one notch to Baa3 as the Chicago-based school struggles with enrollment challenges.

The Illinois Finance Authority gave initial approval to a $120 million financing tied to the installation of an automated open payment fare collection system for the Chicago Transit Authority using a unique structure.

The Chicago BOE will refund $110 million of general obligation bonds for budget relief that will help fund the new teachers' contract inked earlier this year that ended its first strike in more than two decades.

The Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority said it expects to break ground in October on a new on a new $975 million Minnesota Vikings stadium.

Chicago's transit system needs a reliable revenue stream that provides at least $2 billion annually over multiple years, a new study warned.

Rushing to beat an end-of- year- deadline, the Iowa Fertilizer Co. will sell $1.2 billion of Midwestern Disaster Area Bonds with a mandatory tender in April that gives the company some breathing room to finalize its nitrogen fertilizer plant.

Blaylock Robert Van LLC has hired veteran public finance banker Adrienne Archia to help bolster its Midwestern business.

The Chicago Infrastructure Trust may move next month to solicit private market interest in funding energy efficient upgrades to city facilities and public schools in what would mark the not-for-profit's first project financing on behalf of the city.

Minnesota expects to close out its current budget cycle with a $1.3 billion balance but faces headwinds going into its next two-year cycle with a looming $1.1 billion deficit.

A group of Illinois House members introduced a pension reform package they hope will serve as a road map to help the state dig out from $96 billion in unfunded liabilities.