Yvette Shields

CHICAGO — The Illinois House approved a bill Friday that raises the cigarette tax by $1 and establishes charity care standards for the state's nonprofit hospitals in order to preserve their property tax exemption.

CHICAGO — In a narrow vote, Minneapolis City Council members gave preliminary approval to a plan to use existing sales and hospitality taxes to fund the city’s $150 million share of a new $975 million stadium for the Minnesota Vikings.

A takeover of bankrupt American Airlines by US Airways could bruise some airport credits, with the risks most acute for their hub facilities, Moody's Investors Service warned in a special commentary released Wednesday.

The St. Louis Rams submitted an expansion plan for its home at the Edward Jones Dome that could cost $500 million to $750 million, according to published reports.

Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad said he would seek legislative support for a gasoline tax increase next year to raise revenue to pay for road and bridge work.

Moody’s Investors Service downgraded Springfield, Ill.’s senior-lien electric revenue bonds two notches and assigned a negative outlook.

CHICAGO — Wisconsin will take competitive bids Tuesday on $212 million of new-money general obligation bonds as it tees up two revenue bond refundings to take advantage of the rise in bond prices.

CHICAGO — The Missouri Legislature wrapped things up on Friday, adjourning after completing work in recent weeks on a $24 billion fiscal 2013 budget that relies in part on some upfront savings in two upcoming bond refundings.

CHICAGO — Kansas City, Mo., Mayor Sly James has dropped plans to seek $500 million of voter-approved general obligation borrowing authority this summer in favor of a sales tax increase and a separate $500 million sewer bond question.

Chicago enters the market with $600 million of new-money and refunding general obligation debt, hoping investors turn a favorable eye on budgetary strides and the administration's initial steps toward repairing pension woes.

CHICAGO – Janesville, Wis.-based Mercy Alliance Inc. will issue $172 million of new-money and refunding bonds Wednesday in a deal that will shed floating-rate risk in the hospital's debt portfolio.

Gov. Scott Walker’s administration last week released revenue projections showing Wisconsin is on track to close out the current fiscal biennium with a $154 million balance.

Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton on Monday signed legislation providing public funding for a new $975 million stadium for the National Football League’s Minnesota Vikings.

Moody’s Investors Service last week revised its outlook on Cedar Rapids’ Aaa general obligation rating to negative as the Iowa city adds to its debt load to finance major development projects.

Chicago announced an agreement Monday with Aeroterm LLC to begin construction on a new, $200 million cargo center at O’Hare International Airport.

CHICAGO — Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn is expected to soon sign legislation shifting more of the funding burden for retiree health care to recipients, a move projected to save more than $250 million annually and shave billions off the state’s other post-employment benefits unfunded liability.

CHICAGO — The Illinois Finance Authority last week advanced financings on behalf of Loyola University of Chicago and Lake Forest College to help fund upgrades to residential and other student facilities considered key to the schools' appeal.

After a decade of lobbying and false legislative starts, the Minnesota Vikings will get a new $975 million stadium under legislation approved by state lawmakers that authorizes the sale of nearly $500 million of appropriation-backed bonds.

After both houses of the Minnesota Legislature passed a $975 million funding package for a new Vikings football stadium, negotiations were underway to resolve differences between the House and Senate versions.

Minnesota lawmakers approved a $566 million bill to finance capital projects, before moving on to the more contentious issue of a $1 billion, partially bond-financed stadium for the National Football League's Minnesota Vikings.