Yvette Shields

CHICAGO — A hearing set for next week on Chicago’s request that a Cook County Circuit Court judge dismiss an airline lawsuit that seeks to block $3.36 billion of expansion projects at O’Hare International Airport was pushed back a week as settlement negotiations continue.

CHICAGO — The Illinois Supreme Court on Wednesday agreed to hear Illinois’ appeal of a lower court decision invalidating the state’s $31 billion capital budget and the funding streams that support it.

CHICAGO — As Illinois lawmakers face mounting pressure to ease the strains of pension funding, a new report from Senate Democrats throws cold water on the idea of reducing future benefits for current employees, contending any legislative curbs would run afoul of the state’s constitution.

CHICAGO — Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker toured the state Wednesday to promote his $59 billion budget proposal that would eliminate a $3.6 billion deficit with steep spending cuts that Democrats, school districts, and some local governments warned would strain budgets and hurt students, services and jobs.

CHICAGO — Freshman Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker on Tuesday unveiled a two-year $59 billion budget that exacts a toll on most areas of state spending, including public education, local government aid, and Medicaid to eliminate a $3.6 billion deficit without tax hikes and limited one-time maneuvers.

CHICAGO — Kansas City, Mo., will enter the market later this month with a $55 million new-money and refunding general obligation issue that comes as the city is bracing for a public vote next month on whether the city can continue to collect an earnings tax that serves as its main revenue source.

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker late last month signed legislation that requires a two-thirds vote of the Legislature to approve tax hikes.

The Illinois Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability is accepting proposals for consulting services through Friday to aid the state as it considers shifting more of the costs for retiree health care to beneficiaries.

Court hearings on a lawsuit challenging Chicago’s authority to proceed with $3.36 billion worth of expansion projects at O’Hare International Airport without airline approval have been pushed back due to ongoing settlement negotiations.

CHICAGO — Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton on Monday dropped his proposal for an income tax surcharge on top earners after the state announced a new revenue forecast that trimmed nearly $1.2 billion off the $6.2 billion deficit looming in the next two-year budget cycle.

CHICAGO — An Iowa water district’s long-awaited plan to restructure $140 million of debt — including $83 million of water revenue bonds — is now on hold due to litigation filed by Bank of America Corp. in an attempt to block a pending asset sale.

CHICAGO — Illinois received $6.1 billion in bids from 128 investors on its sale this week of $3.7 billion of taxable eight-year general obligation bonds to cover its 2011 pension contribution, a level the state touts as a sign of investor confidence following an income tax increase.

Former Illinois congressman and presidential chief of staff Rahm Emanuel will take office as Chicago's next mayor in May, inheriting daunting fiscal challenges as a new era in city government is ushered in that could shake up the local public finance field.

CHICAGO — Wisconsin lawmakers reconvened Tuesday with the clock ticking on Gov. Scott Walker's plan to restructure $165 million of debt service due May 1.

Moody's Investors Service has downgraded Hamline University's rating to Baa2 from Baa1 due to its highly leveraged balance sheet. The move affects $56 million of debt, including this week's $26 million issued through the Minnesota Higher Education Facilities Authority.

The Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission expects insurance to cover most of the $19 million price tag for a new roof on the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome.

A hearing has been pushed back a week to March 1 on Chicago's motion asking a Cook County Circuit Court judge to dismiss a suit challenging the city's authority to proceed with $3.36 billion worth of expansion projects at O'Hare International Airport without airline approval.

CHICAGO — Menasha would pay holders of $23 million of defaulted steam-plant bond anticipation notes $17.5 million under a proposed cash settlement that would end bondholder litigation and put the Wisconsin city on a path towards rebuilding its credit.

CHICAGO — Chicago Mayor Richard Daley on Thursday questioned the sincerity of American Airlines and United Airlines' willingness to meet with him in an attempt to resolve differences over the timing and financing of $3.36 billion worth of expansion projects at O'Hare International Airport.

CHICAGO — In his inaugural state of the state address, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker vowed to eliminate a budget deficit of more than $3 billion in the next biennium without “short-term fixes” like borrowing. He also called on state employees to shoulder a greater share of their pension and health care costs.