Illinois

Mayer Brown attorney Tyrone Fahner, head of an influential Chicago business group's civic arm, had strong words for the state's three most powerful politicians this week at a high-profile annual luncheon.

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel on Tuesday began the hard sell for a record property tax increase to make good on the city’s enormous police and fire pension bill.

Chicago plans as much as $3 billion of airport, wastewater revenue, and general obligation borrowing -- mostly for refunding and restructuring purposes -- that officials say can’t wait on an improved market climate for city debt.

Chicago's fiscal reckoning is at hand as Mayor Rahm Emanuel is set to unveil his 2016 budget on Tuesday with investors and analysts watching closely to see how he plans to solve the city's fiscal ills.

The Chicago Infrastructure Trust is soliciting help from the private sector as it takes the first steps toward a public-private partnership to upgrade the city and park district’s public lighting systems.

The Illinois Housing Development Authority is searching for a new executive director to replace Mary Kenney who leaves Friday to join BMO as its director of U.S. government affairs.

Illinois Metropolitan Pier & Exposition Authority officials said they are pleased with the results of its Wednesday bond pricing, even though it paid a penalty for the recent loss of its high-grade ratings.

The Illinois Metropolitan Pier & Exposition Authority will learn Wednesday the cost of the downgrades it absorbed thanks to the state's budget impasse when it sells $223 million of securities.

The Illinois Finance Authority board advanced nearly $400 million of new borrowing plans at its meeting Thursday in deals that highlight the popularity of direct placements.

Illinois-based College of DuPage fired its top two fiscal managers – treasurer Thomas Glaser and controller Lynn Sapyta – accusing the two of violating school investment practices and other internal rules.

The Illinois attorney general won't ask the U.S. Supreme Court to review the the Illinois Supreme Court’s voiding of the state’s 2013 pension reform legislation.

Illinois’ cash flow position grows more dire by the day with the state on pace to rack up an $8.5 billion bill backlog by the start of the new year, Comptroller Leslie Geissler Munger warned Wednesday.

Services are scheduled this weekend for Jerry B. Wallack, a prominent Chicago-based public finance lawyer who died suddenly Sept. 4. He was 63.

Not only will a huge property tax hike to fund pensions be a tough sell in Chicago, it will only go part of the way toward solving the city’s fiscal problems, experts said.

OSF Healthcare System in Illinois heads into the market next week with its $368 million sale with a second dose of good credit news.

More than half of Chicago and its sister agencies’ 11 public employee pension funds have agreed to a joint proposal promoted by Treasurer Kurt Summers that’s aimed at cutting annual investment fees.

Amid the attention generated by the Illinois budget crisis, a long-term infrastructure problem is brewing behind the scenes, according to a report comparing the state’s infrastructure shortcomings to its budget deficit and pension shortfalls.

The Illinois House failed Wednesday to override Gov. Bruce Rauner's veto of a controversial labor bill, handing the governor a victory in his ongoing budget battle with the General Assembly.

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel will reportedly propose a $500 million tax increase as part of his new 2016 budget largely for police and fire pension payments.

All three major rating agencies now have Cook County, home to Chicago, on negative outlook amid major pension obligations and other financial challenges.