Illinois

The Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority will take higher ratings linked to the state's recent upgrades when it returns to the market to refinance debt.

S&P followed Fitch and Moody's in raising the state's ratings but the upgrades so far haven't halted the state's spread widening amid market turmoil.

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot chose a $1.7 billion proposal from Bally's over two rival plans as the city looks to casino gambling as a new source of revenue.

Illinois' latest upgrade is its fourth over the last year and moves its general obligation rating three notches away from the cusp of junk, where it once sat.

Joliet closed on two federal WIFIA loans that mark a milestone in the the city's plans to overhaul its water infrastructure.

Ammar Rizki, CFO of the nation's most populous county, is leaving for the Obama Foundation, which is building the Obama presidential library on Chicago's South Side.

Moody's upgraded five Illinois public universities after lifting the state government's rating, lifting one to investment grade and putting three others closer.

Illinois expects to sell about $1 billion of new-money general obligation debt but the deal could grow if market conditions permit savings on a refunding piece.

The suit by local police pension funds slowed the consolidation process that Gov. J.B. Pritzker touted as helping local governments manage rising pension costs.

Chicago must navigate council concerns over crime, traffic, gambling addiction, and labor demands as it moves closer to choosing a casino development proposal expected to generate $200 million in annual revenue.

The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Chicago now has $600 million of pension obligation bond authority as it aims for a 100% funded ratio by 2050.

Moody's lifted Illinois one notch to Baa1, marking the state's third rating upgrade over the last year and first since lawmakers passed a state budget.

Steven Washington joined Chapman and Cutler this week as a partner.

Legislative backers of the fiscal 2023 budget approved over the weekend with Gov. J.B. Pritzker's blessing believe it will draw more positive rating actions.

The public agency that owns and operates Chicago's convention center says operating revenues and tax collections are doing better than forecast in the fiscal 2022 budget but lag pre-pandemic levels.

Illinois' current budget surpluses offer an opportunity to help bolster the state's fiscal foundation as it navigates persistent pension strains and economic threats, the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability said.

Joliet is embarking on a $784 million project to replace old water mains and design and engineering work for a new transmission line from Lake Michigan.

Illinois lawmakers are advancing a bill that allocates $2.7 billion of the state's ARPA relief to pay down a $4.5 billion federal unemployment insurance loan.

The Chicago Transit Authority's sales tax pledge remains healthy even as it struggles to recover riders amid rising crime and remote work trends.

The state owes $4.5 billion to the federal government for unemployment benefits paid early in the pandemic; bonds may part of the repayment plan.