Illinois

Keith A. Wakefield's alleged unauthorized and speculative trading at the former IFS Securities Inc. and his attempts to cover it up drew charges Thursday from the SEC and U.S. Attorney's office.

The district follows up on a taxable refunding with some new money and refunding as the ink dries on pension legislation that removes the threat of insolvency.

Dan Hynes, who was a deputy governor in J.B. Pritzker's administration, will work in public finance and corporate investment banking at Jefferies.

The city's high leverage drew a two-notch Moody's downgrade ahead of a pension obligation bond deal to pay the unfunded liabilities of its public safety plans.

Nathan Coco and Megan Preusker joined the firm this month, deepening the expertise offered by the firm's bankruptcy and restructuring practice.

Mayor Lori Lightfoot wants to use $1.3 billion of the city's $1.9 billion in coronavirus relief aid to make up for lost revenues.

Illinois trimmed yield penalties in its latest sales tax-backed sale with spreads of 40 and 45 basis points on its 10-year compared to 89 bp three years ago.

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot chose San Antonio schools superintendent and former CPS CFO Pedro Martinez to lead the district ahead of a major governance shift.

While falling to the lowest amount of inflows since June 2, the total for the year according to ICI at $72 billion, is still on pace to come close to or break the record, $93.2 billion, hit in 2019.

Ridership on the RTA's three service boards remains sharply below pre-pandemic levels but it benefits from coronavirus relief and stellar sales tax performance.

Legislation backed by Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker gives two municipally owned coal plants more time to cut carbon emissions but they still face closure in 2045.

Market participants welcomed the municipal-related provisions in the reconciliation bill but are hesitant to start making bets on its passage.

The proposed union that would give the two a healthy market position in Illinois comes as federal regulators are stepping up anti-competitive scrutiny of such transactions.

Ice Miller's new position is part of its growth strategy.

Some Chicago council members questioned Mayor Lori Lightfoot's plans to use federal funds to back off scoop-and-toss restructuring plans with the demand so high for more social and human services and anti-crime spending.

Illinois' tardy fiscal 2020 financial statements offer a view of COVID-19's early impact on the state's finances.

Sturdy contracts support repayment of AMP's Prairie State Energy Campus bonds but the coal-fired plant faces pressure from Illinois decarbonization legislation.

Rachael Eubanks, Suzanne Beitel, and Danielle Scott will receive Founders Awards at the Women in Public Finance conference set for Chicago next month.

Kroll Bond Rating Agency also affirmed the city’s general obligation bond rating at A.

While municipals were little changed, broader markets remain focused on Jackson Hole and speculating what will be said about tapering.