Illinois

The district hopes to win back investment grade ratings by raising fund balances, a task that becomes harder after federal coronavirus relief is exhausted.

The hiring of an underwriter moves the city closer to a debt restructuring that is called for in a legal agreement with holders of defaulted bonds.

Federal relief and rising revenues drew a change in outlook from Moody's to stable from negative, but Moody's remains the only agency to rate Chicago at junk.

Michael Pagano, a "dean" of government finance with a national reputation, will hand the mantle as director of the university's Government Finance Research Center next month to Deborah Carroll.

The prominent Chicago health system's refunding will simplify its debt structure, cut interest rates, and provide longer-term fixed financing.

Chicago is looking for a financial advisor to help it assess casino development proposals due next month.

Spreads for the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority, which manages Chicago's convention center, narrowed in an $811 million deal that priced Thursday.

Federal aid boosts Chicago Public Schools as a sea change in governance looms with elected school board legislation awaiting the governor's signature.

The Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority and the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority are heading into the bond market, buoyed by state rating upgrades.

The public transit agenices are benefitting from sales taxes that fared better than expected through the pandemic and the state's stronger fiscal footing