Illinois

Participants consider whether Illinois' recent upgrade is a one-off due to the flood of federal aid or a turning of the tide toward better fiscal decision-making that could help it climb further up the rating scale.

The Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority will scoop-and-toss fiscal 2022 debt service and current refund debt for savings as it looks to salve the lingering wounds inflicted by the pandemic.

After more than a decade of ratings deterioration, the lowest-rated state won an upgrade Tuesday, taking its Moody's rating to Baa2.

The fiscally strained Chicago suburb's firefighters' fund isn't entitled to share in ARPA relief under a 2018 settlement, a state circuit court judge ruled.

The county that includes Chicago projects a surplus this year that will replenish a reserve draw and a modest $121 million gap is projected next year.

Fitch revised Illinois' outlook to positive but the rating remains BBB-minus, the lowest investment grade.

Trying to break a logjam that has stalled clean energy legislation, Illinois moved back a decommissioning date by 10 years for Prairie State and Springfield's Dallman 4 plant.

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed the fiscal 2022 budget with good fiscal and market news in tow and announced his deputy for budget matters, Dan Hynes, is departing.

The city and school district's financial "entanglements" will be the subject of an independent financial review due before the first elections are held.

Analyst John Kenward and public finance commercial manager Kathy Evers retired this spring.

Natalie Brown replaces Dominick Mondi, who retired earlier this year.

Like the city's pension funding revisions, the park district's plan ramps up to actuarial payments but it's alone in aiming for a 100% funding target.

The Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority will draw from a state backup pledge and $30 million of state subsidies as it emerges from the pandemic.

Mayor Lori Lightfoot says she will keep fighting to reshape the legislation the state Senate approved this week to transition to a fully elected school board.

The authority will scoop-and-toss some near-term debt to avoid a shortfall that would force Chicago to dig into its own pockets to cover a hotel tax shortfall.

The budget pays off Municipal Liquidity Fund loans, goes easier on local governments, cuts some corporate incentives, and begins drawing down federal relief.

The agency is refunding $104.5 million of Federal Transit Administration section 5307 bonds and $23 million of FTA section 5337 bonds.

Illinois lawmakers head into the final stretch of spring session with negotiations underway on legislation that would alter Chicago Public Schools governance.

Illinois public universities reap rewards of federal aid and state rating stabilization.

Illinois won't wait for the Treasury Department to consider its request to add COVID-19-related debt repayment as an eligible use of ARP funds.