Midwest

Chicago Public Schools, in its latest financial report, warns of more red ink to come this year and “difficult” decisions next year without additional state help.

The Internal Revenue Service has initiated an audit of $26.5 million of zero coupon bonds issued by an authority in Wisconsin last August to monetize a grant Dallas gave to a company redeveloping buildings that housed the old Statler Hotel and Dallas Public Library.

A $7 billion borrowing proposal to pay down Illinois' record $11 billion bill backlog would save money compared to the 9% to 12% rate the state pays on its overdue bills, according to the Chicago Civic Federation.

Republicans in Wisconsin legislature ask planners for more realistic estimates of highway project costs.

Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner attacked and vowed to fight Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan’s attempt to block state payroll amid the 18-month-old budget impasse.

In a rare show of unity, the Minnesota legislature and Gov. Mark Dayton agreed to spend $310 million to subsidize rising healthcare premiums, even as disputes over how to use a billion-dollar surplus in the next state budget lay ahead.

The cost of major road projects in Wisconsin is twice as much as highway planners estimated, audit finds.

Moody's Investors Service said it has upgraded Zion Park District, Ill.'s general obligation unlimited tax (GOULT) bonds to Baa3 from Ba1 and general obligation limited tax (GOLT) debt certificates to Baa3 from Ba2.

With a potential downgrade looming, sponsors of the Illinois Senate’s bipartisan budget fix put off a vote until February

Battle Creek, Michigan’s general obligation bonds and issuer default rating took a one notch downgrade to AA-minus from Fitch Ratings.