Midwest

Illinois’ deferral of its November pension contribution over a cash flow crunch is a negative credit factor, said Moody’s Investors Service.

The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago’s strong financials and independent governance are key strengths that have staved off the credit hits suffered by Chicago and other local governments, says Moody’s Investors Service.

Distribution of an $8.25 million legal settlement fund for investors in a failed Missouri sucralose plant is expected by the end of the year in a class action suit against underwriter Morgan Keegan and law firm Armstrong Teasdale.

Indianapolis received a first time general obligation rating of AA-plus from Kroll Bond Rating Agency.

Cuyahoga County, Ohio would borrow up to $65 million to finance upgrades to the venues of Major League Baseball’s Cleveland Indians and the National Basketball Association’s Cleveland Cavaliers

Wisconsin finished off its last fiscal year in the black with a narrow ending balance of $135.6 million, according to a new fiscal report from the Department of Administration.

Michigan will send $6 million Flint’s way to help cover the costs of reconnecting to Detroit’s water and sewer system after a year of struggling with polluted water from the Flint River.

Investors squeezed a more modest penalty out of Chicago on a recent $419 million wastewater revenue bond deal than they have demanded on its general obligation paper, market participants said.

Arguing a recent 1 cent sales tax hike isn’t enough to solve Cook County, Ill.’s budget and pension strains, board President Toni Preckwinkle’s proposed 2016 budget relies on a mix of spending cuts and new tax revenue to close a $199 million gap.

Raymond James has hired Jack Dudick in the firm’s Healthcare Finance group in Chicago.