Midwest

Issuers in the Midwest sold $37.5 billion of municipal bonds in the first half of 2015, up 17.5 % from the same period of 2014 as refundings made up for a decline in new money issuance.

Moody’s Investors Service downgraded St. Louis one notch.

Moody's Investors Service has revised its outlook on Wisconsin-based Mercy Alliance's A2 rating to negative from stable due to execution risks with the system's January merger with Rockford Health System.

Moody’s Investors Service labeled Wayne County, Mich.’s proposed consent agreement with the state a credit positive as efforts advance to deal with the county’s fiscal emergency.

Standard & Poor’s stripped the Chicago Public Schools of its investment grade rating with a three notch downgrade saying a proposed budget does little to solve its structural or liquidity woes.

The Illinois Finance Authority advanced plans for nearly $1 billion in borrowing on behalf of not-for-profit schools and hospitals led by the University of Chicago.

The Illinois Supreme Court will consider Chicago's appeal of a lower court ruling voiding its 2014 pension reform legislation under an expedited timetable leading to oral arguments this November.

A group of Illinois House Democrats proposed legislation Thursday to end the state’s practice of subsidizing local districts’ teacher pension contributions — a move that could help Chicago Public Schools.

The Wayne County Commission Thursday approved a consent agreement with Michigan that will mean a partial state takeover for the struggling county.

Moody’s Investors Service has downgraded more than three dozen Michigan school districts this year as falling enrollment continues to strain their finances.