Midwest

A task force examining the needs and funding options for Milwaukee's cultural institutions is floating a sales tax hike to fund capital improvements for regional attractions with the notable exceptions of a new arena for the Milwaukee Bucks and convention center expansion.

With a $29.5 million bond sale set for next week, University of Cincinnati is poised to become the first public university to tap into the increasingly popular market.

Illinois-based Advocate Health Care Network is planning a refunding in the coming weeks of up to $365 million.

The Illinois State Toll Highway Authority returns to the market Tuesday with a $270 million senior lien revenue bond sale for savings.

A lower court ruling throwing out Illinois' pension reforms isn't expected to trigger any immediate negative credit action or legislative moves, as all eyes turn to the Illinois Supreme Court.

Wisconsin faces a $2.2 billion gap headed into the next two-year budget cycle, up $400 million from previous estimates.

Illinois' landmark pension reform law is headed to the Illinois Supreme Court following a lower court decision Friday that the benefit cuts violate the state constitution.

At least two northwest Indiana counties put together a preliminary bid on the bankrupt Indiana Toll Road that's expected to be at least $4 billion, while three other counties opted out of the proposal.

Calling the state's fiscal condition "stunningly bad," Illinois Gov.-elect Bruce Rauner called on Gov. Pat Quinn to freeze hiring and not move political appointees into union protected jobs.

Local county officials in Illinois will be offered special financial training on how to protect their coffers from corrupt fiscal practices similar to what happened in Dixon, Ill. where the comptroller stole more than $50 million in public money.