Midwest

A House committee last week approved a long-stalled bill that would fund a $1.3 billion mass-transit expansion in central Indiana.

Fitch Ratings downgraded Elmhurst Memorial Healthcare, Ill. – which is preparing to merge with the higher rated Edward Hospital and Health Services -- one notch to BBB due to its weak operating performance.

An arbitration panel has picked the St. Louis Rams' estimated $750 million renovation of the Edward Jones Dome over the St. Louis Convention and Visitors Commission's more modest plan as the only option that meets a lease requirement to bring the stadium into top-notch condition.

Days after the close of a controversial liquor-backed bond deal that generated a $500 million cash payment to the state's coffers, Gov. John Kasich said the money would go into the state's rainy-day fund and trigger an automatic taxpayer refund.

The Chicago Infrastructure Trust has tapped Stephen S. Beitler, a founder and managing director at a Chicago area private equity investment and advisory company, to serve as its first executive director.

Detroit Mayor Dave Bing announced the city would close 50 parks, whittling the number of open parks down to 57, after the city council rejected a proposal to lease the city's largest park to the state for 30 years.

The Chicago Infrastructure Trust has formally launched a search for private market interest in providing up to $100 million of financing for energy efficient upgrades to city facilities and schools.

Memphis-based Duncan-Williams has announced the opening of a new office in Columbus, Ohio. Former State Treasurer Kevin Boyce and Christy McMurry will head the office.

Rochester, Minn.-based Mayo Clinic hopes to land $500 million of state bonding help over the next two decades to support a proposed $5 billion capital improvement and economic development plan that aims to both improve its own facilities and remake its home city.

City officials recently warned that the Detroit suburb of Allen Park, which is already under state control, could run out of money by the end of February, and a new audit raises questions about the city's ability to continue "as a going concern."