Midwest

Rep. Dennis Kucinich has asked the Treasury Department to investigate whether it was appropriate to use Build America Bonds to help finance the construction of a large coal-fired plant known as Prairie State Energy Campus, which has experienced cost overruns and operational problems that are hurting municipalities, electric cooperatives and 2.5 million ratepayers across eight states.

Illinois faces a dire fiscal reckoning unless it acts sooner rather than later to tackle its mammoth unfunded pension obligations and make tough choices on taxation and spending, warns a new report from a national task force.

The Indiana Finance Authority Thursday will sell $61M of state appropriation-backed bonds in a deal that will allow the popular state fair begin to hold large-scale, paid concerts again after a devastating 2011 accident.

Elgin-Ill.-based Sherman Health System has signed a letter of intent to join Illinois' largest not-for-profit health care system Oak Brook, Ill.-based Advocate Health Care.

Fitch Ratings has affirmed its AA rating and stable outlook on the Ohio Turnpike Commission ahead of an expected announcement by Gov. John Kasich of his plans to privatize the 241-mile toll road.

Governing magazine last week named Michigan budget director John Nixon as one of seven Public Officials of the Year in recognition of bringing down the state’s chronic deficits and other efforts.

The Council of Development Finance Agencies is launching a new initiative known as the Illinois Financing Roundtable with plans for a webcast to kickstart the effort set for Dec. 10.

Standard & Poor’s revised its outlook to negative from stable on Clair County Community Unit School District No. 196’s A rating.

Chicago last week said its hotel occupancy tax is up by 4.9% so far this year after an especially strong September.

A local government fiscal and budget watchdog group endorsed DuPage County, Ill.'s proposed $432 million 2013 budget, which leaves a healthy fund balance intact while also holding the line on its property tax levy and reducing headcount.