Midwest

The Chicago region could unsnarl its traffic mess and generate $2 billion in economic activity by 2040 by undertaking 11 major road construction projects with a $52 billion price tag paid for with new toll and user fees, according to a report from the California think tank the Reason Foundation.

Wisconsin posted a help wanted notice this week: Director, Capital Finance Office as the longtime standard bearer of the state's debt management -- Frank Hoadley -- prepares to retire.

The former - and first - head of the Illinois Finance Authority Ali Ata received probation from a federal judge this week for his role in a state public corruption scandal that eventually landed former Gov. Rod Blagojevich in prison.

Law firms interested in working on future state of Wisconsin bond sales have until August 6 to submit their qualifications for review.

City officials say the $102 million of cuts - made without union or city council approval - are needed to avoid "chaos" as the city is on track to go broke by Oct. 15.

Top-rated Washington University in St. Louis will sell about $200 million of taxable new-money and refunding bonds on Wednesday,

Louisville-based Hilliard Lyons is extending its public finance banking reach into Ohio with the hiring of former RBC Capital Markets banker Scott Stubbins.

The Ohio House this week begins hearings on long-stalled pension reform plans a week after a new report said the Buckeye State's retirement systems have plenty of strengths but need reforms to build funded levels.

Minnesota closed out fiscal 2012 on June 30 with $336 million more in revenue than predicted when the annual February forecast was released.

Moody's Investors Service last week affirmed its Baa2 rating on Wayne County, Mich., but revised the outlook to negative from stable.