Midwest

CHICAGO — Moody's Investors Service has affirmed the ratings on $2.4 billion of debt issued by eight Illinois public universities, taking the schools off watch list for a possible downgrade after a three-month review triggered by the state's downgrade and concerns over the schools' exposure to chronic delays in state aid.

Minnesota Women in Public Finance will host its first annual meeting and conference on Thursday.

It's the second high-profile mistake by the Indiana Department of Revenue in the last year, and prompted the resignation of Revenue Department Commissioner John Eckart.

The Indianapolis office of Faegre Baker Daniels LLP announced last week that the firm has hired Jonathon Weinzapfel, the former mayor of Evansville, as counsel.

Cook County's pension fund has seen a 30% drop in its funded status over the last 10 years and without action will be insolvent by 2038, according to a new county analysis.

Moody's Investors Service has downgraded Northwest Community Hospital in suburban Chicago one notch to A2 following fiscal 2011 results that fell short of budgeted projections.

Chicago-based Mercy Health System formally joined Michigan-based Trinity Health last week.

Moody's Investors Service's new methodology for bonds backed by special tax revenues prompted it to put Chicago's Aa2 sales-tax-backed rating on review for a possible downgrade.

Despite legislative setbacks and an ongoing battle with a powerful Detroit family, the leaders of Michigan and Canada continue to tout as a top priority a new $4 billion bridge to span the nation's busiest trade route between Detroit and Canada.

The Illinois Finance Authority board advanced up to $875 million worth of borrowing for health care and higher education organizations, including Ascension Health Alliance's sale of up to $600 million of new-money and refunding debt and $150 million from Loyola University of Chicago.