Midwest

St. Louis-based Webster University received one-notch rating upgrades ahead of its recent new-money and refunding sale for $61 million.

Moody's Investors Service last week affirmed its Aa2 and Aa3 ratings and stable outlook on $14.4 billion of outstanding bonds enhanced by the Michigan school bond qualification and loan program.

The Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board last week denied applications from two competing hospital systems seeking to build new facilities in the growing region north of Chicago in McHenry County.

Moody's Investors Service last week downgraded Northwest Community Hospital's rating one notch to A1 due to its weakened financial performance.

The managers of Chicago's Navy Pier last week unveiled a proposed $155 million framework for a makeover of the popular downtown attraction that includes plans for a hotel, new retail shops, restaurants, and expansions of the city's Children's Museum and Shakespeare Theater.

CHICAGO - Attorneys for state retirees in Colorado and Minnesota are weighing whether to appeal court decisions last week dismissing litigation that challenged legislative cuts to pension cost-of-living hikes but fear that such rulings will "embolden" other cash-strapped states eying ways to ease pension costs.

CHICAGO — Cleveland has sued the Cleveland Clinic over its decision to close a hospital on the city's east side, arguing in part that the prestigious clinic's acceptance of tax-exempt funding from the state requires it to provide equitable services to the city.

CHICAGO — Chicago could shore up its balance sheet by cutting employees, reducing future retirement benefits, slicing the City Council in half, and resurrecting efforts to lease Midway Airport, according to a new report from a Chicago-based government research group.

CHICAGO — After weeks of escalating debate with Mayor Dave Bing, the Detroit City Council Thursday approved a compromise $3 billion 2012 budget that restores half of the $50 million the council had trimmed from Bing's original proposal.

CHICAGO - Ohio Gov. John Kasich Thursday night is expected to sign into law a $112 billion, two-year all-funds budget that closes a shortfall in part by selling the state’s liquor distribution system and six prisons while paving the way for the lease of the Ohio Turnpike.