Midwest

CHICAGO — Setting the stage for a fresh effort to repeal a sales tax increase in Cook County, Ill., Gov. Pat Quinn Saturday signed into law a measure that makes it easier for the Board of Commissioners to override the county president’s veto.

CHICAGO — The Illinois State Toll Highway Authority will head into the market this fall with the sale of up to $300 million of toll-backed revenue bonds in a deal that will mark the final financing planned for its five-year-old $6 billion capital program.

CHICAGO — Voters in Ohio, Indiana, and Michigan were in the mood to say yes Tuesday, approving bond issues for a new hospital in Indianapolis, a capital improvement plan for Detroit Public Schools, and a measure allowing casinos to set up shop in Ohio’s four largest cities.

CHICAGO — Kansas City, Mo.-based Children’s Mercy Hospital enters the market beginning today with a retail order period on its $180.7 million of new-money and refunding revenue bonds that will introduce fixed-rate bonds to the well-known hospital’s debt portfolio.

CHICAGO — Columbus, Ohio, will begin taking retail orders today on $279 million of general obligation debt in a transaction that features five series, including the city’s first Build America Bonds and recovery zone economic development bonds.

Nebraska Gov. Dave Heineman called lawmakers back to Lincoln for a special session starting today to tackle the state’s anticipated $334 million shortfall over the 2009-2011 biennium. He also unveiled his own proposals to close the gap.

Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon announced the state would cut 700 positions, Medicaid payments, and school transportation funds to trim $204 million from the $23.7 billion budget for fiscal 2010.

Iowa Gov. Chet Culver last week announced the state would cut an additional 180 positions and require 3,200 nonunion employees to take seven unpaid days off work to help balance the budget.

The Indianapolis-Marion County City-County Council has formed a committee to recommend solutions to the ongoing deficit at the Marion County Capital Improvement Board, which oversees the city’s sports venues and convention center.

The Civic Federation of Chicago blasted Cook County Board President Todd Stroger’s proposed $3 billion fiscal 2010 budget as “an inadequate plan for uncertain times.”