Midwest

Ammar Rizki, CFO of the nation's most populous county, is leaving for the Obama Foundation, which is building the Obama presidential library on Chicago's South Side.

Moody's upgraded five Illinois public universities after lifting the state government's rating, lifting one to investment grade and putting three others closer.

Illinois expects to sell about $1 billion of new-money general obligation debt but the deal could grow if market conditions permit savings on a refunding piece.

The suit by local police pension funds slowed the consolidation process that Gov. J.B. Pritzker touted as helping local governments manage rising pension costs.

If state and local governments make progress on social problems with federal relief funds, it could be credit positive for them, Moody’s Investors Service said.

The city's share of American Relief Plan Act funds eased fiscal pressures and provides runway for the city to work on a pension funding fix.

Chicago must navigate council concerns over crime, traffic, gambling addiction, and labor demands as it moves closer to choosing a casino development proposal expected to generate $200 million in annual revenue.

Relative cheapness, wider spreads and underperformance in munis are providing better value, all set against a very solid and resilient credit background, analysts say, but supply is testing investor sentiment amid volatility.

The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Chicago now has $600 million of pension obligation bond authority as it aims for a 100% funded ratio by 2050.

BHSH brings almost $1.5 billion of bonds to refund Beaumont's debt and raise some new money. The new system keeps Spectrum's higher legacy ratings.