City of Chicago, IL

The upgrades add to the city's ratings upswing across credits that Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson will inherit from Mayor Lori Lightfoot.

Chicago voters picked Brandon Johnson — a Cook County Board Commissioner, former teacher, and Chicago Teachers' Union organizer — as their next mayor.

Massive transit projects have funding momentum, and traditional road and bridge projects are advancing as well despite political opposition and some shaky funding.

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot and council members passed resolutions honoring Msall for guiding local finances over two decades as Chicago Civic Federation president.

Paul Vallas, a former city budget director and public schools chief, and Brandon Johnson, a Cook County commissioner and teachers' union organizer were the two top vote-getters in Tuesday's election sending them to an April runoff.

The bond markets are witnessing a rare situation that could hinder spending on infrastructure projects around the country, said Amanda Hindlian, president of fixed income and data services at ICE.

Midwest borrowing last year went from 11% year-over-year growth in the first quarter to a 48% plunge in the fourth quarter.

"I think ESG is here to stay in our market. I think it's a natural fit with the types of infrastructure that our market finances," said MSRB CEO Mark Kim.

Mayor Lori Lightfoot, in a reelection fight, highlights first-term progress including lifting the city's bond ratings and bringing new investors to debt sales.

Small businesses that are certified to work for either Chicago or Philadelphia's transit agency will now be able to work for the partner agency as well.

The $242 million payment that's being made in addition to regularly scheduled contributions launches the city's policy aimed at staving off growth in its unfunded liabilities, a goal made all the more urgent by the beating pension funds are taking on their investments.

The Greater Chicagoland Economic Partnership said it will leverage the region's first-rate freight infrastructure, talent, industries and institutions.

The administration gave priority to large bridge projects that are ready to proceed with construction.

A final state regulatory hurdle remains for the casino proposal and the rail transit extension relies on federal funds not yet in hand.

Last week's deal, upsized to $533 million, attracted $4.5 billion of orders after positive rating news including the end of Moody's speculative grade status.

Chicago's second tax-increment financing district for transit would provide up to $959 million of funding to leverage federal infrastructure grants.

Chicago's Sales Tax Securitization Corp. will sell $150 million of social bonds next month in the city's first ESG-labeled deal.

Major cities are generally doing well despite economic volatility.

Both S&P Global Ratings and Kroll Bond Rating Agency revised their outlooks for Chicago general obligation bonds to positive from stable.

Chicago's upcoming general obligation sale will carry a Moody's rating for the first time since at least 2014.