City of Chicago, IL

"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.

Seven years after dropping Chicago to speculative grade citing pension funding, Moody's returned the city to investment grade, citing pension funding.

New GO borrowing authority, a WIFIA loan for lead water service line replacement, and short-term airport financing are before Chicago City Council.

Chicago, upgraded Friday by Fitch, will follow City Council's expected passage of a new 2023 budget next month with a new money general obligation bond issue.

The upgrade reflects the city's improving pension funding practices, commitment to a sound reserve position and ability to institute structural budget measures, Fitch said.

Mayor Lori Lightfoot's proposed budget would forgo an inflation-formula-based property tax hike and make supplemental contributions to the city's pension funds.

Chicago is leading the pack in pension fund problems.

The Skyway sale "proves that sophisticated global investors who can buy assets anywhere view Chicago as a great place to invest," said a spokesperson for Mayor Lori Lightfoot.