City of Chicago, IL

Chicago officials want to highlight the distinctions between the highly rated new securitization and the city's general obligation bonds.

The city still plans to refund its outstanding water debt under its own revenue bond credit.

Strong legal and structural protections earned the debt top grades from Kroll and Fitch. S&P wasn't as bullish.

The collective funded ratio of all Illinois public pension funds is 47.9%, according a state report.

The region's governments could find it harder to generate fresh revenue, Moody’s Investors Service said

Chicago's proposed budget makes incremental progress, according to S&P Global Ratings.

Chicago relying on savings from new securitization borrowing program to help balance 2018 books.

The allure of promised savings persuaded most Chicago City Council members.

The securitization bond program is up for council vote this week, with plans to reach the market by late November.

Chicago hopes to get into the market by year's end with the first of up to $3 billion of refunding under new credit.

Bank of America Merrill Lynch held its No. 1 ranking among municipal underwriters as the biggest firms battled for deals in a shrinking market for new issuance.

The payoff comes as the district takes out new tax anticipation notes.

Chicago-based Mesirow Financial is bulking up its municipal team with several hires on both coasts.

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel's new borrowing program will get an airing before City Council members next week.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel will introduce an ordinance Wednesday to pave the way for the new bonds.

The package delivers about $150 million more than district officials wrote into their spending plan for the year.

Chicago's board of education approved a budget before a state vote on aid and with city funding uncertain.

With Illinois school aid still in limbo, there is talk of compromise ahead of a veto override vote next week.

Refunding deals were down substantially and new money volume also slipped.

In the latest landing of a displaced William Blair muni professional, David Abel is headed to Columbia Capital Management.