Investments

The city plans a competitive general obligation bond sale, as well as a sales tax revenue bond issue to help finance a professional basketball arena next year.

Metra announced fare hikes in its 2026 budget, part of a broader regional policy requiring the Chicago Transit Authority, Metra and Pace to raise fares.

The city council took action to keep the property tax rate unchanged, a move that could punch a $53 million hole in the fiscal 2026 budget and drain reserves.

"In theory at least, municipal yields should be able to stabilize here; levels remain attractive for pure income buyers while more sustainable constructive fund inflows are just enough to speak for rising issuance in the absence of meaningful reinvestment," said Matt Fabian, president of Municipal Market Analytics.

The Trump administration's tariff policy is affecting vulnerable pockets of the economy including the construction industry, port operations and states with a reliance on international trade.

"If I wanted to target municipal finance, this would be a really good place for me to start," said Omid Rahmani, public finance cybersecurity lead at Fitch Ratings.

The financing challenges facing both Brightline projects have translated into falling bond prices.

Municipal Market analytics hired Marvis Gutierrez in response to growing demand for the firm's services and plans to keep hiring. 

Investors sued after the fund's sudden June selloff.

Legislators and transit groups are pushing to get transit reform across the finish line this month, lawmakers and stakeholders said Friday.