Illinois already has the lowest bond rating among U.S. states.  But Moody’s Investor Service is raising new concerns after state legislators passed a budget last week letting tax revenues fall, while doing little to cut costs.  Moody’s said the decision not to extend the tax hike will reverse progress Illinois has made on its finances. http://blogs.wsj.com/economics/2014/06/03/top-illinois-lawmakers-shrug-as-moodys-warns-of-troubled-finances/

Sweeping changes to Southern Illinois’ economy are in store if a rule designed to cut carbon dioxide emissions from existing coal plants by as much as 30 percent by 2030 is enacted. Area industry experts and elected officials say the rule would all but end coal mining in Southern Illinois, and increase electricity costs to every home and business in the region. via Proposed coal rules would change Southern Illinois – News – The Daily Register – Harrisburg, IL – Harrisburg, IL.

Residential consumers in Illinois who purchase electricity from ComEd might be shocked with a 38 percent price increase per-kilowatt-hour on June 1. Other electricity suppliers could see increases due to power rates and delivery fees. Non-ComEd customers also could pay more, especially if their towns contracted with an alternative energy supplier. Electric rates to increase throughout Illinois

There’s no sure-fire way to get fiscal policy right.  But there are a few simple ways to get it disastrously wrong. http://www.governing.com/finance101/gov-deadly-public-finance-sins.html

State and local governments would have to disclose their net or total liabilities for other post-employment benefits on the face of their financial statements under new draft guidance approved this week by the Governmental Accounting Standards Board. http://www.bondbuyer.com/issues/123_104/gasb-draft-states-localities-would-have-to-disclose-opeb-liabilities-1062950-1.html

Illinois is being destroyed because of bad management; bad management in cities and villages; bad management in school districts and especially bad management from Springfield. http://www.championnews.net/?p=178570

Thirty-three Illinois companies made the 2014 Fortune 500 list, Fortune magazine’s annual ranking of the top 500 corporations by gross revenue after adjustments and excise taxes. http://my.chicagotribune.com/#section/-1/article/p2p-80378859/

One piece of legislation intended to spur Illinois jobs growth made it out of the 98th General Assembly with bipartisan support. http://www.rebootillinois.com/2014/05/30/uncategorized/kevin-hoffmanrebootillinois-com/job-training-partnership-bill/9508/?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social

Illinois election officials say a group that supports eight-year term limits on legislators appears to have enough signatures to let voters decide on the issue in November. http://www.myfoxchicago.com/story/25672164/illinois-term-limits-group-likely-has-signatures