December 12, 2024
Dear Members of the Authority:
This Month’s Transactions
New Business Items for consideration and approval this month include bond resolutions on behalf of Provident Group–UIC Grenshaw Parking Properties LLC and Noble Network of Charter Schools.
Also on the agenda today is our annual Resolution of Intent requesting an initial allocation of calendar year 2025 private activity bond volume cap in an aggregate amount not to exceed $300 million, and a Resolution regarding the appointment of an Assistant Secretary.
The Bond Buyer Deal of the Year Awards
I would also like to once again congratulate Brad Fletcher on The University of Chicago transaction, which was named The Bond Buyer’s Midwest Region Deal of the Year last month. The successful closing of the largest transaction in the history of the Authority would not have been possible without the partnership of The University of Chicago and its Associate Vice President for Finance, Jennie Huang Bennett, RBC Capital Markets, LLC, and all members of the transaction team.
We would also like to congratulate longtime Authority partners such as Chapman and Cutler LLP, Mayer Brown LLP, and Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP who also won The Bond Buyer’s Deal of the Year awards for Innovative Financing with a $3.2 billion Brightline transaction, and for Health Care Financing with a $287 million transaction for Westchester Medical Center.
Brad and I are thankful to have been able to attend The Bond Buyer Deal of the Year awards gala on December 3 in New York.
New Executive Assistant
We welcome our new Executive Assistant, Erin O’Leary, who joined us on November 18. Erin is a recent graduate from Centre College in Kentucky, working in multiple leadership positions such as a Program Manager for the College’s Bonner Program, a network of 60 students dedicated to alleviating poverty and improving education through active community service and civic engagement. Erin will be involved with a variety of administrative duties across all Authority departments.
Clean and Equitable Jobs and Justice Fund (CEJJF) Executive Director
I would like to congratulate Rebeccah Sanders for being appointed the first Executive Director of the CEJJF, created through the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA) to ensure that the clean energy transition benefits all communities equitably. Rebeccah has extensive experience in environmental and civic leadership, and the Authority is looking forward to working with her and the CEJJF in the future.
Respectfully,
Christopher B. Meister
Executive Director