Rating Agencies Reaffirm Naperville’s AAA Bond Rating

Strong reserve levels and financial management cited in rating reports

NAPERVILLE, Ill. – The City of Naperville is proud to announce that it has once again been awarded the highest bond rating available on the City’s General Obligation bonds by both Standard & Poor's (S&P) Global Ratings and Moody’s Investors Service.

Naperville is proud to have received the ‘AAA’ rating from S&P and ‘Aaa’ rating from Moody’s for over two decades. Both ratings are reflective of the City’s strong and expanding economy, budgetary flexibility and availability of funds and strong debt position.

Specifically noted in S&P’s report was Naperville’s “very strong and expanding local economy,” along with “several years of surplus financial operations and a very strong reserve and liquidity position, supported by sound management practices and strong institutional framework score.” Moody’s cited the “city’s substantial and affluent tax base . . . sound financial profile (and) low debt burden.”

These ratings are a testament to the City Council and City leadership’s commitment to its financial principles, which have guided the City’s budgetary process since 2015. These principles – passing a structurally balanced operating budget annually, committing to continuous improvement in the delivery of necessary and cost-effective services and actively seeking to increase reserves to 25% and reduce debt by 25% within an eight-year timeframe – provided structure to create a long-term sustainable financial plan for Naperville.

The rating reviews were performed in conjunction with a planned almost $7 million bond issuance for the City’s Water 2.0 project, which installed approximately 43,500 wireless meter interface units to water meter reading devices or touchpads to transmit wireless remote monthly readings for a better customer billing experience. The full ratings reports can be viewed at naperville.il.us/government/city-finances/.


About Naperville: Located 28 miles west of Chicago, Naperville, Ill., is home to approximately 145,000 people. This vibrant, thriving city consistently ranks as a top community in the nation in which to live, raise children and retire. The city is home to acclaimed public and parochial schools, the best public library system in the country, an array of healthcare options and an exceptionally low crime rate. Naperville has ready access to a variety of public transportation, housing and employment options. The city’s diversified employer base features high technology firms, retailers and factories, as well as small and home-based businesses. Residents also enjoy world-class parks, diverse worship options, the opportunity to serve on several City boards and commissions, a thriving downtown shopping and dining area, a renowned outdoor history museum known as Naper Settlement and an active civic community. For more information, please visit our website at www.naperville.il.us.