CHICAGO, Ill. (WJPF) — Fitch Ratings has revised the outlook on Illinois’ General Obligation Bonds from negative to positive.

The bonds are now rated BBB- with a positive outlook.

The credit rating agency says factors influencing the change include the payback of federal pandemic loans, the virtual elimination of the state’s bill backlog, and a new state budget with no loans or sweeps.

Fitch is the third rating agency to upgrade the state’s outlook.