The big news in recent days is the City of Detroit’s effort to free itself from its financial woes by filing for bankruptcy. Yes indeed, Chapter 9 of the US Bankruptcy Code has in recent years been utilized by various cities and counties to get a fresh start. Most people are familiar with an individual’s or even a corporation’s ability to file for bankruptcy protection, but most are surprised to learn that a city, county, municipality, etc., may also file for bankruptcy protection. Here is a partial list of some cities and counties that have filed for Chapter 9 bankruptcy protection in recent years:

Detroit, Michigan – 2013
San Bernadino, California – 2012
Stockton, California – 2012
Jefferson County, Alabama-2011
Washington Park, Illinois -2009
West Fall Township, Pennsylvania- 2009
Vallejo, California-2008
Gould, Arkansas – 2008
Moffett, Oklahoma – 2007
Los Osos, California- 2006
Millport, Alabama- 2005
Desert Hot Springs, California-2001
Prichard, Alabama- 1999
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania