Illinois quick hits: Fatal helicopter crash; Comptroller orders another extra pension payment

Illinois quick hits: Fatal helicopter crash; Comptroller orders another extra pension payment

August 7, 2025/
Spread the love

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

Fatal helicopter crash

Two people are dead after a helicopter crashed into a barge on the Mississippi River.

The Federal Aviation Administration said the Hughes 369D with two people on board went down around 11:05 a.m. Thursday in East Alton.

The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating.

Comptroller orders another extra pension payment

Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza says she is ordering a third round of pension pre-payments.

Mendoza said more than $1.3 billion in payments to the state’s five retirement systems will include $428 million in pre-payments, allowing the pension systems to keep more money in their portfolios and earn more in returns.

Statehouse rematch shaping up

State Rep. Amy Briel, D-Ottawa, and Republican Liz Bishop are gearing up for a potential rematch in Illinois’ 76th House District.

Briel defeated Bishop by 595 votes, or 1%, in the general election last November.

Bishop will first face a primary rematch with Crystal Loughran.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

'There is no excuse': air traffic controllers, pilots urge Congress to end shutdown

‘There is no excuse’: air traffic controllers, pilots urge Congress to end shutdown

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square As air traffic controllers and other federal workers missed a full paycheck Tuesday, growing numbers of labor unions and advocacy groups are calling on Congress...
IL state rep: Reckless immigration policies led to fatal crash

IL state rep: Reckless immigration policies led to fatal crash

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – An Illinois state lawmaker blames “reckless immigration policies” after a crash killed Coles County Board Member...
WATCH: Primary election petitions filed; redistricting consideration for veto session

WATCH: Primary election petitions filed; redistricting consideration for veto session

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – In today's edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop highlights some of...
Illinois quick hits: Unemployment estimates little changed; State Fair discounted ticket sales

Illinois quick hits: Unemployment estimates little changed; State Fair discounted ticket sales

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Unemployment estimates little changed The Chicago Fed Real-Time Unemployment Rate Forecast estimates the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics monthly unemployment rate...
Ex-CPS investigator says smeared as ‘racist,’ fired over corruption probes

Ex-CPS investigator says smeared as ‘racist,’ fired over corruption probes

By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square A Hispanic former deputy corruption investigator has accused the Chicago Public Schools of firing her because she refused to relent in investigating...
Illinois quick hits: Group criticizes elections board vote; charges filed in Clark County crash

Illinois quick hits: Group criticizes elections board vote; charges filed in Clark County crash

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Group criticizes elections board vote A government integrity and accountability group says Democratic members of the Illinois State Board of Elections...
WATCH: Illinois veto session to resume with potential taxes and fees on the table

WATCH: Illinois veto session to resume with potential taxes and fees on the table

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Fall veto session is scheduled to resume Tuesday for lawmakers at the Illinois Capitol. State Rep. Marcus...

WATCH: Illinois Democrats talk redistricting to ‘neutralize’ Republicans

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker says Illinois lawmakers are having conversations about changing the state’s congressional map. U.S. House...
Screenshot 2025-10-25 at 12.42.59 PM

Will County Committee Grapples with $8.9 Million Budget Gap After Contentious 0% Tax Levy Vote

Will County Board Finance Committee Meeting | October 21, 2025 Article Summary: The Will County Board Finance Committee held a contentious debate over how to close an $8.9 million budget shortfall...

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 for October 16, 2025

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 for October 16, 2025

LW210 Board of Education Meeting | October 16, 2025 The Lincoln-Way District 210 Board of Education meeting on Thursday, October 16, 2025, was dominated by news that the district's support...
Meeting-Briefs

Meeting Summary and Briefs: New Lenox Township Board of Trustees for September Meeting

New Lenox Township Board of Trustees Meeting | September 11, 2025 The New Lenox Township Board of Trustees meeting on September 11, 2025, which began with a moment of silence...
Screenshot 2025-10-17 at 11.24.23 AM

Lincoln-Way to Purchase New Buses, Add Smaller Vehicles to Address Driver Shortage

LW210 Board of Education Meeting | October 16, 2025 Article Summary: Lincoln-Way District 210 plans to update its transportation fleet by purchasing 28 new gasoline-powered school buses, three activity buses,...
New Lenox Township.2

New Lenox Officials Join Solar Coalition, Explore Potential Resident Rebates

New Lenox Township Board of Trustees Meeting | September Article Summary: New Lenox Township is now involved in a local solar power initiative, with a trustee attending the introductory meeting...
Meeting-Briefs

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Village of New Lenox Board of Trustees for October 13, 2025

Village of New Lenox Board of Trustees Meeting | October 13, 2025 The New Lenox Village Board took several actions to advance public safety, community development, and village events at...