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

Trump makes history at Supreme Court amid landmark birthright citizenship challenge

Trump makes history at Supreme Court amid landmark birthright citizenship challenge

By Emily Rodriguez and Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump made history Wednesday by attending oral arguments at the U.S. Supreme Court over his executive order seeking to end...
New Hampshire school district sued over transgender policies

New Hampshire school district sued over transgender policies

By Chris WadeThe Center Square A New Hampshire school district is being investigated by the Trump administration over allegations that administrators are allowing biological men to use girls’ restrooms and...
Trump watches as high court hears challenge to his birthright citizenship order

Trump watches as high court hears challenge to his birthright citizenship order

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump became the first sitting U.S. president to attend Supreme Court oral arguments, observing as the justices considered a challenge Wednesday to his...
Lincoln Way Central Baseball Graphic

Combined Shutout, Early Offensive Burst Propel Brother Rice Past Lincoln-Way Central 7-0

CHICAGO — The Brother Rice varsity baseball team utilized a dominant combined pitching performance and a four-run first inning to defeat visiting Lincoln-Way Central 7-0 in a non-conference matchup on...
Illinois Quick Hits: Prtizker says Trump order is unconstitutional

Illinois Quick Hits: Prtizker says Trump order is unconstitutional

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker says President Donald Trump’s executive order issued on Tuesday to address election integrity is...
Lincoln Way Central Softball Graphic

Karales’ Six RBIs, Lee’s Two Homers Power Lincoln-Way Central to 15-2 Tournament Rout of Joliet Catholic

JOLIET, Ill. — The Lincoln-Way Central varsity softball team unleashed a staggering offensive assault on Tuesday afternoon, overwhelming host Joliet Catholic 15-2 in a tournament matchup shortened to five innings....
U of I pressed on costly abandoned development project, stance on DEI directives

U of I pressed on costly abandoned development project, stance on DEI directives

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – As many Illinois universities face multimillion dollar budget deficits, state senators were critical of spending by the...
Screenshot 2026-05-05 at 1.39.16 PM

JJC Board Approves Fall 2026 Course Fees Amid Debate Over Student Costs

Joliet Junior College Board of Trustees Meeting | March 11, 2026 Article Summary: The Joliet Junior College Board of Trustees approved a series of course fee increases for the Fall 2026...
Trump says Iran's new leader wants ceasefire

Trump says Iran’s new leader wants ceasefire

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump announced today that Iran's new leader has requested a ceasefire, marking a possible turning point in the ongoing conflict that has gripped...
‘Conversion therapy’ bans in IL, other states, in danger, after SCOTUS ruling

‘Conversion therapy’ bans in IL, other states, in danger, after SCOTUS ruling

By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square The days appear to be numbered for a Colorado state law banning so-called "conversion therapy," after the U.S. Supreme Court lopsidedly sided...
lincoln way school district 210 logo.2

Lincoln-Way 210 Approves Student Registration and Meal Fee Increases for 2026-2027

Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 Meeting | March 19, 2026 Article Summary: The Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 Board of Education approved inflationary adjustments to student registration fees,...
solar panels photovoltaics in solar farm

County Board Approves Peotone Solar Farm Amid Debates Over Union Labor and Tornado Safety

Will County Board Meeting | March 19, 2026 Article Summary: A 52-acre commercial solar energy facility in Peotone was approved by the Will County Board despite concerns raised by members...
Illinois business leaders press lawmakers as child care costs face scrutiny

Illinois business leaders press lawmakers as child care costs face scrutiny

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois business leaders pressured Illinois lawmakers Tuesday to approve billions of dollars in taxpayer‑funded child care investments,...
Illinois Quick Hits: Vacant lots go on sale in Chicago

Illinois Quick Hits: Vacant lots go on sale in Chicago

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Chicago Department of Planning and Development say more than 600 vacant city...
State vs. local property tax debate rages in Illinois

State vs. local property tax debate rages in Illinois

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker says property taxes are a local issue, but a county treasurer’s report says hefty...