Illinois quick hits: Fatal helicopter crash; Comptroller orders another extra pension payment
August 7, 2025/
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.
⚠️ Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued June 11 at 8:25PM CDT until June 11 at 8:45PM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
⚠️ Tornado Watch issued June 11 at 8:12PM CDT until June 11 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
⚠️ Flood Watch issued June 11 at 12:39PM CDT until June 11 at 11:00PM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Thu Jun 11
79° 60°
Sunny
Latest News Stories
Pursuit following railroad theft ends in New Lenox; one suspect at large
NEW LENOX, Ill. – A reported cargo theft in Wilmington Township sparked a multi-jurisdictional pursuit Saturday morning that ended with a crash and a manhunt in a New Lenox neighborhood. The...
Waste Management Commits to Expanded Litter Patrols Around Landfill
Will County Landfill Committee Meeting | Jan. 13, 2026 Article Summary: Following complaints from county officials, Waste Management has agreed to significantly expand its litter collection efforts along roadways surrounding...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Ad-Hoc Ordinance Review Committee for Jan. 13, 2026
Will County Ad-Hoc Ordinance Review Committee Meeting | Jan. 13, 2026 The Will County Board Ad-Hoc Ordinance Review Committee met on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, to continue its comprehensive update...
County Approves $22 Million in Road Projects for Lorenzo Road and Mills Road
Will County Board Meeting | January 15, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Board approved major infrastructure contracts, including an $18.8 million bridge replacement on Lorenzo Road and a $3.2...
Landfill Committee Advances Plan to Purchase Fourth Compressor for RNG Plant
Will County Landfill Committee Meeting | Jan. 13, 2026 Article Summary: The Landfill Committee voted to move forward with engineering estimates for a fourth compressor at the Prairie View Renewable...
Ad-Hoc Committee Retains Noise Ordinance Despite Enforcement Frustrations
Will County Ad-Hoc Ordinance Review Committee Meeting | Jan. 13, 2026 Article Summary: The Ad-Hoc Ordinance Review Committee voted to retain the county’s public nuisance noise ordinance despite members describing...
Will County Commits $15M to Transfer Sanitary District Operations to City of Joliet
Will County Board Meeting | January 15, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Board has authorized an intergovernmental agreement to dissolve the Southeast Joliet Sanitary District and transfer its water...
Attorneys review Chicago Teachers Union audits following congressional request
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Chicago Teachers Union says it has complied with a U.S. House committee’s request to release financial...
DHS: ICE agent shoots, kills armed Minneapolis man; protests erupt
By Elyse ApelThe Center Square Federal agents shot and killed an armed man in Minneapolis Saturday morning, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security said. "At 9:05 AM CT, as DHS...
‘They deserve their story’: Bill aims to open foster care files
By Cat Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois lawmakers are moving to ensure families adopting children from the state’s foster care system receive...
Under Trump, Big Bend CBP Sector in Texas making history
By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square The far west Texas U.S. Customs and Border Protection sector of Big Bend made history under the Biden and Trump administrations – for different reasons....
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Lincoln-Way 210 Board of Education for Jan. 15, 2026
Lincoln-Way 210 Board of Education Meeting | Jan. 15, 2026 Overall Meeting SummaryThe Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 Board of Education met on Thursday, January 15, 2026, covering a...
Prairie View Landfill Expansion Plans Take Shape as Consultants Navigate Design Challenges
Will County Landfill Committee Meeting | Jan. 13, 2026 Article Summary: Geologic Associates presented a detailed status update on the proposed expansion of the Prairie View Landfill, outlining a dual...
