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

Illinois Quick Hits: Civic federation funds 'persistent structural imbalance' in Illinois

Illinois Quick Hits: Civic federation funds ‘persistent structural imbalance’ in Illinois

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A new Civic Federation report has identified a persistent structural imbalance in the Illinois budget, with expenditures...
Screenshot 2026-04-25 at 8.34.35 AM

Lincoln-Way Schools Join “WillBeReady” Mutual Aid Network for Disaster Response

Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 Meeting | April 16, 2026 Article Summary: The Lincoln-Way Board of Education approved a Memorandum of Understanding to join the "WillBeReady" Mutual Aid Network,...
Will County Board Graphic.01

Millions Approved for Will County Highway and Road Infrastructure Projects

Will County Board Meeting | April 16, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Board authorized nearly $4.3 million in road improvement contracts, targeting key corridors including Francis Road, Renwick Road,...
Illinoisans may soon need registration, title, license to use e-bikes, scooters

Illinoisans may soon need registration, title, license to use e-bikes, scooters

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinoisans may soon be required to register their e-bikes, motorized scooters and other various modes of transport...
Pritzker’s commission report pushes for local investigations of federal 'brutality'

Pritzker’s commission report pushes for local investigations of federal ‘brutality’

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s Illinois Accountability Commission has released its report on alleged abuses by federal immigration law...
Illinois mulls change allowing pension investment in anti-Israel companies

Illinois mulls change allowing pension investment in anti-Israel companies

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Multiple speakers shared personal stories Thursday from the conflict between Israeli forces and Palestinians in an effort...
Will County Board Graphic.04

Board Establishes New Regulations and Fees for Wireless Telecommunication Facilities

Will County Board Meeting | April 16, 2026 Article Summary: In response to the state's Small Wireless Facilities Deployment Act, the Will County Board passed Ordinance 26-134 to manage the...
Screenshot 2026-04-25 at 8.34.35 AM

Lincoln-Way Central Auxiliary Field to Get $463,875 Artificial Turf Upgrade

Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 Meeting | April 16, 2026 Article Summary: The Board of Education approved the purchase of artificial turf from FieldTurf USA for $463,875.62, which will...
Joseph House

Historic Joseph Perry House in Crete Granted Landmark Status

Will County Board Meeting | April 16, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Board officially designated the Joseph Ferris Perry House in Crete Township as a historical landmark, protecting the...
State House OKs access to abortion medication at colleges

State House OKs access to abortion medication at colleges

By Chris WoodwardThe Center Square The Colorado House on Monday approved a bill allowing for the access of abortion medication on college campuses. House Bill 1335 is sponsored by Reps....
Nonprofit hospitals called out for prioritizing politics over patients

Nonprofit hospitals called out for prioritizing politics over patients

By Tate MillerThe Center Square Consumer protection organization Consumers’ Research launched a campaign to warn Congress about nonprofit hospitals that prioritize "woke" politics such as diversity, equity and inclusion, transgender...
Americans back birthright citizenship 2-to-1, poll finds

Americans back birthright citizenship 2-to-1, poll finds

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square A majority of U.S. adults say children born in the country should automatically get citizenship, according to a new poll published as the U.S. Supreme...
Roy leads congressional delegation calling to halt federal funding for CAIR

Roy leads congressional delegation calling to halt federal funding for CAIR

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Outgoing U.S. Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, is again calling on the federal government to take action against the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), this time...
Marilyn Monroe's home becomes a monument; owners sue

Marilyn Monroe’s home becomes a monument; owners sue

By Chris WoodwardThe Center Square Marilyn Monroe's home is the subject of a federal lawsuit against the city of Los Angeles. Brinah Milstein and Roy Bank purchased the property in...
Abbott lauds Supreme Court's second ruling upholding Texas' new congressional maps

Abbott lauds Supreme Court’s second ruling upholding Texas’ new congressional maps

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday ruled for a second and final time in favor of Texas’ redistricting law, effectively ending all challenges to the...