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.
Community Events
WednesdayDecember 10, 2025
ThursdayDecember 11, 2025
12:30 amClassroom Kitchen with Chef Kristyn - Virtual Program4:00 pmChildren's Finger Painting4:30 pmChildren's Finger Painting5:15 pmPilates - In Person with Nancy Richmond - MCPLD card holder priority6:30 pmOpen MahJong9:00 pmFamily History Exploration: A One-on-One Taster Session9:30 pm(Gr. 4th-8th): After School Bingo
FridayDecember 12, 2025
SaturdayDecember 13, 2025
Latest News Stories
Illinois GOP U.S. Senate candidates point to economy, Trump gains
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Economic issues are front and center for Republican U.S. Senate candidates in Illinois. Former Illinois GOP Chairman...
DOJ promises release of some Epstein records this week
By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square The U.S. Department of Justice will comply with a subpoena for records related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein as part of a congressional investigation,...
Book: Foreign countries pose greatest threat to free speech on college campuses
By Tate MillerThe Center Square A senior scholar at the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression argues in her new book that the greatest threat to free speech in higher...
Executive Committee Details Spending of $134 Million in Pandemic Relief Funds
Article Summary: Will County has expended 61% of its $134 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, with significant investments made in infrastructure, health, and economic development. Officials...
Mokena Fire District Invests in Station Upgrades, Modernizes Security with Digital Key System
Article Summary: The Mokena Fire Protection District is undertaking significant technology and infrastructure upgrades, approving a new $26,025 station alerting system for Station 2 and initiating a multi-year plan to...
Ohio congressional districts must be redrawn this fall
By J.D. DavidsonThe Center Square While politics is pushing redistricting efforts in other states, Ohio is under a rule of the people to change congressional maps before the midterm elections....
Treasury sanctions accused Costa Rican drug traffickers
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The Trump administration announced sanctions against four Costa Rican drug traffickers and two business entities as part of an effort to crackdown on cocaine. “Costa...
S&P keeps U.S. outlook stable, but says federal finances won’t improve
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square A top credit-rating agency decided to keep its outlook for U.S. credit stable, but said the federal government's financial position "won't meaningfully improve" in the...
Lawmaker criticizes $500 student board scholarships amid lowered K‑12 standards
By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois student leaders serving on state higher education boards will now receive $500-per-semester scholarships under a...
Mayor Karen Bass’s charity skips working Americans, data suggests
By Kenneth SchruppThe Center Square Less than 1% of aid recipients from the official charity of the office of Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass reported receiving the earned income tax...
Illinois news in brief: Work begins on $1.5 billion O’Hare expansion; Police catch man accused of road rage, shooting
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Work begins on $1.5 billion O'Hare expansion A new round of construction has begun at O’Hare International Airport in Chicago. Airline...
Putin, Zelenskyy to meet after ‘successful’ peace talks with Trump
By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square Russia and Ukraine appear to be inching closer to peace, as the two leaders are set to meet after rounds of meetings between President Donald...
WATCH: Dems, GOP battle over CA redistricting
By Dave MasonThe Center Square Emotions ran high Monday as Democrats and Republicans in Sacramento accused each other of sabotaging democracy before the 2026 mid-term congressional elections. The parties' press...
