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.

Events

No events

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

EXCLUSIVE: Secret Service spent $11 million on Hunter Biden travel detail

EXCLUSIVE: Secret Service spent $11 million on Hunter Biden travel detail

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square The Biden administration spent more than $10 million over three years on a security detail and related expenses for former First Son Hunter Biden after...
Proposed federal funding bill doles out nearly $16M for electric, hydrogen buses

Proposed federal funding bill doles out nearly $16M for electric, hydrogen buses

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square Nearly $16 million taxpayer dollars are set aside for zero-emission buses and charging stations across the country in one of Congress’ proposed annual government funding...

WATCH: Democrats ‘hate’ Trump more than they ‘love’ their communities, Homan says

By Greg BishopThe Center Square Trump administration border czar Tom Homan says Democrat leaders in sanctuary states and cities hate President Donald Trump more than they care for their communities....
Bipartisan group of lawmakers aim to increase migrant physician jobs

Bipartisan group of lawmakers aim to increase migrant physician jobs

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square A bipartisan group of Congressional lawmakers wants to expand a program that allows noncitizens to fill physician vacancies in rural areas of the United States...

WATCH: Border czar Homan considered turning Trump’s offer down

By Greg BishopThe Center Square Tom Homan, President Donald Trump's border czar, addressed the State Freedom Caucus Foundation Friday night in Dallas.

WATCH: DeSantis addresses State Freedom Caucus Foundation

By Greg BishopThe Center Square Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis addressed the State Freedom Caucus Foundation Friday night in Dallas.
Higher ed spending up as enrollment plummets at Illinois universities

Higher ed spending up as enrollment plummets at Illinois universities

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A former state lawmaker says Illinois is now tops in the nation on per-student spending in higher...
World's largest retailer struggles to keep costs down as tariffs hit

World’s largest retailer struggles to keep costs down as tariffs hit

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square The world's largest retailer says it's doing everything it can to keep prices low as its costs increase each week due to the tariffs at...
Boston judge orders Trump to give back Harvard funding

Boston judge orders Trump to give back Harvard funding

By Esther WickhamThe Center Square A Boston federal judge this week blocked the Trump administration’s $2.2 billion funding freeze against Harvard after the government's claims of antisemitism. The U.S. District...
Arizona congressman backs bill protecting ICE agents

Arizona congressman backs bill protecting ICE agents

By Chris WoodwardThe Center Square U.S. Rep. Abe Hamadeh wants to protect ICE agents. The Arizona congressman is among a handful of House representatives, all of them Republicans, to introduce...
Northwestern president steps down amid federal funding cuts

Northwestern president steps down amid federal funding cuts

By Esther WickhamThe Center Square Northwestern University President Michael Schill resigned this week amid the federal funding freeze by the Trump administration. Schill has served as the 17th president of...
Feds sue Southern California Edison over Eaton, Fairview fires

Feds sue Southern California Edison over Eaton, Fairview fires

By Dave MasonThe Center Square The U.S. Department of Justice is suing electric utility company Southern California Edison for tens of millions of dollars over the devastating Eaton and Fairview...

WATCH: Trump renames DOD to ‘Department of War’

By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square What’s in a name? Military victories, according to the Trump administration. The Department of Defense is reverting to its old name – the Department of...
Push to ban stock trading by Congress follows IL rep’s reported violations

Push to ban stock trading by Congress follows IL rep’s reported violations

By Jim TalamontiThe Center Square After an Illinois congressman reportedly broke the law with late disclosures of stock trades, another member of the state’s delegation is urging colleagues to prohibit...
Federal judge strikes down New Hampshire's DEI ban

Federal judge strikes down New Hampshire’s DEI ban

By Chris WadeThe Center Square A federal judge in New Hampshire has temporarily blocked a state law targeting diversity, equity and inclusion programs in public schools. The ruling issued Thursday...