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/

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

mokena school district 159.5

Mokena School District Terminates Contract with Evans and Sons Blacktop Over Project Deficiencies

MOKENA, Ill. – The Mokena School District 159 Board of Education voted unanimously Wednesday to terminate its contract with Evans and Sons Blacktop for the playground and parking lot improvements...
Mokena Intermediate School

Mokena District 159 Highlights Strategic Progress, Sets Sights on Advanced Learning and Data Systems

MOKENA, Ill. – Mokena School District 159 administrators presented their annual Strategic Plan review to the Board of Education on Wednesday, showcasing a year of significant progress in curriculum, facility...
mokena-jr-high-school

District 159 Approves $173,700 Window Shade Replacement Project for Summer 2026

MOKENA, Ill. – The Mokena School District 159 Board of Education has authorized the district to seek proposals for a large-scale window shade replacement project at three schools, slated for...
mokena-elementary-school

Mokena Junior High to Get New Hot Water Heaters After Failures

MOKENA, Ill. – The Mokena School District 159 board has approved an emergency expenditure of up to $34,500 to replace two failing hot water heaters at Mokena Junior High School....
mokena school district 159.5

District 159 Board Gets First Look at FY26 Budget Draft, Education Fund Deficit Noted

MOKENA, Ill. – The Mokena School District 159 Board of Education received its first look at the fiscal year 2026 budget this week, kicking off a two-month process of review...
Meeting-Briefs

Meeting Summary: Mokena School District 159 Board for July 16, 2025

The Mokena School District 159 Board of Education took several significant actions at its July 16 meeting, including terminating a contract for summer construction work due to performance issues and...
Sanchez

Sanchez Family Unveils Major Redevelopment Plan for Monee Industrial Property

Article Summary: Developer Luis Sanchez, a key figure in Monee's commercial growth for two decades, presented a plan to revitalize an industrial property on Industrial Drive. The project, which includes...
Screenshot-2025-08-13-at-2.15.28-PM

Monee Approves Over $566,000 Payment for New Public Works Facility Nearing Completion

Article Summary: The Monee Village Board approved a payment of $566,134.16 for the ongoing construction of its new Public Works building. Officials reported the project is on track for a...
Screenshot-2025-08-13-at-2.11.44-PM

Sheepdog Firearms Gets Green Light for Special Use Permit in Monee

Article Summary: Sheepdog Firearms received final approval from the Monee Village Board for a special use permit to operate a retail and firearms range facility at 25812 S. Sunset Drive....
Wintrust-Crossroads-Sports-Complex

New Lenox Prepares for Grand Opening of Wintrust Crossroads Sports Complex

NEW LENOX – After months of anticipation and intensive work, the New Lenox Community Park District is making final preparations for the grand opening of its flagship Wintrust Crossroads Sports...
New-Lenox-School-122.2

New Lenox D122 Board Approves Tentative Budget, Sets September Public Hearing

The New Lenox School District 122 Board of Education has approved a tentative budget for the 2025-2026 fiscal year, maintaining its long-standing practice of balanced budgets funded by existing cash...
New-Lenox-Township-Food-Pantry

New Lenox Township Food Pantry Reports Record Demand in May

NEW LENOX – The New Lenox Township Food Pantry experienced a record level of need in May, serving 431 families and 1,107 individuals, according to a report at the June...
NL-VB-July-28

New Lenox to Dedicate Street Honoring Pope Leo XIV, Citing Deep Local Ties

NEW LENOX – The Village of New Lenox is celebrating its unique connection to the newly elected Pope Leo XIV, the first American to lead the Roman Catholic Church, by...
New-Lenox-School-122.7

D122 Renews Insurance Policies for Nearly $490,000

The New Lenox School District 122 Board of Education has renewed its property/casualty and worker's compensation insurance policies for the 2025-2026 school year, with total costs amounting to nearly $490,000....
new-lenox-township.2

New Lenox Township Addresses Cemetery Needs, Appoints New Liaison

NEW LENOX – New Lenox Township is turning its attention to the care and potential expansion of its cemeteries, an effort that will be spearheaded by a newly elected trustee....