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.
Today Jun 5
87° 67°
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Latest News Stories
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Land Use & Development Committee for Dec. 2025
Will County Land Use & Development Committee Meeting | December 2025 Overall Meeting SummaryThe Will County Land Use and Development Committee met on Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025, addressing a range...
Board Committee Approves Rate Hike for Private Pay Residents at Sunny Hill Nursing Home
Will County Board Executive Committee Meeting | December 11, 2025 Article Summary: To address operating deficits and rising costs, the Executive Committee approved a rate increase for private pay residents...
Illinois quick hits: Bovino thanks police; fire assistance grants available
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Bovino thanks police U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commander Gregory Bovino has expressed his appreciation to police officers in Chicago and...
IL House Speaker: ‘not even close’ to school choice legislation
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The speaker of the Illinois House says he would put school choice legislation up for a vote...
IL comptroller: Chicago mayor’s policies chase businesses away
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza says Chicago is chasing job creators away with crippling policies. Citadel moved 900...
Menards settles deceptive 11% rebate lawsuit for $4.25M with 10 states
By Jon Styf | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Wisconsin-based Menards has agreed to pay a combined $4.25 million to settle a lawsuit from 10 states...
Pace Expands I-55 Service and Launches ‘VanGo’ in Joliet
Will County Committee of the Whole Meeting | December 2025 Article Summary: Pace officials highlighted service expansions in Will County, including the recent launch of the "VanGo" reservation-based van service...
Will County Speaker Praises JJC for ‘Heroes’ Scholarship Success
Joliet Junior College Board Meeting | Dec. 10, 2025 Article Summary: Will County Board Speaker Joe VanDuyne addressed the Joliet Junior College Board, commending the institution for its efficient handling...
Speech Team Wins ‘Judges Choice’ as Students Raise Thousands for Charity
Manhattan School District 114 Meeting | Dec. 10, 2025 Article Summary:The Manhattan School District 114 Board recognized the Manhattan Junior High School speech team for securing a "Judges Choice" award...
Will County Executive Committee Rejects School Choice Advisory Referendum
Will County Board Executive Committee Meeting | December 11, 2025 Article Summary: The Will County Board Executive Committee voted against advancing a resolution that would have placed an advisory referendum...
‘Welcome Move’: 815 Mulch-It Granted More Time to Relocate in Homer Glen
Will County Land Use & Development Committee Meeting | December 2025 Article Summary: The Will County Land Use and Development Committee granted a second extension to a landscape and lawn...
JJC Trustees Clash Over New Policy Controlling Information Requests
Joliet Junior College Board Meeting | Dec. 10, 2025 Article Summary: The Joliet Junior College Board of Trustees passed a new policy requiring trustee inquiries to be routed through the...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Public Works & Transportation Committee for December 2, 2025
Public Works & Transportation Committee Meeting | December 2, 2025 Overall Meeting SummaryThe Will County Board Public Works and Transportation Committee met on December 2, 2025, to address infrastructure contracts,...
Land Use & Development Committee forwards Women’s Residential Recovery Center
Will County Land Use & Development Committee Meeting | December 2025 Article Summary: The Will County Land Use and Development Committee unanimously recommended approval for a new women-specific residential rehabilitation...
