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 Jul 27
82° 60°
Mostly Sunny
Latest News Stories
‘Good Food For All’ Initiative Proposes Local Agricultural Asset Mapping for Will County
Will County Board Public Health & Safety Committee Meeting | January 7, 2026 Article Summary: Bob Heuer of HNA Networks presented a "Good Food For All" initiative to the Public...
Public Works Committee Advances $3.2 Million Engineering Contract for Mills Road Reconstruction
Will County Public Works & Transportation Committee Meeting | January 6, 2026 Article Summary: The committee forwarded a resolution to award a $3.2 million contract to HDR Engineering, Inc. for...
Board Members Debate “Commitment to Truth” in Media Resolution
Will County Board Legislative Committee Meeting | January 6, 2026 Article Summary: A proposal to demand the reinstatement of the "Fairness Doctrine" for news media sparked a philosophical debate on...
Executive Committee: Speaker VanDuyne and Member Butler Clash Over Removal of Committee Chair
Will County Board Executive Committee Meeting | January 8, 2026 Article Summary: A heated exchange erupted during the January 8 Executive Committee meeting when Member Daniel Butler challenged Speaker Joe...
Finance Committee: County Appropriates Fees from $25 Million Wilmington Warehouse Project
Will County Board Finance Committee Meeting | January 6, 2026 Article Summary: The Finance Committee approved the appropriation of an administrative fee tied to a major industrial renovation in Wilmington....
Capital Imp Committee: Begins Drafting Policy to Regulate Artificial Intelligence in County Government
Capital Improvements & IT Committee Meeting | January 6, 2026 Article Summary:The Will County Board Capital Improvements and IT Committee began formulating a comprehensive policy regarding the use of Artificial...
Public Health Committee Chair Demands Animal Control Agreements for Crete, Monee
Will County Board Public Health & Safety Committee Meeting | January 7, 2026 Article Summary: During the January 7, 2026, Public Health and Safety Committee meeting, Chair Daniel Butler demanded...
Public Works Committee Considers Taking Over Kankakee County Line Road to Expedite Bridge Repairs
Will County Public Works & Transportation Committee Meeting | January 6, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Division of Transportation (WCDOT) is exploring a jurisdictional transfer of a section of...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Village of Manhattan Board of Trustees for January 6, 2026
Village of Manhattan Board of Trustees Meeting | January 6, 2026 The Manhattan Village Board of Trustees met on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, to handle routine business and address immediate...
Peotone Man Charged With Disorderly Conduct, Criminal Damage at New Lenox Target
A 45-year-old Peotone man has been charged with disorderly conduct and criminal damage to property following an incident at a New Lenox Target store, according to police. New Lenox police...
Executive Committee: Update to Land Resource Management Plan; Solar Farms and Rural Zoning Dominate Discussion
Will County Board Executive Committee Meeting | January 8, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Executive Committee initiated the first major update to the county’s Land Resource Management Plan since...
Will County Committee Adds Path to Citizenship Support to Federal Agenda
Will County Board Legislative Committee Meeting | January 6, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Board Legislative Committee voted on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, to amend its federal legislative agenda...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Manhattan Township Board for November 11, 2025
Manhattan Township Board Meeting | November 11, 2025 The Manhattan Township Board met on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, at the Manhattan Township Hall. Supervisor Jim Walsh called the meeting to...
Health Department Outlines Major Reduction in Consensus Vaccine Schedule
Will County Board Public Health & Safety Committee Meeting | January 7, 2026 Article Summary: Will County Health Department Executive Director Elizabeth Bilotta clarified changes to the childhood immunization schedule,...
Public Works Committee Forwards Condemnation Proceedings for Francis and Marley Road Improvements
Will County Public Works & Transportation Committee Meeting | January 6, 2026 Article Summary: The committee authorized the Will County State’s Attorney’s Office to proceed with condemnation cases to acquire...