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.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Homeland Secretary: Pritzker, Johnson are protecting dangerous criminals

Homeland Secretary: Pritzker, Johnson are protecting dangerous criminals

By Jim TalamontiThe Center Square U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem says U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers have arrested criminals who would still be on the streets...
Reports: DOJ probing NY AG's fraud case against Trump

Reports: DOJ probing NY AG’s fraud case against Trump

By Chris WadeThe Center Square The Justice Department has subpoenaed New York Attorney General Letitia James as part of an investigation into whether she violated President Donald Trump's civil rights...
Trump warns of 'Great Depression' if appeals court curbs tariff power

Trump warns of ‘Great Depression’ if appeals court curbs tariff power

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump said Friday that if an appeals court curbs his tariff authority, America could sink into a "Great Depression." The U.S. Court of...
Illinois in focus: DHS announces new facility; NFIB urges veto of regulations; minority scholarship lawsuit moves forward

Illinois in focus: DHS announces new facility; NFIB urges veto of regulations; minority scholarship lawsuit moves forward

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square DHS announces new facility U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has returned to Illinois to discuss expanding detention facilities for what...
Abbott to call 'special session after special session' in response to AWOL Dems

Abbott to call ‘special session after special session’ in response to AWOL Dems

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Gov. Greg Abbott confirmed what many in Austin speculated: he will call special session after special session until bills are passed. Abbott called the current...
WATCH: Illinois In Focus Daily | Friday Aug. 8th, 2025

WATCH: Illinois In Focus Daily | Friday Aug. 8th, 2025

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – In today's edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop covers the latest...
Legislator urges leaders to focus on relief for Illinois’ high property taxes

Legislator urges leaders to focus on relief for Illinois’ high property taxes

By Glenn Minnis | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – With Illinois now being home to the highest property tax rates in the country, state Rep....
Meeting Briefs

Meeting Summary: Manhattan Village Board for August 5, 2025

The Manhattan Village Board approved a major road resurfacing contract, implemented a local grocery tax to replace state funds, and hired a new full-time accountant during its meeting on Tuesday,...
Texas House, Illinois state senator sue 33 AWOL Democrats in Illinois court

Texas House, Illinois state senator sue 33 AWOL Democrats in Illinois court

By Bethany Blankley | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Texas House of Representatives has sued 33 House Democrats who absconded to Illinois to prevent...
WATCH: Democrat state redistricting efforts created unfair advantages, lawmaker says

WATCH: Democrat state redistricting efforts created unfair advantages, lawmaker says

By Bethany Blankley | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – While Democratic lawmakers from California to New York have threatened to redistrict in response to Texas'...
Illinois quick hits: Fatal helicopter crash; Comptroller orders another extra pension payment

Illinois quick hits: Fatal helicopter crash; Comptroller orders another extra pension payment

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Fatal helicopter crash Two people are dead after a helicopter crashed into a barge on the Mississippi River. The Federal Aviation...
MH VB 8.5.25

Village Board Approves Comprehensive Update to Employee Personnel Manual

MANHATTAN – The Village of Manhattan has updated its employee personnel manual for the first time since 2018, adopting a series of amendments to formalize policies and reflect current practices....
New poll: 50.2% of Illinois voters view Pritzker unfavorably

New poll: 50.2% of Illinois voters view Pritzker unfavorably

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A new poll shows that Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s approval rating has flipped negative for the first time....
WATCH: Pritzker welcomes FBI looking for TX Dems in IL, dismisses bribery question

WATCH: Pritzker welcomes FBI looking for TX Dems in IL, dismisses bribery question

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – As the FBI gets involved in locating Texas Democrats hiding out in states like Illinois, Gov. J.B....
MH VB 8.5.25

Manhattan Awards $537,907 Contract for Hanover Estates Road Resurfacing

MANHATTAN – The Village of Manhattan has awarded a $537,907.85 contract to D. Construction, Inc. of Coal City for its Fiscal Year 2026 Motor Fuel Tax (MFT) resurfacing project, which...