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.
Community Events
MondayDecember 8, 2025
TuesdayDecember 9, 2025
WednesdayDecember 10, 2025
ThursdayDecember 11, 2025
FridayDecember 12, 2025
SaturdayDecember 13, 2025
MondayDecember 15, 2025
TuesdayDecember 16, 2025
Latest News Stories
Manhattan District Adopts New Math Program After Comprehensive Review
The Manhattan School District 114 Board of Education unanimously approved the adoption of Eureka Math Squared for kindergarten through eighth grade on Tuesday, concluding a year-long evaluation process involving 25...
Manhattan Junior High Scholastic Bowl Team Places Second at State Championship
Manhattan Junior High School's scholastic bowl team achieved a historic milestone by placing second in the state championship, marking the first time in the program's eight-year history that the team...
Enrollment Growth Prompts Staffing Discussions as Construction Continues
Manhattan School District 114 continues managing significant enrollment growth while construction projects remain on schedule for completion by the end of the school year. Current kindergarten enrollment of 218 students...
School District 114 Meeting Briefs
Budget Display Scheduled: The district's fiscal year 2025 amended budget will be on public display from May 15 through June 17, with board approval scheduled for the June 17 meeting....
Manhattan Road District Eyes $2.1M Budget, Hinges on Unguaranteed Solar Farm Funds
The Manhattan Township Road District is proposing a $2.15 million budget for the upcoming fiscal year, a plan that includes the purchase of a new truck and finishing a storage...
Manhattan Township Delays Decision on Critical Server Upgrade Amid Security Concerns
Manhattan Township officials are weighing a costly but necessary technology upgrade after learning their primary server is a decade old and runs on unsupported software, posing a potential cybersecurity risk....
Frankfort Park District Reorganizes Board, Explores Options for Tax-Impacting Projects
FRANKFORT – The Frankfort Park District Board seated its re-elected members, reorganized its leadership, and approved its new annual budget on Tuesday, while also revealing it is actively exploring options...
Assessor Announces End to “Empathetic” Tax Reductions, Raises Senior Freeze Threshold
Manhattan Township homeowners will see two significant changes in property assessment rules, including the end of a long-standing practice of granting tax reductions for fire-damaged properties and a beneficial increase...
Meeting Briefs: Manhattan Township for May 13, 2025
Officials Sworn into Office: Clerk Kelly Baltas administered the oath of office to newly elected and re-elected officials. Taking the oath were Supervisor James F. Walsh and Trustees Eileen Fitzer, Paul...
Aging Sara Park Building Poses Challenge for Park District
The Frankfort Park District is grappling with how to address the deteriorating Sara Park building, whose roof is in "bad shape" and whose location within a flood plain complicates any...
Meeting Briefs: Frankfort Park District Board for May 13, 2025
The Frankfort Park District Board of Commissioners re-elected its leadership team for a new term and approved its fiscal year 2025-2026 budget at its meeting on Tuesday. The board also...
Manhattan Swears In New Officials, Tables Fire Code Discussion
Village postpones St. Joseph's school sprinkler decision as benefactors emerge to help with costs Mayor Mike Adrieansen began his second term alongside newly elected Village Clerk Rebecca Bouck and trustees...
Manhattan Honors Departing Officials at Final Board Meeting
Beemsterboer, Adamski and Lewis recognized for combined 32 years of public service The Village of Manhattan honored three departing officials Tuesday evening, recognizing their combined 32 years of public service...
