August 7, 2025/

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

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

WATCH: Illinois DCFS can’t locate documents showing number of missing children

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Documents to show the number of missing youth in care from the Department of Children and Family...
The Casey-Westfield Warriors advance to the Sweet 16 round of the IHSA 1A Playoffs and will travel to face Nokomis on Saturday, November 4. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m.

Warriors Advance to Sweet 16; Community Bonfire Planned for Friday

CASEY—Fresh off a dominant 35-0 first-round playoff victory, the Casey-Westfield Warriors are preparing to hit the road for the IHSA 1A Sweet 16. The team will travel to face the...
In her final career race, Lady Warrior Kayla Clark leads the Casey-Westfield runners at the IHSA 1A Sectional meet. Clark capped her career with an impressive 29th-place finish and a time of 19:45.9. —photo by Terri Cox

Casey-Westfield Cross Country Concludes Season at Mattoon Sectional

Feature photo caption: In her final career race, Lady Warrior Kayla Clark leads the Casey-Westfield runners at the IHSA 1A Sectional meet. Clark capped her career with an impressive 29th-place...
Defensive standout Fred Thomas leads the Warriors onto Sinclair-Vidoni Field Saturday night. Thomas finished the game with six tackles and a sack in the 35-0 playoff victory.

Warriors Dominate Red Hill in 35-0 Playoff Shutout to Advance to Sweet 16

Featured photo caption: Defensive standout Fred Thomas leads the Warriors onto Sinclair-Vidoni Field Saturday night. Thomas finished the game with six tackles and a sack in the 35-0 playoff victory....

WATCH: Illinois tax amnesty program closes Nov. 17, brings in $82.5 million

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Illinois Department of Revenue is confident it will meet, if not exceed, its goal of bringing...
Illinois biz leader: Diversity computer snafu so bad it 'has to be intentional'

Illinois biz leader: Diversity computer snafu so bad it ‘has to be intentional’

By Jared Strong | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – An Illinois computer problem that has led to the diversity decertifications of numerous businesses owned by minorities...
WATCH: GOP U.S. Sen. candidate Tracy on shutdown, tariffs; state expands sanctuary

WATCH: GOP U.S. Sen. candidate Tracy on shutdown, tariffs; state expands sanctuary

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 talks live with...
Former Vice President Dick Cheney dies

Former Vice President Dick Cheney dies

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square Dick Cheney, vice president to former President George W. Bush, has died. He was 84. His family was with him Monday evening and said the...
Illinois quick hits: Ceremonies planned for new lawyers; energy efficiency grants announced

Illinois quick hits: Ceremonies planned for new lawyers; energy efficiency grants announced

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Ceremonies planned for new lawyers Bar admission ceremonies are scheduled across the state Wednesday for the 1,637 people who passed the...
26 states participate in federal SAVE program to ensure only US citizens are voting

26 states participate in federal SAVE program to ensure only US citizens are voting

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square In less than a few months, 26 states have begun working with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to ensure only U.S. citizens are voting...
Key races across U.S., redistricting at stake as voters head to polls Tuesday

Key races across U.S., redistricting at stake as voters head to polls Tuesday

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Governor’s races, city mayoral campaigns and redistricting initiatives will bring voters to the polls on Tuesday for a consequential off-year Election Day. Elections in California,...
Meeting Briefs

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Casey Township Library Board of Trustees for October 2, 2025

Casey Township Library Board of Trustees Meeting | October 2, 2025 The Casey Township Library Board made a key financial decision at its meeting on Thursday, October 2, 2025, voting...
Nigeria leaders deny Christian genocide, UN attributes violence to 'climate change'

Nigeria leaders deny Christian genocide, UN attributes violence to ‘climate change’

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Nigerian leaders continue to deny that Christian genocide has been occurring for years as the United Nation has attributed the violence to “climate change.” Over...
Congressional Perks: House members, staff get daycare, on-call doctor

Congressional Perks: House members, staff get daycare, on-call doctor

By Arthur KaneThe Center Square Job perks like an on-call doctor, on-site daycare and millions of dollars for food, beverages and bottled water sound like something offered to employees of...
California leaders hope for high voter turnout for Prop. 50

California leaders hope for high voter turnout for Prop. 50

By Madeline ShannonThe Center Square With only one day to go in California before Election Day, legislators expect to see a relatively high voter turnout for the Golden State’s congressional...