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

Consumer Watchdog says no legal support for president's tariff power

Consumer Watchdog says no legal support for president’s tariff power

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square A nonprofit group told the nation's highest court that even if a 1977 law that doesn't mention tariffs gives the president unbounded tariff authority, Congress...
Biden deal with activists limits Trump’s ability to arrest illegal immigrants

Biden deal with activists limits Trump’s ability to arrest illegal immigrants

By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square A Biden-appointed federal judge has agreed to extend an agreement negotiated between immigrant rights advocates and the administration of former President Joe...
Orlando court hearing delayed for Palisades Fire suspect

Orlando court hearing delayed for Palisades Fire suspect

By Dave MasonThe Center Square The court hearing for the Florida man charged with starting the Palisades Fire, one of the most destructive blazes in the history of Los Angeles,...
WATCH: US DHS looking to buy more property in Chicago for Trump law enforcement efforts

WATCH: US DHS looking to buy more property in Chicago for Trump law enforcement efforts

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The federal government is looking into buying more property in Chicago to continue conducting federal law enforcement...
Government shutdown continues, crippling IRS tax services

Government shutdown continues, crippling IRS tax services

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square Nine days into the government shutdown, Congress once again failed to re-open the federal government on Thursday. All but three Democratic senators are refusing to...
Hundreds of National Guard activated in Illinois

Hundreds of National Guard activated in Illinois

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Hundreds of National Guard soldiers are activated in Illinois for the next two months to assist in...
Illinois quick hits: Texas Guard arrives in Broadview; former governors join case against Trump

Illinois quick hits: Texas Guard arrives in Broadview; former governors join case against Trump

By The Center SquareThe Center Square Texas Guard arrives in Broadview Just as a federal judge prepares to hear arguments Thursday morning about the use of the National Guard in...
Officials, police criticize Chicago ICE stand-down; CPD says officers responded

Officials, police criticize Chicago ICE stand-down; CPD says officers responded

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois lawmakers and police are outraged after reports that Chicago officers were ordered to stand down...
WATCH: Pritzker tells Trump ‘come and get me;’ SCOTUS hears ballot counting case

WATCH: Pritzker tells Trump ‘come and get me;’ SCOTUS hears ballot counting case

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 shares reaction to...
Exclusive: Nevada lieutenant governor's legislation blocked because of his opposition to males in female sports

Exclusive: Nevada lieutenant governor’s legislation blocked because of his opposition to males in female sports

By Chris WoodwardThe Center Square All of Nevada Lt. Gov. Stavros Anthony’s bills were killed last session without a hearing, and he had to lay off staff to apparently punish...
28 journalists arrested, 118 assaulted so far this year, report finds

28 journalists arrested, 118 assaulted so far this year, report finds

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square As concerns increase about freedom of the press in the U.S., at least 118 incidents of journalists being assaulted and 28 incidents of journalists being...
Casey illinois library.1.logo graphic

Casey Library Board Hires Architect to Draft Expansion Plans, Lays Groundwork for Fundraising

Casey Township Library Board of Trustees Meeting | September 4, 2025 Article Summary: The Casey Township Library Board of Trustees has officially authorized an architect to develop concrete plans and...
Central Illinois Land Bank Authority

Casey Partners with Land Bank on New Strategies to Tackle Blight, Spur Housing Growth

Article Summary: The Casey City Council is exploring new strategies with the Central Illinois Land Bank Authority to address derelict properties and encourage new home construction. The partnership aims to...
Illinois quick hits: Another quantum company announced for incentives

Illinois quick hits: Another quantum company announced for incentives

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Another quantum company announced for incentives Another quantum computing company is taking advantage of state incentives to establish its headquarters at...

WATCH: Israel, Hamas agree to peace deal, Trump says

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square Israel and Hamas have agreed to the first phase of a peace plan, bringing the two-year war closer to an end, President Donald Trump announced...