August 7, 2025/
Illinois quick hits: Fatal helicopter crash; Comptroller orders another extra pension payment
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 Jun 14
73° 55°
Sunny
Latest News Stories
Illinois Quick Hits: $3M in taxpayer funds go to Chicago neighborhood center
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois taxpayers have provided $3 million for a new neighborhood center on Chicago’s Southwest Side. Gov. J.B....
Casey-Westfield Capitalizes on Mistakes to Blank Arthur-Okaw Christian 10-0
The Casey-Westfield varsity baseball team took full advantage of a struggling Arthur-Okaw Christian defense on Monday afternoon, cruising to a 10-0, five-inning non-conference victory on their home diamond. The Warriors’...
Casey Council Transfers Vacant Lots to Central Illinois Land Bank Authority
Casey City Council Meeting | April 6, 2026 Article Summary: The City of Casey will transfer a pair of vacant, city-owned lots to the Central Illinois Land Bank Authority to...
Temu, Shein hit with class actions demanding tariff refunds
By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square Online Chinese discount marketplace giants Temu and Shein have each been hit with nationwide class action lawsuits, demanding they repay customers for...
Illinois has most government units, but consolidation brings challenges
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A new report says Illinois is among the most fragmented states in the nation when it comes...
Illinois quick hits: Southwest to lay off 107 as O’Hare service ends
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Southwest to lay off 107 as O'Hare service ends According to an Illinois Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act notice, 107...
State House passes 133 bills, many potential impacts for Illinoisans
By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Illinois House of Representatives passed a total of 133 bills last week, sending them to the...
Breese Central Powers Past Casey-Westfield 7-1 in Saturday Afternoon Clash
The Casey-Westfield varsity baseball team saw its Saturday momentum stifled in the afternoon cap of a home slate, falling 7-1 to a formidable Breese Central squad in non-conference action at...
Early Offensive Surge Propels Casey-Westfield Past Farina South Central 6-4
The Casey-Westfield varsity baseball team relied on a flurry of early-inning offense to secure a 6-4 non-conference victory over visiting Farina South Central on Saturday morning at Jerald Barr Field....
Goble Tosses Shutout, Homers to Lead Casey-Westfield Past Murphysboro 3-0
Senior Ava Goble delivered a masterful two-way performance on Saturday, pitching a complete-game shutout and hitting a home run to propel the Casey-Westfield varsity softball team to a 3-0 home...
Casey-Westfield Holds Off Central A & M Rally for 5-4 Tournament Victory
The Casey-Westfield varsity softball team successfully fended off a mid-game surge to secure a 5-4 victory over Central A & M in Saturday's home tournament matchup. Behind early offensive fireworks...
Casey Police Department to Receive Upgraded Tasers in $59,778 Agreement
Casey City Council Meeting | April 6, 2026 Article Summary: The Casey Police Department will phase out its obsolete Taser equipment after the City Council approved a new five-year, $59,778...
Walk-Off Winner: Pruemer’s Complete Game Lifts Windsor/Stewardson-Strasburg Over Casey-Westfield
The Windsor/Stewardson-Strasburg varsity baseball team secured a thrilling 4-3 walk-off victory over Casey-Westfield on Friday, using a bottom-of-the-seventh rally to cap off a gritty non-conference win at home. Junior Noah...
Goble, Bonds Go Deep as Casey-Westfield Offense Overwhelms BHRA, 17-4
An unrelenting offensive attack propelled the Casey-Westfield varsity softball team to a commanding 17-4 non-conference victory over Bismarck-Henning/Rossville-Alvin (BHRA) on Thursday. The visitors combined for 19 hits, including a pair...