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

U of I pressed on costly abandoned development project, stance on DEI directives

U of I pressed on costly abandoned development project, stance on DEI directives

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – As many Illinois universities face multimillion dollar budget deficits, state senators were critical of spending by the...
Trump says Iran's new leader wants ceasefire

Trump says Iran’s new leader wants ceasefire

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump announced today that Iran's new leader has requested a ceasefire, marking a possible turning point in the ongoing conflict that has gripped...
‘Conversion therapy’ bans in IL, other states, in danger, after SCOTUS ruling

‘Conversion therapy’ bans in IL, other states, in danger, after SCOTUS ruling

By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square The days appear to be numbered for a Colorado state law banning so-called "conversion therapy," after the U.S. Supreme Court lopsidedly sided...
Casey Westfield Softball Graphic

Casey-Westfield Launches Five Home Runs in 11-4 Win Over Edwards County

The Casey-Westfield varsity softball team put on an absolute clinic at the plate on Tuesday afternoon, blasting five home runs to power past host Edwards County 11-4 in a non-conference...
Casey Westfield Softball Graphic

Goble’s 10 Strikeouts and Powerful Offense Lead Casey-Westfield Past Edwards County 11-4

The Casey-Westfield varsity softball team unleashed a power-hitting clinic on Tuesday, launching five home runs to power their way to an 11-4 home victory over Edwards County. Backed by a...
Casey Westfield Track and Field Graphic

Casey-Westfield Secures Runner-Up Finishes at Five-Team Paris Meet

The Casey-Westfield track and field teams continued their strong spring campaign on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, traveling to Paris High School and capturing second place in both the boys' and...
Illinois business leaders press lawmakers as child care costs face scrutiny

Illinois business leaders press lawmakers as child care costs face scrutiny

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois business leaders pressured Illinois lawmakers Tuesday to approve billions of dollars in taxpayer‑funded child care investments,...
Illinois Quick Hits: Vacant lots go on sale in Chicago

Illinois Quick Hits: Vacant lots go on sale in Chicago

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Chicago Department of Planning and Development say more than 600 vacant city...
State vs. local property tax debate rages in Illinois

State vs. local property tax debate rages in Illinois

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker says property taxes are a local issue, but a county treasurer’s report says hefty...
Illinois Quick Hits: County study reflects massive property tax hikes

Illinois Quick Hits: County study reflects massive property tax hikes

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – According to a study by Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas, property taxes in the county increased at...
Fewer businesses of Illinois' diversity-preferred group got state contracts last year

Fewer businesses of Illinois’ diversity-preferred group got state contracts last year

By Jared Strong | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) - Fewer businesses that get diversity-related government priority in Illinois are getting contracts with the state, according to...
Casey Westfield Softball Graphic

Casey-Westfield Uses Five-Run Fifth Inning to Defeat Cumberland 7-3

The Casey-Westfield varsity softball team picked up a 7-3 non-conference road victory over Cumberland on Monday afternoon, breaking open a tight contest with a massive five-run surge in the fifth...
Casey Westfield Softball Graphic

Casey-Westfield Takes Advantage of Late Errors to Defeat Cumberland 7-3

The Casey-Westfield varsity softball team utilized a massive five-run fifth inning and capitalized on defensive miscues to defeat Cumberland 7-3 in a home non-conference matchup on Monday. The game began...
Casey Westfield Baseball Graphic

Casey-Westfield Capitalizes on Miscues to Defeat Oblong/Hutsonville/Palestine 7-3

The Casey-Westfield varsity baseball team protected its home turf at Jerald Barr Field on Monday afternoon, securing a solid 7-3 non-conference victory over the Oblong/Hutsonville/Palestine (OHP) co-op. By combining steady,...
Martinsville School Graphic.2

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Martinsville C.U.S.D. #C-3 Board of Education for February 23, 2026

Martinsville C.U.S.D. #C-3 Board of Education Meeting | February 23, 2026 The Martinsville Community Unit School District #C-3 Board of Education met in regular session on Monday, February 23, 2026....