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: Johnson responds to Trump; Migrant rental assistance urged; Credit card oversight

WATCH: Johnson responds to Trump; Migrant rental assistance urged; Credit card oversight

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 the latest...
Illinois quick hits: Cyber Monday security tips; expecting mother discharge legislation

Illinois quick hits: Cyber Monday security tips; expecting mother discharge legislation

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Cyber Monday security tips Government agencies are advising shoppers to shop safely on Cyber Monday. The Illinois Department of Revenue encourages...
Everyday Economics: A consumer slowdown, fraying margins, and a big test for the Fed

Everyday Economics: A consumer slowdown, fraying margins, and a big test for the Fed

By Orphe DivounguyThe Center Square Last week’s data told a clear story: the U.S. consumer is still standing, but looking increasingly tired – and businesses are starting to absorb more...
Weather-Winter

Casey Residents See 5 Inches of Snow; More Accumulation Forecast for Tuesday

Article Summary: After a winter storm dropped more than 5 inches of snow on Casey over the weekend, residents are preparing for a second system expected to bring additional accumulation...
Watchdog: Donations to liberal causes will continue despite Arabella’s rebrand

Watchdog: Donations to liberal causes will continue despite Arabella’s rebrand

By Tate MillerThe Center Square A network that pours funding into American liberal ballot issue campaigns initiated a rebrand the same day its tax filings were released, with a watchdog...
Meeting Briefs

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Lake Land College Board of Trustees for October 2025

Lake Land College Board of Trustees Meeting | October 13, 2025 The Lake Land College Board of Trustees met on Monday, October 13, 2025, taking action on several major financial...
Illinois rejects federal ‘no tax on tips’ rule, keeps state tax on tipped income

Illinois rejects federal ‘no tax on tips’ rule, keeps state tax on tipped income

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois is not adopting the new federal “no tax on tips” provision, meaning tipped workers in...
Attack foiled in Ft. Worth day before National Guard troops shot in WDC

Attack foiled in Ft. Worth day before National Guard troops shot in WDC

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Another Afghan-related terrorist attack was foiled one day before two National Guardsmen were shot in Washington, D.C., federal authorities said Saturday. The alleged perpetrators were...
Hundreds of flights canceled in Chicago as winter storm wreaks havoc

Hundreds of flights canceled in Chicago as winter storm wreaks havoc

By Dan McCaleb | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – More than 1,000 flights were canceled or delayed at Chicago's airports Saturday as a winter storm threatened...
Fiscal Fallout: States continue to increase budgets despite end of COVID emergency

Fiscal Fallout: States continue to increase budgets despite end of COVID emergency

By Arthur KaneThe Center Square States around the country, hooked on billions of federal dollars that flooded in during COVID, don't want the party to end. But the pandemic subsided...
lake land college.3

Lake Land College Board Approves Bids for Fire Alarm System, John Deere Engine

Lake Land College Board of Trustees Meeting | October 13, 2025 Article Summary: The Lake Land College Board of Trustees on Monday, October 13, 2025, approved bids for two significant equipment...

WATCH: IL legislator wants more transparency for taxpayer funded credit cards

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A Democratic state legislator is looking to require more transparency for how local governments in Illinois use...
Casey Westfield Warriors logo graphic

Moore drops 31 as Lady Warriors top Rantoul for 3rd Place at Oakwood

By Terri Cox | Casey Local Sports Reporter OAKWOOD — The Casey-Westfield Lady Warriors overcame a sluggish third quarter to secure a 48-37 victory over Rantoul on Friday, clinching third place...
HSBB-NolanClementToTheRim

Top-seeded Warriors roll past Okaw Valley in opener

Feature photo caption: Nolan Clement drives hard to the rim for a bucket against the Timberwolves. Clement chipped in eight points as the Warriors built a commanding 32-9 halftime lead...
Colorado lost record $24 million to data scams in 2024

Colorado lost record $24 million to data scams in 2024

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square Colorado residents lost a record high $24 million to personal data scams in 2024, according to a data forensics firm. That was four times the...