August 7, 2025/
Illinois quick hits: Fatal helicopter crash; Comptroller orders another extra pension payment

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

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.

Events

Country Farm Antiques Show
Country Farm Antiques Show
23 Aug 25
Back to School Block Party
Back to School Block Party
23 Aug 25
Back to School Block Party
Back to School Block Party
23 Aug 25
Absent Ground @ Casey Popcorn Festival
Absent Ground @ Casey Popcorn Festival
29 Aug 25
All 90s Trivia at Casey Popcorn Festival
All 90s Trivia at Casey Popcorn Festival
30 Aug 25
Casey Popcorn Festival Jeep Showdown
Casey Popcorn Festival Jeep Showdown
30 Aug 25
Tyler Farr at Casey Popcorn Festival
Tyler Farr at Casey Popcorn Festival
31 Aug 25
Emo Night LIVE w/ All American Throwbacks
Emo Night LIVE w/ All American Throwbacks
31 Aug 25
Colton Dixon at Popcorn Festival
Colton Dixon at Popcorn Festival
1 Sep 25
01 Sep
Casey City Council Board Meeting
1 Sep 25
Bird of the Fall - winging it
Bird of the Fall - winging it
6 Sep 25
Chances R Second Annual Jeep Run
Chances R Second Annual Jeep Run
6 Sep 25

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