Illinois quick hits: Fatal helicopter crash; Comptroller orders another extra pension payment
August 7, 2025/
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.
Latest News Stories
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...
Deniz Aslan Appointed Interim Director of Curriculum at Summit Hill 161
Summit Hill School District 161 Board Meeting | September 17, 2025 Article Summary: The Summit Hill District 161 Board of Education appointed longtime educator Deniz Aslan as the Interim Director...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Frankfort Public Library District for August 28, 2025
The Frankfort Public Library District Board of Trustees approved its budget for the upcoming fiscal year, advanced a long-awaited reading room renovation, and authorized spending on key facility maintenance projects...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Frankfort Fire Protection District Board of Trustees for August 19, 2025
The Frankfort Fire Protection District Board of Trustees made a firm financial commitment to its pursuit of a future tax referendum at its meeting on Tuesday, August 19, 2025. The...
Frankfort Library Approves Funds for New Heaters, Tree Removal
Article Summary: The Frankfort Public Library Board of Trustees approved nearly $20,000 in spending for essential building and grounds maintenance, including the replacement of several heating units and the removal...
Summit Hill 161 Welcomes Will County Sheriff’s Deputy as New School Resource Officer
Summit Hill School District 161 Board Meeting | September 17, 2025 Article Summary: Summit Hill School District 161 officially introduced Will County Sheriff's Deputy Justin Farkas as the district's new...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Frankfort Square Park District for August 21, 2025
The Frankfort Square Park District Board of Commissioners reviewed a clean annual audit, heard a detailed presentation from the Lincolnway Special Recreation Association (LWSRA), and approved several administrative measures at...
Frankfort Fire Board Adopts FY 2026 Budget Amid Rising Insurance Costs
Article Summary: The Frankfort Fire Protection District Board of Trustees has unanimously adopted its budget and appropriation ordinance for the 2026 fiscal year. The approval came after a public hearing...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Board for September 18, 2025
The Will County Board navigated a contentious meeting on September 18, 2025, marked by narrow votes on two highly debated land use issues in Crete and Homer Glen. The board...
Library Approves $14,700 for Reading Room Architectural Services
Article Summary: The Frankfort Public Library board has approved a $14,700 proposal from StudioGC for architectural services for its long-planned reading room project, moving the renovation forward after it was...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Frankfort Township Board for August 11, 2025
The Frankfort Township Board of Trustees on Monday, August 11, 2025, passed a significant resolution empowering Supervisor Nick George to negotiate the development of township-owned real estate, a move aimed...
Summit Hill 161 Board Approves $40 Million Budget for 2025-2026 School Year
Summit Hill School District 161 Board Meeting | September 17, 2025 Article Summary: The Summit Hill School District 161 Board of Education unanimously approved a roughly $40 million budget for...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 Board of Education for September 18, 2025
The Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 Board of Education on Thursday, September 18, 2025, formally adopted a $172.7 million budget for the 2025-2026 school year. The budget includes a...
LWSRA Details Services for Residents with Disabilities, Plans ‘Hero Village’ Grand Opening
Article Summary: Keith Wallace, Executive Director of the Lincolnway Special Recreation Association (LWSRA), presented an overview of the agency’s services to the Frankfort Square Park District board, highlighting its support...
