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.
⚠️ Hydrologic Outlook issued June 8 at 12:44PM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Today Jun 7
81° 70°
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Latest News Stories
Trump confirms gas tax suspension push as prices hit $4.52
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump confirmed Monday that he wants to temporarily suspend the 18.4-cent federal gas tax, with Republican lawmakers in both chambers announcing plans to...
Trump says Iranian ceasefire on ‘life support’
By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square The ceasefire with Iran is on “life support” and “very weak,” according to President Donald Trump. The president commented Monday during an event in the...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Board Finance Committee for May 5, 2026
Will County Board Finance Committee Meeting | May 5, 2026 The Will County Board Finance Committee dedicated nearly its entire May 5, 2026, meeting to a series of rapid-fire, preliminary...
Committee Advances Nearly $212,000 in Road and Facility Contracts for Jackson Township and Monee
Will County Board Public Works & Transportation Committee Meeting | May 5, 2026 Article SummaryThe Will County Public Works and Transportation Committee approved two infrastructure contracts totaling over $212,000 for...
Will County Committee Hits Brakes on License Plate Reader Agreements Awaiting Privacy Policy Review
Will County Board Public Works & Transportation Committee Meeting | May 5, 2026 Article SummaryThe Will County Public Works and Transportation Committee delayed votes on five intergovernmental agreements for Automated...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Board Capital Improvements & IT Committee for May 5, 2026
Will County Board Capital Improvements & IT Committee Meeting | May 5, 2026 The Will County Board Capital Improvements & IT Committee focused heavily on long-term infrastructure planning during its...
Pittsburgh nurses lead charge for paid leave, for everyone
By Christen SmithThe Center Square Nurses across southwestern Pennsylvania see a simple answer to record-breaking staffing shortages and worsening healthcare outcomes for mothers and babies: paid family leave, not just...
Existing-home sales edge up in April as affordability improves
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square Existing-home sales rose 0.2% in April to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.02 million, rebounding after a 3.6% drop in March, according to the...
Accused correspondents’ dinner shooter pleads not guilty to all charges
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The accused White House Correspondents' Association Dinner shooter pleaded not guilty in federal court on Monday to all charges, including an attempt to assassinate President...
Illinois Quick Hits: Diesel passes $6; unleaded price drops
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The average price for a gallon of diesel fuel in Illinois has gone over the $6 mark...
U.S. Senate panel to examine fertilizer costs, food prices
By Tom JoyceThe Center Square The U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee will hold a hearing on Tuesday afternoon looking at disruptions in the fertilizer industry and the impact rising costs are...
Green Garden Solar Project Cleared to Implement Higher “Agrivoltaic” Standards
Will County Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting | May 5, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Planning and Zoning Commission approved four variances on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, to facilitate...
Frankfort Leaders Push Back Against Proposed State Mandates Threatening Local Zoning Control
Frankfort Village Board Meeting | May 4, 2026 Article Summary: The Frankfort Village Board formally resolved to oppose proposed state legislation that would strip municipalities of their ability to regulate...
Everyday Economics: Stable but weak under the surface
By Orphe DivounguyThe Center Square The April jobs report looked fine. Payrolls rose, unemployment held at 4.3%, hours ticked up. Nothing broke. But look one layer down and the picture...
Committee: Facilities Department Reports $92,000 in Energy Savings, Completes Veterans Assistance Commission Buildout
Will County Board Capital Improvements & IT Committee Meeting | May 5, 2026 Article SummaryAssistant Director of Facilities Ken Rogalski reported significant energy savings and the completion of key county...