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

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

August 7, 2025/

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

20 Aug
Friends of the Frankfort Public Library District
20 Aug 25
21 Aug
Writing Workshop: World Building Pt. 2
21 Aug 25
26 Aug
Staying Mentally Fit
26 Aug 25
28 Aug
Sewing Machine Basics
28 Aug 25
28 Aug
Sewing Machine Basics
28 Aug 25
28 Aug
Teen Advisory Board (Gr. 6-12)
28 Aug 25
29 Aug
Library Board of Trustees
29 Aug 25
30 Aug
Yoga Tots
30 Aug 25
30 Aug
Yoga Kids
30 Aug 25
01 Sep
Building Closed for Labor Day
1 Sep 25

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

WATCH: Illinois In Focus Daily | Wednesday Aug. 13th, 2025

WATCH: Illinois In Focus Daily | Wednesday Aug. 13th, 2025

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 comments from...
Illinois law empowers officials to crack down on predatory towing

Illinois law empowers officials to crack down on predatory towing

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Beginning Jan. 1, a new Illinois law cracks down on predatory towing by letting the Illinois...
Illinois quick hits: Former Chicago schools dean sentenced for sexual assault

Illinois quick hits: Former Chicago schools dean sentenced for sexual assault

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Former Chicago schools dean sentenced for sexual assault A former Chicago public school dean has been sentenced to 22 years in...
WCO-Landfill-8.5.25.1

Will County Receives Detailed Update on Landfill Expansion Investigation

Article Summary: The Will County Landfill Committee received a comprehensive technical update on the site investigation for the planned horizontal expansion of the county landfill, confirming the project remains on...
Meeting-Briefs

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Landfill Committee for August 7, 2025

The Will County Landfill Committee on Thursday heard a detailed technical update on the ongoing investigation for the county landfill expansion, confirming that the complex project remains on schedule. Consultants...
Green-Garden-Logo.WP

Green Garden Township Moves Forward with New Town Hall Plans, Awaits Grant Approval

ARTICLE SUMMARY: Green Garden Township is advancing with preliminary work for a new town hall, having met with architects and a civil engineer, while awaiting Will County's final approval to...
Green-Garden-Township-Graphic.1

Township Board Approves Budget Transfers to Fund Assessor’s Staff and Correct Rent Payment

ARTICLE SUMMARY: The Green Garden Township Board approved Resolution 2025-005, which reallocates a total of $25,200 within the town fund to provide necessary staffing funds for the assessor's office and to...
solar panels photovoltaics in solar farm

County Rep Cites Solar Lawsuits, Grant Shortfalls as Key Issues Facing Will County

ARTICLE SUMMARY: Will County Board member Sherry Newquist reported that the county is navigating lawsuits related to solar farm approvals and anticipating budget challenges from the loss of federal grant money....
Assessor

Assessor’s Office Hires Staff to Handle Workload After 6% Multiplier Hits Property Owners

ARTICLE SUMMARY: Following the application of a 6% property assessment multiplier across Green Garden Township, the assessor's office has hired a new staff member to help manage the increased workload and...
SSUCv3H4sIAAAAAAAACnSRz07DMAzG70i8Q5XzKpY10I0jB248wcTBdcwaLUum/AGhae9O0rQjB7jFP9uf/cWX+7umYQN4hey5ueQoxUrr6IODoKxJeL2auSMjydWEpArWKdA1HCDgaOBECZqodcbXKcl8gBA9+TxsRgiBDkmjwJtE2Whf4mZJTMnUkVKMrSrm4zCxBRXxfzpfoleGvH94VQYM0l9Kb8ojaQ2GbPS/suXxvliFAxn8ntxULh1pguJyX0rZ8SuQO9W+IUplK8ufFkHngq5SOjuFyhyqNhvG6QRLG9pogssr3D6EaWvPMOj8/x9JkxY+gvepXC68GoTp4PZUzTE2TAZmVSbTmXLIu023E6Lre7HlohNPYi4opx1V0pnWWYRSjEcla+sqb8AIibbYb1qOXLZih7wdeNe3m+6Ry4H3fECRPv76AwAA//8DAJrJGBCkAgAA

Township Appoints Temporary FOIA Officer During Trustee’s Leave of Absence

ARTICLE SUMMARY: The Green Garden Township Board appointed resident Belinda Olszewski as a temporary, non-paid Administrative Assistant and FOIA Officer to fill the roles while Trustee Sarah Boxer is on a...
Meeting-Briefs

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Green Garden Township Board for August 11, 2025

The Green Garden Township Board pushed forward with plans for a new town hall and approved key budget transfers to support the assessor's office during its August 11th meeting. Supervisor...
Illinois quick hits: Fatal crash involved Guatemalan national; tentative Chicago firefighters contract

Illinois quick hits: Fatal crash involved Guatemalan national; tentative Chicago firefighters contract

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Fatal crash involved Guatemalan national The Stephenson County Sheriff’s Department says toxicology testing will be conducted to determine if alcohol was...
WATCH: Sonya Massey bill requiring full employment history for police candidates now law

WATCH: Sonya Massey bill requiring full employment history for police candidates now law

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A measure requiring police agencies across the state of Illinois to get full employment history for prospective...
Chicago group says Illinois officials break laws as they blast Trump

Chicago group says Illinois officials break laws as they blast Trump

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson says he and Gov. J.B. Pritzker are on the same page about President...
Pritzker continues fielding presidential question ahead of State Fair rally

Pritzker continues fielding presidential question ahead of State Fair rally

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois Democrats rally at the Illinois State Fair in Springfield Wednesday for Governor’s Day, but whether Gov....