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 16 at 2:44AM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Today Jun 15
74° 53°
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Latest News Stories
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Finance Committee for March 3, 2026
Will County Finance Committee Meeting | March 3, 2026 The Will County Board Finance Committee met on Tuesday to review a slate of year-end financial reports and approve routine budget...
Frankfort Board Awards $551,755 in Engineering Contracts for Aberdeen Bridge Replacement
Frankfort Village Board Meeting | March 16, 2026 Article Summary: Following emergency shoring improvements, the Village Board approved structural and design engineering contracts to fully replace the Aberdeen Bridge over...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Board Ad-Hoc Ordinance Review Committee for March 10, 2026
Will County Board Ad-Hoc Ordinance Review Committee Meeting | March 10, 2026 The Will County Board Ad-Hoc Ordinance Review Committee met on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, to review a backlog...
Frankfort Village Board Approves Preliminary Plans for 133-Acre Frankfort Pointe Development Amid Resident Concerns
Frankfort Village Board Meeting | March 16, 2026 Article Summary: The Village Board approved rezoning and preliminary plans for a massive mixed-use industrial, commercial, and solar development on the village’s...
Ad-Hoc Committee: Will County Sheriff’s Office to Acquire Decibel Meters for Noise Complaints
Will County Board Ad-Hoc Ordinance Review Committee Meeting | March 10, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Sheriff's Office plans to purchase a fleet of certified decibel meters to accurately...
Will County Public Works Approves Access for 56-Acre Truck Services Hub on Manhattan-Monee Road
Will County Public Works and Transportation Committee Meeting | March 3, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Public Works and Transportation Committee on Tuesday approved a request to allow commercial ingress...
Crest Hill Homeowner Granted Side Yard Setback Variance for Accessible Addition
Will County Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting | March 3, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Planning and Zoning Commission approved a side yard setback variance for a Crest Hill...
State Update: County Officials Raise Alarms Over Pritzker’s ADU Zoning Push and Data Center Tax Breaks
Legislative Committee Meeting | March 2026 Article Summary: During a state legislative update, Will County Board members expressed deep concerns over Governor J.B. Pritzker's continued push to mandate Accessory Dwelling Units...
Committee Approves $317K Guardrail Maintenance Contract Amid Discussion on Installation Dangers
Will County Public Works and Transportation Committee Meeting | March 3, 2026 Article Summary: Will County officials approved an annual guardrail maintenance contract Tuesday while addressing national concerns over improperly installed...
Will County Approves Diamond Enterprise Zone Expansion to Support $355 Million Energy Investment
Will County Executive Committee Meeting | March 12, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Executive Committee unanimously approved ordinances expanding the Diamond Enterprise Zone to include the Village of Braceville. The...
Federal Update: DHS Shutdown, War Powers, and Housing Legislation Dominate Washington
Legislative Committee Meeting | March 3, 2026 Article Summary: Will County's federal lobbyists briefed the Legislative Committee on a turbulent week in Washington, D.C., highlighting the passage of a major bipartisan...
Will County Corporate Revenues Surpass Expectations, Igniting Debate Over Delinquent Tax Sales
Will County Finance Committee Meeting | March 3, 2026 Article Summary: A routine review of the county’s year-end corporate fund revealed that revenues exceeded budgeted expectations by millions, largely driven by...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Public Works and Transportation Committee for March 3, 2026
Will County Public Works and Transportation Committee Meeting | March 3, 2026 The Will County Public Works and Transportation Committee met on Tuesday, March 3, advancing millions of dollars in...
Will County Grants Extensions for Seven Solar and Commercial Projects Amid Permitting Delays
Will County Land Use & Development Committee Meeting | March 5, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Land Use and Development Committee approved a slate of extensions for seven previously authorized...
Will County Committee Postpones Liquor, Ad-Hoc Committee: Gaming, and Tobacco Ordinance Updates Amid Extensive Revisions
Will County Board Ad-Hoc Ordinance Review Committee Meeting | March 10, 2026 Article Summary: A Will County Board committee paused the advancement of major updates to the county's liquor, video...