Illinois quick hits: Salvi new state GOP chair; pilot crashes, dies fighting wildfires

Salvi new state GOP chair

The State Central Committee of the Illinois Republican Party has elected Kathy Salvi as the next chair.

Current chair of the party Don Tracy said last month that he wants to be out of the job by close of business July 19, the day after the Republican National Convention ends, at the latest. In his resignation letter, Tracy cited discomfort with state central committee members infatuated with fighting other Republicans.

Women charged for shoplifting

Two women are accused of stealing nearly $6,000 worth of merchandise from two Oak Brook stores, with one woman reportedly telling police that she would be out tomorrow.

Martasia Barney of Chicago, and Psy'che Hayes of Dubuque, Iowa, are facing several charges after they tried to flee police and smashed into patrol cars. Officers had to break out the windows of the women’s vehicle to take them into custody.

State's Attorney Robert Berlin said “the denial of pretrial release for both Ms. Hayes and Ms. Barney sends the strong message that in DuPage County we will not tolerate the complete and utter disregard for public safety.”

Pilot crashes, dies fighting wildfires

A Springfield, Illinois, coffee shop owner and pilot died after her plane crashed while fighting wildfires in Montana.

Juliana Turchetti passed away while collecting water from a reservoir. Officials said her plane crashed into the water and she did not survive.

Turchetti’s plane was under contract by the Idaho Department of Lands to aid in firefighting efforts.