September 25, 2025/

Illinois quick hits: O’Fallon man allegedly work with cartel; most dangerous for nursing home safety

Spread the love

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

O’Fallon man allegedly work with cartel

High-ranking members of the Sinaloa Cartel are among 26 defendants facing federal charges for their alleged involvement in trafficking hundreds of kilograms of methamphetamine, fentanyl and cocaine into southern Illinois and laundering the proceeds to Mexico.

Earl Frank, 56, of O’Fallon, Illinois is among the 26 defendants who allegedly participated in the cartel-sourced drug distribution pipeline.

U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi said the indictment is a significant blow to the Sinaloa Cartel’s infrastructure.

Most dangerous for nursing home safety

According to a new study, Illinois is the most dangerous state in the nation for nursing home safety violations.

Anidjar & Levine found that Illinois had 2,300 penalties among its 682 certified nursing facilities.

Total fines reached $78.4 million for an average of $115,000 per facility.

Blue Ribbon Schools announced

A record-breaking number of Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Chicago have met the criteria for the National Blue Ribbon School Award, given by the U.S. Department of Education.

Ten schools were informed in August that they would receive the honor. Several schools scheduled celebrations Thursday.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Illinois quick hits: Illinois U.S. senators split on shutdown vote

Illinois quick hits: Illinois U.S. senators split on shutdown vote

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Illinois U.S. senators split on shutdown vote Illinois U.S. Senators Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth differed as the Senate voted to...
‘Code and Country’ report urges stronger U.S. response to China’s AI ambitions

‘Code and Country’ report urges stronger U.S. response to China’s AI ambitions

By Tom JoyceThe Center Square China’s pursuit of artificial intelligence supremacy poses one of the greatest strategic threats in history, a new report from the Center for Security Policy warns....
Meeting Briefs

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Casey City Council for November 03, 2025

Casey City Council Meeting | November 03, 2025 The Casey City Council addressed property blight, approved major financial items, and moved forward on key city projects during its first meeting...
Light at the end of the government shutdown tunnel

Light at the end of the government shutdown tunnel

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square U.S. Senate Republicans have offered Democrats a face-saving way out of the government shutdown: in exchange for support to reopen the government, Republicans will guarantee...
Everyday Economics: Is AI to blame for the layoffs – or a late-cycle hangover?

Everyday Economics: Is AI to blame for the layoffs – or a late-cycle hangover?

By Orphe DivounguyThe Center Square (THE Center Square) – U.S. employers announced 153,074 job cuts in October – the worst October since 2003 – and headlines rushed to blame AI....
Deal close in U.S. Senate to reopen government

Deal close in U.S. Senate to reopen government

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square A deal is close to being struck in the U.S. Senate to resume funding the federal government, indicating the end of the shutdown is close....
DMV small businesses also bear brunt of Congress’ budget brawl

DMV small businesses also bear brunt of Congress’ budget brawl

By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square As Congress convenes for a rare Sunday session amid the ongoing shutdown, the capital region’s small business owners wait with baited breath. Besides federal workers,...
Legal experts split over state, federal immigration control

Legal experts split over state, federal immigration control

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The second Trump administration has been largely defined by strict immigration enforcement and net zero illegal border crossings. Amid the enforcement, legal policy analysts are...
Thousands of flights delayed, cancelled as shutdown rocks airports

Thousands of flights delayed, cancelled as shutdown rocks airports

By Dan McCalebThe Center Square More than 1,400 flights within, into or out of the U.S. were cancelled Sunday and more than 3,300 were delayed as staffing levels at airports...
Trump: Americans to receive $2,000 each from tariff revenue

Trump: Americans to receive $2,000 each from tariff revenue

By Dan McCalebThe Center Square President Donald Trump on Sunday said every American with the exception of the wealthy will receive $2,000 from the revenue the U.S. has collected from...
Casey Council Meeting Graphic.2

City Hall Remodel Plans Move Forward for Public Bidding

Casey City Council Meeting | November 03, 2025 Article SummaryPlans to remodel the front office of Casey City Hall are advancing after the City Hall Committee finalized a new design....
Taxpayer costs rise as U.S. mounts pressure campaign against Venezuela

Taxpayer costs rise as U.S. mounts pressure campaign against Venezuela

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump's plans for Venezuela could cost U.S. taxpayers more each day as the military's most expensive aircraft carrier arrives. The president says the...
Large naval presence in Caribbean ahead of Ford arrival

Large naval presence in Caribbean ahead of Ford arrival

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square As the number of suspected narcotic transport boats destroyed by the U.S. military grows, so does the number of naval vessels in the Caribbean. Secretary...
Voting rights group warns CA redistricting push could undermine trust in IL

Voting rights group warns CA redistricting push could undermine trust in IL

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (THE CENTer Square) – California Gov. Gavin Newsom is urging states like Illinois to redraw congressional maps, but voting rights...
Chicago downtown office space vacancy rate jumps to record high levels

Chicago downtown office space vacancy rate jumps to record high levels

By Glenn Minnis | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – With Chicago’s downtown office vacancy rate now at a record-high 28%, Illinois Policy Institute researcher LyLena...