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

Panelists debate costs of energy legislation as Illinoisans struggle to pay bills

Panelists debate costs of energy legislation as Illinoisans struggle to pay bills

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Some consumer advocates say battery storage legislation would help reduce energy price spikes, but others say an...
Hearing held after report on tax money funding woke ideology in nonprofit hospitals

Hearing held after report on tax money funding woke ideology in nonprofit hospitals

By Tate MillerThe Center Square Following a “Consumer Warning” report that shows a number of nonprofit hospitals promote DEI, gender ideology, and climate activism, the House Ways & Means Oversight...
Casey Westfield School Board.1

Casey-Westfield School Board Unanimously Adopts FY 2026 Budget

Article Summary: The Casey-Westfield Community Unit School District C-4 Board of Education unanimously approved the fiscal year 2026 budget during its meeting on Monday, Sept. 15, following a public hearing...
First Grade Reading.2

First Grade Reading

Look at these amazing readers! There was a lot of excitement in Mrs. Davis's first-grade class this week as students practiced their new Reading Center routines. The best part was...
What a sweet lesson! First graders got a hands-on experience with the "Ag in the Classroom" program last week, learning all about the buzz behind honey. They had a chance to examine real honeycombs and even taste the final product. We are thrilled that this fantastic program will be visiting our classrooms every month!

Ag in the Classroom

What a sweet lesson! First graders got a hands-on experience with the "Ag in the Classroom" program last week, learning all about the buzz behind honey. They had a chance...
Senate rejects both Republican and Democrat govt funding stopgaps, risking a shutdown

Senate rejects both Republican and Democrat govt funding stopgaps, risking a shutdown

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square The U.S. Senate failed to pass either Democrats’ or Republicans’ government funding proposals Friday to prevent a government shutdown. Senators have now left town for...
Human remains found near Leavenworth believed to be Travis Decker

Human remains found near Leavenworth believed to be Travis Decker

By Carleen JohnsonThe Center Square The Chelan County Sheriff’s Office has announced the discovery of human remains believed to be those of Travis Decker. Decker is accused of kidnapping and...
House passes government funding patch, sending over to Senate

House passes government funding patch, sending over to Senate

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square Right before recessing for the Rosh Hashanah holiday, U.S. House lawmakers passed Friday a short-term Continuing Resolution to postpone the Sept. 30 government shutdown deadline....
Illinois quick hits: ICE protests in Broadview; Edgar funeral services this weekend

Illinois quick hits: ICE protests in Broadview; Edgar funeral services this weekend

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square ICE protests in Broadview Protesters clashed with federal officials Friday morning outside the U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement facility in the...
WATCH: Pritzker’s office ‘troubled’ by ‘peacekeeper’ photo; 2 years of cashless bail

WATCH: Pritzker’s office ‘troubled’ by ‘peacekeeper’ photo; 2 years of cashless bail

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 the reaction...
Will GOP act on $124B in Medicare insurance fraud?

Will GOP act on $124B in Medicare insurance fraud?

By Chris Dickerson | Legal NewslineThe Center Square Earlier this year, UnitedHealthcare acknowledged it is under federal investigation over accusations is defrauded Medicare Advantage through multiple billions of dollars in...
City Council Meeting Briefs.Purple

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Casey City Council for September 15, 2025

The Casey City Council addressed major financial challenges and a significant leadership transition at its meeting on September 15, 2025. Mayor Mike Nichols gave a stark presentation on the city’s...
What a terrorist designation could mean for Antifa

What a terrorist designation could mean for Antifa

By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square President Donald Trump declared Antifa a terrorist organization on Wednesday, describing them as a “sick, dangerous, radical left disaster;” however, it’s unclear at this time...
WATCH: Report says national student debt is over $1.6 trillion

WATCH: Report says national student debt is over $1.6 trillion

By Esther WickhamThe Center Square The college student loan balance in the United States is $1.66 trillion, according to a WalletHub report. To determine the best and worst states with...
DOJ sues health plan that got almost $3.5 billion from Feds

DOJ sues health plan that got almost $3.5 billion from Feds

By Dave MasonThe Center Square The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California is suing a health insurance plan for allegedly violating the public’s trust at taxpayers’ expense....