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

Bill blocks Federal Reserve members' dual appointments

Bill blocks Federal Reserve members’ dual appointments

By Zachery SchmidtThe Center Square Federal Reserve board members would not be able to hold dual positions appointed by the president if U.S. Sen. Ruben Gallego’s new bill becomes law....
Lawmakers call for changes to cashless bail as Illinois faces federal funding loss

Lawmakers call for changes to cashless bail as Illinois faces federal funding loss

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Statehouse Republicans are calling for reform of the Pretrial Fairness Act as Illinois faces the potential loss...

WATCH: House committee debates D.C. crime after Trump emergency order

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square For the first time since President Donald Trump declared a crime emergency in Washington, D.C., district leaders squared off with congressional lawmakers regarding the government’s...
Illinois quick hits: Unemployment down; Rivian supplier gets tax incentives

Illinois quick hits: Unemployment down; Rivian supplier gets tax incentives

By The Center SquareThe Center Square Unemployment down The unemployment rate in Illinois has dropped to its lowest point since July 2023. The Illinois Department of Employment Security announced the...
Pritzker’s office ‘extremely troubled’ by photo with suspect ‘peacekeeper’

Pritzker’s office ‘extremely troubled’ by photo with suspect ‘peacekeeper’

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Officials from the governor’s office say they were “extremely troubled” to learn that a man that Gov....
Democrats' CR could cost up to $1.4 trillion, add millions to Obamacare plans

Democrats’ CR could cost up to $1.4 trillion, add millions to Obamacare plans

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square Democrats’ plan to prevent a government shutdown could cost the federal government up to $1.4 trillion and subsidize millions of new Obamacare recipients over the...
Treasury goes after fentanyl-producing Sinaloa Cartel faction

Treasury goes after fentanyl-producing Sinaloa Cartel faction

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square The Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control designated Sinaloa Cartel faction Los Mayos, along with the leader of the faction's armed wing on Thursday. The...
Pritzker touts quantum future, state senator urges caution for taxpayers

Pritzker touts quantum future, state senator urges caution for taxpayers

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker is touting Illinois as a destination for quantum computing companies, but a state senator...
Supreme Court sets oral arguments in tariff case

Supreme Court sets oral arguments in tariff case

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square The Supreme Court said Thursday it will hear arguments Nov. 5. in a case critical to a wide swath of President Donald Trump's economic agenda....
Dems release funding counterproposal full of partisan policy riders

Dems release funding counterproposal full of partisan policy riders

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square As the government shutdown deadline looms, Democrats are splitting sharply with Republicans over what kind of funding stopgap Congress should approve. While Republicans have introduced...
Erika Kirk named CEO of Turning Point USA

Erika Kirk named CEO of Turning Point USA

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Erika Kirk, Charlie Kirk's widow, has been named the chief executive officer and chair of the board at Turning Point USA. Charlie Kirk founded the...
Assembly leadership condemns violence, pleads for peaceful future

Assembly leadership condemns violence, pleads for peaceful future

By J.D. DavidsonThe Center Square A little more than a week after the assassination of conservative political activist Charlie Kirk and three months after a Minnesota lawmaker was killed in...
Another Ohio public entity scammed out of more than $400,000

Another Ohio public entity scammed out of more than $400,000

By J.D. DavidsonThe Center Square For the second time this week, Ohio Auditor Keith Faber released details of a public entity being scammed out of more than $400,000 in a...
WATCH: Pritzker on Kimmel suspension; SNAP error rate alarms; hemp regulations loom

WATCH: Pritzker on Kimmel suspension; SNAP error rate alarms; hemp regulations loom

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 Illinois Gov....
Temporary Rockford Courthouse fence sparks debate over security and costs

Temporary Rockford Courthouse fence sparks debate over security and costs

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A temporary fence surrounding the federal courthouse in downtown Rockford, Illinois is drawing sharp criticism and...