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

House committee investigating Dem governors for 'illegal alien' Medicaid spending

House committee investigating Dem governors for ‘illegal alien’ Medicaid spending

By Sarah Roderick-Fitch | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform is launching an investigation into the “impact of the...
Illinois quick hits: House investigating Medicaid for illegal immigrants; transit concealed carry case decided by appeals court

Illinois quick hits: House investigating Medicaid for illegal immigrants; transit concealed carry case decided by appeals court

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square U.S. House investigating Medicaid for illegal immigrants A U.S. House committee is launching an investigation into Illinois and other states, seeking,...
WATCH: Chicago hearing addresses police workload; resident calls for federal help

WATCH: Chicago hearing addresses police workload; resident calls for federal help

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Chicago city council members did not discuss potential federal deployments during a public safety meeting Wednesday, but...
Arrest of Mexican national for 2023 murder called ‘long overdue’ justice

Arrest of Mexican national for 2023 murder called ‘long overdue’ justice

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Authorities confirmed the arrest of Gabriel Calixto in Mexico for the 2023 murder of Emma Shafer...
Tyler Farr_5048

Tyler Farr Rocks Casey, Takes a Seat Atop World’s Largest Chair

CASEY, IL – Country music star Tyler Farr brought his chart-topping hits and down-to-earth charm to Casey this weekend, delivering a memorable headlining performance at the Casey Popcorn Festival on...
Bessie, provided by the Stan Keeney family, paces the squares while everyone anxiously awaits, hoping she’ll stop on their square. —photo by Sharon Durham

Keeney Family Donates to Bessie Bingo

Bessie, provided by the Stan Keeney family, paces the squares while everyone anxiously awaits, hoping she’ll stop on their square. —photo by Sharon Durham
Lauren Repp was the winner of the Casey Rotary annual Bessie Bingo fundraiser. Lauren (right) received the $1,000 donation from Casey Rotary Club President Marcy Mumford (left). Also pictured is Rotarian Jay Markwell. —photo by Sharon Durham

Bessie Bingo Winner

Lauren Repp was the winner of the Casey Rotary annual Bessie Bingo fundraiser. Lauren (right) received the $1,000 donation from Casey Rotary Club President Marcy Mumford (left). Also pictured is...
Rotararians at work! Pictured (l to r) are Gary Shore, Jay Markwell, and Aaron Stinson. —photo by Sharon Durham

Rotararians at work!

Rotararians at work! Pictured (l to r) are Gary Shore, Jay Markwell, and Aaron Stinson. —photo by Sharon Durham
Section 8 covers Colorado rents up to $3,879 per month, 'lap of luxury'

Section 8 covers Colorado rents up to $3,879 per month, ‘lap of luxury’

By Kenneth SchruppThe Center Square Taxpayers are covering rents of up to $3,879 per month in Colorado, leading taxpayer advocates to question the growing duration of federal Section 8 housing...
House Oversight Committee releases trove of Epstein documents

House Oversight Committee releases trove of Epstein documents

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square More than 33,000 pages related to the Jeffrey Epstein case have been released by the U.S. Department of Justice after the House Committee on Oversight...
WATCH: Trump says 'we’re going in' as Pritzker pushes for money instead of troops

WATCH: Trump says ‘we’re going in’ as Pritzker pushes for money instead of troops

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – President Donald Trump has promised to send federal crime-fighting help to Chicago, but Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker...

WATCH: Trump to push Supreme Court for quick ruling on tariff authority

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump said Tuesday that his administration will ask the U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday to quickly take up his appeal on tariff authority...
Newsom seeks to regain control of rest of National Guard

Newsom seeks to regain control of rest of National Guard

By Dave MasonThe Center Square California Gov. Gavin Newsom is seeking another courtroom victory against President Donald Trump after a federal judge Tuesday ruled in Newsom’s favor over the National...
GOP scrutinizing litigation group that 'educated' 2,000+ judges on climate change

GOP scrutinizing litigation group that ‘educated’ 2,000+ judges on climate change

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square Republicans on the House Judiciary Committee have launched a probe into the Environmental Law Institute over allegations the group has tried to influence the impartiality...
Routh, representing himself, begins picking Florida jury Monday

Routh, representing himself, begins picking Florida jury Monday

By Alan WootenThe Center Square Ryan Routh will have court-appointed lawyers nearby as he represents himself in a Florida court against charges related to assassinating Donald Trump. Jury selection starts...