August 13, 2025/

Illinois quick hits: Human trafficking law signed; Mercyhealth to pay for COVID vaccine discrimination

Spread the love

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

Human trafficking law signed

Gov. J.B. Pritzker has signed legislation requiring state agencies to develop a strategic unified plan to build a network of services for survivors of human trafficking survivors.

According to Illinois State Police, Senate Bill 2323 addresses human trafficking through prevention, intervention and establishing standards for survivor support.

If you suspect human trafficking, contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or text *233733. You can also email [email protected].

Mercyhealth to pay for COVID vaccine discrimination

Illinois and Wisconsin health care operator Mercyhealth has agreed to pay more than $1 million in monetary relief and offered to reinstate employees who were terminated for refusing to comply with the organization’s COVID-19 vaccine policy.

The settlement follows an investigation by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

The agency’s investigation found reasonable cause to believe that Mercyhealth discriminated against employees based on their religion by terminating their employment or subjecting them to a wage deduction.

Man sentenced for distributing meth

A district judge sentenced a Centralia man to 17 years in prison after he admitted to distributing pound quantities of meth and fentanyl.

Jackie T. Scanlan, 54, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute meth and fentanyl.

Prosecutors say Scanlan qualified as a career offender for his previous drug trafficking and other felony convictions.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

ICE Rio Grande Valley agents arrest 228 in single day without incident

ICE Rio Grande Valley agents arrest 228 in single day without incident

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers working with law enforcement through its 287(g) program made the largest single day arrest of 228 people in the...
$95B price tag of Republican budget resolution questioned

$95B price tag of Republican budget resolution questioned

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square U.S. House Republicans forged ahead Thursday with the blueprint for their third budget reconciliation bill, sending a $95 billion budget resolution to the floor for...
Back from leave, Leavitt touts economy, Trump accounts and border

Back from leave, Leavitt touts economy, Trump accounts and border

By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt’s opening remarks to reporters at her first press briefing back from maternity leave focused on the economy, Trump accounts...
Med school dean questioned over antisemitism, DEI

Med school dean questioned over antisemitism, DEI

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Squarre) – The interim dean of the University of Illinois College of Medicine testified before Congress that the school...
Probe of Mamdani, possible Iran negotiation violation sought

Probe of Mamdani, possible Iran negotiation violation sought

By Alan WootenThe Center Square Investigating the mayor of New York City and a member of his administration following a meeting with an ambassador from the Islamic Republic of Iran...
As a Trump tariff expires, a new one takes its place

As a Trump tariff expires, a new one takes its place

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square A federal tariff struck down by a U.S. trade court is set to expire on its own terms July 24, even as the Trump administration...
Leavitt: Trump’s primetime speech will 'shock' listeners about American election integrity

Leavitt: Trump’s primetime speech will ‘shock’ listeners about American election integrity

By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square President Donald Trump is set to address the nation Thursday night in a speech the White House is encouraging Americans to watch that will include...
Antifa the focus at Rubio-hosted international summit

Antifa the focus at Rubio-hosted international summit

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square Secretary of State Marco Rubio highlighted what he described as the growing threat of left-wing terrorism Thursday at a ministerial he convened at the State...
Illinois Quick Hits: Unemployment holds at 5.1% in Illinois

Illinois Quick Hits: Unemployment holds at 5.1% in Illinois

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Based on data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Illinois Department of Employment Security says...
Thune handed $47B national security bill with poison pill

Thune handed $47B national security bill with poison pill

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square A $47.3 billion government funding bill has cleared the U.S. House of Representatives and arrives at the Senate facing a hostile reception from Democrats. The...
Ammons pleads not guilty, wants to delay House investigation

Ammons pleads not guilty, wants to delay House investigation

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) — Illinois State Rep. Carrol Ammons, federally indicted on multiple charges of wire fraud, pleaded not guilty in...
Minnesota extends Medicaid provider pause as fraud concerns reach U.S. Senate

Minnesota extends Medicaid provider pause as fraud concerns reach U.S. Senate

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square Minnesota is extending its pause on enrolling new providers in 12 high-risk Medicaid services as the state continues efforts to crack down on fraud in...
Sonderling defends grant shift, vows fraud crackdown to senators

Sonderling defends grant shift, vows fraud crackdown to senators

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Keith Sonderling, President Donald Trump’s nominee for secretary of the U.S. Department of Labor, vowed Thursday to stamp out workforce fraud, more efficiently spend education...
Advocate calls for stronger IDOC oversight after payroll fraud guilty plea

Advocate calls for stronger IDOC oversight after payroll fraud guilty plea

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Calls for stronger oversight of the Illinois Department of Corrections are growing after a former department...
Illinois Quick Hits: FAFSA applications rise with increase in state taxpayer funding

Illinois Quick Hits: FAFSA applications rise with increase in state taxpayer funding

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – According to the National College Attainment Network’s Free Application for Federal Student Aid Tracker for the Class...