Illinois Quick Hits: Opioid overdose deaths decline in Cook County

Spread the love

(The Center Square0 – Opioid overdose deaths are down for the third straight year in Chicago and suburban Cook County.

According to a report released by the Cook County Department of Public Health, Chicago Department of Public Health and the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office, 1,138 people in Cook County died from an opioid-involved overdose in 2024, compared to 1,783 people in 2023 and 1,961 in 2022.

Chicago’s opioid overdose mortality rate of 28.7 per 100,000 in 2024 exceeded the state of Illinois’ rate of 14.6 and the nation’s rate of 17.9, according to the CDC.

REPORT: ILLINOIS 10TH FOR DEPORTATION-DRIVEN ECONOMIC DISRUPTION

A new report says Illinois ranks 10th in the nation for economic vulnerability to mass deportation, with unauthorized immigrants making up 6.2% of the labor force and 28% of all foreign-born residents.

The Mendoza Law Firm says Illinois’s reliance score of 64.8 out of 100 outpaces every Midwest neighbor.

Nevada ranked as the most economically-exposed state, with unauthorized immigrants making up 9.1% of the labor force.

BANNOCKBURN-BASED COMPANY SETTLES EEOC SUIT

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has announced that Bannockburn-based Option Care Enterprises, Inc. will pay $50,000 and furnish other relief to settle a pregnancy discrimination lawsuit.

The EEOC says one of the infusion therapy services provider’s Massachusetts locations failed to accommodate a pregnant nurse’s request in May 2023 to reduce her travel time to in-home infusion therapy appointments.

According to the suit, Option Care denied the accommodation even after the employee pointed out her rights under the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act.

DU QUOIN FAIRGROUNDS TO HOLD KIDS FISHING DAY

The Du Quoin State Fairgrounds will host a free kids’ fishing day July 7 from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

The Illinois Department of Resources will provide fishing poles, bait and basic instruction.

Advance registration is required, and participation will be limited to the first 25 kids to sign up. For more information or to register, call (618) 542-1511.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Illinois quick hits: State EPA looks to fund EV charging stations; Tax Foundation says mayor's proposal would hinder employment;

Illinois quick hits: State EPA looks to fund EV charging stations; Tax Foundation says mayor’s proposal would hinder employment;

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square State EPA looks to fund EV charging stations The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced an Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging...
Screenshot 2025-11-06 at 7.52.57 AM

Casey Council Approves Over $2.45 Million in Bills, Renews $1.6 Million in CDs

Casey City Council Meeting | November 03, 2025 Article SummaryThe Casey City Council approved the payment of over $2.45 million in bills for October, a figure that includes a significant...
Congressional Perks: Committees, caucuses cost $50 million since 2019

Congressional Perks: Committees, caucuses cost $50 million since 2019

By Arthur KaneThe Center Square Since 2019, partisan and special interest caucuses and coalitions in the U.S. House spent at least $50 million for staff, food, travel and other expenses,...
FAA funding problems hit airports in California, elsewhere

FAA funding problems hit airports in California, elsewhere

By Madeline ShannonThe Center Square As Christine Finch helped her father, Graham Finch, gather his luggage at the San Francisco International Airport, she was worried about how flight delays caused...
Judge bars ICE from acting against ‘protestors,’ ‘rapid response’ activists

Judge bars ICE from acting against ‘protestors,’ ‘rapid response’ activists

By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square A Chicago federal judge has barred federal agents from U.S. Border Patrol and ICE from conducting crowd control actions anywhere in northern...
Report: IL public schools show low academic proficiency, higher taxpayer funding

Report: IL public schools show low academic proficiency, higher taxpayer funding

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The CEnter Square) – The latest education statistics indicate stagnant proficiency for public school students in Illinois, despite dramatic increases in...
Watchdog: Special interest group paid legislators’ $25,000 resort bill

Watchdog: Special interest group paid legislators’ $25,000 resort bill

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square A government watchdog group has filed ethics complaints against more than a dozen Democratic legislators in Colorado. Common Cause alleges the legislators had $25,000 in...
Union Pacific to ask appeals court for biometrics lawsuit exemption

Union Pacific to ask appeals court for biometrics lawsuit exemption

By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square Though he has said he believes the company's position would lead to legally "absurd" results, a federal judge will still allow freight...
Illinois quick hits: Notices of affected flights; injunction issued over ICE force

Illinois quick hits: Notices of affected flights; injunction issued over ICE force

By The Center SquareThe Center Square Notices of affected flights Chicago-based United Airlines is promising to let passengers know “as soon as possible” if their flights are affected by the...
Evers, Grisham fly to Brazil for climate change summit as government remains shut down

Evers, Grisham fly to Brazil for climate change summit as government remains shut down

By Tate MillerThe Center Square In the midst of the ongoing government shutdown, a number of Democrat governors, mayors and other officials are flying to Brazil climate change convenings. Founder...
Upcoming mass flight cancellations worry U.S. air travelers

Upcoming mass flight cancellations worry U.S. air travelers

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square With dozens of major U.S. airports reducing their flight volumes starting Friday, travelers will see droves of flights cancelled nationwide for the duration of the...
Pritzker watching redistricting debate as GOP grapples with filibuster

Pritzker watching redistricting debate as GOP grapples with filibuster

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – In the aftermath of Tuesday’s elections in other parts of the country, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker is...
Trump administration finds SNAP fraud

Trump administration finds SNAP fraud

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Amid the ongoing government shutdown, the U.S. Department of Agriculture is seeking to root out fraud in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as...

WATCH: Trump says tariffs may cost Americans ‘something’ but keep U.S. safe

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump said Thursday Americans should be thankful for his tariffs, which he said he has used to end wars that Americans would otherwise...
Chicago mayor: IL legislature has 'more work to do' on tax increases

Chicago mayor: IL legislature has ‘more work to do’ on tax increases

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson wants to see more tax increases from the Illinois General Assembly, but a...