Illinois quick hits: O’Fallon man allegedly work with cartel; most dangerous for nursing home safety

September 25, 2025/

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.

Latest News Stories

Will County P&Z Forwards Monee and Manhattan Residential Projects

Will County P&Z Commission Meeting | Jan. 20, 2026 Article Summary: The PZC approved zoning requests facilitating residential improvements in Monee and Manhattan. The approvals allow for the construction of...

summit-hill-junior-high-school-frankfort-161.2

Board Awards $242,500 Contract for Roof Repairs at Mary Drew Center

Summit Hill School District 161 Meeting | Jan. 21, 2026 Article Summary: The Summit Hill School District 161 Board approved a contract with RB Crowther Roofing to resurface specific sections...

Will County P&Z: Wilton Township Wedding Venue Secured for 2026 Season

Will County P&Z Commission Meeting | Jan. 20, 2026 Article Summary: For the third consecutive year, the Will County Planning and Zoning Commission has approved a temporary use permit for...

Frankfort Library Board Reviews Capital Wish List, Advances Reading Room Project

Frankfort Public Library District Meeting | Dec. 11, 2025 Article Summary: The Frankfort Public Library District Board of Trustees discussed a wide range of potential future facility upgrades, including soundproof...

Chicago FOP boss: Mayor’s ICE on Notice order is ‘piece of toilet paper’

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has signed an executive order directing members of the city’s police department to...

summit-hill-junior-high-school-frankfort-161

Summit Hill Board Approves $104,000 Snow Removal Bill Following Scrutiny Over Costs

Summit Hill School District 161 Meeting | Jan. 21, 2026 Article Summary: The Summit Hill School District 161 Board of Education voted to approve a six-figure payment to Alpine Snow...

Lawmaker, officer: ‘Blue Envelope” could help navigate autism during stops

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – An Illinois lawmaker who also serves in law enforcement says proposed legislation creating a “Blue Envelope”...

WATCH: Supreme Court case could add to $10.8B midterm spending projection

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court could issue a decision by July that could unleash billions more dollars into political campaigns ahead of the 2026 midterm elections....

Will County P&Z Grants Variances for Unpermitted Structures in Crete and Manhattan

Will County P&Z Commission Meeting | Jan. 20, 2026 Article Summary: The Planning and Zoning Commission approved variances for property owners in Crete and Manhattan who built agricultural structures without...

Senate GOP fails to halt welfare funding for non-citizens

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square U.S. Senate Republicans failed to halt over $5 billion in funding for refugees, with 20 GOP senators joining every Senate Democrat to continue providing costly...

Senate passes funding deal, sends to House for final approval

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square The U.S. Senate sent a $1.2 trillion government funding package back to the House for approval Friday night, ensuring a partial government shutdown over the...

California group opposes property tax hike, billionaires’ tax

By Madeline ShannonThe Center Square Officials with the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association are concerned about efforts to raise property taxes on California’s homeowners, a representative of the organization told The...

Illinois quick hits: New Illinois Supreme Court justice installed

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square New Illinois Supreme Court justice installed The newest member of the Illinois Supreme Court has been installed. Former appellate court justice...

High schools throughout California stage walkouts over ICE

By Chris WoodwardThe Center Square Hundreds of students at high schools throughout California held walkouts Friday over immigration raids and the law enforcement-involved deaths of two people in Minneapolis. Schools...

Pritzker celebrates expansion of French cheese maker in GOP leader’s district

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker is celebrating the expansion of a French cheese-making facility in Illinois House Republican Leader...

« Previous
1
…
103
104
105
106
107
…
205
Next »