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

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.

Events

19 Nov
Friends of the Frankfort Public Library District
19 Nov 25
21 Nov
Library Board of Trustees
21 Nov 25
26 Nov
Early Closing
26 Nov 25
27 Nov
Building Closed for Thanksgiving Day
27 Nov 25
12 Dec
Library Board of Trustees
12 Dec 25
24 Dec
Building Closed for Christmas Eve
24 Dec 25
25 Dec
Building Closed for Christmas Day
25 Dec 25
31 Dec
Building Closed for New Year's Eve
31 Dec 25
01 Jan
Building Closed for New Year's Day
1 Jan 26
21 Jan
Friends of the Frankfort Public Library District
21 Jan 26

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Fiscal Fallout: Illinois has among highest-paid state employees

Fiscal Fallout: Illinois has among highest-paid state employees

By Jared Strong | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The average wages for Illinois state employees are among the highest in the nation and belie the...
Report: State reliance on federal funds up significantly since 1990s

Report: State reliance on federal funds up significantly since 1990s

By Tate MillerThe Center Square States rely on federal dollars more than they have in modern history, according to a new report, with one of the report’s authors saying such...
Southwest low on list of safest states; Northeast at the top

Southwest low on list of safest states; Northeast at the top

By Dave MasonThe Center Square The Northeast corner is the safest part of the U.S., according to a new WalletHub study. The Southwest? Not so much. Issues such as high...
Washington state attorney general agrees to protect seal of confession

Washington state attorney general agrees to protect seal of confession

By Tim ClouserThe Center Square The Washington State Attorney General's Office reported on Friday that it has reached an agreement with the Catholic Church over a new abuse reporting law....
Pacific Northwest journalists sound off on Antifa at President Trump’s roundtable

Pacific Northwest journalists sound off on Antifa at President Trump’s roundtable

By Carleen JohnsonThe Center Square Journalists from the Pacific Northwest took part in President Donald Trump’s Wednesday roundtable discussion on Antifa that included top cabinet officials and other independent members...
Nvidia will pay 100k visa fees, others unsure

Nvidia will pay 100k visa fees, others unsure

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang said his company would pay $100,000 fees for H-1B visas imposed by the Trump administration. On Sept. 19, President Donald Trump...
'Shameful:' GOP leaders frustrated with Dems on tenth day of shutdown

‘Shameful:’ GOP leaders frustrated with Dems on tenth day of shutdown

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square U.S. senators have left town for the weekend and will not vote again on a federal funding bill until Tuesday, meaning the ongoing government shutdown...
Trump snubbed by Nobel Committee, praised by winner

Trump snubbed by Nobel Committee, praised by winner

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square After being credited for ending seven wars, President Donald Trump was snubbed for the Nobel Peace Prize. Trump, who accumulated several high-profile nominations for the...
Screenshot 2025-10-10 at 11.39.44 AM

Will County Committee Approves Preliminary $161.6M Tax Levy on Split Vote Amid Heated Debate Over Spending

Will County Finance Committee Meeting October 7, 2025 Article Summary: The Will County Finance Committee on Tuesday narrowly approved a preliminary $161.6 million property tax levy for 2025, which projects...
Screenshot 2025-10-10 at 11.36.42 AM

Will County Eyes Major Overhaul to Consolidate Scattered Government Offices

Will County Capital Improvements & IT Committee Meeting October 7, 2025 Article Summary: Will County officials are formally debating a new facilities master plan to address aging buildings and dozens...
Trump threatens tariffs on China over 'hostile' rare earths policy

Trump threatens tariffs on China over ‘hostile’ rare earths policy

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump threatened a "massive increase" in tariffs on products from China after Beijing tightened export controls on rare earth minerals critical to advanced...
Illinois legislator urges school discipline to focus on behavior, not race

Illinois legislator urges school discipline to focus on behavior, not race

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – McLean County Unit 5 submits a new discipline plan under state law after racial disparities are...
WATCH: Trump appeals Guard TRO as DHS looks to ‘double down’ law enforcement in Chicago

WATCH: Trump appeals Guard TRO as DHS looks to ‘double down’ law enforcement in Chicago

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 reviews the latest...
Illinois quick hits: Trump appeals judge's Guard order; ICE fence ordered down in Broadview

Illinois quick hits: Trump appeals judge’s Guard order; ICE fence ordered down in Broadview

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Trump appeals judge's Guard order The Trump administration has appealed a federal judge’s temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction blocking the...
Trump administration appeals Illinois TRO blocking National Guard deployment

Trump administration appeals Illinois TRO blocking National Guard deployment

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Trump administration is appealing a federal judge’s temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction blocking the administration’s...