Illinois quick hits: Human trafficking enforcement; health care fraud division announced

August 25, 2025/

Spread the love

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

Human trafficking enforcement

Illinois State Police arrested five individuals during a human trafficking demand suppression operation in the Forsyth area of Macon County last Thursday and Friday.

Four Illinois residents and one from Iowa were charged with crimes which included traveling to meet a child, solicitation and grooming.

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

Health care fraud section announced

U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois Andrew Boutros has announced the creation of a new section within the office’s criminal division dedicated to the prosecution of health care fraud.

The new section will target false and fraudulent claims by transnational criminal organizations, upcoding and unbundling schemes, scams against Medicare and Medicaid, and more.

Boutros said health care fraud is among the Department of Justice’s top fraud enforcement priorities.

Hardest working states

Illinois ranks 42nd in a report ranking the Hardest Working States in America.

WalletHub compared the 50 states across 10 key metrics, including average workweek hours, share of workers with multiple jobs and annual volunteer hours.

North Dakota ranked first. Michigan finished last.

Latest News Stories

Illinois Quick Hits: IDOT says all 102 counties to have transit

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Illinois Department of Transportation says all 102 counties in Illinois will soon have transit service. IDOT...

Poll: Taxes, economy top voter concerns

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Voters say taxes and economic concerns top the list of issues facing Illinois. The Illinois Policy Institute’s...

Murphy, Dhillon go to bat for players in baseball’s Pride Night black eye

By Alan WootenThe Center Square How Major League Baseball can force one viewpoint upon players and “attack” them for expressing another is a puzzler to a North Carolina congressman. Three...

Republicans compete to face Neguse in congressional race

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Voters in Colorado’s 2nd Congressional District, which includes the city of Boulder, will elect partisan candidates in the U.S. House during the June 30 primary....

Vance says ‘progress’ made in talks with Iran

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square Following what appeared to be a bumpy weekend between the U.S. and Iran, Vice President J.D. Vance said progress is being made. Vance, leading a...

Report: Eight Michigan counties among most vulnerable to Social Security cuts

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square More than one in five Michigan residents could see their Social Security benefits reduced by 2032 if Congress fails to address the program's looming insolvency....

Illinois Quick Hits: Tornado kills 2 in Jefferson County

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Two people are dead and at least five are injured after a tornado touched down in the...

‘Half-baked’ Illinois social media tax poised to tee up court challenges

By Jonathan Bilyk | The Center SquareThe Center Square Illinois is poised to be headed back into court to defend another constitutionally questionable law, as tech companies and internet freedom...

DHS thwarts Iranian terrorist threats at the northern border, World Cup ties

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Iranian terrorist threats continue at the northern border, this time the threat also is connected to the World Cup and the Iranian National Guard Corps....

Everyday Economics: A new chair, a shorter statement, a Fed that stopped talking cuts

By Orphe DivounguyThe Center Square The Federal Reserve left interest rates alone last Wednesday, holding its benchmark in the 3.50%–3.75% range for a fourth straight meeting – after standing pat...

Illinois congressmen worry as DHS Secretary seeks to ‘protect election integrity’

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A potential plan to deploy federal immigration agents to polling places this fall is illegal and would...

Poll: 70% of Americans ‘concerned’ AI will take jobs

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Roughly 70% of Americans said they were at least "somewhat concerned" that artificial intelligence could replace their jobs, according to a new poll. The Center...

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Board Executive Committee for June 11, 2026

Will County Board Executive Committee Meeting | June 11, 2026 The Will County Board Executive Committee met Thursday, June 11, 2026, in Joliet, advancing a slate of items to the...

Will County Mental Health Board Touts Crisis Program in Quarterly Report

Will County Board Executive Committee Meeting | June 11, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Community Mental Health Board's quarterly report to the Executive Committee on Thursday, June 11, 2026,...

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Board Finance Committee for June 2, 2026

Will County Board Finance Committee Meeting | June 2, 2026 The Will County Board Finance Committee took up a short slate of budget and appropriation items at its regular meeting...

« Previous
1
…
8
9
10
11
12
…
151
Next »