Illinois Quick Hits: Opioid overdose deaths decline in Cook County

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

(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.