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

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

August 25, 2025/

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.

Events

No events

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Chevron petitons Supreme Court to move lawsuits to federal court

Chevron petitons Supreme Court to move lawsuits to federal court

By Nolan MckendryThe Center Square Chevron and other oil companies say parish lawsuits over World War II-era oil work belong in federal not state court because the companies were assisting...
Business leaders eye immigration reform

Business leaders eye immigration reform

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square A majority of Americans are calling for increased legal pathways for immigrants to work in and live in the United States across various job sectors,...
Trump defends handling of Epstein controversy, says GOP doing 'legendary' job

Trump defends handling of Epstein controversy, says GOP doing ‘legendary’ job

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square With rumors swirling around the connections of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, President Donald Trump expressed frustration Friday that demands for the administration to declassify...
In-home care rule change proposal generates more than 1,500 responses

In-home care rule change proposal generates more than 1,500 responses

By Alan WootenThe Center Square More than 1,500 responses were generated by Independent Women in support of reversing 2013 changes helping make in-home care more affordable and accessible to seniors....
Polis calls for return of Victims of Crime Act grant funding

Polis calls for return of Victims of Crime Act grant funding

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square Colorado Gov. Jared Polis is calling for the Trump administration to end restrictions it has put on Victims of Crime Act grants. The funding in...
Billions in investment, thousands of jobs coming to RGV from LNG facility, pipeline

Billions in investment, thousands of jobs coming to RGV from LNG facility, pipeline

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square (The Center Square ) – Billions of dollars worth of investment and thousands of jobs are coming to the Rio Grande Valley (RGV) after Liquified...
Bessent says Federal Reserve 'must change course'

Bessent says Federal Reserve ‘must change course’

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the Federal Reserve "must change course" on monetary policy in his most public comments on the central bank since the...
Legislation to end cashless bail in D.C., nationwide introduced in Senate

Legislation to end cashless bail in D.C., nationwide introduced in Senate

By Sarah Roderick-Fitch | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Nearly two weeks after President Donald Trump issued executive orders to take steps to eliminate cashless bail...
Chicago ranks near bottom in survey of best and worst run cities

Chicago ranks near bottom in survey of best and worst run cities

By Glenn Minnis | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The city of Chicago ranks near the bottom in the new Best & Worst-run cities in...
WATCH: Pritzker to sue ‘immediately’ if Trump sends guard; GOP AG candidate profile

WATCH: Pritzker to sue ‘immediately’ if Trump sends guard; GOP AG candidate profile

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 delivers the latest...
Illinois quick hits: Northwestern president resigns; unemployment claims rise

Illinois quick hits: Northwestern president resigns; unemployment claims rise

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square U OF I Medicine investigated for antisemitism University of Illinois College of Medicine officials have until Monday, Sept. 8, to produce...
WATCH: Pritzker: Will go to court 'immediately' if Trump deploys National Guard

WATCH: Pritzker: Will go to court ‘immediately’ if Trump deploys National Guard

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker says he will go to court if President Donald Trump sends the National...
Illinois quick hits: Madigan attempts another appeal; prison mail scanning rules proposed

Illinois quick hits: Madigan attempts another appeal; prison mail scanning rules proposed

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Madigan attempts another appeal Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan is making another attempt to stay out of prison. Madigan filed...
IL US Rep: Failing schools cost billions in 'epidemic' of poor proficiency

IL US Rep: Failing schools cost billions in ‘epidemic’ of poor proficiency

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – An Illinois congresswoman says students’ failure to learn basic reading and math has major economic consequences. During...
Plaintiffs weigh steps after appeals court upholds transit concealed carry ban

Plaintiffs weigh steps after appeals court upholds transit concealed carry ban

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Plaintiffs in a case challenging the prohibition of concealed carry on Illinois mass transit are reviewing their...