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/
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.

Events

No events

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

WATCH: Pritzker says political violence ‘has got to stop’ in reaction to Kirk shooting

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Popular political activist and Illinois native Charlie Kirk was shot and killed Wednesday while at a public...
IL Secretary of State candidate talks issues, Giannoulias yet to announce

IL Secretary of State candidate talks issues, Giannoulias yet to announce

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Although Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias has yet to announce plans for reelection in 2026, an...
Illinois quick hits: Universities report increased enrollment; man sentenced for pipe bombs

Illinois quick hits: Universities report increased enrollment; man sentenced for pipe bombs

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Universities report increased enrollment The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign has a total enrollment of more than 60,000 students for the first...
Bipartisan group of lawmakers aim to increase migrant physician jobs

Bipartisan group of lawmakers aim to increase migrant physician jobs

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square A bipartisan group of Congressional lawmakers wants to expand a program that allows noncitizens to fill physician vacancies in rural areas of the United States...

WATCH: Border czar Homan considered turning Trump’s offer down

By Greg BishopThe Center Square Tom Homan, President Donald Trump's border czar, addressed the State Freedom Caucus Foundation Friday night in Dallas.

WATCH: Gov. Desantis addresses State Freedom Caucus Foundation in Dallas

By Greg BishopThe Center Square Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis addressed the State Freedom Caucus Foundation Friday night in Dallas.
Higher ed spending up as enrollment plummets at Illinois universities

Higher ed spending up as enrollment plummets at Illinois universities

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A former state lawmaker says Illinois is now tops in the nation on per-student spending in higher...
World's largest retailer struggles to keep costs down as tariffs hit

World’s largest retailer struggles to keep costs down as tariffs hit

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square The world's largest retailer says it's doing everything it can to keep prices low as its costs increase each week due to the tariffs at...
Boston judge orders Trump to give back Harvard funding

Boston judge orders Trump to give back Harvard funding

By Esther WickhamThe Center Square A Boston federal judge this week blocked the Trump administration’s $2.2 billion funding freeze against Harvard after the government's claims of antisemitism. The U.S. District...
Arizona congressman backs bill protecting ICE agents

Arizona congressman backs bill protecting ICE agents

By Chris WoodwardThe Center Square U.S. Rep. Abe Hamadeh wants to protect ICE agents. The Arizona congressman is among a handful of House representatives, all of them Republicans, to introduce...
Northwestern president steps down amid federal funding cuts

Northwestern president steps down amid federal funding cuts

By Esther WickhamThe Center Square Northwestern University President Michael Schill resigned this week amid the federal funding freeze by the Trump administration. Schill has served as the 17th president of...
Feds sue Southern California Edison over Eaton, Fairview fires

Feds sue Southern California Edison over Eaton, Fairview fires

By Dave MasonThe Center Square The U.S. Department of Justice is suing electric utility company Southern California Edison for tens of millions of dollars over the devastating Eaton and Fairview...

WATCH: Trump renames DOD to ‘Department of War’

By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square What’s in a name? Military victories, according to the Trump administration. The Department of Defense is reverting to its old name – the Department of...
Push to ban stock trading by Congress follows IL rep’s reported violations

Push to ban stock trading by Congress follows IL rep’s reported violations

By Jim TalamontiThe Center Square After an Illinois congressman reportedly broke the law with late disclosures of stock trades, another member of the state’s delegation is urging colleagues to prohibit...
Federal judge strikes down New Hampshire's DEI ban

Federal judge strikes down New Hampshire’s DEI ban

By Chris WadeThe Center Square A federal judge in New Hampshire has temporarily blocked a state law targeting diversity, equity and inclusion programs in public schools. The ruling issued Thursday...