Illinois Quick Hits: Opioid overdose deaths decline in Cook County

Illinois Quick Hits: Opioid overdose deaths decline in Cook County

Spread the love

(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.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

UAE quits OPEC as gas prices hit $4.19 a gallon nationwide

UAE quits OPEC as gas prices hit $4.19 a gallon nationwide

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square The United Arab Emirates announced Tuesday it is leaving OPEC and the broader OPEC+ alliance on May 1, a historic break from the oil producers'...
Feds raid more than 20 sites in Minneapolis in fraud probe

Feds raid more than 20 sites in Minneapolis in fraud probe

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square Federal authorities executed search warrants at more than 20 locations across the Twin Cities on Tuesday, including several connected to or offering childcare. Tuesday morning,...
State legislative investigation: Camp Mystic created 'complacent flood culture'

State legislative investigation: Camp Mystic created ‘complacent flood culture’

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square The first findings of a state legislative investigation into the deaths that occurred at Camp Mystic, in Hunt, Texas, last July, were presented in a...
Illinois Senate to consider megaprojects after Pritzker calls out amusement tax

Illinois Senate to consider megaprojects after Pritzker calls out amusement tax

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A proposed stadium for the Chicago Bears and other megaprojects are expected to be up for discussion...
EXCLUSIVE: SPLC called on to remove parental rights groups from its ‘hate map’

EXCLUSIVE: SPLC called on to remove parental rights groups from its ‘hate map’

By Tate MillerThe Center Square An Illinois-based parental rights group sent an open letter to the Southern Poverty Law Center requesting that it remove parental rights organizations from its “hate...
Illinois Quick Hits: Driver killed in reported shootout with police on I-88

Illinois Quick Hits: Driver killed in reported shootout with police on I-88

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A man is dead after a reported exchange of gunfire with police on Interstate 88 in DeKalb...
Kankakee Area Career Center

Beecher to Fund $32,000 for Kankakee Area Career Center Roof Amid Severe CTE Teacher Shortages

Beecher Board of Education Meeting | April 15, 2026 Article Summary: Beecher School District 200U will contribute approximately $32,000 toward a $1 million roofing project at the Kankakee Area Career Center...
Joseph House

Historic Joseph Perry House in Crete Granted Landmark Status

Will County Board Meeting | April 16, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Board officially designated the Joseph Ferris Perry House in Crete Township as a historical landmark, protecting the...
U.S. House to vote on five-year Farm Bill this week

U.S. House to vote on five-year Farm Bill this week

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square The House Rules Committee debated long into Monday night to prepare the five-year farm bill for a floor vote this week. Lawmakers have filed over...
Constitutional tests await IL Dems’ race-based district plan

Constitutional tests await IL Dems’ race-based district plan

By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square Later this fall, Illinois voters appear likely to get the chance to vote on a plan to rewrite the state constitution to...
State House OKs access to abortion medication at colleges

State House OKs access to abortion medication at colleges

By Chris WoodwardThe Center Square The Colorado House on Monday approved a bill allowing for the access of abortion medication on college campuses. House Bill 1335 is sponsored by Reps....
Nonprofit hospitals called out for prioritizing politics over patients

Nonprofit hospitals called out for prioritizing politics over patients

By Tate MillerThe Center Square Consumer protection organization Consumers’ Research launched a campaign to warn Congress about nonprofit hospitals that prioritize "woke" politics such as diversity, equity and inclusion, transgender...
Illinois quick hits: Appeals court upholds Madigan corruption conviction

Illinois quick hits: Appeals court upholds Madigan corruption conviction

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Appeals court upholds Madigan corruption conviction The Seventh Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals has upheld former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan’s...
Pritzker pushes housing plan described as 'all stick,' no carrot

Pritzker pushes housing plan described as ‘all stick,’ no carrot

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker is pushing to prevent local communities from restricting housing development, but local leaders say...
Convenience store advocate: Swipe fee ruling is 'one step' in the process

Convenience store advocate: Swipe fee ruling is ‘one step’ in the process

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square *The Center Square) – The federal government has moved to partially block an Illinois law banning electronic processing fees on the...