Illinois quick hits: Human trafficking law signed; Mercyhealth to pay for COVID vaccine discrimination
Human trafficking law signed
Gov. J.B. Pritzker has signed legislation requiring state agencies to develop a strategic unified plan to build a network of services for survivors of human trafficking survivors.
According to Illinois State Police, Senate Bill 2323 addresses human trafficking through prevention, intervention and establishing standards for survivor support.
If you suspect human trafficking, contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or text *233733. You can also email [email protected].
Mercyhealth to pay for COVID vaccine discrimination
Illinois and Wisconsin health care operator Mercyhealth has agreed to pay more than $1 million in monetary relief and offered to reinstate employees who were terminated for refusing to comply with the organization’s COVID-19 vaccine policy.
The settlement follows an investigation by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
The agency’s investigation found reasonable cause to believe that Mercyhealth discriminated against employees based on their religion by terminating their employment or subjecting them to a wage deduction.
Man sentenced for distributing meth
A district judge sentenced a Centralia man to 17 years in prison after he admitted to distributing pound quantities of meth and fentanyl.
Jackie T. Scanlan, 54, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute meth and fentanyl.
Prosecutors say Scanlan qualified as a career offender for his previous drug trafficking and other felony convictions.
Latest News Stories
FAA funding problems hit airports in California, elsewhere
Judge bars ICE from acting against ‘protestors,’ ‘rapid response’ activists
Report: IL public schools show low academic proficiency, higher taxpayer funding
Watchdog: Special interest group paid legislators’ $25,000 resort bill
Union Pacific to ask appeals court for biometrics lawsuit exemption
Illinois quick hits: Notices of affected flights; injunction issued over ICE force
Evers, Grisham fly to Brazil for climate change summit as government remains shut down
Upcoming mass flight cancellations worry U.S. air travelers
JJC Authorizes Land Buy for Grundy County Expansion, Secures Site in Morris
Pritzker watching redistricting debate as GOP grapples with filibuster
Trump administration finds SNAP fraud
WATCH: Trump says tariffs may cost Americans ‘something’ but keep U.S. safe