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.

More Stories
Weather Full forecast →
⚠️ Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued June 10 at 3:20PM CDT until June 10 at 4:15PM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
⚠️ Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued June 10 at 2:40PM CDT until June 10 at 10:00PM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Today Jun 9
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
91° 69°

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

💨 15 to 20 mph 💧 61%
Data: National Weather Service • Updated Jun 10, 3:25 PM Full Forecast →
Site Sections

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

DOJ probes Berkeley riot; Illinois TPUSA warns hostility isn’t just in California

DOJ probes Berkeley riot; Illinois TPUSA warns hostility isn’t just in California

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The U.S. Department of Justice launched a civil rights investigation into University of California Berkeley after...
Lawmakers, victims call for release of Epstein files ahead of vote

Lawmakers, victims call for release of Epstein files ahead of vote

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Republicans, Democrats and alleged victims of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein called on the U.S. House of Representatives to approve a resolution Tuesday to release...
Jeffries could face far-left Democratic primary challenge

Jeffries could face far-left Democratic primary challenge

By Chris WadeThe Center Square The Empire State's congressional delegation may skew more progresive in the coming midterms. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jefferies could face a far-left primary challenge from...
'Consequential' day ahead for future household electricity costs

‘Consequential’ day ahead for future household electricity costs

By Lauren Jessop | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – PJM’s Board of Directors is preparing to make one of the most consequential decisions of this...
WATCH: Chicago committee rejects proposed tax hikes; Hemp industry wants regulation

WATCH: Chicago committee rejects proposed tax hikes; Hemp industry wants regulation

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 shares comments from...
Illinois quick hits: Bipartisan BABES Enhancement Act ready for Trump

Illinois quick hits: Bipartisan BABES Enhancement Act ready for Trump

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Bipartisan BABES Enhancement Act ready for Trump Illinois U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth, D-Schaumburg, says a bipartisan bill she sponsored is headed...
From DC to Memphis, US Marshals arresting thousands, taking guns off streets

From DC to Memphis, US Marshals arresting thousands, taking guns off streets

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square After President Donald Trump directed federal law enforcement officers to crack down on crime in major U.S. cities, thousands have been arrested and thousands of...
Biz groups, states ask SCOTUS to block California emissions reporting laws

Biz groups, states ask SCOTUS to block California emissions reporting laws

By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square Business groups and a collection of two dozen other states have asked the U.S. Supreme Court to step in and block California...
Chicago council committee rejects mayor’s proposed tax hikes

Chicago council committee rejects mayor’s proposed tax hikes

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Chicago City Council Committee on Finance has rejected a package of higher taxes proposed by Mayor...
Illinois quick hits: Elections board considers primary election petition objections

Illinois quick hits: Elections board considers primary election petition objections

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Elections board considers primary election petition objections Gov. J.B. Pritzker has one challenger in the Democratic Party’s gubernatorial primary. Former Chicago...
Feds: Illegal commercial drivers licenses issued in California

Feds: Illegal commercial drivers licenses issued in California

By Madeline ShannonThe Center Square A federal agency reported the California Department of Motor Vehicles illegally issued thousands of commercial drivers’ licenses to illegal immigrants. According to the U.S. Department...
Socialist candidate runs against Los Angeles mayor

Socialist candidate runs against Los Angeles mayor

By Dave MasonThe Center Square A trend of socialist mayoral candidates in the nation’s biggest cities is continuing with housing advocate Rae Chen Huang’s candidacy against Los Angeles Mayor Karen...
193 youth in care of Illinois' child welfare agency missing in 2025

193 youth in care of Illinois’ child welfare agency missing in 2025

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – So far this calendar year, Illinois’ child welfare agency reports 193 missing youth in care, an increase...
Hemp industry advocate promises to work with Pritzker, lawmakers

Hemp industry advocate promises to work with Pritzker, lawmakers

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker and an advocate for the Illinois hemp industry have different views on reform after...
Bill would make health care sharing ministries tax deductible

Bill would make health care sharing ministries tax deductible

By Tate MillerThe Center Square The president of a health sharing ministry says he supports a bill that would make health share systems tax deductible, additionally stating that health sharing...