Illinois quick hits: Medicaid coverage for parental home visits; 'Trouble in Toyland' report

Illinois quick hits: Medicaid coverage for parental home visits; ‘Trouble in Toyland’ report

November 24, 2025/
Spread the love

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

Medicaid coverage for parental home visits

The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services has launched new Medicaid coverage of home visiting services for pregnant and parenting customers.

Covered prenatal home visits include health education, blood pressure monitoring, behavioral health screenings, domestic and intimate partner violence education, stress management and more.

IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra said the expanded Medicaid coverage is a critical step in the agency’s mission to improve health outcomes.

‘Trouble in Toyland’ report

The Trouble in Toyland 2025 report is out ahead of the holiday shopping season and it raises concerns around hidden dangers in toys.

The Public Interest Research Group’s Education Fund released the 40th annual report Monday and highlights AI toys with privacy concerns and explicit content, toys with lead from other countries and water beads, something the group says is a longtime threat.

Construction lanes to open

The Illinois Department of Transportation announced Monday that lanes that have been closed for construction will reopen, where possible, for the long Thanksgiving weekend to minimize travel disruption.

Non-emergency closures will be suspended from 3 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 26, to 11:59 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 30.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Illinois Quick Hits: ICE asks Pritzker not to release accused kidnapper

Illinois Quick Hits: ICE asks Pritzker not to release accused kidnapper

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has lodged a detainer asking Gov. J.B. Pritzker and other Illinois officials...
8 indicted in planned attack on White House UFC event

8 indicted in planned attack on White House UFC event

By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square Eight men have now been indicted by a federal grand jury for charges related to an alleged plot targeting the UFC cage-fighting event at the...
Fifth Circuit upholds Texas instate tuition ban for illegal foreign national students

Fifth Circuit upholds Texas instate tuition ban for illegal foreign national students

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Nearly one year after a lower court ruled that Texas universities providing in-state tuition to illegal foreign nationals was illegal, the Fifth Circuit Court of...
30 state financial officers urge an EO to return $39B in savings bonds to rightful owners

30 state financial officers urge an EO to return $39B in savings bonds to rightful owners

By Tate RosentreterThe Center Square Thirty state financial officers sent a letter Thursday to President Donald Trump asking him to sign an Executive Order directing the Treasury to return $39...
VA hits multiple milestones in claims, care delivery and administration

VA hits multiple milestones in claims, care delivery and administration

By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square The Department of Veterans Affairs says it has reached several operational milestones this year, from opening new clinics and reducing the benefits claims backlog to...
U.S. Supreme Court to hear Colorado-Nebraska water dispute

U.S. Supreme Court to hear Colorado-Nebraska water dispute

By Liam HibbertThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court has decided to weigh in on the latest water squabble in the West, where Nebraska has accused Colorado of violating a...
Taxpayers bear burden for federal student loans

Taxpayers bear burden for federal student loans

By Esther WickhamThe Center Square An almost $1.8 trillion student loan portfolio continues to keep taxpayers on the hook. That's the picture as the federal government scales back broad student...
Talarico raises more money than Paxton in Senate race

Talarico raises more money than Paxton in Senate race

By Robert MattesonThe Center Square Texas state Rep. James Talarico, the Democratic candidate for the state's U.S. Senate race, has raised more money for his campaign than his Republican opponent...
Illinois' gun ban upheld after appeals court reverses district judge's ruling

Illinois’ gun ban upheld after appeals court reverses district judge’s ruling

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois’ gun ban is upheld after a three-judge panel of the Seventh Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals...
Report: Illinois commutes rated among America's safest

Report: Illinois commutes rated among America’s safest

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Illinois ranked among the top 10 safest states to commute in America despite recording one of the nation's highest average crash rates, according to a...
Concerns raised that KIDS Act threatens Americans' online privacy, free speech

Concerns raised that KIDS Act threatens Americans’ online privacy, free speech

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square Legislation meant to protect American teens and children online recently passed the U.S. House with strong bipartisan support, but civil liberties groups are warning that...
Illinois Quick Hits: Illinois offers disaster tax relief

Illinois Quick Hits: Illinois offers disaster tax relief

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Revenue announced disaster tax relief for individuals and businesses...
Millionaire tax push resumes in Chicago

Millionaire tax push resumes in Chicago

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Former Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn and state Rep. LaShawn Ford, D-Chicago, have taken the next step in...
Report: $225M in K-12 fraud found across six years

Report: $225M in K-12 fraud found across six years

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square More than $225 million in fraud was reported by state education departments and school districts from 2019 to 2026, according to a new report. Open...
Calls made for ethics reform in Springfield; GOP says misconduct is a pattern

Calls made for ethics reform in Springfield; GOP says misconduct is a pattern

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – After one Illinois state lawmaker resigned last week following the conclusion of an investigation into claims of...