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.

Latest News Stories

Manhattan Park Board Deadlocks on Paying for Sports Complex Plan, Motion Fails

Article Summary: A proposal for the Manhattan Park District to fund an architectural concept plan for a new sports complex failed to pass on Thursday, August 14, 2025, after a...

Manhattan-Elwood Library Board Adopts Annual Budget and Appropriation Ordinance

Article Summary: The Manhattan-Elwood Public Library District Board of Trustees has formally adopted its budget for the upcoming fiscal year following a public hearing. The approval of the combined Budget...

Lincoln-Way 210 to Launch District Literacy Plan, Expands Community Partnerships

Article Summary: As part of its strategic plan, Lincoln-Way High School District 210 is developing a comprehensive literacy plan to embed critical thinking skills across the curriculum. The district is also...

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Manhattan School District 114 Board of Education for September 17, 2025

The Manhattan School District 114 Board of Education heard emotional testimony from parents regarding serious transportation safety and timeliness issues at its Wednesday meeting. The board also formally approved the...

Jackson Township Refers Manure-to-Gas Plant Proposal to Planning Commission

Article Summary: Representatives for a company named Elwood81, LLC, presented a proposal for an anaerobic digestion facility to the Jackson Township Board. Following the presentation, the board directed the company...

County Board Abates Over $25 Million in Property Taxes for Bond Payments

Article Summary: Will County property taxpayers will be spared over $25 million in taxes for the 2026 payment year after the County Board voted to abate taxes for six separate...

School Board Approves ‘Board Book Premier’ for Paperless Meetings

Article Summary: The Manhattan School District 114 will transition to a digital platform for its board meetings, selecting Board Book Premier to improve public access to documents and create a...

Lincoln-Way 210 Prepares for “Retirement Wave” with Focus on Recruitment

Article Summary: Lincoln-Way High School District 210 is bracing for a significant number of retirements, with 47 teachers expected to leave over the next four years, representing nearly a quarter of...

District 114 to Overhaul Policy Updates with New ‘Press Plus’ Service

Article Summary: Manhattan School District 114 is moving forward with Press Plus, a service from the Illinois Association of School Boards designed to streamline and modernize the updating of its...

Lincoln-Way Board Weighs Community Solar Program Promising $155,000 in Annual Savings

Article Summary: The Lincoln-Way District 210 board is considering a 20-year agreement to participate in a state-sponsored community solar program that could save the district an estimated $155,000 annually on electricity...

Will County Reverses Zoning on Peotone Farmland to Facilitate 10-Acre Sale

Article Summary: The Will County Board unanimously approved a request to rezone a 10.08-acre portion of a property in Will Township back to agricultural use, reversing a 2023 zoning change....

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Joliet Junior College Board of Trustees for September 10, 2025

Joliet Junior College Board of Trustees Meeting | September 2025 The Joliet Junior College (JJC) Board of Trustees approved a landmark agreement with the City of Joliet to explore a...

Manhattan Park Board Hires New Architect for Round Barn Buildout, Secures Annexation for Future Banquet Hall

Article Summary: The Manhattan Park Board advanced its plans for the historic Round Barn Farm on Thursday, August 14, 2025, by hiring a new design firm for a partial interior...

Lincoln-Way 210 Board Approves $172.7 Million Budget with Planned Deficit for Bus Purchases

Article Summary: The Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 Board of Education approved the Fiscal Year 2026 budget, which includes a planned operating deficit of $814,000 to accommodate the purchase of...

Manhattan School District 114 Approves $41.5 Million Budget for FY26

Article Summary: The Manhattan School District 114 Board of Education unanimously approved a fiscal year 2026 budget with $41.5 million in expenditures, a figure significantly influenced by the final costs...

« Previous
1
…
165
166
167
168
169
…
214
Next »