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

Second produced water treatment pilot facility online in Permian Basin

Second produced water treatment pilot facility online in Permian Basin

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square The second produced water treatment pilot facility (JIP 2) is online in the Permian Basin in west Texas. It was launched by Western Midstream Partners...
Bill provides access to customized gene therapies, medicines

Bill provides access to customized gene therapies, medicines

By Zachery SchmidtThe Center Square A new congressional bill would give patients with life-threatening diseases access to customized gene therapies and medicines. The Right to Try for Individualized Treatments Act,...
Illinois Quick Hits: State unemployment rate remains more than 5%

Illinois Quick Hits: State unemployment rate remains more than 5%

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Illinois Department of Employment Security announced on Thursday that the state’s unemployment rate remained unchanged at...
Arthur hammers Louisiana; flood threat persists along Gulf Coast

Arthur hammers Louisiana; flood threat persists along Gulf Coast

By Misty CastileThe Center Square Tropical Storm Arthur battered south Louisiana with heavy rain, flooding, tornadoes and widespread power outages as the first named storm of the 2026 Atlantic hurricane...
Report: More than 1M Minnesotans could face Social Security cuts by 2032

Report: More than 1M Minnesotans could face Social Security cuts by 2032

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square More than 1 million Minnesotans could see their Social Security benefits reduced by 2032 if Congress fails to address the program's looming insolvency. This is...
Democrats like Schumer, back Platner's scandal-riddled Senate bid

Democrats like Schumer, back Platner’s scandal-riddled Senate bid

By Chris WadeThe Center Square Maine oyster farmer Graham Platner is headed for an epic showdown with Republican Sen. Susan Collins in the midterm elections, backed by top Democrats continuing...
Chicago discards proposed ban on unregulated ‘sweepstakes machines’

Chicago discards proposed ban on unregulated ‘sweepstakes machines’

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Chicago City Council voted down a proposed ban on a type of prevalent gaming machines, which...
Democrats spend millions in attempt to unseat Boebert

Democrats spend millions in attempt to unseat Boebert

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Democrats across the country are spending millions to unseat U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert, the Republican representing Colorado’s 4th Congressional District. Geographically, the district is the...
Vance: Iran deal ‘win-win’ for Americans, conditioned on Iran’s behavior

Vance: Iran deal ‘win-win’ for Americans, conditioned on Iran’s behavior

By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square Vice President JD Vance on Thursday responded to claims that America’s newly released preliminary peace deal, called a memorandum of understanding, was too generous toward...
Wisconsin Supreme Court rules against race-based scholarships

Wisconsin Supreme Court rules against race-based scholarships

By Jon StyfThe Center Square A Wisconsin college grant program that sent financial aid to students based on specific race, national origin and ancestry cannot legally operate because it violates...
Legislator calls for investigation of Newsom's FOIA request

Legislator calls for investigation of Newsom’s FOIA request

By Robert MattesonThe Center Square Assemblymember Carl DeMaio, R-San Diego, is requesting an investigation into Gov. Gavin Newsom’s use of California taxpayers-funded resources after Newsom's recent Freedom of Information Act...
EXCLUSIVE: Social Security reform imperative to avoid 34% tax hike, insolvency by 2032

EXCLUSIVE: Social Security reform imperative to avoid 34% tax hike, insolvency by 2032

By Tate RosentreterThe Center Square Policymakers must return Social Security to its original intent in order to avoid massive tax hikes and insolvency, especially in light of a nation burdened...
Property tax rates remain a top issue in Wisconsin elections

Property tax rates remain a top issue in Wisconsin elections

By Jon StyfThe Center Square The future of property taxes in Wisconsin remains one of the largest topics along with affordability heading into this fall’s elections. This week, congressman and...
Taxpayers paying $50 million+ for Chicago-owned bus station

Taxpayers paying $50 million+ for Chicago-owned bus station

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Taxpayers are expected to fork over at least $50 million for Chicago to own and operate a...
Michigan Republicans blast Whitmer's Europe trip as budget deadline nears

Michigan Republicans blast Whitmer’s Europe trip as budget deadline nears

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is facing criticism from Republicans for traveling to Europe as critical state budget negotiations are ongoing ahead of a July 1...