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

Congress advances bills targeting $186 billion payment problem

Congress advances bills targeting $186 billion payment problem

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square Congress moved this week on both sides of the Capitol to address a problem that has persisted for decades after a new report found federal...
Beasley Allen booted from looming talc trial in Chicago

Beasley Allen booted from looming talc trial in Chicago

By John O’Brien | Legal NewslineThe Center Square Judges in Miami and Chicago have revoked permission that allowed the firm Beasley Allen to pursue talc lawsuits because it collaborated with...
Illinois Quick Hits: Gas prices rise again

Illinois Quick Hits: Gas prices rise again

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – AAA says the average price for regular unleaded gasoline in Illinois has jumped 14 cents in one...
Screenshot 2026-04-25 at 9.20.57 AM

Manhattan Launches $100,000 Safety Study for Route 52 Corridor

Village of Manhattan Meeting | April 21, 2026 Article Summary: Armed with grant funding, the Village of Manhattan is partnering with the Farnsworth Group to evaluate and recommend safety improvements along...
Will County Board Graphic.04

Board Establishes New Regulations and Fees for Wireless Telecommunication Facilities

Will County Board Meeting | April 16, 2026 Article Summary: In response to the state's Small Wireless Facilities Deployment Act, the Will County Board passed Ordinance 26-134 to manage the...
Illinois pauses redistricting effort after Supreme Court ruling

Illinois pauses redistricting effort after Supreme Court ruling

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois has paused a legislative redistricting effort after a U.S. Supreme Court ruling on Wednesday, but Gov....
U.S. gas prices at 4-year high as oil exports hit new record

U.S. gas prices at 4-year high as oil exports hit new record

By Alton Wallace | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – United States gasoline prices pushed higher for the sixth consecutive day Wednesday, reaching $4.23 a gallon, as...
Lincoln Way West Warriors Softball

Defense and Timely Power Lift Lincoln-Way West Past Homewood-Flossmoor 2-1

The Lincoln-Way West varsity softball team relied on lock-down pitching, flawless defense, and timely power to edge Homewood-Flossmoor 2-1 in a tense conference road clash on Tuesday afternoon. In a...
Government leaders statewide call for cashless bail reform after CPD officer killed

Government leaders statewide call for cashless bail reform after CPD officer killed

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Critics on both sides of the aisle in Illinois government are calling for changes to the SAFE-T...
Coalition formed to fight railroad merger includes direct competitors

Coalition formed to fight railroad merger includes direct competitors

By Tom JoyceThe Center Square A coalition launched this week to oppose the proposed merger between Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern, as both sides ramp up arguments ahead of a...
Illinois Quick Hits: Pritzker announces new IBM investment at Quantum Park

Illinois Quick Hits: Pritzker announces new IBM investment at Quantum Park

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker says IBM’s new delivery center at the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park, fueled by...
ISU's union says it cheaper to negotiate than paying

ISU’s union says it cheaper to negotiate than paying

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois State University support employees have entered their fourth week on strike this week as more state...
Iran conflict, refinery disruption play roles as Illinois gas price passes $4.50.

Iran conflict, refinery disruption play roles as Illinois gas price passes $4.50.

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gas prices have surged in Illinois, and an American Automobile Association spokesperson says several factors are to...
Rates hold steady ahead of Fed chair transition

Rates hold steady ahead of Fed chair transition

By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square The Federal Reserve wrapped up what could be its last meeting under current Chair Jerome Powell on Wednesday with a decision to hold rates steady,...
Supreme Court skeptical of Syria, Haiti temporary protected status

Supreme Court skeptical of Syria, Haiti temporary protected status

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court appeared skeptical of immigrant’s challenges to the Trump administration’s termination of temporary protected status in Haiti and Syria. Justices on the...