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.

Community Events

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

WATCH: Sanctuary bill soon law; Use of force case proceeds; CTU audits due Mon

WATCH: Sanctuary bill soon law; Use of force case proceeds; CTU audits due Mon

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 airs concerns a...
manhattan park district graphic.1

Park District Board Approves New Management Job Descriptions

Manhattan Park Board Meeting | October 9, 2025 Article Summary:The Manhattan Park Board approved a series of new and updated job descriptions for five management-level positions, including a new Deputy...
CTU can’t sue group for campaigning in union elections

CTU can’t sue group for campaigning in union elections

By Scott Holland | Legal NewslineThe Center Square A federal appeals panel won’t let the Chicago Teachers Union sue a rival group over allegations it campaigned on behalf of CTU...
IL U.S. House candidate: drug screen expectant moms getting subsidies

IL U.S. House candidate: drug screen expectant moms getting subsidies

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A doctor running for Congress in Illinois’ 5th Congressional District says the first step to improving the...
Illinois quick hits: Ameren requests rate hike; Pearl Harbor remembrance

Illinois quick hits: Ameren requests rate hike; Pearl Harbor remembrance

By The Center SquareThe Center Square Ameren requests rate hike A year after receiving a $308.6 million electric rate hike, Ameren Illinois is asking the Illinois Commerce Commission for authority...
Events Calendar Graphic

First Look at Lincoln-Way 210’s Proposed 2026-2027 School Calendar

Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 Meeting | November 20, 2025 Article Summary: The Lincoln-Way District 210 Board of Education reviewed a draft of the 2026-2027 school calendar, which proposes starting...
Meeting-Briefs

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Manhattan Township Board for October 2025

Manhattan Township Board Meeting | Oct. 14, 2025 The Manhattan Township Board met on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, to handle standard monthly business, approve minutes from four prior meetings, and...
Everyday Economics: A consumer slowdown, fraying margins, and a big test for the Fed

Everyday Economics: A consumer slowdown, fraying margins, and a big test for the Fed

By Orphe DivounguyThe Center Square Last week’s data told a clear story: the U.S. consumer is still standing, but looking increasingly tired – and businesses are starting to absorb more...
Weather-Winter

Manhattan Buried Under Nearly 12 Inches of Snow; Sub-Zero Temperatures Forecast for Friday

Article Summary: Manhattan residents are clearing driveways after a major winter storm dumped nearly a foot of snow over the weekend. The active weather pattern is set to continue, with...
manhattan fire district graphic logo.1

Manhattan Fire District Grapples with Surging Insurance Costs in Draft Budget

Manhattan Fire Protection District Meeting | October 2025 Article Summary:The Manhattan Fire Protection District is facing significant increases in insurance premiums as it develops its next operational budget. In a...
Meeting-Briefs

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Jackson Township Board for Oct. 2025

Jackson Township Board Meeting | October 2025 The Jackson Township Board met on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, to handle standard monthly business, including the approval of financial donations to three...
Will County Board Graphic.01

Frankfort Turns to County for Wildlife & Dangerous Animal Control

Will County Board Meeting | November 2025 Article Summary: The Village of Frankfort has entered into a two-year agreement with Will County Animal Protection Services to handle calls regarding bats...
Illinois rejects federal ‘no tax on tips’ rule, keeps state tax on tipped income

Illinois rejects federal ‘no tax on tips’ rule, keeps state tax on tipped income

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois is not adopting the new federal “no tax on tips” provision, meaning tipped workers in...
joliet junior college foundation

JJC Foundation Director Kristin Mulvey to Retire After 25 Years of Transformative Leadership

Joliet Junior College Meeting | November 12, 2025 Article Summary:Kristin Mulvey, the longtime Executive Director of Institutional Advancement and the JJC Foundation, was honored by the Board of Trustees as...
Attack foiled in Ft. Worth day before National Guard troops shot in WDC

Attack foiled in Ft. Worth day before National Guard troops shot in WDC

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Another Afghan-related terrorist attack was foiled one day before two National Guardsmen were shot in Washington, D.C., federal authorities said Saturday. The alleged perpetrators were...