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

Lincoln Way West Warriors Softball

Lincoln-Way West Secures Hard-Fought 8-6 Conference Victory Over Sandburg

The Lincoln-Way West varsity softball team continued its stellar season on Thursday afternoon, holding off a tough Sandburg squad to earn an 8-6 conference victory at home. In a matchup...

WATCH: WA Democrat income tax supporter questions ‘necessity clause’ nixing public vote

By Carleen JohnsonThe Center Square A Democratic lawmaker who voted in support of Washington’s new income tax said he didn't see anything scandalous in this week’s revelation of emails showing...
DOJ to face audit for handling of Epstein files release

DOJ to face audit for handling of Epstein files release

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square Following the drawn-out and politically calamitous release of millions of federal documents related to the exploits of sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein, the Department of Justice...
ISU strike enters third week; union sues over alleged strikebreaking

ISU strike enters third week; union sues over alleged strikebreaking

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Union support staff at Illinois State University has entered a third week on strike over failed contract...
Trump extends Jones Act waiver, citing national securit

Trump extends Jones Act waiver, citing national securit

By Alton WallaceThe Center Square The Trump administration has suspended for an additional 90 days a law forbidding foreign-owned and crewed ships from transporting goods between U.S. ports in an...
Trump admin continues to crack down on fraudulent visa schemes

Trump admin continues to crack down on fraudulent visa schemes

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square The Trump administration is continuing to crack down on fraudulent visa schemes that are occurring nationwide. In New Jersey, a Korean man pleaded guilty to...
Virginia 1 of 4 in courtroom battles for congressional redistricting

Virginia 1 of 4 in courtroom battles for congressional redistricting

By Shirleen GuerraThe Center Square Less than 100 days into Gov. Abigail Spanberger’s administration, Virginia’s redistricting fight is unfolding across multiple fronts, from the ballot box to the Legislature and...
Illinois Quick Hits: State gaming board renew Rockford casino license

Illinois Quick Hits: State gaming board renew Rockford casino license

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Illinois Gaming Board has renewed Hard Rock Casino Rockford’s license for four years, retroactive to January...
Arizona GOP pushes to protect Colorado River's limited water

Arizona GOP pushes to protect Colorado River’s limited water

By Zachery SchmidtThe Center Square Arizona Republicans are seeking to protect the Colorado River as its water supply continues to dwindle. State Senate President Warren Petersen, R-Gilbert; state House Speaker...
Republicans challenge Clyde in Georgia's 9th District

Republicans challenge Clyde in Georgia’s 9th District

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Incumbent Rep. Andrew Clyde, R-Ga., is facing a primary challenger in his bid to hold on to his 9th District post. Sam Couvillon and Joel...
Fort Bragg soldier’s case continues Tuesday in New York

Fort Bragg soldier’s case continues Tuesday in New York

By Alan WootenThe Center Square An enlisted soldier at Fort Bragg was granted $250,000 bond release on Friday and will have his charges of using classified information to win $400,000...
Justice Department drops Federal Reserve probe, kicks to watchdog

Justice Department drops Federal Reserve probe, kicks to watchdog

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square U.S. Attorney for D.C. Jeanine Pirro said Friday she is closing the Justice Department's criminal investigation into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, days after a...
Pritzker: 'Need for speed' for megaprojects bill with tax breaks

Pritzker: ‘Need for speed’ for megaprojects bill with tax breaks

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker says there is a need for speed when it comes to the Chicago Bears...
NYC schools probed over claims of antisemitism

NYC schools probed over claims of antisemitism

By Chris WadeThe Center Square The Trump administration is investigating claims that New York City schools violated the civil rights of Jewish students by hosting seminars on Palestinian resistance. The...
Lincoln Way West Track

Lusciatti, Spee Lead Lincoln-Way West to Thrilling Third-Place Finish at Minooka Conference Clash

The Lincoln-Way West boys track and field team delivered an elite performance against some of the state's top competition on Thursday, April 23, 2026, earning a hard-fought third-place finish at...