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

Illinois housing affordability efforts pit tax cuts against new spending

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – As homeownership may be growing out of reach for many young residents, Illinois lawmakers are split between...

Illinois Quick Hits: Chicago city workers owe more than $19M

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Chicago city workers reportedly owe more than $19 million in traffic tickets, water bills and fines, yet...

JJC Board Prepares for 2028 Bond Expiration, Advances Grundy Campus Despite Objections

Joliet Junior College Board of Trustees Meeting | March 11, 2026 Article Summary: Joliet Junior College is laying the groundwork for a potential future referendum and advancing its Grundy County expansion...

Attorney expects conversion therapy ruling to impact Illinois ban

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois’ ban on conversion therapy may be challenged in the near future. Last week, the U.S. Supreme...

Millionaire’s tax proposal draws mixed reviews as deadline approaches

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Supporters of a 3% surcharge on income more than $1 million have less than a month to...

Universities warn state funding delays are wasting millions in taxpayer investment

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Long‑delayed university repair funding is leaving campuses across the state with holes in their roofs, and in...

Illinois Quick Hits: Loyola student’s alleged killer faces federal firearm charge

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – An 18-year-old Loyola University student’s accused killer has also been charged with illegal possession of a firearm....

Lincoln-Way West Claims WJOL Tournament Championship with 11-1 Win Over Lockport

The Lincoln-Way West varsity softball team delivered a dominant offensive performance to capture the WJOL Tournament Championship, routing host Lockport 11-1 in the title game on Thursday afternoon at Inwood....

Will County Board Land Use Committee Graphic.2

Will County Kicks Off Comprehensive Land Resource Management Plan Update with Focus on Proactive Zoning and Environmental Justice

Will County Board Land Use & Development Committee Meeting | March 26, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Land Use and Development Committee held a special workshop to kick off...

Infighting and Calls for Resignation Disrupt Will County Board Meeting

Will County Board Meeting | March 19, 2026 Article Summary: Calls for the resignation of a Will County Board member over a recent misdemeanor conviction derailed the end of the...

Lincoln-Way West Outlasts Marysville 6-5 in Eight-Inning Thriller

The Lincoln-Way West varsity baseball team secured a dramatic 6-5 walk-off victory over Marysville (OH) in an eight-inning, neutral-site battle on Thursday afternoon. After watching a mid-game lead slip away,...

Lincoln-Way 210 Awards $1.98 Million Contract for Network Cabling Upgrades

Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 Meeting | March 19, 2026 Article Summary: The Board of Education approved a $1.98 million contract with CDW/Greatline Solutions to upgrade aging wired infrastructure...

solar panels photovoltaics in solar farm

Will County Land Use Committee Splits Votes on Massive Earthrise Solar Projects Amid Intense Public Opposition

Will County Board Land Use & Development Committee Meeting | April 2, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Land Use and Development Committee on Tuesday faced a marathon session dominated...

Report: Coordinated resilience infrastructure is needed in age of AI

By Alan WootenThe Center Square Highly coordinated resilience infrastructure is needed in the age of artificial intelligence, says a new report released Thursday from the Elon University Imagining the Digital...

Green Garden Township Supervisor Dean Christofilos address the Will County Planning & Zoning Commission meeting on March 30. Photo by Andrea Arens.

Will County P&Z Recommends Denial of 6,000-Acre “Pride of the Prairie” Solar Project After Contentious Hearing

By Andrea Arens JOLIET — After more than eight hours of testimony and public comment spanning two nights, the Will County Planning and Zoning Commission voted 4–2 to recommend denial...

« Previous
1
…
64
65
66
67
68
…
186
Next »