Illinois Quick Hits: State announces new Medicaid contracts

Illinois Quick Hits: State announces new Medicaid contracts

Spread the love

(The Center Square) – The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services has awarded new HealthChoice Illinois contracts to six Medicaid Managed Care Organizations.

The state agency says the new agreements will hold the organizations accountable for how they serve customers by promoting whole person care.

The program impacts about 2.4 million of the Illinois Medicaid program’s 3.1 million enrollees.

REPORT: IL AVERAGE STUDENT LOAN DEBT IS $39,042

According to new analysis, Illinois has the fifth-highest average federal student loan balance in America, with the average borrower owing $39,042.

SEO Backlinks used state-level student loan debt data and checked total statewide balances to show the scale of debt in each location. Maryland had the highest average borrower debt with $43,781.

Illinois was the only Midwestern state in the top 10.

APPEALS COURT ISSUES COMED FOUR RULING

The Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that former ComEd CEO Anne Pramaggiore and codefendant Michael McClain have a right to see their corruption sentences vacated, but the court also said prosecutors may press on with a new trial.

In April, the appellate court directed the federal government to release Pramaggiore and McClain on bond, months after they began serving two-year prison terms.

Judges said in the ruling issued on Monday they were not suggesting that Pramaggiore and McClain are innocent, only that their convictions were flawed.

Pramaggiore, McClain and two others were convicted in 2023 of a scheme to bribe former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan.

FBI CHICAGO: SEEKING VICTIM INFORMATION IN SEXUAL EXPLOITATION CASE

The Chicago Field Office of the FBI is assisting the Aurora Police Department in an effort to identify potential victims of a man facing sexual abuse and exploitation charges.

The FBI says Michael Herbert primarily targeted minor boys between 2013 and 2022. Anyone with relevant information is asked to visit fbi.gov/LetYourVoiceBeHeard.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Screenshot 2026-04-25 at 8.34.35 AM

Lincoln-Way Schools Join “WillBeReady” Mutual Aid Network for Disaster Response

Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 Meeting | April 16, 2026 Article Summary: The Lincoln-Way Board of Education approved a Memorandum of Understanding to join the "WillBeReady" Mutual Aid Network,...
Will County Board Graphic.01

Millions Approved for Will County Highway and Road Infrastructure Projects

Will County Board Meeting | April 16, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Board authorized nearly $4.3 million in road improvement contracts, targeting key corridors including Francis Road, Renwick Road,...
U.S. House OKs Fetterman bill allowing SNAP to cover hot rotisserie chicken

U.S. House OKs Fetterman bill allowing SNAP to cover hot rotisserie chicken

By John ColeThe Center Square A bill that would allow recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, to buy hot rotisserie chicken is one step closer to becoming...
Gas hits $6 a gallon in California; Southwest see increases

Gas hits $6 a gallon in California; Southwest see increases

By Liam HibbertThe Center Square California Thursday officially exceeded an average gas price of $6 a gallon for the first time since the start of the U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran....
Teacher unions spent over $1B on political causes since 2015

Teacher unions spent over $1B on political causes since 2015

By Esther WickhamThe Center Square National teachers unions have spent over $1 billion on political activity and advocacy since 2015, according to a new report by Defending Education. Both reports,...
Illinoisans may soon need registration, title, license to use e-bikes, scooters

Illinoisans may soon need registration, title, license to use e-bikes, scooters

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinoisans may soon be required to register their e-bikes, motorized scooters and other various modes of transport...
Executive order creates website for retirement accounts, matching federal contributions

Executive order creates website for retirement accounts, matching federal contributions

By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square President Donald Trump signed an executive order Thursday aiming to expand access to “high-quality” retirement accounts to all Americans. The administration will launch a website...
Congress extends govt. surveillance powers for 45 days

Congress extends govt. surveillance powers for 45 days

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square The U.S. House has adopted a short-term extension of FISA Section 702, buying lawmakers more time to hammer out reforms to the controversial federal surveillance...
Report: 10% credit card cap could cut off 64 million Americans, risk recession

Report: 10% credit card cap could cut off 64 million Americans, risk recession

By Tom JoyceThe Center Square A proposed federal cap on credit card interest rates could drastically reduce Americans' access to credit and hurt the U.S. economy, a new report warns....
Pritzker’s commission report pushes for local investigations of federal 'brutality'

Pritzker’s commission report pushes for local investigations of federal ‘brutality’

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s Illinois Accountability Commission has released its report on alleged abuses by federal immigration law...

WATCH: Trump ‘probably’ considering pulling U.S. troops out of Italy, Spain

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square President Donald Trump on Thursday said he is considering removing U.S. military troops from Italy and Spain, due to the country's lack of assistance during...
Illinois mulls change allowing pension investment in anti-Israel companies

Illinois mulls change allowing pension investment in anti-Israel companies

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Multiple speakers shared personal stories Thursday from the conflict between Israeli forces and Palestinians in an effort...
Gun rights advocate questions Illinois ballistic imaging plan

Gun rights advocate questions Illinois ballistic imaging plan

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A newly introduced measure in the Illinois General Assembly aimed at expanding ballistic imaging technology is...
Camp Mystic suspends summer operation 2 days after Texas lawmakers' demands

Camp Mystic suspends summer operation 2 days after Texas lawmakers’ demands

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Camp Mystic owners have agreed to suspend camp operations this summer after being called to do so by state lawmakers and parents whose daughters were...
Six Democrats seeking 13th Congressional District post

Six Democrats seeking 13th Congressional District post

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Six candidates are competing for the Democratic nomination in Georgia's 13th Congressional District. Incumbent David Scott died on April 22. Scott served in Congress for...