Illinois Quick Hits: State announces new Medicaid contracts

Illinois Quick Hits: State announces new Medicaid contracts

June 15, 2026/
Spread the love

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

(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

Schools face bus funding, cost challenges

Schools face bus funding, cost challenges

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Public schools are facing bus transportation challenges due to higher costs and a shortage of drivers. State...
‘Family Month’ backer cites biology, declining birth rates in defense of resolution

‘Family Month’ backer cites biology, declining birth rates in defense of resolution

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois Family Institute Executive Director David Smith is praising a proposal from U.S. Rep. Mary Miller...
Aldermen say lawmakers failed to address illegal cannabis sales near schools

Aldermen say lawmakers failed to address illegal cannabis sales near schools

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – As the Chicago City Council’s public safety committee moved forward with an ordinance that would increase penalties...
Illinois Quick Hits: Oak Park woman charged with child care fraud

Illinois Quick Hits: Oak Park woman charged with child care fraud

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – An Oak Park woman is charged with defrauding the state of Illinois out of more than $30,000...
Florida attorney general appeals Chicago judge’s ‘lawless’ transgender ruling

Florida attorney general appeals Chicago judge’s ‘lawless’ transgender ruling

By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square Saying a Chicago federal judge overstepped his constitutional authority, Florida's state attorney general has asked a federal appeals court to quickly reverse...
Congressman calls out Chicago schools' academic woes

Congressman calls out Chicago schools’ academic woes

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Chicago Public Schools Superintendent Macquline King testified before Congress that math and reading proficiency rates for CPS...
Everyday Economics: A stable labor market is not enough

Everyday Economics: A stable labor market is not enough

By Orphe DivounguyThe Center Square The May jobs report offered a measure of reassurance: the labor market is stable. Employers are still adding jobs, layoffs remain contained, and the economy...
Fishermen advocate begins campaign against offshore wind, ‘industrializing’ of the ocean

Fishermen advocate begins campaign against offshore wind, ‘industrializing’ of the ocean

By Tate RosentreterThe Center Square (The Center Square ) – The New England Fishermen’s Stewardship Association began a campaign to bring attention to what it says is a radical climate...
Sorensen drug-pricing bill draws criticism from former FDA official

Sorensen drug-pricing bill draws criticism from former FDA official

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen, D-Illinois, is backing legislation he says would lower prescription drug costs by...
Supporters, critics clash over future of taxpayer funding for Rx Kids

Supporters, critics clash over future of taxpayer funding for Rx Kids

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square Michigan lawmakers remain divided over the future of the state's Rx Kids program as House Republicans continue scrutinizing the initiative. The first-in-the-nation cash assistance program,...
U.S. Senate race headlines Maine primaries as voters head to polls Tuesday

U.S. Senate race headlines Maine primaries as voters head to polls Tuesday

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Voters in Maine will head to the polls Tuesday in high profile primary races that could help determine control of Congress. The races have garnered...
Bessent backs 3% deficit goal despite 5% budget forecasts

Bessent backs 3% deficit goal despite 5% budget forecasts

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent pledged in two congressional hearings this week to cut the federal deficit to 3% of GDP, a target the government's...
Bessent backs 3% deficit goal despite 5% budget forecasts

Bessent backs 3% deficit goal despite 5% budget forecasts

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent pledged in two congressional hearings this week to cut the federal deficit to 3% of GDP, a target the government's...
Constables hope to find missing children in immigration search effort

Constables hope to find missing children in immigration search effort

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square After months of Congress stalling on funding for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and administrative changes, Pennsylvania state constables who’ve signed agreements to support federal...
Constables hope to find missing children in immigration search effort

Constables hope to find missing children in immigration search effort

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square After months of Congress stalling on funding for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and administrative changes, Pennsylvania state constables who’ve signed agreements to support federal...