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

Second Oval Office meeting with Zelenskyy notably different in tone

Second Oval Office meeting with Zelenskyy notably different in tone

By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square On the heels of an important meeting between President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Trump in the...
Senate pledges economic support for Russia-Ukraine deal as govt funding talks stall

Senate pledges economic support for Russia-Ukraine deal as govt funding talks stall

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square As Republicans and Democrats remain deadlocked over how to fund the government for fiscal 2026 and prevent a shutdown, Senate leaders remain united on one...
Democratic candidates focus on national politics in campaign for U.S. Senate

Democratic candidates focus on national politics in campaign for U.S. Senate

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois’ Democratic Party candidates for U.S. Senate have focused their campaigns on opposition to Republicans and President...
Arizona Chamber praises new interstate natural gas pipeline

Arizona Chamber praises new interstate natural gas pipeline

By Chris WoodwardThe Center Square The Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry is excited about the future, thanks to a deal between state utilities and Transwestern Pipeline Co. The company...
Dems oppose Trump's bid to end mail-in ballots, voting machines

Dems oppose Trump’s bid to end mail-in ballots, voting machines

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square Casting a ballot may look different for millions of American voters in the 2026 midterm elections if Republican-led states follow President Donald Trump’s wish to...
Trump says court's tariff decision could lead to 'catastrophic' collapse

Trump says court’s tariff decision could lead to ‘catastrophic’ collapse

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square Attorneys for President Donald Trump told judges that if they yank the president's tariff authority, "catastrophic consequences" would ensue, including a deep economic collapse not...
After two weeks fleeing Texas, House Democrats return, quorum reached

After two weeks fleeing Texas, House Democrats return, quorum reached

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square After two weeks fleeing the state, many Texas House Democrats returned, and a quorum was reached on Monday. More than two dozen Democrats still didn’t...
Trump: Zelenskyy could end Russia-Ukraine war ‘if he wants to’

Trump: Zelenskyy could end Russia-Ukraine war ‘if he wants to’

By Caroline BodaThe Center Square Ahead of the summit with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and other European leaders in Washington on Monday, President Donald Trump said Ukraine should give up...
$750 million facility to protect Texas cattle, wildlife from screwworm threat

$750 million facility to protect Texas cattle, wildlife from screwworm threat

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Responding to calls by state lawmakers and the agricultural industry for immediate action to be taken to protect cattle and wildlife from a parasitic fly,...
Chicago posts fewest homicides since 2016, arrests rate also declines

Chicago posts fewest homicides since 2016, arrests rate also declines

By Glenn Minnis | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois state Rep. Kam Buckner, D-Chicago, studies Chicago’s somewhat mixed-bag crime trend data with little question...
Three years later, Inflation Reduction Act blamed for higher Medicare costs

Three years later, Inflation Reduction Act blamed for higher Medicare costs

By Tom JoyceThe Center Square This past weekend marked the third anniversary of the Inflation Reduction Act, signed into law by former President Joe Biden in 2022. While the law...
Illinois quick hits: Prosecutors charge two more in Tren de Aragua case; Senate Energy and Public Utilities Committee meets today; Illinois Little League team loses in World Series

Illinois quick hits: Prosecutors charge two more in Tren de Aragua case; Senate Energy and Public Utilities Committee meets today; Illinois Little League team loses in World Series

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Prosecutors charge two more in Tren de Aragua case State prosecutors have charged two more migrants as part of an investigation...
Report: Human Rights Campaign pressures transgender procedures on minors

Report: Human Rights Campaign pressures transgender procedures on minors

By Tate MillerThe Center Square (By Tate Miller) – The Human Rights Campaign pressures children’s hospitals into performing transgender procedures on minors, according to a Do No Harm report. Do...
Manhattan Township

Kankakee Bridge Project Out for Bid at $1.6 Million, Baker Road Bridge Nears Completion

Manhattan Township Meeting | July 2025 Article Summary: Manhattan Township is moving forward with two significant infrastructure projects, with the Kankakee Bridge reconstruction now out for bid at an estimated cost...
Everyday Economics: Housing market and Fed policy in focus in the week ahead

Everyday Economics: Housing market and Fed policy in focus in the week ahead

By Orphe DivounguyThe Center Square This week brings crucial updates on America's housing market struggles and hints about where interest rates might head next. Housing Data Dump Several major housing...