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

Following GOP criticism, Pritzker finds $481.6 million in budget reserves

Following GOP criticism, Pritzker finds $481.6 million in budget reserves

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Governor’s Office of Management and Budget says it has identified more than $480 million of budget...
Critics slam Illinois’ $36M park grants as political, wasteful

Critics slam Illinois’ $36M park grants as political, wasteful

By Cat Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Pritzker administration’s recent announcement of $36 million in state grants for local park projects is...
Illinois Quick Hits: Chicago pays OT to potentially ineligible workers

Illinois Quick Hits: Chicago pays OT to potentially ineligible workers

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Chicago’s inspector general has advised the city’s human resources and finance departments that from 2020 through 2024,...
The Lake Land College Board of Trustees approved the hiring of Jay Hopper, Mattoon, as the College’s Director of Strategic Initiatives during the regular board meeting on Monday, January 12. Pictured is Hopper.

Jay Hopper Hired as Director of Strategic Initiatives

The Lake Land College Board of Trustees approved the hiring of Jay Hopper, Mattoon, as the College’s Director of Strategic Initiatives during the regular board meeting on Monday, January 12....
Clark County Graphic.6

County Hires Michael Fuller Group for Human Resources Support

Article Summary: The board voted to outsource human resources support to a specialized firm to assist with compliance, benefits, and departmental strategy.HR Outsourcing Key Points: The Michael Fuller Group will provide...
Illinois Quick Hits: U.S. rep proposes restriction on housing purchases

Illinois Quick Hits: U.S. rep proposes restriction on housing purchases

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois U.S. Rep. Mary Miller, R-Oakland, has introduced legislation to restrict large institutional investment firms from buying...
IL Republicans call for growing tax base, not raising taxes

IL Republicans call for growing tax base, not raising taxes

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Statehouse Republicans say it is time for Illinois Democrats to focus on growing the tax base instead...
DHS funding bill teeters as Democrats balk over ICE concerns

DHS funding bill teeters as Democrats balk over ICE concerns

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square Congress is racing to advance the last four federal spending bills through the House Rules Committee in time for a floor vote Thursday. But Democratic...
House hearing: Fraud goes far beyond Minnesota

House hearing: Fraud goes far beyond Minnesota

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square The U.S. House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Federal Government Surveillance heard Wednesday from witnesses on the ongoing Minnesota fraud scandal. Republicans and Democrats on...
Supreme Court hears arguments on Fed firing case

Supreme Court hears arguments on Fed firing case

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments on Wednesday in a case over whether President Donald Trump can immediately remove Lisa Cook, a member of...
More than 1,000 cases of child care overpayments in Illinois over 5 years

More than 1,000 cases of child care overpayments in Illinois over 5 years

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – In the past 5 years, the state of Illinois has found more than 1,000 instances of taxpayer...
Support for religious freedom up 5 points from 2020, reaching a high of 71

Support for religious freedom up 5 points from 2020, reaching a high of 71

By Tate MillerThe Center Square Support for religious freedom grew five points from 2020 to 2025, reaching an all-time cumulative high of 71 points, according to Becket’s seventh annual Religious...
New bill would force DCFS to disclose details on missing children

New bill would force DCFS to disclose details on missing children

By Cat Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – An Illinois state senator has introduced legislation requiring the Department of Children and Family Services to...
WATCH: Pritzker says Trump’s first year a failure; Raoul discusses prosecuting fraud

WATCH: Pritzker says Trump’s first year a failure; Raoul discusses prosecuting fraud

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – In today's edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square's Greg Bishop discusses some of the...
Illinois Quick Hits: Pritzker wants year-round E15 fuel

Illinois Quick Hits: Pritzker wants year-round E15 fuel

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker is renewing his call for the federal government to mandate year-round sales of...