November 24, 2025/

Illinois quick hits: Medicaid coverage for parental home visits; ‘Trouble in Toyland’ report

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.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Congressional Conflicts: Like Pelosi, NJ Rep. has made tens of millions from Wall Street

Congressional Conflicts: Like Pelosi, NJ Rep. has made tens of millions from Wall Street

By Mark StricherzThe Center Square To the dismay of her critics, U.S. Rep. Nancy Pelosi has made millions from Wall Street while in Congress, but the California Democrat is not...
Clintons agree to appear before House committee, no date set

Clintons agree to appear before House committee, no date set

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square Former President Bill Clinton and his wife, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, have finally agreed to appear before the U.S. House Oversight Committee; however,...
Casey Westfield Warriors logo graphic.2

Head Football Coach Resigns as Board Approves Personnel Changes

Casey-Westfield Board of Education Meeting | Jan. 26, 2026 Article Summary: The Casey-Westfield Board of Education accepted the resignation of Head Football Coach Jeff Frichtnicht and approved other staffing changes...
Google to pay $68M to end Assistant recordings class action

Google to pay $68M to end Assistant recordings class action

By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square Google has agreed to pay $68 million to power down a class action lawsuit accusing the tech giant of allegedly enabling its...
Dems fail in first try to use ‘state sovereignty’ to ‘veto’ ICE

Dems fail in first try to use ‘state sovereignty’ to ‘veto’ ICE

By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square As a federal judge in Chicago prepares to hear Illinois' and Chicago's lawsuit seeking to all but halt ICE and Border Patrol...
Report says California’s bond debt load exceeds $99 billion

Report says California’s bond debt load exceeds $99 billion

By Madeline ShannonThe Center Square Amid a projected $18 billion budget shortfall for the 2026-27 fiscal year, the state is also dealing with $99.1 billion in bond debt, according to...
Los Angeles mayor calls for unity, blasts ICE in State of City

Los Angeles mayor calls for unity, blasts ICE in State of City

By Chris WoodwardThe Center Square Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass wants residents to remain unified and continue helping one another in times of difficulty. During her State of the City...
Illinois Quick Hits: McIntyre back as inspector general for DCFS

Illinois Quick Hits: McIntyre back as inspector general for DCFS

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker has reappointed Ann McIntyre to continue serving as inspector general for the Illinois Department...
Speculation on Seahawks’ sale heats up following proposed WA ‘jock tax’

Speculation on Seahawks’ sale heats up following proposed WA ‘jock tax’

By Brett DavisThe Center Square Whether or not the Seattle Seahawks are sold after Super Bowl LX remains to be seen, but the timing of such speculation comes shortly after...
WATCH: Newsom cites California's seizures of fentanyl

WATCH: Newsom cites California’s seizures of fentanyl

By Dave MasonThe Center Square Gov. Gavin Newsom on Monday afternoon joined California National Guard and California Highway Patrol leaders to announce the state’s success in seizing a half billion...
Colorado bill says gun barrel purchases to be made at dealers

Colorado bill says gun barrel purchases to be made at dealers

By Derek DraplinThe Center Square A new bill introduced in Colorado would require gun barrel purchases to be made in-person at a firearm dealer. Senate Bill 26-043, which was introduced...
Trump admin to define banking privacy laws

Trump admin to define banking privacy laws

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The Trump Administration is set to revisit regulations on data privacy and consumer protections between banks and financial technology firms such as Venmo. The administration...
Western senators propose wastewater program renewal

Western senators propose wastewater program renewal

By Liam HibbertThe Center Square U.S. Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nevada, has co-introduced bipartisan legislation to extend a federal $450 million water recycling grant for Western states until 2032. The...
Ohio Dems call for return to TPS status for Haitians

Ohio Dems call for return to TPS status for Haitians

By David BeasleyThe Center Square Ohio Senate Democrats called Monday for the federal government to extend temporary protected status for Haitians in Springfield. That status is set to expire Tuesday....
Trump Kennedy Center to close for two years; over $250M secured for renovations

Trump Kennedy Center to close for two years; over $250M secured for renovations

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square Those hoping to catch a show at the Trump Kennedy Center will only have a few months before it closes for a two-year renovation, President...