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

Illinois legalizes physician-assisted suicide; critics warn of moral, safety risks

Illinois legalizes physician-assisted suicide; critics warn of moral, safety risks

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed Senate Bill 1950, prompting strong backlash from medical, disability, religious and...
Casey Westfield Warriors logo graphic.2

Fast start, defensive intensity carry Casey-Westfield past Red Hill

A dominant first quarter and a standout performance from senior Lucy Moore propelled the Casey-Westfield Lady Warriors to a gritty 29-20 victory over Red Hill in girls’ high school basketball...
IL Dem touts 'great job' on transit, GOP candidate laments 'bailout' for Chicago

IL Dem touts ‘great job’ on transit, GOP candidate laments ‘bailout’ for Chicago

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Taxes and tolls will rise for many Illinoisans in 2026 if Gov. J.B. Pritzker signs legislation to...
Bill designed to protect school kids from sexual misconduct

Bill designed to protect school kids from sexual misconduct

By Esther WickhamThe Center Square A new bill meant to protect children was introduced by U.S. Rep. Wesley Hunt, R-Texas, called the National Educator Safety and Accountability Act of 2025....
Illinois quick hits: More bills enacted into law; former ComEd CEO seeking Trump pardon

Illinois quick hits: More bills enacted into law; former ComEd CEO seeking Trump pardon

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square More bills enacted into law Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s office announced more than a dozen bills were enacted Friday. Aside from the...
Pritzker enacts bills, including measure decoupling IL from federal tax code

Pritzker enacts bills, including measure decoupling IL from federal tax code

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s office announced more than a dozen bills were enacted Friday. Aside from the medical...
Judge overreached in ordering hundreds of illegal immigrants released

Judge overreached in ordering hundreds of illegal immigrants released

By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square A Biden-appointed Chicago federal judge went too far in using a deal struck between the Biden administration and pro-immigrant activists to issue...
WATCH: California co-leads suit over $100,000 H-1B visa fee

WATCH: California co-leads suit over $100,000 H-1B visa fee

By Dave MasonThe Center Square Democratic attorneys general from California and 18 other states sued the Trump administration Friday over its new $100,000 fee on H-1B visas. President Donald Trump...

WATCH: Trump outlines AI order, calls Pritzker ‘totally unreasonable’

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Although it remains to be seen how President Donald Trump’s executive order on artificial intelligence will affect...
Entrepreneur's supporters say case law may result in release

Entrepreneur’s supporters say case law may result in release

By Chris WoodwardThe Center Square Arizonans think a situation involving Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia should result in the release of a Phoenix area business owner facing deportation. Garcia is the...
GOP lawmakers silent on Trump's EO punishing state AI guardrails

GOP lawmakers silent on Trump’s EO punishing state AI guardrails

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square Frustrated with Congress failing to enact national artificial intelligence regulations, President Donald Trump took matters into his own hands Thursday night and signed an executive...
Gabbard: 2,000 Afghan refugees in U.S. have ties to terrorism

Gabbard: 2,000 Afghan refugees in U.S. have ties to terrorism

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square An estimated 2,000 Afghan nationals admitted to the United States following the deadly 2021 pullout of American forces from Afghanistan have ties to terrorism, according...
Op-Ed: No more CDL mills: Trump’s DOT puts safety back in the driver’s seat

Op-Ed: No more CDL mills: Trump’s DOT puts safety back in the driver’s seat

By Steve Cortes | League of American WorkersThe Center Square As families prepare for the holidays, America’s truck drivers are doing what they always do – keeping promises to working...
Illinois Gov. Pritzker signs assisted suicide bill

Illinois Gov. Pritzker signs assisted suicide bill

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker has signed Senate Bill 1950 to legalize physician-assisted suicide in Illinois. The governor announced...
Hochul weighs AI regulations as Trump sets federal rules

Hochul weighs AI regulations as Trump sets federal rules

By Chris WadeThe Center Square New York Gov. Kathy Hochul is weighing plans to regulate the state's artificial intelligence sector, even as President Donald Trump seeks to restrict states from...