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.

Events

No events

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Trump: Chicago needs 'big, strong soldiers'

Trump: Chicago needs ‘big, strong soldiers’

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – President Donald Trump says Chicago needs big, strong soldiers to get the city into shape. The president...
WATCH: Gov. Gavin Newsom signs climate and energy bills

WATCH: Gov. Gavin Newsom signs climate and energy bills

By Dave MasonThe Center Square California Gov. Gavin Newsom Friday morning promised up to $60 billion in tax rebates on electricity fees just before signing climate and energy bills. The...
Large Wisconsin data center tax breaks make benefits unclear

Large Wisconsin data center tax breaks make benefits unclear

By Jon StyfThe Center Square When Microsoft announced plans for an additional $4 billion data center in Kenosha County on Thursday morning, it came with comments from Wisconsin Gov. Tony...
Panelists debate costs of energy legislation as Illinoisans struggle to pay bills

Panelists debate costs of energy legislation as Illinoisans struggle to pay bills

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Some consumer advocates say battery storage legislation would help reduce energy price spikes, but others say an...
Hearing held after report on tax money funding woke ideology in nonprofit hospitals

Hearing held after report on tax money funding woke ideology in nonprofit hospitals

By Tate MillerThe Center Square Following a “Consumer Warning” report that shows a number of nonprofit hospitals promote DEI, gender ideology, and climate activism, the House Ways & Means Oversight...
Senate rejects both Republican and Democrat govt funding stopgaps, risking a shutdown

Senate rejects both Republican and Democrat govt funding stopgaps, risking a shutdown

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square The U.S. Senate failed to pass either Democrats’ or Republicans’ government funding proposals Friday to prevent a government shutdown. Senators have now left town for...
Human remains found near Leavenworth believed to be Travis Decker

Human remains found near Leavenworth believed to be Travis Decker

By Carleen JohnsonThe Center Square The Chelan County Sheriff’s Office has announced the discovery of human remains believed to be those of Travis Decker. Decker is accused of kidnapping and...
House passes government funding patch, sending over to Senate

House passes government funding patch, sending over to Senate

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square Right before recessing for the Rosh Hashanah holiday, U.S. House lawmakers passed Friday a short-term Continuing Resolution to postpone the Sept. 30 government shutdown deadline....
Illinois quick hits: ICE protests in Broadview; Edgar funeral services this weekend

Illinois quick hits: ICE protests in Broadview; Edgar funeral services this weekend

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square ICE protests in Broadview Protesters clashed with federal officials Friday morning outside the U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement facility in the...
WATCH: Pritzker’s office ‘troubled’ by ‘peacekeeper’ photo; 2 years of cashless bail

WATCH: Pritzker’s office ‘troubled’ by ‘peacekeeper’ photo; 2 years of cashless bail

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – In today's edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop shares the reaction...
Will GOP act on $124B in Medicare insurance fraud?

Will GOP act on $124B in Medicare insurance fraud?

By Chris Dickerson | Legal NewslineThe Center Square Earlier this year, UnitedHealthcare acknowledged it is under federal investigation over accusations is defrauded Medicare Advantage through multiple billions of dollars in...
What a terrorist designation could mean for Antifa

What a terrorist designation could mean for Antifa

By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square President Donald Trump declared Antifa a terrorist organization on Wednesday, describing them as a “sick, dangerous, radical left disaster;” however, it’s unclear at this time...
WATCH: Report says national student debt is over $1.6 trillion

WATCH: Report says national student debt is over $1.6 trillion

By Esther WickhamThe Center Square The college student loan balance in the United States is $1.66 trillion, according to a WalletHub report. To determine the best and worst states with...
DOJ sues health plan that got almost $3.5 billion from Feds

DOJ sues health plan that got almost $3.5 billion from Feds

By Dave MasonThe Center Square The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California is suing a health insurance plan for allegedly violating the public’s trust at taxpayers’ expense....
Bill blocks Federal Reserve members' dual appointments

Bill blocks Federal Reserve members’ dual appointments

By Zachery SchmidtThe Center Square Federal Reserve board members would not be able to hold dual positions appointed by the president if U.S. Sen. Ruben Gallego’s new bill becomes law....