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.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Hegseth seeks to reduce Sen. Kelly's Navy retirement pay

Hegseth seeks to reduce Sen. Kelly’s Navy retirement pay

By Dave MasonThe Center Square Editor's note: This story has been updated since its initial publication to include a comment from the White House. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth plans...
Special election for Greene's seat set for March 10

Special election for Greene’s seat set for March 10

By Kim JarrettThe Center Square Former U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene's congressional seat will be empty at least two months, likely three, as a special election already drawing 24 candidates...
Trump lays out 'roadmap for victory' during GOP House retreat

Trump lays out ‘roadmap for victory’ during GOP House retreat

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square As the country is about to embark on a pivotal election year, President Donald Trump addressed the GOP U.S. House of Representatives retreat. During a...
Longtime GOP California congressman dies

Longtime GOP California congressman dies

By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square Republican Rep. Doug LaMalfa, a staunch conservative who represented California’s rural 1st congressional district for just over 16 years after a decade serving in the...
Law enforcement deaths hit 80-year low in 2025

Law enforcement deaths hit 80-year low in 2025

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square Police deaths on the job fell 25% in 2025 to 111, an 80-year low not seen since World War II. The number of law enforcement...
Michigan GOP leader seeks audit of $540M child care program

Michigan GOP leader seeks audit of $540M child care program

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square Michigan’s Senate Republican Leader Aric Nesbitt has requested the state’s independent auditor general investigate taxpayer-funded child care centers for fraud. Nesbitt, R-Porter Township, sent the...
WATCH: Trump ‘not gonna pay’ child care fraud; Immigration enforcement costs; Moving out

WATCH: Trump ‘not gonna pay’ child care fraud; Immigration enforcement costs; Moving out

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 latest...
Duckworth pushes military IVF coverage as critics warn taxpayers could pay

Duckworth pushes military IVF coverage as critics warn taxpayers could pay

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Schaumburg, criticizes the House speaker and the president after a provision...
Illinois quick hits: Increased flu activity reported

Illinois quick hits: Increased flu activity reported

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Increased flu activity reported The Illinois Department of Public Health says flu activity is very high in the state, the most...
Chicago car impounds not unconstitutional ‘taking’: Court

Chicago car impounds not unconstitutional ‘taking’: Court

By Scott Holland | Legal NewslineThe Center Square A federal appeals panel says Chicago’s policy of towing and disposing of vehicles doesn’t reach the level of unconstitutional taking without compensation,...
Southwest congressional members discuss Venezuela

Southwest congressional members discuss Venezuela

By Chris WoodwardThe Center Square Southwestern members of Congress reacted along party lines after the U.S. military captured Venezuela President Nicolás Maduro and his wife. U.S. Rep. Abe Hamadeh, R-Arizona,...
U.S. companies dodge global tax in OECD deal

U.S. companies dodge global tax in OECD deal

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square U.S. multinational companies will be exempt from paying additional corporate taxes in a deal reached by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, a global...
Trump frets over looming Supreme Court decision on tariffs

Trump frets over looming Supreme Court decision on tariffs

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square Days after deposing a foreign dictator, President Donald Trump said his worldwide taxes on imports are more crucial than ever to U.S. security. The president's...
Greene posts about burgers, appropriation bill on final day in office

Greene posts about burgers, appropriation bill on final day in office

By Kim JarrettThe Center Square U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene spent her last day in Congress criticizing an upcoming appropriations bill and posting to social media about her lunch in...
In wake of Minnesota fraud, Abbott directs investigation into childcare programs

In wake of Minnesota fraud, Abbott directs investigation into childcare programs

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square In the wake of what appears to be billions of dollars worth of welfare fraud committed against 14 Minnesota Medicaid-funded welfare programs, Texas Gov. Greg...