Illinois quick hits: Pritzker reacts to HHS funding freeze; Chicago crime dashboard released

Illinois quick hits: Pritzker reacts to HHS funding freeze; Chicago crime dashboard released

January 7, 2026/
Spread the love

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

Pritzker reacts to HHS funding freeze

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has frozen access to about $10 billion in federal child care and family assistance funds for Illinois, Minnesota and three other states due to concerns about fraud and misuse of taxpayer dollars.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker blasted the move and said President Donald Trump is stripping child care from Illinois families who are just trying to go to work.

Republican gubernatorial candidate Ted Dabrowski called for a forensic audit, saying state appropriations of state and federal child care services funding increased 299% since Pritzker became governor.

Chicago crime dashboard released

The City of Chicago Office of Inspector General has published a new dashboard that allows users to search and explore city data on reported crimes.

The site includes information about what kinds of crimes are being reported and where, and the rates at which the Chicago Police Department is solving, or “clearing” criminal investigations.

The dashboard can be found online.

Canine certification program

The Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board is partnering with the Cook County Sheriff’s Office to review and certify law enforcement personnel and their trained therapy canines.

The three-day course and certification is designed to ensure that law enforcement therapy canine teams are prepared to respond appropriately to individuals experiencing trauma or crisis.

The course was developed in partnership with the Cook County Sheriff’s Office’s Tails of Redemption program, which offers opportunities for county jail inmates to train rescued dogs in basic obedience.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Bipartisan commission votes to release report on former rep's misconduct

Bipartisan commission votes to release report on former rep’s misconduct

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Illinois Legislative Ethics Commission voted unanimously Thursday to release an investigative report from the Legislative Inspector...
Shah, Feely to face off in battleground House race

Shah, Feely to face off in battleground House race

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Amish Shah and Jay Feely will face off for Arizona's first congressional district seat in November. The race is seen as one of the most...
Trump 'final dealmaker' on Saudi nuclear deal, Leavitt says

Trump ‘final dealmaker’ on Saudi nuclear deal, Leavitt says

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square President Donald Trump is working on possible nuclear deal with Saudi Arabia that would stand for three decades and involve U.S. companies, White House Press...
Sherrill pressured to expand probe into New Jersey voting scandal

Sherrill pressured to expand probe into New Jersey voting scandal

By Chris WadeThe Center Square New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill is facing pressure from Republican legislative leaders and federal law enforcement officials to provide more details on how more than...
Appropriations committee examines policies to end government shutdowns

Appropriations committee examines policies to end government shutdowns

By Christine JohnsonThe Center Square With two recent government shutdowns in mind due to lack of appropriations, members of Congress are examining why government shutdowns occur and what role lawmakers...
Illinois quick hits: Toll hike hearings conclude Friday

Illinois quick hits: Toll hike hearings conclude Friday

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Toll hike hearings conclude Friday The last two public hearings on the Illinois Tollway Board’s proposed toll increases are scheduled on...
Administration presses law school accreditor over DEI policies

Administration presses law school accreditor over DEI policies

By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square A U.S. House task force questioned the president of the American Bar Association in a hearing Wednesday about the organization’s commitment to diversity, equity and...
Chicago can force landlords to pay tenants $10K for ‘relocation assistance’

Chicago can force landlords to pay tenants $10K for ‘relocation assistance’

By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square (Legal Newsline) - Nothing in the U.S. Constitution prevents the city of Chicago from forcing landlords who purchase apartment buildings out of...
Speaker’s response to staffer assault complaint draws questions on his own conduct

Speaker’s response to staffer assault complaint draws questions on his own conduct

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – After reporting about a now-resigned state representative and allegations that Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch may...
Republicans' $95B budget resolution passes House

Republicans’ $95B budget resolution passes House

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square Republicans’ blueprint for a third party-line bill passed the U.S. House on a slim two-vote margin Wednesday, despite grumblings from fiscal hawks over the bill’s...
$1.15T Pentagon funding authorization bill passes U.S. House

$1.15T Pentagon funding authorization bill passes U.S. House

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square A $1.15 trillion annual defense funding bill finally passed the U.S. House Wednesday after weeks of delay. Six Democrats joined all but seven Republicans in...
Lawmakers debate GLP-1 regulation, expansion

Lawmakers debate GLP-1 regulation, expansion

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Lawmakers pushed for more regulations and safety standards on popular weight loss medications, including GLP-1 prescriptions, at an event in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday. Rep....
Illinois news in brief: Ex-Big Ten Network staffer gets 2 years in embezzlement case

Illinois news in brief: Ex-Big Ten Network staffer gets 2 years in embezzlement case

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Ex-Big Ten Network staffer gets 2 years in embezzlement case A former Big Ten Network employee has been sentenced to 28...
New quantum tenant gets $1.8 million in tax credits

New quantum tenant gets $1.8 million in tax credits

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Another quantum technology company is coming to Illinois, and tax credits are part of the deal. Gov....
Proposal would term-limit Supreme Court justices without amendment

Proposal would term-limit Supreme Court justices without amendment

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square Senate Democrats introduced legislation Wednesday to impose 18-year term limits on U.S. Supreme Court justices by statute, a route that would sidestep the constitutional amendment...